Surly is a well-known bike company that offers a variety of different bikes for riders of all levels.
Two of their most popular models are the Straggler and the Midnight Special. Both of these bikes have their own unique features and benefits, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
In this article, we’ll compare Straggler and Midnight Special to help you make an informed decision.
We’ll discuss some differences in frame materials, wheel size, brake type, and other features so you can decide which model is best for your needs.
What Is Surly Straggler Bike
This is a rugged, all-purpose bike that is perfect for tackling any terrain.
With its lightweight steel frame, the Straggler is designed to be strong and durable, while still providing a smooth ride. The Straggler features a low-slung geometry, allowing you to tackle even the toughest trails with confidence.
It also has a variety of components, such as a wide range of gearing, disc brakes, and a comfortable saddle.
The Straggler is an ideal bike for those who want to explore the great outdoors. Whether you’re riding through city streets, tackling mountain trails, or cruising along the beach, the Straggler is capable of taking you wherever you want to go.
This bike’s strong and durable frame allows you to tackle any terrain, while the wide range of gearing allows you to easily adjust your speed to the terrain.
Advantages Of A Surly Midnight Straggler Bike
Surly Midnight Straggler is a great bike for a variety of reasons. Here are some advantages of owning a Surly Midnight Special bike:
Comfort: It is a comfortable bike to ride, even on long rides. The suspension fork helps to absorb road vibrations, and the relaxed geometry makes it easy to ride for hours on end.
Versatility: It is a versatile bike that can handle a variety of terrain. Its wide tire clearance allows you to run tires up to 650b x 47mm, which gives you plenty of traction on rough terrain. The gearing is also wide enough for climbing hills or riding long distances.
Performance: This bike is a capable bike that can perform well on a variety of terrain. Its suspension fork helps to smooth out the ride, and the wide tire clearance gives you plenty of traction. The gearing is also wide enough for climbing hills or riding long distances.
Durability: It is a durable bike that is built to last. The frame is made from 4130 chromoly steel, which is a strong and durable material. Its components are also high-quality and designed to withstand the rigors of off-road riding.
Style: It is a stylish bike that looks great. Its frame is available in a variety of colors, and the components are well-matched.
Overall, this is a great bike for a variety of reasons. It is comfortable, versatile, capable, durable, and stylish. If you are looking for a bike that can do it all, the Midnight Straggler is a great option.
What Is Surly Midnight Special Bike
This is a versatile and reliable bike designed for the everyday cyclist.
With its unique geometry, the Midnight Special is a great choice for commuting, touring, gravel grinding, and light off-roading. It features a steel frame with a low bottom bracket and long chainstays, giving it a stable and comfortable ride.
The bike is equipped with a wide range of components, including an adjustable stem, disc brakes, a Shimano drivetrain, and Schwalbe tires.
Midnight Special is a great choice for any cyclist looking for a reliable and comfortable ride.
Advantages of a Surly Midnight Special Bike
Wide tire clearance: It can accommodate tires up to 650b x 47mm, which gives you plenty of options for tire choice. This allows you to run wider tires for more comfort and traction on rough terrain.
Disc brakes: Midnight Special is equipped with disc brakes, which provide superior stopping power in all weather conditions.
Mounts for racks and fenders: The bike has mounts for racks and fenders, which makes it a great choice for touring or commuting.
Value for money: This one is priced in the mid-range, making it a good value for the money.
Surly Straggler And Surly Midnight Special Bike – Key Differences
Frame
Surly Straggler is a rugged all-road bike designed to tackle any terrain. It features a chromoly frame and fork, disc brakes, and a wide range of gears for tackling any terrain.
Straggler is a great choice for gravel grinding, bikepacking, and touring. It’s also a great choice for commuting and city riding. It is available in four sizes and comes in a variety of colors.
Surly Midnight Special is a lightweight, all-road bike designed for fast and efficient riding.
It features a lightweight aluminum frame, a carbon fork, and a wide range of gears. The Midnight Special is an ideal choice for gravel grinding, bikepacking, and touring. It’s also great for commuting and city riding.
Midnight Special is available in four sizes and comes in a variety of colors.
Wheels
Surly Straggler is a versatile bike designed to tackle any type of terrain. It’s built with a chromoly steel frame and fork, and features a range of components to match its ruggedness.
Straggler has 26-inch wheels with Schwalbe Marathon tires, and is equipped with a Shimano Deore drivetrain, Tektro mechanical disc brakes, and a SRAM X5 crankset.
It also has a wide range of accessories, such as fenders, racks, and kickstands. This is a great choice for commuters, tourers, and anyone looking for a do-it-all bike.
Surly Midnight Special is a lightweight, all-road bike designed for adventure. It’s built with a chromoly steel frame and fork, and features a range of components to match its agility.
It has 700c wheels with WTB Horizon tires, and is equipped with a Shimano Tiagra drivetrain, TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, and a SRAM Apex crankset.
It also has a wide range of accessories, such as fenders, racks, and kickstands. This also is a great choice for commuters, tourers, and anyone looking for a lightweight, all-road bike.
Drivetrain
Surly Straggler features a Shimano Sora drivetrain with a triple crankset and 9-speed cassette. This crankset is a Shimano FC-R345 50/39/30T, and the cassette is a Shimano HG400 11-34T.
It also features a Shimano Sora chain and Shimano Sora ST-R3000 shifters.
Surly Midnight Special features a Shimano Tiagra drivetrain with a double crankset and 10-speed cassette. This crankset is a Shimano FC-4700 50/34T, and the cassette is a Shimano CS-HG500 11-34T.
