Surly Ice Cream Truck Review
- Price: $2,349
- Frame: Steel
- Tires: 26″ Aluminum
- Gear: 1 x 12
What we like about it: The long top tube, short kickstand, and 68° head tube angle make it agile and responsive on fast and technical terrains.
What we didn’t like about it: It’s not as lightweight as some riders might prefer.
Rating: (4.8/5)
Whether it’s winding and twisting trails, miles of snow, or sandy beaches, the Surly Ice Cream Truck can handle all types of terrain. You can ride this bike with freedom, and that’s where the Surly Ice Cream Truck truly excels.
Next, we will analyze the riding experience, main features, components, and specifications of the Surly Ice Cream Truck. In the latter part of this article, we have also selected several bikes for comparison. If you want to read more bike reviews, you can follow us.
Riding Experience
The Surly Ice Cream Truck is a fat-tire bike with a steel frame and fork, known for its sturdiness and durability. It can absorb road vibrations on bumpy sections and offers a comfortable ride on various terrains.
To put it to the test, I packed up the Surly Ice Cream Truck and headed to Hatfield-McCoy, booking a nearby hotel on IHG.
The route for this ride was mostly trails with soft, winding, and twisty terrain, perfect for this fat-tire bike.
Climbing
As I rode the Surly Ice Cream Truck uphill, the rigid frame gave the bike a tighter feel, making me feel more integrated with the bike during climbs. There was no sense of loose pedaling, allowing me to maintain a faster climbing speed.
The Shimano SLX M7100 1×12-speed drivetrain allowed me to use larger freewheels on steep climbs, resulting in an easier pedaling experience. I could maintain a steady climbing pace without expending too much energy.
In conclusion, the Surly Ice Cream Truck, despite being a fat-tire bike, can easily handle uphill climbs thanks to its excellent components.
Descending
The Surly Ice Cream Truck is like a tank when it comes to downhill riding. On fast descents, the 26 x 4.8-inch tires can easily handle all kinds of rough terrain. It has excellent traction and the wide tires reduce the risk of punctures.
When I needed to slow down, the SRAM DB Level TL hydraulic disc brakes provided powerful braking performance, and their responsiveness made it easy to bring this big guy to a halt. In any extreme situation, they delivered reliable braking power.
As I rode on winding trails, the 26-inch wheels and excellent geometry provided agile handling. The wide tires offered exceptional grip, allowing me to navigate the trails with ease.
In summary, the Surly Ice Cream Truck excels on gravel roads, whether it’s fast descents or cornering performance, it’s truly impressive.
Specifications
The Surly Ice Cream Truck features a steel frame and fork, enhancing overall strength and durability. The steel frame also absorbs some road vibrations, providing a more comfortable riding experience.
Furthermore, there are four frame sizes (S-XL) available, suitable for riders with heights ranging from 5’2” to 6’7”. It offers wide compatibility, making it suitable for nearly all riders.
The Shimano SLX M7100 drivetrain is 1×12-speed, offering smooth shifting, rapid and precise responsiveness, and efficient transmission. The hydraulic disc brakes provide strong braking power in all conditions, ensuring all-weather braking performance.
Video
What do we like about it?
- The long top tube, short chainstay, and 68-degree head tube angle provide agility and responsiveness on fast and technical terrains.
- The steel frame is robust and durable, capable of absorbing some ride vibrations.
- This bike follows modern mountain bike standards, including a stealthy dropper post and a 44mm head tube.
- The bike uses thru-axle wheel mounting for added sturdiness.
- Shimano drivetrain offers precise, quick shifting and excellent transmission efficiency.
- Hydraulic disc brakes deliver reliable braking performance in all conditions, offering trustworthiness.
What don’t we like about it?
- The bike is not as lightweight as some riders might prefer, which could take some adjustment.
FAQ
- What’s the approximate weight of this bike?
Surprisingly, this bike handles quite nimbly and performs well in zigzag turns. Despite its 35-pound weight, it efficiently navigates uphill terrain.
- What types of terrains is this bike suitable for?
