Singletrack, Fire Roads, and City Commutes: The Surly Straggler Gravel Bike Does It All
After a decade-long wait, Surly finally refreshed its cult-classic steel gravel bike
April 20th, 2026
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Our verdict
With the updated Straggler, Surly has made a great, long-lasting steel gravel bike that’s most adept at long day rides on everything from easy single track to city streets. It’s a solid revision to an iconic bike that helped launch what is now the gravel bike revolution.The Straggler is a great grocery getter, and commuter when you can’t get it out of town for a romp on gravel roads. It will do light duty as a bike packing bike, but there are other Surly options better suited for bikepacking.
Our test model, the 54cm Shaggy Carpet version, sported the Shimano CUES 11-speed drive system. That was enough range for steep climbs, speedy descents, and general cruising on long stretches of gravel. The wide, flared Salsa Cowchipper drop bars are among the best we’ve ridden, giving riders a wide range of comfortable hand positions for long rides.
For a $2,000+ bike, we’d want the rims to come not just tubeless ready but also pre-taped for tubeless tires, and the Knard tires could be more durable out of the box. While we appreciated the move to through-axles for stiffness and a more responsive feel, there’s no need for Surly to use a proprietary through-axle. Though not necessary, a dropper post, like on the more expensive Straggler Subtropic Algae model, would make this a more fitting bike for tougher trails, but the frame and the Shimano CUES groupset make adding one pretty easy.
In all, this bike is a great, classic looking gravel grinder that should last for decades of use, no matter what type of riding you want to use it for.
Surly Straggler Gravel Bike
Interested in bikepacking? Check out our How to Get Started Bikepacking guide.
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Surly Straggler Gravel Bike Specifications
Price: $2,199
Frame material: Chromoly steel
Fork: Chromoly steel
Wheel size: 700c / 650b depending on frame size
Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 11 speed (11-50t)
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
Tire clearance: 50mm on 700c
Mounts: Rack, fender, bottle mounts
Weight: 27 lb 4 oz (56cm)
Frame sizes available: 46, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61, 64 (46-52 use 650b tires, 54-64 use 700c tires)
Best for
Gravel riding
Touring
Commuting
Riders who prefer durable steel bikes
Comparison table
| Bike | Type | MSRP | Weight (lbs) | Sizes | Wheel Size | Frame | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surly Straggler | Gravel | $2,199 | 27.25 | 46, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61, 64 | 700c / 650b depending on frame size | Chromoly Steel | 3 year on frame |
| Surly Bridge Club | All Terrain / Budget | $1,200 | 30 | XS, S, M, L, XL | 27.5" x 2.4" | Chromoly Steel | 3 year on frame |
| Salsa Fargo Apex 1 | Gravel | $2,200 | 28 | XS, S, M, L, XL | 29" x 2.2” | Chromoly Steel | 5 year on frame |
| Santa Cruz Stigmata | Gravel | $4,149 | 20.86 | S to XL | 700c | Carbon | Lifetime |
What we liked
Set up for light bikepacking action in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area.
Durable steel frame
Comfortable ride quality
Excellent mounting options
Versatile across multiple riding styles
Easy to maintain components
What could be better
Heavier than aluminum and carbon gravel bikes
Rims should come taped for tubeless tire installation
Surly Knard tires could be more durable
More mounting options would make it a better bikepacking option
How we tested
Taking the Straggler for a loaded spin at White Ranch Open Space.
Over the past few months, we’ve ridden the Surly Straggler about 300-400 miles across single-track trails, dedicated bike paths, city streets, fire roads, and more. We rode it days, evenings, and nights while testing mountain bike lights across Colorado.
Among our favorites were riding the easy single track of the Spur Line Loops in Durango beyond sunset in late October. The Straggler glided over the dirt bumps, and the knobs of the Knard tires gripped well on the dusty, banked turns through short trees. As the leathery brown leaves of scrub oak and the sandy hues of long prairie grasses were muted in the shadows of the setting sun, the Straggler felt at home, like the deer that pranced away in the shadows.
We loaded the bike up with a light bikepacking setup (tent, sleeping quilt, etc.) in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area and rode it on the steep, gravelly, and rutted dirt roads and trails. Loaded with about 5 to 7 pounds of gear on the frame and more on the back, the bike didn’t feel cumbersome and remained responsive.
The 50-tooth granny gear was almost too low a gear for most hills we climbed, but we appreciated the CUES hoods and wide Cowchipper drop bars for having enough real estate to attach our Big Agnes Copper Spur tent without interfering with the ability to effortlessly change hand positions for different parts of the ride as we climbed and cruised on the rutty, dry dirt road.
On myriad miles on the paved and gravel trails in and around Denver, the Straggler easily cruised over the cracked sections of neglected concrete pavers, and the all knob tires were surprisingly adept on paved surfaces. Despite its 27-pound weight, the bike felt fast and easily passed all but the most lycra-clad road warriors setting their own Strava records.
