History Of Surly Bikes

Surly Bikes is a brand that has become synonymous with durability, adventure, and a healthy dose of personality. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, Surly began with a simple but bold mission—to create high-quality steel bikes that could take a beating and keep rolling.

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to stock and supply the complete range of Surly Bikes. In a world where large corporations rule the biking industry, Surly definitely sets themselves apart from the rest - Surly aim to design bikes which are for riders who do not take themselves too seriously and as part of this, Surly stick to their principles, designing bikes that they themselves would like to ride, and using only the materials and components that they think suit their bikes the best. To this end, Surly only uses Steel to build their bikes.

Surly bikes are unique, and in our experience are more suited to riders who look at them and think, ‘that's just right’ VS riders who are shopping around comparing components, specifications and materials.

The Early Years

Surly's founders were cycling enthusiasts who were unimpressed with the prevailing trends of ultra-light aluminium bikes flooding the market in the late 1990s. Instead, they turned to steel, a material well-loved for its strong, versatile, and forgiving nature. Steel frames offered riders comfort and durability, making them ideal for cyclists who wanted more than just a race machine. As time has gone on however, the industry trend has been a switch from steel and even aluminum framed bikes to ultra lightweight carbon fibre models - Surly have remained true to steel, with Surly using their proprietary 430 CroMoly steel.

Their debut model, the Surly Rat Ride, struck a chord with hard-core riders who prioritised functionality over flashiness. The early success of this bike set the stage for Surly’s commitment to "making the bikes they wanted to ride", regardless of industry changes.

Innovation Meets Exploration

Surly Bikes didn’t stop at creating tough frames; they innovated to meet the demands of riders who wanted to use their bikes to explore. The Surly Cross-Check, introduced in 1999, became a versatile classic. Its do-it-all nature made it a favourite among commuters, bikepackers, and weekend adventurers alike.

Another groundbreaking moment came in 2005 when Surly launched the Pugsley, the industry’s first production fat bike. Equipped with oversized tires capable of conquering snow, sand, and mud, the Pugsley earned Surly a reputation as a brand unafraid to push boundaries. This release didn’t just add a new bike to their roster; it sparked an entirely new category within the cycling world and one which has remained popular since.

Built for the Long Haul

Surly’s dedication to practical engineering resonates with their loyal customer base. Bikes like the Long Haul Trucker and the Troll have gained cult followings for their dependability on gruelling multi-day tours and bikepacking adventures. Designed with features like ample rack mounts, wide tire clearance, and a comfortable geometry, these bikes cater to riders who prioritise function over frills, making them the ideal choice for those free spirited riders who value a bike that they can ride to the shop or across a continent.

If you've been on a long bike tour, chances are you’ve seen a trusty Long Haul Trucker loaded up with panniers, gearing up for yet another thousand kilometres.

A Commitment to their Community

Part of what sets Surly apart is their unapologetically unique personality. Known for their quirky branding and slightly bonkers marketing tone, Surly speaks directly to riders who appreciate bikes that are just as fun and adventurous as they are rugged.

Surly also thrives on building connections within the cycling community. From hosting events like bikepacking weekends to supporting grassroots organisers, the brand celebrates inclusivity and diverse riding styles, ensuring everyone feels welcome under the Surly umbrella.

Modern Day Surly

Fast forward to today, and Surly continues to thrive as a go-to name in adventure-ready bikes. Whether it’s the gravel-hungry Midnight Special, the cargo-friendly Big Dummy, or the single-speed karate-chop fun of the Karate Monkey, Surly bikes are still all about durability, versatility, and a refusal to compromise on quality.

And true to form, they’re still crafting their bikes with steel, proving that this material’s resilience is timeless.

Why Riders Love Surly

What makes Surly bikes so special? Simply put, Surly builds for the people who use their bikes. They design with an understanding of what cyclists need, whether that’s the ability to haul a week’s worth of groceries, bomb down muddy single tracks, or pedal through sub-zero temperatures unbothered.

Each bike delivers on performance without trapping riders into a one-size-fits-all approach, offering the flexibility to tweak, modify, and truly make the bike your own.

We are really happy to provide the Surly bike range, they provide a fantastic tonic to the multitude of slick carbon fibre bikes that the industry now demands. Alongside a complete range of Surly frames and bikes, we also stock and supply a complete range of Surly components and spares - supporting riders with the parts that they need to keep their Surly performing as it should.