Surly Troll

With the exception of upstart Yuba, possibly no other bike manufacturer has done more to create the American utility cycling movement than Surly. Now Surly has rethought bicycle design to better reflect how a growing segment of cyclists–no, let’s just call them people–are integrating the bicycle into the fabric of their lives, from commuting to shopping to dating to transporting kids and tractoring cargo, even to travelling and vacationing in the simplest, cheapest, bestest of ways, as in bike camping and touring. With some healthy doses of single-track rippage (we’re pronouncing that the French way) thrown in.

There, we’ve said it. Perhaps the most useful bikes are not strictly the most capable of heavy haulers, but rather the all-around most versatile machines for life’s chores as well as life’s excellent adventures.

Enter the 2012 Surly Troll ($495 for the frameset; complete builds starting around $1100) and its trailer companions, Bill & Ted. Bill is 63 x 24 inches and sells for $649; Ted is half that length and $574. Bike Rumor posted this review of the Troll and trailer, with photos such as the one shown above, with the trailer.

Below, we built a Troll with a double chain ring and Nuvinci’s n360 internal hub to give it incredible range, particularly for towing. The rear derailleur is there only for tensioning the chain. Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes and Schwalbe Big Apples, this particular build can be had for $1499.

The cromoly Troll is sold only as a frameset at this point, allowing you to configure the bike just about any way you want (except with belt drive). Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22″.

Or put together your own build kit. We can help. In fact, that’s kind of what we do all day.

Surly has this to say:

The idea behind this sucker is a commuter, tractor, off-roader, tourer, dethmachine.

Features:

1×1 geometry with 100mm suspension-corrected fork

Multi-use dropout – horizontal rear track-end type with der hanger, fender/rack eyelets, AND trailer specific mounts that will work with Surly trailer nuts (10x1mm thread)

Disc on chainstay for rack and fender friendlieness

Rohloff compliant