The All New Surly Straggler — Steel Versatility with a Fresh Twist
For over a decade, the Straggler has occupied a fun, grey area — part road bike, part gravel wanderer, part utilitarian commuter. And now Surly launched the next evolution of the beloved steel workhorse.
Surly’s philosophy has long prioritized versatility, durability, and self-sufficiency over chasing segments or trends. They tend to build bikes that you can tweak, repair, repurpose, upgrade, and ride for years. The updated Straggler continues in that lineage.
It’s still built from Surly’s rugged 4130 NATCH chromoly steel, still loaded with mounting points and rack/fender compatibility, but with some surly-esque modernisation.
Lets dig into what’s different compared to earlier Straggler models, walk through the two builds, and importantly who this bike is for.
What’s Different?
The refresh isn’t a wholesale reinvention; instead, Surly has refined and improved some of the bike’s foundations. Here are the key updates:
- Thru axle Dropouts – earlier stragglers used a horizontal dropout and while the new dropouts are still partially open, they’re thru-axle compatible. The modern hub spacing means more off-the-shelf wheel options and thru axles are tube change friendlier.
- #fattiesfitfine. So while the previous iteration technically fit 700 x 50 tyres. The new straggler is designed around them with the GRX build equipped with 700 x 45s.
- Subtle geometry tweaks, most notably; adjustments in head tube length/stack, shorter reach and slopped top tube which means…
- Lower standover – short-legged riders rejoyce!
- Dropper post cabling and port
- Fewer size options – 11 down to 8 while still offering 46cm to 64cm size range. Just don’t assume you’ll be the same size on the new version.
Another exciting update: Surly now offers two distinct build kits giving riders more choices at the factory level.
|
Build Kit |
Components & Features |
Strengths / Trade-offs |
Best For |
|
Shimano GRX |
2 × 12 GRX
Dropper post
Tubeless-ready 45/47mm tyres |
The performance-oriented build. Smooth, refined shifting with Shimano’s well-tested gravel components. Slight weight penalty over SRAM Apex of previous build offering. Additional components add weight as well. |
Riders who prefer Shimano’s ergonomics, want more gearing options, refined cadence control, or expect to tune/tweak the drivetrain over time. |
|
Shimano CUES |
1 x 11 CUES
41mm tyres |
A more budget / utilitarian Shimano spec, tuned for durability. More rugged and easier to service, but may lack some higher-end smoothness. |
Commuters, folks who want minimal fuss, and those who ride hard and want components they can service easily in remote or rural settings. |
Build Kit Deep Dive
|
2 x 12 GRX Subtropic Algae
|
1 x 11 CUES Shaggy Carpet
|
|
|
Drivetrain |
Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX820 Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX RX820 Shifters: Shimano GRX RX610 Crankset: Shimano GRX RX610, 46/30T double chainring Cassette: Shimano HG710, 11-36t, 12-speed Chain: KMC X12 EPT (anti-rust) |
Rear Derailleur: Shimano CUES U6000 GS Shifter: Shimano CUES U6030 Crankset: Shimano CUES U6030, 40T single ring Cassette: Shimano CUES LG400, 11-50t, 11-speed Chain: Shimano LG500 |
|
Brakes & Rotors |
GRX RX610 levers, Shimano GRX RX410 calipers, RT26 160/160 mm rotors, flat-mount disc brakes |
Shimano CUES U6030 levers Shimano CUES U6030 calipers RT26 160/160 mm rotors, flat-mount disc brakes |
|
Wheels & Tyres |
WTB KOM Light i25 rims, TCS 2.0, 32-hole; Teravail Washburn tyres: 650b × 47 mm (Size 46-52), 700c × 45 mm (Size 54+) — durable / tubeless ready |
Alex Adventurer 2 rims (32 hole) Surly Knard tyres: 650b × 41 mm ((Size 46-52), 700c × 41 mm (Size 54+) |
|
Cockpit |
Handlebar: Salsa Cowchipper Stem: TranzX JD-ST123A Seatpost: Trans-X JD-YSP38J dropper post, 90mm travel Seatpost Clamp: Surly Stainless 30.0mm Saddle: WTB Gravelier Medium Grips / Bar Tape: Black Cork |
Handlebar: Salsa Cowchipper Stem: TranzX JD-ST123A ( Seatpost: Kalloy SP-DC2, 27.2 mm, 0-offset Seatpost Clamp: Surly Stainless 30.0mm Saddle: WTB Volt Medium Grips / Bar Tape: Black Cork |
Who This Bike Is For
The 2026 Straggler is built for the rider who wants one bike that can do a lot, without needing to compromise heavily in any direction. It’s not a pure gravel race rig, and it’s not a heavy expedition bike — it lives in the middle, and that’s by design. Here are a few rider archetypes who will love it:
The Commuter-Explorer: Someone who rides daily but also wants weekend flexibility. Add a rack, toss on a frame bag, and the Straggler handles errands, gravel sections, and urban roads.
The All-Weather Tourer Lite: Not hardcore loaded touring, but riding multi-day with moderate gear. The mounting points and refined frame make that easy.
The Gravel/“Rough Road” Rider: If your terrain mixes paved roads, chip seal, fire trails, and occasional gravel patches — this is your comfort zone.
The One-Bike Gambler: For folks who don’t want multiple bikes (road, gravel, touring) — this is your “do-everything” compromise machine.
The Tinkerer & Customizer: You want a frame you can strip, rebuild, upgrade, or re-spec over years.
More Info Please:
Check out all the new builds and frames online here or drop in to our Manly West store. Check them our IRL and take one for a spin.
Surly Website
Bikepacking.com review
Ottawa Bike Shop review