Compared to other gravel bikes, the 5’ 10”, 195-pound author spent time with, primarily the Santa Cruz Stigmata and the Canyon Grizl Al, he appreciated the more upright riding position of the Straggler. The bars were wider and the drops more flared than on both the other bikes, making it a better bar for someone who’s more used to riding on a mountain bike than a road bike.
While we appreciated the traction and suppleness of the Knard tires, we wish the rims were factory taped for a tubeless ready installation. We quickly converted the bike to tubeless after popping both tires on goatheads on the first day of riding around Wash Park.
The hydraulic disc brakes on the Straggler were a big upgrade compared to the V-brakes on the older Santa Cruz Stigmata and the author also found he preferred the design and feel of Shimano’s brake hoods than SRAM’s brake hoods. He felt the rubber cover and design of the Shimano hoods better supported the perlicue than SRAM’s. He also appreciated the ability to adjust the angle of the brake levers to match the flare of the drop bars.
What's new with the Surly Straggler Gravel Bike
| 54cm (700c) | Old Straggler | New Straggler | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective top tube | 565 | 555 | −10 |
| Seat tube length | 540 | 490 | −50 |
| Head tube length | 107 | 120 | 13 |
| Head tube angle | 72.0° | 71.5° | −0.5° (slacker) |
| Seat tube angle | 73.0° | 74.0° | +1.0° (steeper) |
Bikeinsights is an extremely helpful bike geometry comparison tool for a bike-on-bike visualization. Below is a screenshot of how the new Straggler's geometry compares with the old geometry.
Bottom line: the new Straggler has a noticeably more upright fit and is much easier to stand over.
Performance in the field
Ride quality
The steel frame of the Surly Straggler offered good vibration dampening on rough roads and we never felt like the bike was trying to buck us off when rolling ruts or over loose rocky terrain. It offered good stability at the speeds we rode, topping out at a bit over 25 mph, on curvy downhill bike paths. Though on longer rides, we did feel that the WTB Volt Medium saddle was a bit less padded or supple than we would prefer.
Handling
The wide, flared handlebars and CUES brakes and hoods, as well as the more upright riding position made handling easy for the author who is more used to riding mountain bikes. Even when loaded with weight the bike was responsive and lively and didn’t feel sluggish. The Knard knobby tires gripped well on rocks, roots and gravel, but knobby tires normally tend to feel a bit noisier on pavement. With the Knard tires we didn’t notice the sort of hum or vibration we’ve felt with some other gravel tires on pavement.
Climbing performance
The 1X11 Shimano CUES 11-50 tooth cassette paired with the 40-tooth chainring, offered a great range of gears for everything from speedy downhill descents to tough climbs. In fact, we barely touched the 50-tooth granny gear on most climbs. As mentioned earlier, despite its 27-pound weight we didn’t feel much impact on its ability to climb compared to lighter gravel bikes we’ve ridden. If we were more focused on racing, we may have noticed it more.
Bikepacking capability
The author doesn’t have all the panniers and racks to really ride the Straggler as a bikepacking bike and rode this as more of a gravel bike. The bike rides lighter than its weight and has plenty of mounting points for front and rear racks and plenty of bikepacks and storage. And while we did some lightly weighted touring with it, we didn’t take it on multi-day trips. Fully weighted it may suffer a little from the frame’s weight compared to some of our favorite bikepacking bikes. We’d also consider replacing the saddle with something more forgiving for 50+ mile days.
Durability
The welded steel frame and brazed, lugged dropouts make the Straggler a durable beast—the type of bike that should easily last for decades with a little care. Still, a couple of quirks don’t future-proof the bike. Its use of proprietary skewers for the wheels, the lack of tubeless-taped rims from the factory, and a rear derailleur dropout that’s not replaceable or compatible with newer SRAM UDH derailleur designs may limit the owner's ability to upgrade or replace components in the future.
Features
Chromoly steel frame is still the king of durability for bikes and is well-suited for the Straggler.
Chromoly steel fork is a classic durable, long-lasting ideal choice for a steel-frame bike like the Straggler.
Rack and fender mounts on the Straggler are ideal for commuting and light bikepacking duties.
Multiple bottle cage mounts add flexibility. With two cage mounts in the main triangle and one underneath, the Straggler lets you mount a water bottle cage even if the main triangle is filled with a frame bag.
Hydraulic disc brakes as a standard feature are welcome.
Lack of rear dropout adjustability is problematic.
Wide tire clearance is welcome for rougher gravel and off-road riding.
Touring geometry makes riding more upright than many other gravel bikes, and the lower top tube makes mounting and dismounting a breeze.
Durable frame construction means the bike should last for many happy years of riding.
