Surly bikes have always done things a little differently. Instead of chasing the lightest frame, the most aggressive geometry, or the cleanest race-day setup, Surly focuses on bikes that are durable, versatile, and easy to make your own.
That is a big part of why people like them. A Surly is rarely just one thing. It can be a commuter, a gravel bike, a winter bike, a touring setup, or really…whatever you need it to be.
Surly also makes fat bikes, cargo bikes and e-bikes, but for this guide, we’re going to focus on three of the most common categories riders ask us about:
- Pavement / All-Road
- Touring / Adventure
- MTB / Trail
The goal isn’t to list every single spec. It’s to help you understand what each bike is actually for, where it fits in the Surly lineup, and which one makes the most sense for the type of riding you want to do.
Prices and availability can change depending on colour, build, wheel size, and current Canadian stock, but we will include general Canadian pricing where it helps.
Surly Pavement / All-Road
Surly’s pavement bikes are not traditional road race bikes. They are not really about skinny tires, carbon frames, or saving every possible gram. Instead, this category is built around steel bikes that are comfortable, practical, and able to handle more than perfect asphalt.
These are bikes for commuting, rough roads, bike paths, light gravel, everyday riding, and riders who want something more versatile than a standard road bike.
In Surly’s current pavement lineup, the main models are:
- Midnight Special
- Preamble
- Straggler
- Steamroller
Each one fits a different type of rider.
Surly Midnight Special
If you want the most premium pavement bike in Surly’s lineup, the Midnight Special is the one that stands out. It’s a steel all-road bike built for riders who want speed on pavement, but still want room for bigger tires, rough roads, and light gravel.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,999 to $4,599 CAD for complete builds, depending on wheel size, colour, and spec. Framesets are also available from around $1,249 to $1,599 CAD.
Compared to the Preamble or Straggler, the Midnight Special feels more refined and performance-focused. It’s not a race bike, but it is the quickest and most lively option in this section.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want a fast steel all-road bike
- Rough pavement and light gravel riders
- Anyone who wants a more premium Surly build
- Riders choosing between road, gravel, and everyday riding
Surly Preamble
The Preamble is Surly’s most approachable pavement bike. It’s simple, steel, and available in both flat bar and drop bar versions, which makes it easy to match to different riding styles.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $1,299 to $1,999 CAD for complete builds, depending on the version and colour. Framesets are also available, with pricing ranging from around $594 to $999 CAD depending on current sale pricing and availability.
The flat bar version makes the most sense for commuting, paths, casual rides, and everyday use. The drop bar version gives you a more road/gravel feel without jumping into a higher price point.
Who it’s for:
- Newer riders looking for their first Surly
- Commuters and casual riders
- Bike path and light gravel riding
- Anyone who wants a simple, affordable steel bike
Surly Straggler
The Straggler is the practical do-it-all option in Surly’s pavement lineup. It sits between a road bike, gravel bike, and commuter, making it a good choice for riders who want one bike that can handle a bit of everything.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $1,919 to $3,149 CAD for complete builds, depending on wheel size, colour, build, and sale availability. Framesets range from around $799 to $1,569 CAD.
Compared to the Midnight Special, the Straggler is less performance-focused and more utility-focused. It’s better suited to racks, fenders, commuting, gravel paths, all-weather riding, and light touring.
Who it’s for:
- All-weather commuters
- Riders who want one practical drop-bar bike
- Gravel paths and rough pavement
- Light touring, racks, and fenders
Surly Steamroller
The Steamroller is the niche option in this section. Unlike the others, it is currently sold as a frameset only, not a complete bike.
Current Canadian pricing lists the Steamroller frameset at $999 CAD. It’s designed for riders who want to build a simple fixed-gear or single-speed steel bike from the ground up.
For most riders, the Preamble or Straggler will be more practical. But if you already know you want a minimalist city bike or custom fixed/single-speed build, the Steamroller is one of Surly’s most iconic options.
Who it’s for:
- Fixed-gear riders
- Single-speed city builds
- Custom steel bike projects
- Riders who want something simple and unique
Surly Touring / Adventure Bikes
Surly’s Touring / Adventure bikes are built for riders who want to go farther, carry more, and not be limited to smooth pavement. Some of these bikes can handle gravel, but this section is really about a wider range of riding: commuting, bikepacking, loaded touring, dirt roads, fire roads, and mixed-surface exploring.
These bikes are not trying to be lightweight race bikes. They are steel, practical, and built with the mounts, tire clearance, and durability needed for real-world adventure riding.
