Surly Big Fat Dummy

When considering how to review the Surly Big Fat Dummy, I figured it would be best to make a few comparisons. The first comparison I will cover is that with the other cargo bike from Surly (at least, the one I previously owned before getting the BFD); the builds, the designs, and intended uses. The second comparison is how the bike handles overall, when compared to a typical bike, whether that be another cargo bike, another fat bike (i.e., Surly Pugsley), or another 26" wheeled rig (in my case, the Surly Troll). Though this last comparison may not seem fair, or even reasonable to some to throw into the comparison bin (seeing that they are completely different bike designs) I still figure most people looking to buy the BFD are wanting to make sure it is a bike they will use regularly, and not just some novelty purchase (a somewhat expensive one at that).

Our first cargo bike we purchased in our family was the Surly Big Dummy, original design.


This frame had a sloping top tube, which, I'm sure, was intended for multiple sizes of riders to be able to stand over comfortably. Still, the frame we ended up getting was an XL (21") and I, at 6'2.5" tall with a 35" inseam was the only one fitting this bike. The tubing was also noteworthy in that Surly had chosen to use really beefy, larger diameter tubing to enhance the overall strength. Here are some other specs:

-XT 9sp groupset
-Surly MR Whirly 180mm crankset
-XT Hubs laced to Sun Rhyno Lite Rims
-Avid BB5 front disc brake, XT 950 rear V-brake
-Surly Open Bar
-Brooks B67 saddle
-Xtracycle type 1(?) bags
-Wald large front basket
-Maxxis Hookworm 26x2.5" tires (rear pictured is a 2.2" Halo Twin, which turned out to not be a very good choice for this bike)

I rode the crap out of this bike. Whether I was commuting on my daily 40 mile round trip, hauling our two boys (ages 10 and 7, and both tall for their ages--without the use of the rail collars; a mistake I will not make again after having them now), or just carrying loads of stuff to see what it could handle (my biggest feat was hauling 100lbs of 8' sections of lumber--again something I will not do again anytime soon), the version 1 Big Dummy could do it all, albeit not always perfectly (carrying any cargo bike over anything is nuts!), but in all fairness I did push this bike past the load recommendations from Surly and it still performed like a champ. The Hookworms are one of the keys to a really smooth ride; they pair wonderfully with this bike and I highly recommend them if you own a Big Dummy and are running errands in the city or doing trips mostly on pavement/gravel.
I must say that almost immediately I wanted to throw a super fat set of tires on the Big Dummy and wished Surly made a fat cargo bike; really for no other reason than I was curious of how much stuff I could carry over any terrain I wanted (if you have not watched Goat from Crust Bikes fame in "Riding the Spine" on Youtube, do yourself a favor and watch that stuff--it is so good). When Surly announced in December that the legend of the "Big Fat Dummy" was going to become a reality, I dropped everything, messaged Aimee from the Bike Biz here in Sacramento, and said, "I am going to get this bike!" I then proceeded to sell our beloved Big Dummy to put all my eggs in the BFD basket. Far from a cheap investment, I was sure the bike would pay off in the long run. The key things I was looking for in this new design were surrounded in the overall extra stability of the complete build. Here are some specs of our complete Big Fat Dummy:

-SRAM 2x11 Drivetrain (32/22 x 11-42(!))
-SRAM Hydraulic disc brakes
-Answer 780mm riser
-Thomson 50mm stem
-Brooks Cambium saddle
-Dummy Bags--one of the best upgrades one can make to their Dummy/BFD, in my opinion
-Salsa 150mm front thru axle hub laced to MOBD 80mm rim with Big Fat Larry 5" front tire
-Salsa 197mm rear thru axle hub laced to MOBD 80mm rim with Nate 4"
-Raceface 175 (100mm shell bb)

I learned a while ago that Surly's cargo bikes (both the Big Dummy with ample room for 3" tires as well as the BFD, which can house up to a massive 5.25") were capable of a lot, both on and off road; a bike like this could easily be a person's only form of transportation and recreation. Still, for convenience sake, I have opted to own a second bicycle as well, in order to make bike packing trips with friends less of a hassle, transportation-wise.
I won't go into too much detail on how the BFD differs from a typical 26" knobby hardtail trail bike, but I think I should note that when it comes to riding the BFD long distances, the machine handles like a champ.

