Surly Bikes
So we just worked a bit on our Front racks to make them better (at least in our estimation) and I wanted to share some changes with you. Before you get all excited let me start with this.
OUR REAR RACK IS STILL NOT COMPATABLE WITH THE STRAGGLER.
(At least not without some major DIY muscle flexing)(we're working on it, but the list is long and it's not at the top)
For more on our flawed reasoning from our fractured brainpans go here.
Also, here are some racks that work with the Straggler with only small amounts of DIY stuff:
On the budget side there is: Topeak Explorer, Axiom Journey Uni-Fit, Axiom Streamliner. They all have clever ways of getting around the disc calipers. Some need additional washers so be ready to go back and forth to the hardware store.
On the not budget side are: Old Man Mountain (many of them)(if you haven’t heard of them you should check them out, pricey but nice with a capital “N”) and CETMA (also a really nice rack, though it’s a front rack and I know some of you folks out there want a rear rack to keep your garment bag on)(if you haven’t, check them out too), Also many of the Tubus racks will work with their "Extension Part for Rear Carriers" or with their "Adapter Set for QR-Axel-Mounting".
CHECK THEM ALL OUT
AND CHECK THIS OUT
But enough about them, let’s talk about us, shall we? On the subject of changes to our racks: this is from an email that our project manager Adam, sent out yesterday.
Things:
· These new racks use the same welded assembly; but have different hardware and plates.
· New plates have been engineered to be more better. And disc compatible out of the box [bag?]
· The hardware [and plates] supplied are optimized [I hate that word, sorry] for use with our brazed crown lugged forks [Cross Check, LHT, Disc Trucker, and Straggler]
· They cost dealers and consumers less. [yeah!]
· Black and silvery.
· There is a new unicrown [Troll, Ogre, ECR, etc...] specific kit in development as an AM kit [with fresh new plates]
Now you know more than you did before about our new racks, unless you knew all of this.
Adam’s emails crack me up. In the best way. (Adam I’m not making fun of you).
That’s Adam with the hair. (Now I am making fun of you)
The other thing to note is that racks used to come with 19 pounds of hardware that you ended up (after the arduous four-hour installation process) not using most of. We have eliminated much of the extra hardware (so we wouldn’t have to charge as much, but all those extra pieces are still going to be available aftermarket*)(*for sale separate from the racks...for you civilians out there).
What our hope is that these will work as a much better solution for MOST of the people out there. We know we can’t make it work for everyone, and why would we want to?
Making everybody happy is a job for a much bigger much friendlier company out there, besides Bob and Kate and Sov love answering questions about racks on Stragglers (Pacers and Steamrollers too, and COME ON, the Ice Cream Truck, good luck with a rack on that badboy).
For those of you who are disappointed with this new decision and probably disappointed with almost all the decisions we make I’ll say to you what I said to my father when I was 14 years old and he was chasing me down the hall yelling, “Don’t you walk away from me when I’m talking to you.”
“I hate you dad!!” Bedroom door, slam in face.
Bam!
That is all, time for beer now.