This is the most VERSATILE bicycle ever
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- My beloved Surly Midnight Special has gone through many many many phases. Here's a look
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HOST INFO
Carlo Villarica - Bike | Photography | Podcast - Enthusiast
Instagram - sobermusings
Strava - strava.com/athletes/26879523
BIKES
Surly Midnight Special
Jamis Beatnik
Canyon Inflite
CAMERA
GoPro Hero 7
Olympus OMD EM10 III
DJI Pocket 2 - Sport
This is a super helpful summary for someone trying to figure out the world of bikes outside the local big brand store. Really appreciate you weren’t using crazy amounts of jargon and spec details, just talked through different parts, why you swapped them, and how it felt. Thank you!
Glad you found this helpful!
I really love mine as well, between bike packing in Wisconsin, road riding during the STP this summer, and just roaming all around my town. Mine just celebrated its third birthday and I've ridden it over 18,000 miles in that time frame. I love it so much
yup! It's still a favorite of mine to ride
I agree with you 1000% ...I LOVE my Midnight Special. I'm rolling with the Whisky CX fork, 650b's wrapped in 47's and SRAM 1x. It's fun to roll in the dirt, on the road and i've done some super gnarly gravel descents on it. I'm pretty much convinced that it's bulletproof. Keep rockin' Carlo, it's nice to see another MS in the wild!
you too! Thanks for watching!
It's not the bike... it's you. Give yourself the credit. A bike is just a bike, the Engine is what drives it forward.
hahaha unfortunately i dont have the confidence to create a video with a youtube title, "the most versatile cyclist ever"
@@carlovillarica well... yeah. you shouldn't take it that far 😄
The evolution of your MS is very enlightening! I have a Ritchey VentureMax on my MS as well and I have to agree; it's a perfect fit for the bike, especially on technical terrain. Your experience with the carbon fork swap has me seriously considering the upgrade.
it's super fun! haha But asides the from the reduced weight of the carbon, to be honest, I couldnt tell much difference
I am building my dream bike,midnight special here in the US. I owned a Straggler as well. Surly is a brand that I love for sure. I watched your video a lot and decided to get one after series of videos. Thank you for sharing!
Same. Bought a Perrywinkle's Blue frame and it's in the shop now. Another 1500 to spend but it's worth it.
nice choice guys! I'm still very happy with mine as you can see
Bro!! Awesome video. My motto, ride what you like! Thank you for sharing your journey.
thanks for watching!
Solid video! Always thinking about how to push the limits on my own MS!
It can handle a LOT!
the ms is indeed versatile, these all rounders are good for us consumers, does not restrict us to a single type of path anymore
gravel - able to enjoy offroad a bit and faster on flats
mtb - faster on the offroads/trails sluggish on flats
nice to see your ms' evolution over its lifetime, kinda cool seeing that sus fork you had on
was exposed to the diverge's future shock instead and a full on sus fork for gravel looks neat indeed, hope they can make it lighter next iteration
yup im pretty happy with the fork. I'm happy it's there and for this particular bike, im not thinking too much about the weight
Bought mine at ykk in 2018. Disc trucker. Assembled it and recently had a new setup from straight to drop. A surly truck stop bar, thomson seat, brooks saddle, redshift stem and airone spring for saddle and adventix shfter, 1x11 crankset ,rd, mechanical brake.
Nice bike! How do you like the drop bar vs the straight bar?
Hi sir Carlo, awesome setups all with Surly MS! I still have your Surly MS fork 😃
oh nice! hahah Glad you were able to use it!
Wow, that's a lot of variety! Quite amazing.
It sure is!
All hail Surly Midnight Special! Still one of my dream bikes. Got a question btw on the Fox gravel suspension fork, do you think it will also fit in TPGG frame?
i have no idea haha im not a mechanic. Best to ask the folks at Dan's
I love my MS. I bought it complete with Sram 1x and I have a fox fork as well. It's fun to tinker going back to the rigid fork sometimes. I've run as large as 27.5x2.35 on mine! But I did have to shave the shoulder lugs off the rear tire. It handles a load really well. It is nice to get on the dirt roads here in so cal away from cars. I want the ritchey venture max and I'm considering trying 2x. Keep riding my friends!
Great to hear!
