Surly Straggler 700c (Steel Blue)

Overview

The Surly Straggler 700c has deep routes in the Surly tradition evolving as the disc version of iconic Surly Cross-Check. This bicycle embodies versatility, excelling as a light tourer, a reliable commuter, and even a cyclocross racer. It’s not just versatile; it’s audacious—bold, raw, untamed, and powerful, it’s the life of the party on two wheels. With color options like Chlorine Dream for the visionaries or black for the no-frills Surly attitude. Simply put, this is the Surly your mom warned you about, daring you to redefine your cycling style and break through whatever is holding you back.

If bikepacking is your jam, then the Surly Straggler is your concert ticket to the backcountry. Imagine loading up your bikepacking bags and conquering iconic gravel routes like the Oregon Outback or the Tour Divide. With its steel frame offering both durability and a smooth ride, this bike is a gravel muncher. Its versatility allows for an array of bikepacking setups, from minimalist to “kitchen sink included.” So, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned bikepacker, the Straggler is ready for gravel escapades that’ll make even the most nonchalant mom say, “You’re doing what?”

Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The geometry of the Surly Straggler 700c features a top tube that is designed to provide a comfortable reach, ensuring that riders don’t feel stretched out or cramped. The slack head tube angle contributes to a more stable ride, particularly useful when navigating uneven terrains or descending at high speeds. The bottom bracket is positioned to offer a low center of gravity, which enhances the bike’s stability and balance, especially during turns. The chainstays are of moderate length, striking a balance between agility and stability, allowing for responsive handling without sacrificing comfort.

Riding the Surly Straggler 700c feels like a harmonious blend of comfort and performance. Its balanced geometry ensures a ride that is both responsive and stable, making it an excellent choice for city commuting as well as light off-road adventures. The elongated wheelbase and consistent head tube angle contribute to a ride that is stable at high speeds yet agile enough for quick maneuvers. This makes the Straggler 700c a versatile choice for those who want a bike that can handle a variety of terrains and riding conditions.

• Reach and Stack: The Straggler’s reach spans from 396.3mm to 420.9mm, and the stack ranges from 549.2mm to 628.2mm. This combination ensures an ergonomic riding position, contrasting with some bikes that might lean towards a more aggressive stance.
• Head Tube Angle: The Straggler maintains a consistent head tube angle of 72.0° across most sizes. This angle strikes a balance between agility and stability, differentiating it from racing bikes that might have steeper angles for rapid maneuverability.
• BB Drop: The BB drop for the Straggler is consistently at 72.0mm across all sizes. This design choice ensures a stable center of gravity, enhancing the bike’s stability, especially during turns.
• Wheelbase: The Straggler’s wheelbase varies from 1016.5mm to 1071.8mm. A longer wheelbase like this offers enhanced stability, especially at higher speeds, distinguishing it from some aggressive road bikes with shorter wheelbases.
• Chainstay Length: The Straggler boasts a consistent chainstay length of 425.0mm to 430.0mm. This is slightly elongated compared to some performance-focused road bikes, emphasizing a stable ride.
• Top Tube Length: The actual and effective top tube lengths for the Straggler range from 563.3mm to 625.0mm. This design ensures riders have an optimal reach to the handlebars, contrasting with some bikes that might have elongated top tubes for a more aggressive posture.
• Seat Tube Angle: The Straggler’s seat tube angles vary from 72.0° to 73.0°. This range ensures an efficient pedaling position, setting it apart from some race-oriented bikes that might have steeper angles.
• Standover Height: The standover heights for the Straggler span from 791.7mm to 865.0mm. This range allows riders of varying heights to comfortably mount and dismount the bike, a crucial feature for varied terrains and conditions.

vs. the Surly Straggler 650b

The Surly Straggler, 650b with its 650b tires, is priced similarly to the Surly Straggler 700c. While both bikes have comparable frames, the main distinctions lie in their wheel and tire sizes as follows:

• Wheel Size:
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Built around a 700c wheel size.
  • Surly Straggler 650b: Designed with a 650b wheel size.
• Tire Clearance:
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Can accommodate up to 700c x 42mm tires.
  • Surly Straggler 650b: Allows for up to 650b x 42mm or 27.5 x 2.0″ tires.
• Tires:
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Surly Knard 700c x 41mm, 33 tpi.
  • Surly Straggler 650b: Surly Knard 650b x 41mm, 33 tpi or 27.5 x 2.0″.

