Simply whenever you thought fats bikes couldn’t get any larger, Surly swoops in with a brand new Moonlander. Now, this isn’t your typical Moonlander. Certain, the mannequin was often known as Surly’s largest fats tire bike at a time when 4” was nonetheless thought of massive, however that is totally different… for a number of causes.
24 x 6.2″ Tires!
The most important (actually) of those could be the all-new 24 x 6.2” Surly Molenda Tires. Sure, you learn that proper. Surly downsized the rim, and upsized the tire for much more excessive flotation on all terrain. Surly states that the Moonlander body may roll on 26 x 5.1”, 27.5 x 4.8”, and 29 x 3” tires. Molenda tires characteristic a 2-ply 60 tpi casing that’s tubeless prepared, and have a claimed weight of 2200 – 2300g and can value $150 every.
In case you don’t wish to run tubeless, you’ll want to make use of Surly’s new TPU internal tube within the matching 24 x 6.2” measurement that helps low pressures (2-10psi). The internal tubes alone are $49 a bit, however given the scale that doesn’t appear too unhealthy contemplating common TPU internal tubes are pushing $30-40.
To mount these gargantuan Molenda tires, Surly has additionally launched a brand new 24 x 100mm Clown Royal Rim. The 32h rim requires the usage of the Surly 24” Nylon rim strip, and shall be out there aftermarket to construct customized wheels. Rims will run $280 every with one other $8 for the rim strip.
One of many targets of the Moonlander challenge was to create a fats bike with the biggest tire footprint potential with out creating any new requirements or q-factor that was unrideable. To that impact, the Moonlander makes use of normal 197 x 12mm hubs entrance and rear (rear hubs on each), and has the identical q-factor as the prevailing Ice Cream Truck.
To perform that, the Moonlander makes use of an extended rear finish which permits the right tire/chain/crank clearance whereas additionally growing stability. Surly claims that the Moonlander seems, feels, and rides like a traditional bike regardless of the comically huge tires.
A Gearbox?
Whereas the 100% Surly Chromoly metal body is acquainted, the drivetrain is decidedly not – at the least for Surly. On a motorcycle just like the Moonlander, weight and effectivity play second and third fiddle to reliability in excessive situations. That’s why Surly opted for the Pinion 9-speed gearbox as an alternative of a conventional derailleur system. That is Surly’s first-ever use of the Pinion system, citing that it protects the drivetrain from inhospitable situations and provides greater floor clearance than the everyday fats bike because of the next BB shell.
Geometry
Provided in 4 sizes from S-XL, the frames have a smaller entrance triangle for higher standover and simpler on/off. These entrance triangles can home one water bottle for small frames, two on the medium, and three on L/XL frames. You’ll additionally discover accent mounts on the fork blades, and loads of mounts for racks, fenders, and extra. The frames are inside dropper submit suitable and run a 30.9mm submit.
How a lot does it weigh?
Full weight is claimed to be about 45 lbs for a medium body. Simply the frameset alone (body, fork, collar, axles) is 12lbs, 4oz. Not mild. However take a look at it!
Pricing & Availability
Pricing is about at $4,199 for the whole bike and $1,199 for the frameset (which doesn’t seem to incorporate the gearbox). Moonlanders can be found for order on Surly’s web site, together with the choice to ship to your own home from a collaborating seller near you.