Nice video! Love your Surly MS. I’m kinda in the same boat of upgrading my current group set to a GRX, then I asked myself if it’s worth it. It might be cheaper to just buy a whole new bike with the group set that I like. But then again I don’t want to spend that much cash at one time, at least when you build, you buy one or two parts at a time. I’m thinking of just getting the Canyon Grizl, YOLO 😊 Be safe on your rides bro! Until next time 🍻
the grizl is a sweeet bike haha YA i was lucky because when I bought my grupo, it was much much cheaper than today's prices. But it seems like prices are going down
Ah really enjoyed the evolution of your MS over the years. Such a versatile frame. If you could paint it any color what would it be?
im tempted to paint it a colorful color, but at the same time, I really like that it is a beat up looking frame. So no paint for now
Thank you sharing! I can't say what the most versatile bike is because I'm just getting my first bike with drops. Been commuting on 90s mountain bikes and handtails for years. Just getting into gravel bikes. Salamat po!
Enjoy!
Mtb would be the most versatile if you ask me. But the gravel looks real fun!
This week I am getting my hands on a Marin Gestalt gravel 😊 excited and nervous! Will make a video out of it
nice! Yup MTB is definitely versatile. I just lean towards drop bars haha
@@carlovillarica share ko lang the gravel bike is here!❤️
awesome video! i have a MS myself and have enjoyed it so far. tell me more about the fox suspension fork - what model is it? worth picking up for bikepacking off-road?
I made a video about it czcams.com/video/8OBXyI_62OI/video.html
For bikepackin, I don't have much experience with it, but I think it would be good if you expect to go through plenty of off-road, especially with a loaded bike
@@carlovillarica oh perfect i’ll check that video out then thanks!
@@clayton7017 I've used it for bikepacking, but I have the older model fox ax fork on my MS. It changes the geo a little bit which makes it nice and stable with a load! Just remember to air it up a little to compensate for the extra weight
@@cjones7854 thank you for the info!
Did the different offset/rake angles of the forks impact the bikes handling? Specifically did they slow the steering down any?
I didn't notice a difference in handling, but I did notice that the fox fork was significantly taller than my whiskey fork. So it made the bike point up a little bit
@@carlovillarica Good to know. I didn't think about the Fox being taller.
Dope ish 🔥
thanks ish
Owns a hardtail MTB (Cannondale SL2 - 2011 vintage) and a Gravel B (Giant Revolt 2) funny though, the MTB "feels" to have more responsive acceleration and holds momentum better...might be telling on long epic rides where Gravel's touted comfort geometry may shine...will test once winter's done.
let me know how you feel after testing
I'm interested in a drop bar Surly as my first bike. However, I don't want aggressive riding position. Which model would you recommend?
Have you looked at the Surly Preamble? There's a version of it that is a drop bar, I think it shouldnt be as aggressive as an MS
Always wanted to get an MS but not sure what size to get I’m torn between a 54cm and 56, I’m 5’10 and using a 56.5 on my lynskey. By any chance would you know what’s the best size to get for my height?
have you checked out the Surly bike size chart? They have suggested sizes based on height. The other thing you could do is use a bike geometry tool like bikeinsights.com/compare to compare the sizes to your current bike
XC bikes are the most versatile in my opinion.
no specific brand. But if I have to mention a brand maybe mountainpeak because it's cheap. 4k php you have new frame.
1. 80 - 120mm travel fork. for comfort and safety, there's a descent that I reach 78kph and it's bouncy even with front fork.
2. 1by - 11-51(11 Speed)/10-51T(12 Speed) for climbing, I'm fat and I can climb back to antipolo with this setup or 2by/3by if you want both speed and climbing ability
Nice! Yup! XC is definitely in the same class. Definitely leans more offroad
What tire pressure range are you currently using on the CX bike?
it currently has 700x35 with inner tubes. So about 45psi. I'm waiting for new gravel tires from Cycle MEeting
what's the grx rd that you are using with the 11-42 cassette?
the long one haha im not sure the model
Nice Video! Could you tell me, which saddlebag this is for your bike packing?
it's the saddle bag from PACGEAR
@@carlovillarica Thank you and always have good rides !
Well, I’ll like my 2012 Salsa Vaya for many of the same reasons, but I completely understand, and agree.
oh nice! That's a good bike
Nice insight about the midnight special. Question about sizing, I’m 188cm tall, which would be better size for me, the 58 or 60?
For Surly, I would refer to their size chart surlybikes.com/uploads/downloads/15924_SUR_Bike_Sizing_Chart_OL_VF.pdf
hi @@carlovillarica, many thanks for your prompt response, appreciated! I have been riding surly steamroller 59 for 10 years now, and staring to think that a bike with more than one gear is something I could have use for :)
nice video sir,may i ask where did you buy your fender?
facebook.com/cyclemeeting
@@carlovillarica thank you!
