One of a few new bikes that Surly launched (or will launch soon) from Saddle Drive, the Pack Rat has arrived. Aptly named, the Pack Rat is all about brining your gear along – only on the front of your bike rather than the rear. Technically, the Pack Rat is in the style of a randonneuring bike, but in a typically Surly way, they’ve gone about it with their own style.
Starting with a 4130 chromoly steel frame with a double butted main triangle, the frame itself is classic Surly. Threaded bottom bracket, straight 1 1/8″ head tube, rim brake only, and Gnot-Rite 132.5mm dropout spacing for 130 or 135mm rear wheels. Sold complete as a 2×10, the Shimano drivetrain includes a 48/34t chainring combo and 11-34t cassette.
What really sets the Pack Rat apart is the new fork and front end that has been designed with loaded riding in mind. The custom fork includes braze ons for a front rack, and the complete bike even includes the Surly 24 pack rack. Riding with substantial weight on the front end can tend to slow a bike’s steering or cause the weight to feel like it’s pulling you through turns, so Surly worked to find a geometry that made the bike ride better while loaded. By quickening the steering while unloaded, Surly says that the bike rides more predictably when loaded – though it’s still fine when riding unloaded.
Additionally, the front fork has accommodations for internal dynamo wiring so you can add a dynamo hub while you’re at it.
The last design consideration came down to the wheels. Surly wanted to keep the weigh as low as possible, so they claim to have settled on 650b wheels and tires as a result. However, to keep toe overlap to a minimum, the 38-50cm frames use 26 x 1.5″ WTB slick tires instead. The 650b bikes use 42mm Paris-Moto slicks from Panaracer. Maximum tire clearance is listed as 26 x 2.0″ and 650b x 48mm respectively.
To be offered as a frameset or a complete, the complete builds will go for $1349. Get more details on the Surly site below.