When compared to my other bike ('17 Surly Troll XL), the time it takes me to get to work is equal. I feel this is due to the wide hub platform the BFD runs  on (150mm front/197mm rear hub widths); this makes the large wheel base feel more balanced (length and width-wise) and handles more like a typical (fat) bike. It sprints and shreds the gnar aptly. It feels like a much more balanced bike for its class. If you have owned a Pugsley, chances are you first felt that "offset pull", due to the fact that the frame is, well, offset to house the 135mm hub laced to a rim that can hold a 4" tire. The BFD, in contrast, holds true and straight and could be ridden easily with no hands...but I am in no way recommending this.

Some notes on personal preferences:
If you already own a Pugsley, Moonlander, Ice Cream Truck, etc, you probably are used to the 100mm bb shell. However, the BFD complete ships with a wide Q-factor Raceface crankset which adds even more width to the drivetrain, for better or worse. I get why Surly included this and I am grateful for it. I've gotten used to it now, but I did feel as though I had quite the wide stance when I first test-rode this beast; it really makes it feel more like a monster of a bike. In fact, along with the hubs and bottom bracket, the handlebars included on the complete build are also massive: 780mm Answer low risers. I absolutely love wide bars for their comfort in handling gnarly terrain, but for commuting/long distance touring, I would not recommend this bar. (I love the Jones H Loop for its versatility and overall comfort and will most likely be replacing the Answer bar with one of those.)

So, what is the verdict? If I could do it all over again and had the option of a Bid Dummy or Big Fat Dummy, which would I choose? DEFINITELY the BFD, but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. It is truly a super fun, versatile bike that can practically go anywhere and handles amazingly, but some may prefer the less beefy feel and versatile practicality for everyday tasks found on the original Big Dummy (on a side note, I have not ridden the Leap from Xtracycle, so I cannot speak to its durability or ride quality, but I am curious, so...).

Shoe(s) Review(s)

Over the past couple of years, my curiosity has lent its wares to my pocketbook; I have spent a good portion of those funds on shoes. In case any of you were curious, I decided to give my unbiased input on those shoes I chose to purchase (heads up: all of these purchases had bikepacking in mind). So, without further adieu, here is my take on three sticky rubber shoes that may, or may not work well for you:

1. La Sportive Boulder X



First, I will note that Sportive makes a variety of the Boulder X shoes (including one in Gore Tex!!), but I am only reviewing the base model here. Starting with the basics, the Vibram sticky rubber sole with rounded knobby tread does wonders for what they intended it. When I initially bought this shoe a few years ago, I wanted to use it for a slippery approach on granite in order to get to a local climbing spot. The shoe proved incredible in sticking to steep scrambles where I otherwise would have stumbled. Fit-wise, I sized down a half size (I'm 11.5 and I purchased an 11) and it did not bother me unless I thought about it too much (Sportiva tends to run a bit large anyway, so buying a smaller size was not a big surprise). I even found it worked well when I hiked up (most of) Mt. Whitney: twenty-two miles and I only felt a mild hot-spot in the shoe.
As for bikepacking, the Boulder X is a worthy contender, but not necessarily on the sticky rubber side of the issue. If terrain proves slippery and steep, the Boulder X shines, but if you are logging long miles in the saddle, I found the rounded knobby sole to pop off of the pedals somewhat frequently (and unnecessarily). The stiffness of the sole did not pose an issue at all; on the contrary, it feels amazing and, in all fairness, if one engages their pedal strokes with consistent pressure they should eliminate most of the "popping off" issue.
When it comes to durability, the jury is still out for me. I've had these shoes for over 5 years and they are still hanging in their with minimal disastrous issues. My friends' Boulder X's, however have proven to not last quite as long. I never have bouldered in mine much, nor set routes in them, but my friends who did choose to boulder in them found the leather practically destroyed after a year or so. Still, for ninety-nine bucks, most of my friends who trashed theirs say they love them and would buy another pair (and they still wear their trashed ones around)!
So, all in all, the Boulder X is pretty legit if you are on a one hundred dollar budget. Comfy, somewhat durable, and definitely sticky.