I have had mine since February 2019 and it is a great bike
Yup! I don't think I'll ever get rid of it
It is always the rider. But for me the one bike to do it all, if you like to maximize your enjoyment of the trails will be a proper XC bike. Got to admit it, suspension gives you confidence on a rough stuff. But of course you can enjoy any bike according to your budget.
For sure XC bike if mostly trails. For me, I do more road (really bad road) more than trails. So gravel it is
what kind of aerobars are you using ?
this is quite old. So I forget what the bars were
I'm a sucker for horizontal top tubes.
i hear you
you are wonderful. thank you.
Thanks also!
Only issue with the MS (full bike) is the price point. At that range, it's tempting to buy carbon road bikes, or full sus mtbs... it takes a lot of self control not to succumb to those other options.
As for the frame-only option, the build up is much slower (and you basically pay full price for the groupset). I've actually considered buying just the frame and a second-hand bike to cull the parts from.
ya i was lucky in that i already bought a much cheaper bike and just moved the parts. Also at the time when I upgraded the grupo, prices were much cheaper
You’re the inspiration why I choose the MS 😁 And yes, the MS “for me” also is the most versatile bike, from bike touring/camping set up to gravel race set up. Though I didn’t get that horizontal top tube since mine is size 40 😅
Oh! Haha yup it's great that surly has small sizes. Perfect for the Philippines
Sir, its hard to buy 650b tires/ inner tubes. All the bike shops I went to dont have it. Pls.help. thanks .
really? Didn't seem so difficult for me. I think I bought mine in bikecology or toto's bike stand
Thanks a lot bro.
Cool video sir
I have a 2 wheel set
One is 700x25 for road
Then a 700x35 off road
Nice! Im thinking of getting two wheelsets for my inflite haha
Can you buy a surly locally in the ph? Or did you have it delivered overseas?
this one i bought in the US but I they import them here. In Manila, you can try bikezilla or built cycles. In Cebu, YKK
What do you think of the new Surly Preamble?
if it were out when I didn't have the MS yet, I probably would have ended up buying the Preamble. Seems cheaper and already had 700c wheels (personal preference). But I do wonder if it is the same steel as the MS. Seems unclear after a quick google search
Hand position on the hoods a foot lower than the saddle height versatile? Give me the Ghost Grappler instead
spooky
can i ask how tall you are? i see you're running a 54cm frame
I'm 5'8"
so im at the edge of its fit. If I had a chance to switch to a size down, I probably would. But the 54 fits fine still
I love my MS so much I bought another frame "Just In Case"
oh nice! I'm hoping my frame lasts forever. OR at least long enough to give it to my kids
Sir Carlo what is your height?
5'8"
pretty sure this tittle belongs to the 2016 ogre.
Oh that's a good one!
I like the frame surly bike but idong have money so I buy some cheap
in the end, a bike is a bike is a bike. As long as we ride
Nice lodi good 🚲;
Thanks 😅
of course, its a surly! ;)
Yup yup yup
I love steel bikes.
ive got a soft spot for them too
Jiterally
yep
Surly not...
Surly!
I see you ride a 54. Can I ask how tall you are?
5'8" - if you look at the Surly size chart, I'm in between
@@carlovillarica Thanks. I am 5'11'', but the MS is 5mm shorter on stack than my current road bike, an SL6. I was debating between a 54 and a 56. a 56cm would be 20mm higher on the stack. I was thinking 5mm would be damn near the same ride as my current which is comfy.
Thanks for a great video! I'm 5'8.5" so similar size to you. Thinking of getting a size 50. Do you feel a 50 would be too small for you? Any particular reason why you chose 54? I've browsed the web and many people say Surlys run big and that downsizing a good idea. You seem to know your Surly well, so any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks again!
@@andre4713 I got the 54 because at the time, the smaller sizes weren't available. It fits me, but just barely (especially the stand over height). I think I would have fit a 50 just fine. Maybe even have more wiggle room to play with different stem lengths etc. That said, the 54 is ok. Super comfortable
@@carlovillarica Thanks so much for your reply, I really appreciate it! Most people I have asked seem to say the same thing. I will go for a 50! Thanks again :)
I hate it when youtubers make silly statements like this...
CZcams is a silly place