vs. the Kona Libre

The Kona Libre is designed primarily as a gravel bike, emphasizing challenging climbs and adventurous off-road rides with its lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fork, making it adept at both competitive events and casual gravel rides. In contrast, the Surly Straggler 700c, with its steel frame, offers a versatile ride suitable for various terrains, from commuting to light touring and cyclocross. While the Libre leans towards performance and agility, especially on rough terrains, the Straggler 700c prioritizes adaptability and comfort, often coming in at a more affordable price point than high-end gravel bikes like the Libre.

• Drivetrain and Groupsets:
  • Kona Libre: Equipped with SRAM Apex components, known for their reliability in shifting and overall performance.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Features SRAM Apex 1×11 components, ensuring consistent shifting and a wide gear range.
• Frame Material:
  • Kona Libre: Made from Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted, which is lightweight and designed for agility.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Constructed from 100% Surly proprietary 4130 CroMoly tubing, known for its durability and comfort.
• Fork:
  • Kona Libre: Features a Kona Libre Carbon fork, which is light and offers vibration damping for rough terrains.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Uses a 4130 CroMoly fork, which is sturdy and offers a balanced ride.
• Tires:
  • Kona Libre: Comes with Maxxis Rambler Silkshield TR 700x45c, designed for grip and durability on gravel roads.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Equipped with Surly Knard 700c x 41mm, versatile for both city streets and light off-road conditions.
• Ride Feel:
  • Kona Libre: Designed for gravel and off-road adventures, it emphasizes agility, especially on challenging terrains and climbs.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Offers a versatile ride suitable for various terrains, from city commuting to light touring and cyclocross, prioritizing adaptability and comfort.
• Geometry:
  • Kona Libre: Its geometry leans towards performance-oriented gravel bikes, ensuring quick handling and responsiveness, especially on off-road terrains.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Features a more relaxed geometry that’s tailored for diverse terrains and adaptable road conditions, ensuring a balance between stability and agility.

vs. the Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C

The Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C is tailored for long-distance touring and exploration, with its geometry promoting a comfortable and upright riding position, ensuring reduced fatigue on extended rides. Its components, like the Tektro MD-C550 brakes, are chosen for reliability over prolonged journeys. In contrast, the Surly Straggler 700c offers a versatile ride suitable for a mix of terrains, from urban commuting to light touring, with its steel frame providing a balance of comfort and durability. While both bikes prioritize adaptability, the Journeyer leans more towards endurance touring, whereas the Straggler emphasizes general versatility, often at a relatively lower cost.

• Frame:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Features the Journeyer Drop-Bar Thru-Axle frame, designed for long-distance touring and exploration.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Constructed from 100% Surly proprietary 4130 CroMoly tubing, known for its durability and adaptability across terrains.
• Fork:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Uses the Waxwing fork, tailored for comfort on extended rides.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Equipped with a 4130 CroMoly fork, offering a balanced and versatile ride.
• Drivetrain and Groupsets:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Features SRAM Apex 1 components, ensuring reliable shifting and a wide gear range suitable for touring.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Comes with SRAM Apex 1×11 components, offering consistent shifting across various terrains.
• Brakes:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Equipped with Tektro MD-C550 brakes, chosen for their reliability on long rides.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Features SRAM Avid BB7 Road brakes, ensuring consistent stopping power across terrains.
• Tires:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Comes with Teravail Washburn tires, 700c x 38 mm, designed for durability and grip on long tours.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Equipped with Surly Knard 700c x 41mm, versatile for both city and off-road conditions.
• Ride Feel:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Designed primarily for long-distance touring, it emphasizes comfort and endurance, ensuring reduced fatigue on prolonged journeys.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Offers a versatile ride suitable for diverse terrains, from city streets to light touring and cyclocross, prioritizing adaptability and comfort.
• Geometry:
  • Salsa Journeyer Apex 1 700C: Its geometry is tailored for extended touring, promoting an upright and comfortable riding position.
  • Surly Straggler 700c: Features a more versatile geometry that’s adaptable to various road conditions, ensuring a balance between stability and agility.