Surly Moonlander Review (2.0) -- SRSLY, 6.2' Tires and a Pinion!?

The latest Surly Moonlander has arrived, and it pushes the limits of production fat bikes like never before with massive 6.2-inch tires, a Pinion gearbox, and 197mm front and rear spacing. Naturally, we had to take Surly's newest offering into the roughest terrain around. Tune in to watch our detailed review and see how it handled the challenge...

Outline:
Intro - 0:00
History - 0:19
What's New - 2:59
Mid-Tail Bikes - 5:26
How It Rides - 7:09
Components - 12:40
Loaded up - 18:06
Who's It For - 19:53

Mentioned Links:

#bikepacking #pedalfurther #surlybikes #moonlander
-------------
::About The Host::
Geometry: 150lbs, 5'9.5", 32" inseam, +2.5" Ape index

[Krueger]

Never been a fan of fat bikes, but this spoke to something deep in my soul I didn't know was there

[tinkeringcyclist]

Everyone was saying the 26" fat bike is dead, and that it's too much tire, unnecessary, and you don't need it.
SURLY doubles down and says "hold my beer". 🤣

[JakeLuke]

I just love fat bikes. This one looks like you could make going to buy an ice cream an adventure in itself. A Pinion gear box on this rig makes sense considering it's intended use on snow and sand. The next step in tire technology should be to stuff gear into the tires. Lots of available space there. They do it on many pack rafts already. Thanks Neil for the review.

[milesarbour]

This is nuts. Official rig of Klunk 'n' Float.

[PumpkinVillage]

Wow!! That is a set of tires. I live by some big rail trails and a lot of mixed terrain. This would be so much fun in winter. Riding a Wednesday now and some times I get tire envy.. The electric air pump is a good idea and is now on the Christmas list. Thanks for another great review and take care, Al

[banana]

I love companies like surly that just release cool shit like this cause they can. I don't have a use for the moon lander! But boy i know there's a few folks out there heading to the lbs for one this week and I love that. Niche bike stuff will always make my heart warm❤

[mattk]

Just make sure to stock up on tires before they inevitable abandon the tire size and stop production in 3 years.

[Outsideville]

I have zero use for this bike but can't help from smiling when looking at it.

[nurunuru]

Fun! I've been riding a 1st-Gen Ice Cream Truck for nearly a decade now. Couldn't see myself swapping it out for this (especially as I have mine set up with a Lauf Carbonara suspension fork, with makes it more fun and comfortable), but it's nice to see Surly are still doing their thing in the world of fatbikes. I figured they'd pretty much thrown in the greasy rag a few years ago.

[edcatt]

I have a 2015 aluminum Salsa Mukluk, and I have taken it on some really interesting and difficult rides. Along lakeshores, with a mixture of sand, stream crossings, chunky rock sections, it excelled like no other bike. I do admit that such a bike is really best for terrain not suitable for even a mountain bike. It's not fun on pavement. It's not something I would take if everyone else was on faster bikes (you'd be left behind a lot), but to go where this video showed, you'd leave the other riders far behind, instead of being left behind. These are niche bikes for sure. Definitely. But if out of the ordinary terrain is something you want to push into --- a fat bike is incredible. I plan on keeping my bike and ride it till I no longer ride bikes. Very good review!!! Thanks.

[gregorybupp]

I hope the TPU tubes on this thing is a sign that Surly will also release standard fatbike sized TPU tubes, something that has been missing for a long while.

[FATKEVMTB]

Great video! Having rode a 4.8” tire fat bike exclusively all over the Western USA for 5 years, I can’t remember ever thinking the tires were too small, but I’d love to try this on some of the rugged trails/roads I’ve ridden, Engineer Mountain to Alpine Loop out and back in Ouray CO comes to mind, also, Mt St Hellens Ape Canyon to Plains of Abraham 🤘🏽

[andrewking]

That looks like some crazy fun in the right terrain!

[DosJof]

I've been riding a Priority 600X with the Pinion gearbox and a Gates belt drive, and it has become my daily rider and bikepacking ride of choice. I love that Surly came out with the Moonlander, and I only wish there was a split in the rear triangle for belt drive. I have really gotten used to not being on the chain gang. Having said that, I will give the Moonlander a close look.

[Loondogak]

Amazing Neil, can't wait to see you up here for your Moonlander Iditarod quest this winter!

[michaelaiello]

Totally wish that these were accessible. I would definitely have a blast! A slow, steady, crazy off road adventure (or a lifetime of those types of adventures) would be super welcome!

[levilies]

Love it, I have a skid loader and I would say it shares some DNA with the frame of skid loader as well. Add different fork, increase rear wheel space and take out the little handle on seat tube and wa-la… even close in color. I want one living in MN it would be perfect for our massive snowfall! Thank you for the video, great work.

[marnig]

Finaly a bike with long chainstay❤ lets make an Pinion MGU version out of it;)

[nathanatkin]

FINALLY! My dreams of someone creating something closest to a modern version of the Hanebrink has come true! I can't believe it... Thank you Surly! ❤

[optimusderf]

Living in Wisconsin, I would love this thing as a winter bike.