coastrider: 2014 Surly Pugsley! ; still `Fit for Purpose`

Thursday, 17 April 2014

2014 Surly Pugsley! ; still `Fit for Purpose`

I am glad to see the good old Surly Pugsley available for 2014 on the Surly Bikes website...

With the launch of the new inline Surly Ice Cream Truck (ICT) many folk who are Pugsley fans like myself wondered if the old Pugsley will change to an in line fatbike too. But looks like the old stager is around for another year at least!,

Versatility;
It is still a great bike to ride anywhere and is so versatile with all options available;
135mm rear hub set up allows a regular 8,9,10 speed hub and derailleur, single speed, or Internal hub gear (IGH),
rack mounts,
The 29+ compatible wheel opened a bigger door to the bikes versatility, and also regular 29er tyres can be used on these rims...

Fat loving...
The Pugsley has a huge following of fans, just have a look at `The Amazing Surly Pugsley` page on Facebook.
The original production fatbike still ticks the boxes for many owners, many have no interest to change for anything newer, well except maybe another new Pugsley!.
Things like the lighter Marge Lite rims and Nate tyre have been a welcome addition adding to the concept. The frame once it had the top tube dropped has largely remained unchanged...

`Fit for Purpose`
If i was to try and explain my love of this bike it would be that it is `Fit for Purpose`
To some it is a bike they cherish and polish and take care of, to others like myself it is a `tool for the job` to be used and get dirty, inevitably chipped, covered in coastal salt water and sand, and to enjoy cycling up to 40 miles in a day...
But it is`Fit for Purpose`, it does what is written on the tin and does not need to be replaced by anything until it is worn out...

Here are some things that are fit for purpose for example;

Spear and Jackson hand tools;
UK made with Sheffield steel and with replaceable Ash wood handles...
The No2 Shovel (RHS) is a classic in my trade and these last for years, these shovels, along with Spear and Jackson Spades, Turf Edging Tools and Turf lifting irons are 15+ years old now...
I bet the shovel i used over 18 years ago when i worked in my previous job at Gullane is still in use by someone today...
Their design has not changed for years. They work, and can be repaired with new handles if needed and if you do a lot of manual work then you will know that a good Shovel or Spade makes a big difference... `Fit for Purpose`..

Record vices;
If your a shed geek then these are a must, i have two in the man cave; a smaller No100, and No5 (pictured), and a rusty No 3 being used as a door stop outside that i need to soak in Diesel to loosen the threads and clean up...
Again quality made and lasts for years, does what it needs to do fine so not much need to change it;
again something that is `Fit for Purpose`...

Snap On Tools;
I have a few and like the ratchet in the picture it is well made, lovely to use, can be serviced and internal parts replaced and will last for years, no need to change it, as they are tools that are `Fit for Purpose`

Glenfiddich 12 year old Malt Whisky;
Their signature malt and the pioneer of the single malt Scotch whisky category...

Westons 8.2% Traditional Cider;
Aged in 200 year old Oak Barrels. Westons cider has been produced for over 130 years. It hits the spot...

Ok you get the drift... enough said...

Some things do not need to change if they work fine...

Long live the Pugsley! ;
If the Pugsley was to be dropped after 2015 then i would just buy another frame set and stick it under the bed for when the time comes to use it.
My Pugsleys are 7 and 8 years old and still fine....

How long will steel Pugsley frame sets last? ;
Good question!, Raleigh posted their bikes were built to last a hundred years, and many indeed have...

A Pugsley ridden on the beach may last at least a quarter of this if prepped right, if so then i have another 16 years fun with my two!... lets see...

They still do whats written on the tin, they are still `Fit for Purpose`

The 29+ wheels `KramPug` concept is as i said a great no brainer- two bikes in one...

The Salsa Woodchipper bars/levers, bar end, set up can be lifted off the Karate Monkey 29er, complete with control cables and fitted to the KramPug if i want to-opening up another Pugsley set up!...

New fatbike designs and developments are great. Things move on and newer designs and can be lighter and stronger...
But i also hope things that work fine as they are like the old Pugsley stay the same as they still do the job required for some of us and they continue to remain largely unchanged and available as an option :)

I posted a link to this blog post on the MTBR Surly page,just to see what other folks thing about the old Pugs. it is an ongoing thread, click for the reading Here; Surly Pugsley; still fit for Purpose

Update 2015;
I have since sold the Purple Pugsley and bought another Pugsley with an 8 speed Alfine hub, and also sold a Karate Monkey frame set and bought another used Pugsley frame set and built a 2nd 29+ KramPug which also has 4" fat wheels... 3 bikes and 6 wheel sets!

Landrover Green Pugsley; replacing a ridged 29er bike;

This is replacing my ridged Karate Monkey 29er which i bought as a used but un built frameset but only rode it twice since building it up, I like it and it rides lovely,
But i feel this now i don`t really need a 29er having had a taste of riding 29+ with my Surly #KramPug# and the roll and comfort of those 3" tyres on the 50mm Surly Rabbit Hole 50mm wide rims, i class that as Fat-Lite, running around 12-15 psi... this has been the ride that has re sparked my cycling away from the coast...

So what about my other Surly KramPug 29+?
It is still as it is, kinda my answer to a Surly ECR, and for long XC days out, maybe even some bike packing weekends this year!...
The Pumpkin Pugsley is my good Pugsley, all the best parts, it will not see too much salt water exposure, but can if needed share the wheels of the Green Pugsley, so all 3 Pugsleys can go 4" fat on the coast.

DIY Rivinut cage mounts on offset forks...

And down tube Crud Catcher mounts and bottle cage ...

Spare wheels...

The old original Pugsley;
Original Grey Pugsley (black for now) is the run around Pug, rear rack and Alfine 8 speed internal gear hub, my partner Francis rides this bike when were out and i use it too scoot about, often commute with detour offroad rides after work, panniers on the rear rack and it goes to the shops etc...