2. FiveTen Guide Tennie (low)



By far, this sticky rubber approach shoe has stolen my heart. The Stealth sole on the Guide feels the stickiest, stiffest, and burliest out of all the approach shoes I have tried thus far (I still have yet to try Scarpa). The price is a bit more burly as well (mine retailed at around $140), but I felt I definitely got what I paid for. The website claims a small bit of water resistance to the leather upper, but I have no clue how water resistant it actually is due to the fact that every time I got caught in the rain in this shoe, the rain seeped in through my socks and the very obvious opening by my ankles. I ended up using the Outdoor Research Wrapid Gators, which held most of the rain at bay and packed nicely in a small portion of my Carsick Designs Handee Randee.
As for approach, I can only share what my friends have experienced as I have only used these for biking in inclement weather. Every single individual I know who owns a pair of the Guide Tennies sings its praises. They even were pretty stoked when I told them I was ordering a pair of them and told me how incredible of a shoe they are. I can only imagine that on granite, these shoes grip like none other.
On the bike, the low profile circle design knobs on the sole prove much more appropriate for biking than the Boulder X. This shoe has yet to slip off the pedal on me. The only downside to extremely sticky rubber might be that it is difficult to position one's foot on the pedal; as soon as you place your foot down, it sticks (go figure) and you have to pick up your foot to re-position it. I won't even waste my time, however, complaining about that because it is almost a non-issue. I do remember my friend a while ago getting a bit frustrated with his downhill pedals on his MUni (Mountain Unicycle) and how he had to place his feet just right when he would mount the Uni and on dirt with obstacles, this can be a bit tricky. Nonetheless, he still rides with his FiveTens on endurance desert Uni rides and swears by them.
The shear build of this shoe is clearly durable, but not heavy. I love minimalist shoes due to the fact that I have suffered a bit from heavy shoes causing shin splints--even while biking). These shoes all around are fairly light, durable, and sticky enough to smear some mild class five steepness.

3. Evolv Cruiser (canvas)



First off, I purchased this shoe with the full knowledge that the only person I knew who had not blown this shoe to bits was my boss's wife, who wears them occasionally to work where she is mostly sitting down. I think Ultra Romance sometimes rides with this shoe and had said he has gone through seven pairs in a year and a half--yikes! I knew all this, but the minimalist design, lightweight factor, and packability intrigued me, so I bought a pair. I never like to deliberately destroy things, so I have treated these shoes somewhat gingerly as per the aforementioned destructibility awareness.
My overall take on these is fairly positive; I have not yet beaten these shoes to death. As a daily commuter shoe in fair weather, these shoes are perfect! They cost much less than their competitors (around seventy to seventy-five bucks) and are extremely comfortable with or without socks. I ride forty or more miles a day and they perform well when I hit the trails on the way to work.
Specifically, however, I just put them on right before I ride and take them off immediately when I get off the bike. I have not used them on an approach yet, but my co-worker loves them for approach. I know many course-setters who use these for forerunning routes in the climbing gym, but I can only imagine these shoes would wear out pretty quickly.
Overall, if you are looking for a lightweight, inexpensive approach shoe, or are not sure if you buy into the whole sticky rubber phenomenon, I would recommend this shoe. If you need a commuter shoe that will not completely break the budget, this is also a great option.

As noted earlier, I have yet to try the many other sticky rubber shoe brands, but if I do (because I do love trying out new sticky shoes), I will be sure to post about them.

