Comments on: First Impression: Surly Big Dummy http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Wil Yeo http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-193585 Wil Yeo Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:06:33 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-193585 If you want to avoid safe tire issues go with tires that last long and properly maintain them. At JaxTires you can find the latest performance <a href="http://jaxtires.com/Products/9-nitto-mud-grappler-extreme-terrain-tire.aspx" rel="nofollow"><b>TIRES</b></a>. If you want to avoid safe tire issues go with tires that last long and properly maintain them. At JaxTires you can find the latest performance TIRES.

]]> By: Charlie The Bikemonger http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-112373 Charlie The Bikemonger Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:06:03 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-112373 Hi, Here is something that may be of interest to you... www.surlybigdummysociety.com. It's a small web community for surly big dummy owners, a bit like fixed gear gallery but for hefty haulin' bikes... a bit like an owners club (but that sounds too lame). Have a look, and send in some pictures and words for the gallery page. Join in, contribute. Its early days, the website is about 3 hours old, but in time we will have a glorious collection of pics, movies, tips and tales of adventure. I do sell Surly bikes, but this is not about that... this is about bringing the DB community together. All the best, please feel free to email if you need anything. Cheers Charlie Charlie@surlybigdummysociety.com Hi,

Here is something that may be of interest to you… http://www.surlybigdummysociety.com.

It’s a small web community for surly big dummy owners, a bit like fixed gear gallery but for hefty haulin’ bikes… a bit like an owners club (but that sounds too lame).
Have a look, and send in some pictures and words for the gallery page. Join in, contribute.
Its early days, the website is about 3 hours old, but in time we will have a glorious collection of pics, movies, tips and tales of adventure.
I do sell Surly bikes, but this is not about that… this is about bringing the DB community together.
All the best, please feel free to email if you need anything.
Cheers
Charlie
Charlie@surlybigdummysociety.com

]]> By: Tim Grahl http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-83165 Tim Grahl Thu, 29 May 2008 14:07:32 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-83165 CaptCanuck: Yeah I figured that out eventually. This post is from March 12, so I got my crap together not long after. Thanks for the heads up! CaptCanuck: Yeah I figured that out eventually. This post is from March 12, so I got my crap together not long after.

Thanks for the heads up!

]]> By: CaptCanuck http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-83164 CaptCanuck Thu, 29 May 2008 13:50:39 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-83164 Oh, and did you notice in the pictures above the author hasn't run the straps correctly either? :-) Oh, and did you notice in the pictures above the author hasn’t run the straps correctly either? :-)

]]> By: CaptCanuck http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-83163 CaptCanuck Thu, 29 May 2008 13:48:14 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-83163 I see your point about the correct way to run the straps - I actually never received the manual when I picked up the bike. It makes sense now, though I still don't like the freeloader bags. I am wondering why there are the threaded inserts on the front upright tubes of the frame, where the vrack bottms out? Any idea what one is supposed to use those for? I see your point about the correct way to run the straps – I actually never received the manual when I picked up the bike. It makes sense now, though I still don’t like the freeloader bags.

I am wondering why there are the threaded inserts on the front upright tubes of the frame, where the vrack bottms out? Any idea what one is supposed to use those for?

]]> By: sean http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-83161 sean Thu, 29 May 2008 13:23:11 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-83161 I think that if your v-racks are popping out then your freeloaders are not installed properly -- and that may also explain why you dislike the freeloaders. I think the idea of a sling into which you throw other bags is much better. For minor stuff, you can toss a backpack in and then at your destination, grab it and go ... no removing bags form the bike etc. for bigger loads or touring, you can pack much more efficiently by having different sized dry sacks for different gear... check the xtracycle instructions and the pictures in the big dummy manual and make sure you are running your freeloader bag straps around the correct frame members -- then the v racks will not pop out, i'm positive! I think that if your v-racks are popping out then your freeloaders are not installed properly — and that may also explain why you dislike the freeloaders.

I think the idea of a sling into which you throw other bags is much better. For minor stuff, you can toss a backpack in and then at your destination, grab it and go … no removing bags form the bike etc. for bigger loads or touring, you can pack much more efficiently by having different sized dry sacks for different gear…

check the xtracycle instructions and the pictures in the big dummy manual and make sure you are running your freeloader bag straps around the correct frame members — then the v racks will not pop out, i’m positive!

