Just when you thought fat bikes couldn’t get any bigger, Surly swoops in with a new Moonlander. Now, this is not your typical Moonlander. Sure, the model was known as Surly’s biggest fat tire bike at a time when 4” was still considered large, but this is different… for a few reasons.
24 x 6.2″ Tires!
The biggest (literally) of these may be the all-new 24 x 6.2” Surly Molenda Tires. Yes, you read that right. Surly downsized the rim, and upsized the tire for even more extreme flotation on all terrain. Surly states that the Moonlander frame can also roll on 26 x 5.1”, 27.5 x 4.8”, and 29 x 3” tires. Molenda tires feature a 2-ply 60 tpi casing that is tubeless ready, and have a claimed weight of 2200 – 2300g and will cost $150 each.
If you don’t want to run tubeless, you’ll need to use Surly’s new TPU inner tube in the matching 24 x 6.2” size that supports low pressures (2-10psi). The inner tubes alone are $49 a piece, but given the size that doesn’t seem too bad considering regular TPU inner tubes are pushing $30-40.
To mount those gargantuan Molenda tires, Surly has also introduced a new 24 x 100mm Clown Royal Rim. The 32h rim requires the use of the Surly 24” Nylon rim strip, and will be available aftermarket to build custom wheels. Rims will run $280 each with another $8 for the rim strip.
One of the goals of the Moonlander project was to create a fat bike with the largest tire footprint possible without creating any new standards or q-factor that was unrideable. To that effect, the Moonlander uses standard 197 x 12mm hubs front and rear (rear hubs on both), and has the same q-factor as the existing Ice Cream Truck.
To accomplish that, the Moonlander uses a longer rear end which allows the proper tire/chain/crank clearance while also increasing stability. Surly claims that the Moonlander looks, feels, and rides like a normal bike in spite of the comically wide tires.
A Gearbox?
While the 100% Surly Chromoly steel frame is familiar, the drivetrain is decidedly not – at least for Surly. On a bike like the Moonlander, weight and efficiency play second and third fiddle to reliability in extreme conditions. That’s why Surly opted for the Pinion 9-speed gearbox instead of a traditional derailleur system. This is Surly’s first-ever use of the Pinion system, citing that it protects the drivetrain from inhospitable conditions and offers higher ground clearance than the typical fat bike thanks to a higher BB shell.
Geometry
Offered in four sizes from S-XL, the frames have a smaller front triangle for better standover and easier on/off. Those front triangles can house one water bottle for small frames, two on the medium, and 3 on L/XL frames. You’ll also find accessory mounts on the fork blades, and plenty of mounts for racks, fenders, and more. The frames are internal dropper post compatible and run a 30.9mm post.
How much does it weigh?
Complete weight is claimed to be about 45 lbs for a medium frame. Just the frameset alone (frame, fork, collar, axles) is 12lbs, 4oz. Not light. But look at it!
Pricing & Availability
Pricing is set at $4,199 for the complete bike and $1,199 for the frameset (which doesn’t appear to include the gearbox). Moonlanders are available for order on Surly’s website, including the option to ship to your home from a participating dealer close to you.