25March2016

Sometimes, I get very tired. I think this idea eludes those who see me constantly on my bike. They think, "oh, I could never do what you do [commuting 20 miles each way to work]." The humbling reality for me is that, quite simply, if I didn't have to, I probably wouldn't. Not because I don't want to, but I, just like most other people, look for the path of least resistance (i.e., a car).

Don't get me wrong: I do love riding my bike. Some days, however, I don't feel the same drive to ride my bike as I do on other days. The idea just doesn't appeal to me.

A very wise man once wrote (and I'm paraphrasing) that you cannot build your weapons for war in the trenches--you will be killed instantly. You have to take the necessary time to prepare in advance, in order that you will be ready for the Day.

At the end of each day, I often find myself sitting in the couch. Then, I catch a glimpse of my dirt-tattered Surly Pugsley and a sense of accomplishment fulfills me. 

What you should do is not always what you want to do, but it is always the best to do in the end.

NAHBS 2016 Highlights (well, for me, that is...)

This last weekend, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show graced the presence of the Convention Center in the great City of Sacramento. Like many local cycling geeks, I had the opportunity to volunteer for this inspiring, eye-opening, "art-wrenching", incredible event. While one day is too short to spend at an event where metal artisans exhibit in droves (like, two hundred or something??), if one has the time to attend this event, one should.
Bike-lover or not, the craftsmanship alone astounds even the most art-petty mind. One question I found myself asking: "what process did this individual frame builder go through to get to their final idea?" As an artist and lover of life stories, the answer to this question brings aid to my own obstacles in the artistic voyage.
Although I only spent a day (too short) at the NAHBS in Sacramento, I was able to ask many frame builders how long they have been at their craft. As expected, I suppose, some of the bike industry artists/engineers had chosen this career path many years ago (albeit most likely not calling it that when they started), while others have one frame they worked on the entire year and are just getting their feet wet. An interesting observation I discovered was that the ones who had been at their craft the longest had some of the richest, simplest, perfected frames, while the younger "noobs'" framework possessed the more ornate, elaborate, eye-popping design work.









All in all, when I considered what these individuals had accomplished, I realized it all started with them responding to a call. I too often (as explained in an earlier post) hang back and consider the value of the endeavor too much, often determining that it would not have any lasting affect on those who look upon it. Seeing a room full of art and not being able to view it all, an exhibitor may get the same feeling. "Why should I be the one to catch anyone's attention amongst all these other incredible artists." The best takeaway may be that, when it comes to life-giving pursuits, it pays to simply dive in. Yes, the first product may be messy (as with the process of fillet brazing), but if the vision is kept close at heart, the end result will be just what it should: sharing the gift with which you have been blessed. In some way, whether you get to see it or not, it will affect, inspire, and/or encourage those interacting with it.

Now, some other highlights...

For mountain biking in the greater Sacramento Area, FATRAC (Folsom Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition) does an incredible job keeping local MtB-ers on sweet trails.


In the local sector, we in Sacramento are lucky to have SABA (Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocate) in our corner for so many events and important bicycle topics; if you have the chance to ever help with bike valet at an event in Sacramento, please consider it!



In MtB engineering, I kept finding these fork choices interesting...I am told they are pretty effective (and they just plain look cool!).




Sycip's display held the attention of the boys...and Sandy Hernandez (a real kid at heart).


My wife got to talk to Chris King for five minutes (lucky) and get a better feel for what it takes to "make it" in the bike industry.



I have to admit, I am a sucker for fat bikes...and Peacock Groove showed the potential for my kids to have fat bikes, too!! Really fun designs.




No mystery here: from display quality to items on the docket, Breadwinner had a lot of good stuff to look at. The motorcycle rig is actually the owner's. The fully-loaded tourer was my fav.







White Industries and Paul Components: two brands I may never have the money to enjoy, but I can certainly admire from afar...



The future of (my) mountain biking: the 36" mid-fat wheel; seen here on the Dirtysixer


Calfee knows what the necessities are: Bamboo Bike with matching rack carrying a twelve-pack.