]]> By: CaptCanuck http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-81484 CaptCanuck Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:59:42 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-81484 I too have commuted lots on my Big Dummy. Sure got lots of smiles and stares yesterday (Earth Day!) I really like that I don't have a messenger bag or back pack on now that it is getting warmer, and it has lots of mounts for bottle cages. But it is a little too big to bring in the elevator and store in my office (like I do with my road bike) A kickstand is a must. I saw the little plate I wondered what it was for, given I haven't put a kickstand on any of my bikes in over 20 years :-) I am running 3 rings in the front and I honestly rarely use the middle or granny ring on this bike anymore. Once you have it moving you hardly notice the extra weight and I second that it trackstands like a pro. The Freeloader bags are terrible and you have to run inner bags with them. I am looking to replace them with custom bags from PAC Designs. I am also thinking of running cotter pins through the frame & vracks as I have had them jump out of teh uprights when I drop off a curb, etc. I too have commuted lots on my Big Dummy. Sure got lots of smiles and stares yesterday (Earth Day!) I really like that I don’t have a messenger bag or back pack on now that it is getting warmer, and it has lots of mounts for bottle cages. But it is a little too big to bring in the elevator and store in my office (like I do with my road bike)

A kickstand is a must. I saw the little plate I wondered what it was for, given I haven’t put a kickstand on any of my bikes in over 20 years :-)

I am running 3 rings in the front and I honestly rarely use the middle or granny ring on this bike anymore. Once you have it moving you hardly notice the extra weight and I second that it trackstands like a pro.

The Freeloader bags are terrible and you have to run inner bags with them. I am looking to replace them with custom bags from PAC Designs. I am also thinking of running cotter pins through the frame & vracks as I have had them jump out of teh uprights when I drop off a curb, etc.

]]> By: Milan http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-81474 Milan Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:54:41 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-81474 I have been riding the big dummy for almost a month and most of my riding is commuting to work and I have done two camping trips which involved 50 miles of riding. I have fallen in love with the bike, and now I am wondering why more people don't ride utility bikes. I have several bikes (Seven to be exact) and the big dummy is the most comfortable. I thought, given the "big apple" tires it was going to significantly slower, but when I look at the computer I am riding just as fast (12 to 15 mph) and the long wheelbase is very comfortable... My next experiment is to get another utility bike, for example the KONA and try an internal gear hub....anyone has experience with that? Overall: I love the big dummy! I have been riding the big dummy for almost a month and most of my riding is commuting to work and I have done two camping trips which involved 50 miles of riding.

I have fallen in love with the bike, and now I am wondering why more people don’t ride utility bikes. I have several bikes (Seven to be exact) and the big dummy is the most comfortable.

I thought, given the “big apple” tires it was going to significantly slower, but when I look at the computer I am riding just as fast (12 to 15 mph) and the long wheelbase is very comfortable…

My next experiment is to get another utility bike, for example the KONA and try an internal gear hub….anyone has experience with that?

Overall: I love the big dummy!

]]> By: red http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-78625 red Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:05:41 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-78625 Sure, they go fine as MTBs: check http://www.ridingthespine.com/main.html these guys out! Sure, they go fine as MTBs: check http://www.ridingthespine.com/main.html these guys out!

]]> By: Shawn http://www.commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/comment-page-1/#comment-78539 Shawn Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:00:43 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2008/03/12/first-impression-surly-big-dummy/#comment-78539 I finished building up mine middle of this week and have had a couple of rides and one trip to the grocery store on it. So far: - its heavy but I don't think its that big of a deal. It is probably 10 pounds heavier than the frame it replaced (Cannodale XC frame/fork) but doesn't feel that much slower (a bit but not enough to really bother me). I think the weight is a bit of a non-issue personally, I think speed has more to do with wind resistance, and rolling resistance combined with how agressive the riding position is on a bike. Just me but after a couple of years of an 1h10min commute I noticed + or - 5pounds in my messenger bag never stretched my commute time out by more than a minute or two. -climbing: it climbs, not a rocket but it will get you there. -groceries: you could carry a stupid amount of groceries on this thing if you use your imagination and pack intelligently. I've only done one run and it was a smallish shop (3 full bags) so I don't know but I think you could get pretty crazy. - If you live somewhere where it rains v-brakes would be a bit sketchy and would kill rims fast enough to make upgrading to discs cheaper in the long run - I think any real mountain biking would probably warrant a susp fork. Its really hard to get either wheel off the ground. Other than that it rides more or less like a normal bike until you have to do really tight manoveurs. The steep head angle does a lot to counteract the long wheelbase and it handles really nice. I finished building up mine middle of this week and have had a couple of rides and one trip to the grocery store on it. So far:
- its heavy but I don’t think its that big of a deal. It is probably 10 pounds heavier than the frame it replaced (Cannodale XC frame/fork) but doesn’t feel that much slower (a bit but not enough to really bother me). I think the weight is a bit of a non-issue personally, I think speed has more to do with wind resistance, and rolling resistance combined with how agressive the riding position is on a bike. Just me but after a couple of years of an 1h10min commute I noticed + or – 5pounds in my messenger bag never stretched my commute time out by more than a minute or two.
-climbing: it climbs, not a rocket but it will get you there.
-groceries: you could carry a stupid amount of groceries on this thing if you use your imagination and pack intelligently. I’ve only done one run and it was a smallish shop (3 full bags) so I don’t know but I think you could get pretty crazy.
- If you live somewhere where it rains v-brakes would be a bit sketchy and would kill rims fast enough to make upgrading to discs cheaper in the long run
- I think any real mountain biking would probably warrant a susp fork. Its really hard to get either wheel off the ground.
Other than that it rides more or less like a normal bike until you have to do really tight manoveurs. The steep head angle does a lot to counteract the long wheelbase and it handles really nice.

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