Surly Lowside

Overview

The Surly Lowside is your childhood BMX, all grown up and ready for big kid adventures. This bad boy is the embodiment of nostalgia, combining the playful spirit of your youth with the ambitions and dreams of adulthood. It effortlessly transitions from ripping through singletrack trails to parking it outside your beloved watering hole to going bikepacking. The Lowside is a single-speed mountain bike, a true testament to Surly’s roots since the pioneering days of the legendary 1×1 Rat Ride. Though the 1×1 had its glorious run, the Lowside triumphantly carries on its legacy, picking up right where its predecessor left off.

Imagine the thrill of pedaling through the wilderness on the Surly Lowside 27.5+, your trusted companion on bike camping adventures. This bike’s robust construction and 27.5+ wheels make it a reliable choice for navigating diverse terrains. Picture yourself cruising down forest trails, the wind in your hair, your friends at your side. As the day ends, you gather around a crackling campfire, sharing tales of the day’s ride. The Lowside isn’t just a bike; it’s your ticket to unforgettable experiences, camaraderie, and the pure joy of exploration.

Geometry & Ride Characteristics

The Surly Lowside 27.5+ features a balanced geometry that is both agile and stable. Its head tube angle is designed for steady yet responsive steering, while its relatively compact chainstay length adds a nimble quality to the bike. The wheelbase is generous enough to provide stability, especially at higher speeds or on uneven terrain. The bike’s reach and stack accommodate a broad spectrum of rider heights, ensuring a comfortable and tailored fit for most.

Riding the Surly Lowside 27.5+ offers control and freedom. The stable yet responsive head tube angle is ideal for navigating both tight trails and open roads. The bike’s agility is enhanced by its shorter chainstay length, allowing for quick turns and easy maneuverability. Meanwhile, the generous wheelbase ensures that the bike remains stable when you’re pushing the limits. This unique combination of geometric features results in a ride that is both exhilarating and reassuring, making it an excellent choice for those who value versatility.

• Head Tube Angle: The Surly Lowside 27.5+ maintains a consistent 70.0° head tube angle across all sizes. This is a balanced angle that provides a mix of stability and agility, setting it apart from bikes that vary this angle across sizes.
• Seat Tube Length: The seat tube lengths range from 316.0mm to 516.0mm, which is on the shorter side compared to many other bikes. This allows for greater standover height and maneuverability.
• BB Drop: The 55.0mm bottom bracket drop across all sizes contributes to a low center of gravity, enhancing stability. This is a feature often seen in more specialized mountain bikes.
• Chainstay Length: The chainstay length is consistently 425.0mm across all sizes, which is relatively short and contributes to the bike’s agility. This is a unique feature, as some bikes opt for variable chainstay lengths to adjust for different sizes.
• Handlebar Width: With a handlebar width of 820mm across all sizes, the bike offers greater control, a feature often found in downhill mountain bikes but less common in multi-terrain bikes.
• Wheelbase: The wheelbase ranges from 1068.0mm to 1152.0mm, which is on the longer side, offering stability at higher speeds. This is a characteristic more commonly associated with touring bikes but is a unique offering in a bike designed for varied terrains.
• Top Tube Length: The effective top tube length varies significantly across sizes, from 570.0mm to 650.0mm, allowing for a more customized fit. This level of detail is usually reserved for higher-end models.
• Stem Length and Angle: The stem length and angle are consistent across all sizes, which is not commonly seen in bikes that aim for customization in fit and feel.

vs. the Kona Unit X

The Kona Unit X is designed with a focus on versatility, featuring a 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic brakes, making it well-suited for both trail and gravel riding. Its Reynolds 520 Butted Cromoly frame offers a more compliant ride, absorbing trail chatter effectively. In contrast, the Surly Lowside 27.5+ leans more towards agility and maneuverability with its shorter chainstay length and balanced head tube angle. While the Kona Unit-X is geared towards riders seeking a multi-terrain experience with a bit more comfort, the Surly Lowside 27.5+ is for those who prioritize agility and responsiveness, at a lower relative cost.

