Surly Big Dummy Frameset

Review of the Surly Big Dummy Frameset :

Absolutely spectacular. The flex that I did have in my Hard Rock/Free Radical setup is now gone, even hauling two kids on the back (About 100 pounds).

The bike handles great, hauls me, kids, and cargo with aplomb.

The only downside is that getting the bike up and down stairs is a bit of a pain. My free radical had a tube down low that you could grab and was super easy to use to lift the bike. No such tube here.

I could have gone with a 20 (5'11, PBH about 88cm), but went with an 18 for lower step over. When hauling heavy and top heavy loads (like kids, which I do all the time) you need to keep the bike as vertical as possible. A lower step over helps out lots when mounting/dismounting.

Review of the Surly Big Dummy Frameset :

The shipping from Tree Fort Bikes was perfect. The customer service was perfect. The product arrived undamaged and well packed via UPS on time. I was able to assemble many components on to my new frame without taking it to the local bike shop. I did take the bike to the local bike shop to have the bottom bracket transferred from my Motobecane 700DS which I did not have the tools to do the job with as well as building up the new headset on the Big Dummy. I used the brakes off of the 700DS front and back which work well. The local bike shop had an adapter to make the front calliper mount. The LBS made my cables and chain. Everything on the bike now works wonderfully. The 18" frame works great for me and I am 5'6" tall with a 30" in-seam.

Review of the Surly Big Dummy Frameset :

Part of MY American Dream (silly white picket fences). Handles no different unweighted than any of my other bikes. I'm 5'9" and bought the 18", no need to cut 10" steerer. If you know how to and have the tools, very easy to build up. I only needed a tandem cable for the rear der because I am using XT vbrakes I picked up for $10! I like using the full cable housing for the setup. Definitely recommend having it raced and faced cause Surly slops the paint on around the headtube and BB but whatever. I run 2.1 tires and my commute (one I usually make on a Pake' Commuter with 28s) only takes maybe 5 minutes longer! The only downside is that most people outside the industry will not want to or can't justify the $1350 retail on the frame. How are we supposed to get people to view this as an auto alternative versus a COOL bike! So far I've hauled a bike box sans Xtracycle kit (I used old handle bars to set the box on) and then packed up the girl, a portable gas grill, towels, small cooler, etc for a picnic on the beach, easy as pie!

Review of the Surly Big Dummy Frameset :

This frame is amazingly plush. Absorbs road vibrations like a champ. I can trackstand anywhere ;). I've had around 400 pounds total on it and it's stable as all git out.

Review of the Surly Big Dummy Frameset :

If you want to build an extracycle from the ground up this is the way to go. I wanted a longtail for errands and child transport and the Dummy has fit the bill.

Review of the Surly Big Dummy Frameset :

This frame is to be a part of a long term project, with possible Roloff rear & SON front hubs.
Frame welds are clean and the Tree Fort price can't be beat.
Thanks!