SURLY MOONLANDER 2.0 Day ride on the coast and first ride review!

 

The Last thing I expected was for Surly to release a new Fatbike!, in typical Surly style  they did not go with he flow of the cycling market but brought out something different to everyone else. so different they made their own wheels and tyres for it!

Pictures by Farmer Chris

The new Surly Moonlander, dubbed by most Surly Fatbike fans. as the Moonlander 2.0 - bit like our own Pugsley 2.0 that was a relaunch updated version of a previous Surly classic has took things to a whole new level!, this thing is off the scale!, ridiculous, NUTZ!

6.2" tyres for starters!, running these on 24" 100mm wide rims with tall sidewalls give these tyres the same symmetrical height as regular 26 x 4.8" Fat wheels but with a massive footprint which equates to increase float and grip. The wheels are identical with 197mm hubs so a single cog on the front gives swappable wheels for in the event of a freewheel failure or to swap the overall gearing ratio quickly

A 9 speed twist shift works a 9 speed Pivot gearbox

The Pivot gives a set up ideal for the rough terrain you may find yourself in on a Fatbike - no rear mech to smash or bend on rocks and tree stumps etc and a single speed chain alinement for a low maintenance set up

Regular 197mm thru axle hubs and disc brakes means this bike would effectivly take two rear Ice Cream truck wheels in regular 26" x 4.8" size, or 29+ if you require lighter faster wheels 

Parked next to Chris`s Moonlander - a last of the line John Deere Green Moonie the height is matching and the huge increase in potential float visible 

Sanny who brought the bike through from Glasgow was right I would not be dissapointed and I was blown away with the size of those wheels!, Sanny also brought his Ice Cream Truck and alongside G with her Pink Pugsley 2.0 we had a fine evolution of 5"+ Fatbikes! 

DJI NEO stills

Riding the bike across easier rocks the ride was similar to a regular 5" tyre Fatbike

Seacliff and the surrounding rocks would be the ideal area to test this bikes rock crawling ability's 

And on the low tide exposed rocks which we could hardly walk across the bike had a leech like grip!

Soft sand the wider tyres were also noticeable with the float and grip while the mid tail (longer) seat stays gave a more stable bike for climbing and descending

Riding back to the vans I did notice the larger gaps in the 9 speed Pinion box a bit noticeable to keep same pace in the right gear as the other bikes but as I mention in the film this is not an issue for a bike designed for adventure riding and solo travel at your own speed

Summing up this is a vey capable bike ready to take you far flung places where the only other bicycles you will likely meet are other Fatbikes or across the low tide exposed rock beds of the coast,  but this bike takes a new angle on things with that increase float and grip. Do I like the bike? oh yes! 

The new Moonlander has moved the goal posts again in fatbikes like the original Mainlander did when released back around 2013/14, be expect to say wow when you set eyes on the tyres of this beastie!

Thanks Surly UK and to Sanny bringing the bike to the east coast for us to see and ride, just a short few hours but an insight on what more could be possible from this amazing design  that in typical Surly style pushes what is capable on a bicycle...

Film on Youtube

More soon...

Rock crawling at Skateraw...

 

Back out cycling on the coast and a cycle east from town along to Skateraw,

Childhood memories of visiting Catcleuch with my Dad when it was home to Countryside Ranger Victor Loch, Vic was some guy!, a real local character!....

Lighthouse always stands around here...

Time for some beach and rock crawling...

Then onto the rock slabs exposed at low tide, I love riding across here....

Skateraw Lime Kiln...

Wee film again, Song is `Reach For The Dead` by Boards Of Canada

More soon...

Scotch on the rocks...

 

A sunny clear morning, high pressure weather, little wind, the perfect weather for wrapping up and getting out along the coast. With G on the Surly Moonlander and myself on the `Puglander` (a Pugsley 2.0 with Moonlander forks and wheels) we did some rock crawling along towards Torness Power Station...

Pics with the new phone - an iPhone SE are an improvement and looking forward to getting loads of pics again when out and about...

And it was the first time out with the Go Pro HERO 8 Black camera and watching the footage now edited and published on YouTube I am really impressed at the quality and stabilisation of the filming,

The camera is on standard wide screen settings and all I have changed is the connection to upload and edit on my iMac computer, and I switched off the Wi FI so save battery life - I don't really like the iPhone GO Pro App edit option, but admittedly have not took the time (or patience) to learn to use it!,

Stills from the film footage are decent quality too

Here is some film on the first good section go rocks, Song is by `Receiver` by Tycho

Along Whitesands and the coast is thankfully quiet again through the week as people are locking down again and not travelling as per Government advice,

Past Barnes Ness and the Lighthouse and an area of sand that has been washed in from a recent swell and covered the rocks, not seen this here before, so we rode out for a look...

Fatbikes make light work of rocks like these...

Onto the smooth exposed rocks and this is one of my favourite sections of coast to cycle with the smooth molten lava rock that rollercoasters along, 

Another wee film, Song is `Dye`   by Tycho

Across the small bay at Skateraw and at the old Lilm Kiln is the start of another lovely section of slab of rock but watch the green slime along the higher section as it is real slippy!...

And a 3rd wee film, Song is `Easy` by Tycho

Around the Power Station and it a few sea fishermen at the water outlet,

We circled back and dropped down to the Serpents Head. Still no idea who carved this and so few folk seem to know about it, but it is cool to go see...

And a last wee film of cycling down to see it, Song is `Bocuma` by Boards of Canada

Heading home we stopped by the bear as no one around, good to be back in our bubble again and out cycling...

More soon...