• Fork:
  • Kona Unit-X: Comes with a Kona Plus Fork that has 110mm spacing, designed to offer a balanced ride.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Equipped with a Surly Lowside Fork, specifically designed to complement the frame’s characteristics for a harmonious ride.
• Drivetrain:
  • Kona Unit-X: Features a 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, offering a wide range of gears suitable for various terrains.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Comes with a single-speed setup featuring a SRAM NX 32t crankset, focusing on simplicity and low maintenance.
• Brakes:
  • Kona Unit-X: Equipped with Shimano MT410 Hydraulic brakes, known for their reliable stopping power.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Features Tektro Hydro M275/276 brakes, which are reliable but not as high-end as Shimano’s offerings.
• Wheel Size:
  • Kona Unit-X: Designed to accommodate 29-inch wheels, which offer better roll-over capabilities.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Built for 27.5-inch wheels, which make for quicker handling and agility.
• Ride Feel:
  • Kona Unit-X: Offers a more compliant and versatile ride, making it suitable for both trail and gravel riding.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Provides a more agile and maneuverable experience, optimized for quick turns and technical riding.
• Geometry:
  • Kona Unit-X: Features a more relaxed geometry, contributing to its versatility and comfort over various terrains.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Sports a more aggressive geometry, aimed at agility and responsiveness, making it ideal for riders who enjoy a spirited ride.

vs. the Surly Karate Monkey

The Surly Karate Monkey Rigid  offers a versatile, geared riding experience suitable for a range of terrains, from singletrack to gravel. Its geometry is designed for stability and comfort, making it a go-to for longer rides and bikepacking. In contrast, the Surly Lowside 27.5+ is a singlespeed bike that prioritizes agility and responsiveness. Its lack of gears makes it a purist’s choice, focusing on a direct, unfiltered connection between rider and trail. This singlespeed setup contributes to the Lowside’s lively, nimble feel, making it ideal for quick turns and technical riding.

• Groupsets:
  • Surly Karate Monkey: Features a Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, suitable for a variety of terrains.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: A singlespeed setup, offering a direct and unfiltered riding experience.
• Brakes:
  • Surly Karate Monkey: Equipped with SRAM Avid BB5 Mechanical brakes for reliable stopping power.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Equipped with hydraulic disc brakes for strong and consistent stopping power.

• Tires:
  • Surly Karate Monkey: Features Surly Dirt Wizard 27.5 x 3″ tires, suitable for various terrains.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Equipped with Maxxis Rekon+ 27.5×2.8 tires, optimized for agility and quick handling.
• Ride Feel:
  • Surly Karate Monkey: Offers a versatile, stable, and comfortable ride suitable for longer journeys.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Provides an agile, responsive, and lively ride, ideal for quick turns and technical riding.
• Geometry:
  • Surly Karate Monkey: Geometry is tailored for stability and comfort, making it versatile for multi-terrain riding.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Features a more aggressive geometry aimed at agility and responsiveness.

vs. the Bombtrack Beyond+

The Bombtrack Beyond+ is designed for long-distance bikepacking and off-road adventures, offering a stable and comfortable ride with its more relaxed geometry and wider tire clearance. It’s equipped for carrying heavy loads and features a 12-speed drivetrain. On the other hand, the Surly Lowside 27.5+ is a singlespeed bike focused on agility and responsiveness, ideal for quick turns and technical riding. While the Beyond+ is geared towards expedition-level riding, the Lowside is more suited for playful, short-distance jaunts. 

• Drivetrain:
  • Bombtrack Beyond+: Features a 12-speed SRAM SX-EAGLE drivetrain, suitable for a variety of terrains.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Comes as a singlespeed, offering a straightforward and direct riding experience.
• Brakes:
  • Bombtrack Beyond+: Equipped with SRAM LEVEL hydraulic disc brakes for reliable stopping power.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Features Tektro Hydro M275/276 brakes, providing adequate braking for its intended use.
• Ride Feel:
  • Bombtrack Beyond+: Geared towards stability and comfort, especially for long-distance and off-road riding.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Focuses on agility and responsiveness, ideal for quick turns and technical trails.
• Geometry:
  • Bombtrack Beyond+: Features a more relaxed geometry, designed for comfort and stability during long rides.
  • Surly Lowside 27.5+: Sports a more aggressive geometry aimed at quick responsiveness and agility.