 |
| A 1999 Surly 1X1 Frame & Fork |
I came into work at Europa Cycle and Ski, just like any other Monday, and saw this as you see it in the image. There was a note which told me the frame and fork was now under my care. The former owner, Brian Bottke, used to work for Europa. In fact, everyone who has ever owned this worked there at one time or another. (See THIS post for the story.)
I could go on about the string of seven guys who have owned the bike, and maybe this would make for an interesting post. However; I also wanted to go to the point of this bicycle being such a practical, versatile piece that seven different people found a reason to make it their bicycle.
I think this is pretty remarkable when you stop to consider how most bicycles are so niche and specific the string of one or two, maybe three owners a bicycle may have in its lifespan use the bike in the way it was intended to be used. The bike doesn't see a lot of variance from the main idea. However; in the case of the 1X1, it saw use cases which were vastly different during the times it was passed on from one person to another.
Consider this: The bicycle you see above was a "grown man's BMX bike, a single speed gravel grinder training device, a commuter bike, a cargo bike with the addition of an Xtra-Cycle attachment, a fixed gear bike, and back to a commuter bicycle again. Of course, 1X1's have been used as MTB's, "plus" bikes, and even fat bikes. Just this one singular model.
This is amazing to me.
Surly used to be known for this sort of thing. Many of their early models were bicycles you could bend to your own "use-will", so to speak. This has kind of disappeared in their line of late. I like a good, solid bicycle which can be purposed in several ways. I think the world needs more of just that. Not 50 variations of a 'thing' which can only do one thing.
If you know of any bicycles which would be like the old Surlys, let me, and the rest of the readers, know in the comments.
8 comments:
That photo brings back sweet memories... of when Surly was the hip, irreverent brand it started as. But seriously, that is an impressive run for one bike.
@MG - The "hip, irreverent..." part. Can they ever get back there? I know the Surly Crew butted heads with management early on, but I cannot imagine a culture like that living within the walls of the current QBC.
I own a Cross Check that is 8 or 9 years old. Built as an all road bike with a 3 X drivetrain, drop bars and clipless pedals. It took over from a flat bar, flat pedal, aluminum frame fitness bike with a 2 X drivetrain. Then I hurt my knee and didn’t ride for a while. Rebuilt the Surly with flat bars and platform pedals and a 1X9 Microshift drivetrain. The Cross Checks adaptability made it the right bike for me twice. Still ridden occasionally and will last forever. Comfortable because of the wide tires (40 mm) upright riding position and flat bars with Ergon grips. I was a little sad when Surly discontinued the model last year.
When Salsa cant even name a fatbike after a winter weather shoe anymore just because its an indigenous word , there is no way "Bongs Farts Chainsaws" is gonna fly as a slogan.
Surly was the bike you bought when the Goodwill ran out of PX-10s
or Waterloo built Treks.
I would argue the current fargo follows in these footsteps. I've seen a skinny-tire, ss, drop-bar, w/through axles & racks around I.C. Mine, on the other hand, is a half-plus, wide-range, jones bar, w/ 135 QR front & rear & bags...
@rth009 nailed it...
I’d like to see Surly bring back the steamroller but based on the trajectory I don’t see this happening. Crazy what you can do with a basic, 120mm track spaced steel frame and how comfortable it really is. I’ve set mine up fixed, freewheel, and even tried out a 3-speed shimano Nexus internal gear hub for a short period of time. I’ve set it up with flat bars, drop bars, and even alt bars (Steve Potts Siskiyou bars are my current jam). It’s my personal belief that we’re too fixated on geometry numbers than just “trying it out” and seeing what works for you and what doesn’t. Not saying “numbers” don’t have their place, they just don’t tell the whole story. We’re optimizing framesets and technology to the point where it offers very little flexibility for tinkering around. I don’t want to purchase into a proprietary system because that extracts the creative process of bicycle building. I don’t want to export that creative process onto someone else, because I enjoy building bikes as much as I enjoy riding them.
Here’s to more of these 1x1-esque offerings in the future!
Post a Comment