In Surly’s current Touring / Adventure lineup, the main models are:
- Grappler
- Disc Trucker
- Ogre
- Bridge Club
Each one handles adventure differently. The Grappler leans more off-road, the Disc Trucker is the classic loaded touring bike, the Ogre is the utility/adventure workhorse, and the Bridge Club is the most approachable all-rounder.
Surly Grappler
If your version of adventure usually involves rough gravel, fire roads, and trails that feel a little too much for a normal gravel bike, the Grappler is the one that stands out. It’s a drop-bar trail bike built for off-road exploring, bikepacking, and mixed-terrain rides where stability and tire clearance matter more than speed.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,299 to $2,899 CAD for complete builds, depending on colour and sale availability. Framesets are also available from around $1,149 to $1,249 CAD.
What sets the Grappler apart is its big tire clearance, stable handling, steel frame and fork, dropper routing, and plenty of mounts for bottles, racks, cargo cages, and bikepacking gear. It is not the fastest option on pavement, but it is one of the most capable bikes in this section when the route gets rough.
Who it’s for:
- Bikepacking riders
- Rough gravel and fire roads
- Drop-bar riders who want more trail capability
- Anyone who wants an adventure bike that leans off-road first
Surly Disc Trucker
If you’re planning to carry real gear, the Disc Trucker is the Surly that makes the most sense. It’s a classic steel touring bike built for long-distance rides, racks, panniers, commuting with cargo, and routes that may include pavement, gravel roads, and rougher surfaces.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,599 to $2,699 CAD for complete builds, depending on wheel size and colour. Framesets are also available from around $879 to $1,499 CAD.
Compared to the Grappler, the Disc Trucker is less trail-focused and more traditional touring-focused. It’s not the fastest or most exciting bike when unloaded, but once you add racks, bags, and gear, it starts to make a lot more sense.
Who it’s for:
- Long-distance touring riders
- Commuters carrying panniers or cargo
- Riders planning multi-day trips
- Anyone who wants a stable steel bike for loaded riding
Surly Ogre
The Ogre is Surly’s flat-bar adventure and utility bike. It’s built for riders who want one tough steel bike that can handle commuting, gravel, loaded riding, bikepacking, and general mixed-terrain exploring.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,599 to $2,699 CAD for complete builds, depending on colour and availability. Framesets are also available from around $1,299 to $1,399 CAD.
Compared to the Disc Trucker, the Ogre is less traditional touring and more all-terrain utility. Compared to the Grappler, it’s less drop-bar and trail-focused, but more practical for everyday riding, racks, cargo, and long-distance exploring.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want a flat-bar adventure bike
- Bikepacking and loaded riding
- Gravel, paths, and mixed terrain
- Commuters who want extra utility and cargo options
Surly Bridge Club
The Bridge Club is probably the easiest Touring / Adventure bike to recommend if you want one bike for a little bit of everything. It’s built for commuting, gravel paths, dirt roads, light bikepacking, and everyday riding without going too extreme in any one direction.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $1,789 to $2,249 CAD for complete builds, depending on wheel size and colour. Framesets are also available from around $1,049 to $1,279 CAD.
Compared to the Ogre, the Bridge Club is a little more approachable and less utility-heavy. Compared to the Grappler, it’s less aggressive and more everyday-friendly. It also has a lot of wheel and tire flexibility, with clearance for 700 x 47mm, 27.5 x 2.8”, or 26 x 3” tires depending on setup.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want one bike for commuting and adventure
- Gravel paths, dirt roads, and light bikepacking
- Riders looking for a simple, capable steel bike
- Anyone who wants a more approachable Surly touring bike
Surly Trail / MTB Bikes
Surly also has fat bikes like the Ice Cream Truck and Moonlander, but for this section, we’re focusing on their more traditional trail and mountain bike models.
Surly’s trail bikes are built for riders who want durable steel mountain bikes with personality. They are not trying to be the lightest race bikes or the most polished full-suspension machines. Instead, they focus on simplicity, tire clearance, versatility, and the kind of ride feel that makes you want to keep messing around on the trail.
In Surly’s current Trail / MTB lineup, the main models we’ll cover are:
- Sorceress
- Lowside
- Karate Monkey
- Krampus
Each one fits a different type of rider. The Sorceress is the modern trail hardtail, the Lowside is the playful single-speed option, the Karate Monkey is the versatile all-rounder, and the Krampus is the big 29+ trail bike.