Surly Straggler build options: CUES vs. GRX vs. frameset
| Frameset | CUES 1×11 | GRX 610 2×12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,099 | $2,199 | $2,699 |
| Colors | Subtropic Algae, Shaggy Carpet | Shaggy Carpet | Subtropic Algae |
| Shifters/levers | — | Shimano CUES U6030 | Shimano GRX RX610 |
| Front Derailleur | — | — | Shimano GRX RX820 |
| Rear derailleur | — | Shimano CUES U6000 GS (rear only) | Shimano GRX RX820 |
Should you buy the Surly Straggler?
Buy if:
You’re looking for a comfortable, multi-surface capable bike.
You think steel is still the best frame material
You want a more upright riding position and a low stand-over height
You’re looking for a durable bike that should stand the test of time
Skip if:
Weight is your kryptonite
You want a dedicated bikepacking bike
You prefer a flat-bar bike
You want a carbon-framed bike
Where to buy
The Surly Straggler Gravel Bike is a popular bike, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
Performance Bicycle
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Campfire Cycling
Surly
You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Purchasing directly from the maker can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return if there is a defect, for instance.
Advice on where to buy
In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns.
Similar gravel bikes
Surly Bridge Club
Price: From $1,230
Frame material: Chromoly steel
Fork: Chromoly steel
Wheel size: 27.5" x 2.4"
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore
Brakes: Disc brakes
Tire clearance: 26 x 3.0", 27.5 x 2.8", 700c x 47
Mounts: Fender, bottle, fork
Frame sizes available: XS to XL
The Surly Straggler is certainly a different bike than the Surly Bridge Club. With larger diameter 700c wheels on the larger models, the Straggler can more easily roll over bumpier surfaces. While both share a 1X11 drivetrain, the Straggler's drop bars make it a more capable road and commuter bike than the Bridge Club. With a few more attachment points than the Straggler, the Bridge Club is more versatile for bikepacking and is the best overall winner in our Best Bikepacking Bikes guide.
Surly Bridge Club
Price: From $2,599
Frame material: Chromoly steel
Fork: Carbon
Wheel size: 29" x 2.2"
Drivetrain: SRAM Apex 1
Brakes: Disc
Tire clearance: 29+ on sizes S to XL
Mounts: Fender, bottle, rack
Weight: 24 lbs, 8 oz (large)
Frame sizes available: XS to XL
Of the other bikepacking bikes our writers and editors have tested, the Surly Straggler is most akin to this offering from Salsa, and indeed shares the same Salsa Cowchipper drop bars and a similar weight. However, the Fargo Apex 1 has a carbon fork with gobs of mounting points for racks, bottle cages, and other accessories. It’s also got a more versatile rear triangle with an adjustable, replaceable Alternator dropout. The Salsa Fargo Apex 1 is our pick for best gravel bike for bikepacking.
Salsa Fargo Apex 1
Price: From $4,149
Frame material: Carbon
Fork: Carbon
Wheel size: 700c
Drivetrain: SRAM Apex Eagle
Brakes: Hydraulic disc
Tire clearance: 50mm (1x) max
Mounts: Water bottle
Weight: 20.86 lbs
Frame sizes available: S to XL
The first real gravel bike the author rode was an older Santa Cruz Stigmata with V-brakes and a SRAM component group. The biggest upgrade was, of course, the transition to disc brakes, which makes tackling steep technical terrain much easier thanks to their enhanced braking power. While the Stigmata is designed more as a fast, light day-trip or racing gravel bike, the Surly Straggler handles great at speed but is more of a comfortable riding bike than a racing bike.
Santa Cruz Stigmata
Why you should trust us / About the author
While most at home on a mountain bike, Chris Meehan has ridden numerous gravel bikes over the years. He’s taken gravel bikes on Front Range Colorado classics, including Gold Hill by Boulder and has logged countless miles on the winding dirt roads and paved bike paths in and near Denver.
Chris has 20-plus years of exploring, hiking, backpacking, climbing, guiding and playing in Colorado. He’s worked as a mountain guide on Colorado’s 14ers and is the author of Falcon Guide’s Climbing Colorado's Fourteeners: From the Easiest Hikes to the Most Challenging Climbs and Colorado’s Best Front Range Adventures: The Greatest Hiking, Climbing, Paddling and More From Denver to Colorado Springs and Fort Collins.
Chris edited Justin Lichter’s Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker's Guide To Ultralight Hiking And Backpacking and worked with National Geographic and their mapping division in developing their Colorado 14ers Map Pack Bundle.
He’s written for Elevation Outdoors, including stories about Colorado 14ers and outdoor apps to boost adventures. Chris also writes for Backpacker Magazine, covering their Deals of the Week, gear review pieces, and their Editors' Choice Awards 2019: The Best Gear of the Year.
Chris also covers outdoor companies and outdoor sports for publications including CompanyWeek, Outdoor USA Magazine (print), Elevation Outdoors, 5280, and more.
Find more of Chris’ work at his Treeline Review author page or at his website.