And, finishing it off with the best experience of the day (and, ironically, the worst photo I took), Ritchey Logic. The good conversation I had with Tom Ritchey was not at all about bikes...and it was probably the highlight of the event for me.

21JAN2016

"A poor craftsman blames his tools."
I don't know who first coined this phrase, but it haunts me almost daily. I recently heard it spoken during a routesetting clinic I attended a little over a year ago. Our instructor noted that you could be upset if you did not have the [climbing] holds you wanted or the ability to use power tools and you could blame those things for your terrible bolted climbing route, but ultimately people would really see it for what it was: poor craftsmanship.




During my educative years at Point Loma Naz. in San Diego, I noticed something about accessible photography in that time period and it caused me to come up with a theory: maybe a person could actually take REALLY good photography with a disposable camera. Sure, several limitations arise from the concept of a disposable camera, like lighting, focus, speed, f-stop, and lens interchangeability (to name a few), but the artistic value concepts of balance, placement, composition, etc. could still be applicable if one is willing to work within those confines of the tool given to them (e.g., the disposable camera). I think by the end of my college career I had at least two solid examples that proved my theory enough to me.



Recently, my Canon 20D shot its last photo. I could not revive the 8.2 megapixel (good for its day) DSLR; it was dead. My son graciously (after some convincing) allowed me to use his shock/storm/water-proof Fujifilm point-and-shoot. At first, as to be expected, I was pretty bummed at the quality, or lack thereof, of the photos I attempted to take. Sunrises, contrast of leaves in trees, or the speed of the ground beneath my bike all felt nearly impossible to capture when I wanted to. I felt at a total loss.

Then, I remembered this theory I had back in college and how I could possibly put that to use now. True, I would not get to show people exactly what I wanted to show them, nor always capture the catharsis I wanted, but at least I could exercise a bit of artistic knowledge with the tool I had. Nevertheless, my hunt for a replacement DSLR (5D, maybe :) is on! Until then, I would like to thank my eldest son for allowing me to test out his camera.

29DEC2015

Sometimes the best way to get yourself to commute to work in the morning is just to start pedaling.

Preparing yourself for the ride is a good thing, especially if the weather plans to nestle in the thirty degree fahrenheit range (it was cold this morning). However, at some point, no amount of planning makes the mundane any easier. Rousing one's mind is the most challenging part to each day of commuting (especially before sunrise), but it can also be the most rewarding...

I think if you have not experienced happiness and relief in sometime, you should wake yourself up before the break of day and head east on your bike. I never feel so happy that the sun rises--that there is light! It boosts the soul.


A while ago, my wife wondered what the heck was so great about "fat" bikes. Apparently she did not share the same excitement I had for running over virtually everything in your path. As a commuter, the Pugsley by Surly does pretty well; sure, you have to resign to the fact that roadies on their carbon fibre skinnies will blow right past you, but you get to take in the environment so much more (as well as find some sweet trails you could never touch on anything but a fatty)!


I like finding hacks that totally work and save money. The Metolius Rope Ranger pairs well with the Jones H Loop bar on the Pugs. With almost no modification, this rope bag turned handlebar bag rarely shifts or moves, even when fully loaded! I haven't tour-tested it yet, so I will write about that experience in the near future. Bottom line: pretty much anything from Metolius is the bomb, whether you are a climber or not; they are a brilliant, considerate, worthwhile company to purchase from.

A cool feature on the Rope Ranger is their use of these "6" shaped adjustable hooks. They are not expensive, if you are planning on stitching together your own bags (around two bucks per) and on the Ranger bag, they help to hook/unhook the bag to/from the bars quickly and hold securely (I've bombed down quite a few stairs and they show no sign of shifting--coooool)!


Saving the best for last...my Christmas present!! This telescoping, roll-top seatbag from Carsick Designs is DOPE! The only problem is that I want to carry so much more stuff to work than I need to, just because the bag can fit it. Made of DWR material, my clothes for work have yet to get soaked on the way to work. My gratitude goes to the Bicycle Business for carrying such cool stuff and supporting this local, well-made bag company.