It also features a Shimano Tiagra chain and Shimano Tiagra ST-4700 shifters.
Brakes
Surly Straggler: This is equipped with Tektro Lyra mechanical disc brakes. These brakes are designed to provide reliable braking power in all conditions, and they are easy to adjust and maintain.
The brakes are operated by a single-finger lever, and they can be adjusted for modulation and power.
Surly Midnight Special: This is equipped with TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. These brakes have a dual-piston design, which provides powerful and reliable braking power.
The brakes are operated by a two-finger lever, and they can be adjusted for modulation and power. They are designed to be lightweight and durable, and they are easy to maintain.
Cockpit
Surly Straggler: This bike is equipped with a flat bar cockpit, which provides a comfortable and upright riding position. The handlebar is designed with a low-rise profile and a wide sweep, allowing for a relaxed grip and plenty of control.
The stem is adjustable and grips are ergonomically designed for comfort.
Surly Midnight Special: This bike is equipped with a drop bar cockpit, which provides a more aggressive riding position. The handlebar is designed with a shallow drop and a short reach, allowing for a confident grip and precise handling.
The stem is adjustable and grips are designed with an ergonomic shape for comfort.
Accessories
- Handlebars: Both of the bikes come with a flat bar, but it also has provisions for drop bars. This makes it a versatile bike that can be used for a variety of riding styles, including commuting, touring, and gravel riding.
- Saddle: They bike comes with a comfortable saddle that is designed to provide a comfortable ride. The saddle is also water-resistant, so it can handle wet conditions.
- Pedals: They come with a set of wide, flat pedals that are designed to provide a secure grip. These pedals are also made of metal, so they are durable and can withstand wear and tear.
- Lights: Both bikes come with a set of front and rear lights that are designed to provide visibility in low-light conditions. These lights are also rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries.
- Fenders: They come with a set of fenders that are designed to keep you dry and mud-free in wet conditions. The fenders are also removable, so you can take them off if you don’t need them.
- Rack: Both of the bike comes with a rear rack that is designed to carry your gear. The rack is also removable, so you can take it off if you don’t need it.
Maintenance
Both bikes require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly and safely. This includes:
Cleaning drivetrain: This involves removing the chain and cassette and cleaning them with a degreaser. You can then relubricate the chain and cassette with a light oil.
Checking brakes: Make sure that the brakes are working properly and that the pads are not worn out. You should also inspect the brake cables for any damage.
Inspecting tires and wheels: Check the tires for wear and tear, and make sure that the wheels are true. You should also check the tire pressure and adjust it as needed.
Lubricating chain and derailleur: This should be done regularly to keep the chain and derailleur working smoothly. You can use a light oil or a chain lube specifically designed for bicycles.
Adjusting headset: The headset is the bearing assembly that connects the fork to the frame. It should be adjusted periodically to ensure that the steering is smooth and that there is no play in the headset.
Checking for loose bolts and other components: Inspect the bike regularly for any loose bolts or other components that may need to be tightened or replaced.
In addition to these regular maintenance tasks, the Surly Midnight Special bike also requires the following maintenance:
Inspecting frame and fork for wear: The Surly Midnight Special bike has a suspension fork, which means that it is more susceptible to wear than a rigid bike. You should inspect the frame and fork regularly for any signs of wear, such as cracks or dents.
Servicing suspension: The suspension on the Surly Midnight Special bike should be serviced as needed. This involves lubricating the pivot points and replacing the seals as needed.
Surly Straggler Vs Midnight Special Bike – Similarities
There are similarities between the Surly Straggler Bike and the Surly Midnight Special Bike.
Steel Frame Construction
Both the Straggler and Midnight Special feature frames constructed from Surly’s renowned 4130 chromoly steel. Steel frames provide durability, comfort, and a smooth ride quality, making them well-suited for long-distance and adventure cycling.
Disc Brake Compatibility
Both bikes are designed to accommodate disc brakes, which offer reliable stopping power and consistent performance, especially in wet or muddy conditions. Disc brakes provide increased control and safety, making them suitable for various terrains and weather conditions.
Tire Clearance
Both models offer generous tire clearance, allowing riders to use wider tires for added comfort, traction, and versatility. The ability to fit wider tires also enhances the bikes’ capability to handle different terrains, including gravel, dirt, and rough roads.
Rack and Fender Mounts
Both the Straggler and Midnight Special are equipped with mounts for racks and fenders. These mounts allow riders to easily attach accessories, such as panniers and fenders, making the bikes suitable for commuting, bikepacking, and touring.
Versatile Riding Capabilities
Both bikes are designed with versatility in mind, offering the ability to tackle a range of surfaces and riding styles. They can handle paved roads, gravel paths, and light off-road trails, making them suitable for long-distance touring, commuting, gravel riding, and adventure cycling.
Frame Geometry
While there are some differences in geometry between the two models, both the Straggler and Midnight Special feature relatively relaxed and stable frame geometries. This provides a comfortable and upright riding position, suitable for longer rides and various terrains.
Final Words
The Surly Straggler and Surly Midnight Special bikes are both great options for riders looking for a reliable, rugged, and versatile bike that can handle a variety of terrain.
The Straggler is ideal for riders who are looking for a bike that can handle both on and off-road riding, while the Midnight Special is a great choice for those who want a more specialized, off-road-oriented bike. Both bikes offer a great combination of features and performance, making them great options for anyone looking for a dependable and enjoyable ride.