Surly Sorceress
The Sorceress is Surly’s modern trail hardtail. It’s built for riders who want a simple steel mountain bike that can handle real trail riding without jumping into a full-suspension setup.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,999 to $3,999 CAD for complete builds, depending on the build. Framesets are also available for around $1,419 CAD.
Compared to something like the Karate Monkey or Krampus, the Sorceress is more aggressive and trail-focused. It’s designed around a 140mm suspension fork, modern trail geometry, 29” wheels on most sizes, dropper post compatibility, and tire clearance up to 29 x 2.6”. It can handle light bikepacking, but trail riding is clearly the main focus.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want a modern steel trail hardtail
- Singletrack and rough trail riding
- Riders choosing hardtail over full suspension
- Anyone who wants a durable MTB that can be built geared or single-speed
Surly Lowside
The Lowside is the fun bike in Surly’s trail lineup. It’s a simple, playful steel bike built for riders who want something easy to ride around town, rip through mellow singletrack, cruise bike paths, or just mess around on.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,149 to $2,249 CAD for complete builds, depending on colour and availability. Framesets are also available from around $1,399 to $1,419 CAD.
Compared to the Sorceress, the Lowside is much less aggressive and way more casual. It’s not trying to be a modern performance hardtail. It’s more of an adult BMX-style trail cruiser: simple, comfortable, and fun for riders who like keeping things stripped back.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want a simple, playful trail bike
- Single-speed fans
- Mellow singletrack and town riding
- Anyone who wants a fun steel bike with lots of personality
Surly Karate Monkey
The Karate Monkey is Surly’s highly versatile trail hardtail. It’s built for riders who want one steel mountain bike that can be set up a bunch of different ways, whether that’s as a 29er, a 27.5+ bike, a rigid setup, or a front-suspension trail bike.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,649 to $3,749 CAD for complete builds, depending on the setup and colour. Framesets are also available from around $1,449 to $1,549 CAD.
Compared to the Sorceress, the Karate Monkey is less aggressive and more versatile. Compared to the Lowside, it’s much more capable as a true trail bike. It has clearance for 29 x 2.5” or 27.5 x 3” tires, dropper post compatibility, and modern trail standards, making it a strong choice for riders who want flexibility.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want a versatile steel hardtail
- Trail riding and light bikepacking
- 29er or 27.5+ setups
- Anyone who wants one MTB frame that can be built a bunch of different ways
Surly Krampus
The Krampus is Surly’s dedicated 29+ trail bike. It’s built around big 29 x 3.0” tires, giving riders tons of rollover, grip, and comfort on rough terrain.
Current Canadian pricing ranges from around $2,079 to $3,319 CAD for complete builds, depending on colour, rigid vs front suspension setup, and availability. Framesets are also available from around $1,279 to $1,599 CAD.
Compared to the Karate Monkey, the Krampus is more focused on big tire capability and rough terrain confidence. Compared to the Sorceress, it’s less modern and aggressive, but more classic Surly: simple, steel, versatile, and built to roll over just about anything.
Who it’s for:
- Riders who want a 29+ steel trail bike
- Rough trails, roots, rocks, and loose terrain
- Riders who prioritize grip, rollover, and comfort
- Anyone who wants a big-tire Surly for trail riding and adventure setups
Which Surly Bike Should You Choose?
The right Surly bike really depends on how and where you ride.
If most of your riding is pavement, bike paths, commuting, and rough roads, start with the Midnight Special, Preamble, Straggler, or Steamroller. The Midnight Special is the quickest and most refined option, the Preamble is the simplest and most approachable, the Straggler is the practical do-it-all commuter, and the Steamroller is for riders who want a custom fixed-gear or single-speed build.
If you want to ride farther, carry more, or mix pavement with gravel, dirt roads, and loaded trips, look at the Grappler, Disc Trucker, Ogre, or Bridge Club. The Grappler leans off-road, the Disc Trucker is built for loaded touring, the Ogre is the flat-bar utility bike, and the Bridge Club is the easiest adventure bike to recommend for a little bit of everything.
If trail riding is the priority, the Sorceress, Lowside, Karate Monkey, and Krampus all bring something different. The Sorceress is the modern trail hardtail, the Lowside is the playful single-speed option, the Karate Monkey is the versatile trail bike, and the Krampus is the big 29+ bike for rollover, traction, and comfort.
The nice thing about Surly is that most of these bikes are not locked into one specific use. They are made to be customized, built up, changed over time, and adapted to the way you actually ride.
If you’re not sure which model makes the most sense, stop by one of our QuickCranks Locations and we can help narrow it down based on your riding style, budget, sizing, and whether you’re looking for a complete bike or frameset.
