That’s right, you read it correctly. Minnesota’s Surly Bicycles wants you to up your daily fiber as they join the masses, and spec some carbon bits on the new 700c Black Cherry Fizz Midnight Special. Don’t worry, if you prefer your Midnight Special with a steel fork and trusty aluminum hoops, come this Spring you can get that if you want. But, more on that at a later date.
We all know that Surly’s been flyin’ the “steel and steel only” flag for jeez, almost 30 years now? But now they’re saying that “just because steel is real, doesn’t mean everything else is fake”. I mean, that’s always been the consensus among most cyclists, and I tend to agree.
I don’t think Surly has lost its core values and given in to the mindset that “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” by adding some carbon fiber to the Midnight Special. Maybe some of the benefits of using carbon fiber bits on your bike are too compelling to continue to ignore.
Anywho… let’s take a look.
Black Cherry Fizz Midnight Special
The Black Cherry Fizz Midnight Special is the first bike in Surly’s existence that has sported a carbon fiber fork and rims. And really, the Midnight Special is the best bike for the addition of a carbon fork and rims.
The bike has always been marketed as a bike that was “part hustle and part muscle”. In Surly’s words, a road bike that “feels spirited on fresh pavement yet transitions smoothly into the seedy underbelly of road riding, where the asphalt crumbles away, and potholes threaten to throw you off-balance.“
Carbon fiber has an inherent ability to absorb road and trail chatter. Not to mention the material’s crazy strength-to-weight ratio. You blend that crazy lightweight with less road and trail vibration, and you get more comfort and more speed while in the saddle.
The Surly Midnight Special uses Surly’s tig-welded chromoly steel, Natch tubing, with a double-butted main triangle. The fork is the Salsa Waxwing carbon fork with an aluminum 1 1/8″ steerer. It also sports a 402mm axle-to-crown measurement.
It is spec’d with a Shimano 105 R7120 front and rear derailleur, as well as 105 50x34t double cranks, 105 shifter/brake levers, and 105 brake calipers. The cassette is a Shimano 105 R7101, 11-34t, 12-speed. Front and rear tires are the Teravail Rampart in 700c x 35mm, tubeless ready with sealant included.
The Midnight Specials carbon rims are the new Teravail Circos. They are 700c, with a 25mm internal width and 24h front, and 28h rear. The front and rear hubs are DT Swiss 350 12×100 thru-axle front and 12×142 thru-axle rear.
Claimed full bike weight for a 56cm is: 24lb 1oz.
Midnight Special Geo
*Measurements based on a 700c x 35 tire with an outside diameter of Ø695mm. Standover is measured from the top of the TT at the center.
| Size | 40cm | 46cm | 50cm | 54cm | 56cm | 58cm | 60cm | 64cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Effective Top Tube | 501.0 | 521.0 | 541.0 | 556.0 | 570.0 | 585.0 | 605.0 | 625.0 |
| B. Stand Over | 706.0 | 748.0 | 779.0 | 809.0 | 830.0 | 849.0 | 868.0 | 900.0 |
| C. Reach | 360.0 | 363.0 | 376.0 | 386.0 | 392.0 | 402.0 | 409.0 | 421.0 |
| D. Stack | 533.0 | 539.0 | 546.0 | 562.0 | 581.0 | 600.0 | 621.0 | 642.0 |
| E. Total Seat Tube Length | 400.0 | 460.0 | 500.0 | 540.0 | 560.0 | 580.0 | 600.0 | 640.0 |
| F. Headtube Length | 95.0 | 100.0 | 110.0 | 125.0 | 140.0 | 160.0 | 180.0 | 200.0 |
| G. Headtube Angle | 70.7 | 71.2 | 71.7 | 72.2 | 73.0 | 73.0 | 73.5 | 73.9 |
| H. Seat Tube Angle | 75.2 | 73.7 | 73.2 | 73.2 | 73.0 | 73.0 | 72.5 | 72.4 |
| I. BB Drop | 68.0 | 68.0 | 63.0 | 63.0 | 65.0 | 65.0 | 65.0 | 65.0 |
| J. BB Height | 280.0 | 280.0 | 285.0 | 285.0 | 283.0 | 283.0 | 283.0 | 283.0 |
| K. Chainstay Length | 425.0 | 425.0 | 425.0 | 425.0 | 425.0 | 425.0 | 425.0 | 425.0 |
| L. Fork Length Axle to Crown | 402.0 | 402.0 | 402.0 | 402.0 | 402.0 | 402.0 | 402.0 | 402.0 |
| M. Fork Offset | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| N. Wheelbase | 996.0 | 996.0 | 1009.0 | 1019.0 | 1022.0 | 1037.0 | 1046.0 | 1060.0 |
| Crank Arm Length | 165.0 | 165.0 | 170.0 | 170.0 | 170.0 | 175.0 | 175.0 | 175.0 |
| Handlebar Width | 400.0 | 400.0 | 420.0 | 440.0 | 440.0 | 460.0 | 460.0 | 460.0 |
| Recommended Rider Height | 147.0 – 158.0 | 155.0 – 165.0 | 163.0 – 173.0 | 168.0 – 178.0 | 173.0 – 183.0 | 178.0 – 188.0 | 185.0 – 196.0 | 193.0 – 203.0 |
| Stem Length | 70.0 | 80.0 | 80.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 120.0 | 120.0 | 120.0 |
Frame & Fork Clearance
Frame clearance:
27.5 x 2.35″ (w/o fenders)
700c x 42mm (w/o fenders)
650b x 50 (w/ fenders)
700c x 38mm (w/ fenders)
Fork clearance:
27.5 x 2.35″ (w/o fenders)
700c x 42mm (w/o fenders)
650b x 50 (w/ fenders)
700c x 38mm (w/ fenders)
Retail & Frame Detail
Retail: $3,499
- Frame Construction: 4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, TIG welded, ED coated
- Fork Construction: Carbon fiber
- Suspension Fork Length (Travel): N/A
- Rigid Fork Length: 402 x 50mm
- Axle to Crown: 402mm
- Rear Spacing: 12 x 142mm (Surly axle included)
10 x 135mm with Surly 10/12 Adapter Washers (not included) - Rear Brake (Rotor): Flat-mount 140 (160mm max rotor), 25mm thick mount
- Front Brake (Rotor): Flat-mount 160 (160mm max rotor), 35mm thick mount
- Headset – Upper: ZS44/28.6
- Headset – Lower: EC44
- Front Spacing: 12 x 100mm
- Front Axle Size: M12 x 120mm, TP=1.5, TL=12
- Steerer Tube: 28.6mm (1-1/8″)
- Crown Race: Integrated SHIS 40, 36° angle
- Seatpost: 27.2mm
- Dropper Post Compatible: No
- Seatpost Clamp: 30mm
- Front Derailleur Type: Bottom-pull (28.6mm)
- Bottom Bracket: 68mm threaded (1.37″ x 24TPI)
- Crankset (Max Ring)1x (Road): 44T
2x (Road): 34/50T
3x (Road): 30/39/50T - Accessory Mounts: Downtube-mounted shifter bosses (cable housing stops not included with frameset)
- Bottle Mounts: 3 Standard
- Fork Mounts: Two sets of Three-Pack Mounts. Rack mounts: low-rider
- Front Fender Mounts: Yes
- Rear Fender Mounts: Yes
Check out more details at the Surly HQ by hitting the link below.