It can comfortably handle soft terrains such as sand, mud, or snow.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here, we provide a size chart for your reference. However, the best way to find the right size is to test-ride the bike.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’2″ – 5’8″ | S |
| 5’6″ – 5’11” | M |
| 5’10” – 6’3″ | L |
| 6’1″ – 6’7″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Surly Ice Cream Truck, 100% Surly 4130 Chromoly steel. Surly Ice Cream Truck, 100% Surly Chromoly steel, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, trumpet flared tubes, TIG welded, E.D. coatedColor: Safety Mask Blue |
| Fork | Surly Ice Cream Truck, 1-1/8″ straight steerer with tapered straight blade. Surly Ice Cream Truck, 100% Surly Chromoly steel, Natch tubing, double- butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, E.D. coated. 483mm axle to crown, 47mm offset. 51mm IS front standard disc mount. 150mm x 15mm thru axle dropouts ( axle included). |
| Bottom Bracket | Race Face |
| Headset | Cane Creek |
| Stem | Kalloy 31.8 |
| Handlebar | Salsa Rustler 31.8 |
| Saddle | Selle Italia |
| Seatpost | Kalloy 30.9mm |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SLX RD-M7100 12-Speed |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Crank | Race Face Aeffect or Ride, 30t |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX SL-M7100 |
| Cassette | Shimano SLX 10-51t, 12-speed |
| Chain | KMC X12 |
| Brakes | SRAM DB Level TL Hydraulic or Tektro Gemini Hydraulic |
Wheels
| Rims | Surly My Other Brother Daryl Rims, 32h |
| Front Hub | Novatec 150x15mm |
| Rear Hub | OE 197x12mm, Shimano Microspline |
| Tires | Surly Bud & Lou, 26 x 4.8″, 120tpi, tubeless ready |
| Disk Rotors | 180F/160R |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Wheelset | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Trek Farley 5 | Click View | 27.5″ Aluminum | Aluminum | SRAM Level | 1 × 10 |
| Salsa Mukluk Carbon XT | Click View | 26″ Aluminum | Carbon | SRAM G2 RS | 1 × 12 |
| Giant Yukon 1 | Click View | 27.5″ Aluminum | Aluminum | SRAM Level T | 1 × 12 |
| Framed Alaskan Carbon – Carbon Fork – Women’s Fat 27.5″ | Click View | 27.5″ Aluminum | Carbon | SRAM Level | 1 × 12 |
Surly Ice Cream Truck vs. Trek Farley 5
When comparing these two bikes, the first one, with its steel frame, offers a more comfortable riding experience compared to the second one. The second bike features a dropper post design that allows you to adjust your riding position on the go, ensuring riding continuity.
In terms of drivetrain components, the first bike is equipped with Shimano SLX components, providing a wider range of speed options and higher component quality compared to the second one.
Lastly, the first bike, with its 26-inch wheels, offers more agile handling, while the second one, with 27.5-inch wheels, provides greater stability during downhill rides.
In conclusion, both fat tire bikes have their advantages, but the first one boasts superior components, making it my recommended choice.
Learn More: Is Trek Farley 5 Worth Buying? [2022 Trek Farley 5 Review]
Surly Ice Cream Truck vs. Salsa Mukluk Carbon XT
When comparing these two bikes, the second one features a lighter carbon fiber frame.
In terms of drivetrain components, both bikes use Shimano components. However, the second one boasts higher-level components that are lighter and offer improved transmission efficiency.
Regarding the braking components, the second bike is equipped with SRAM G2 RS, providing stronger braking performance compared to the first bike with SRAM DB Level TL, resulting in better braking.
Between these two bikes, if your budget allows, the second one indeed offers superior performance and is a more worthwhile choice.
Learn More: Is Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 A Good Bike? [2023 Salsa Mukluk Deore 11 Review]
Surly Ice Cream Truck vs. Giant Yukon 1
When comparing these two bikes, the first one’s steel frame is slightly heavier than the aluminum alloy frame of the second one. However, it excels at absorbing vibrations during the ride, providing greater comfort.
In terms of drivetrain components, the first bike comes equipped with Shimano SLX components, offering smoother gear shifting. The second bike features SRAM NX components, which provide a more precise and crisp operation.
Furthermore, the 26-inch wheels on the first bike make it more agile for maneuvering, making it well-suited for trails. The second bike’s 27.5-inch wheels offer advantages in terms of traction and stability.
Therefore, both bikes have their respective strengths. The choice between them ultimately depends on your personal preferences.
Learn More: Is Giant Yukon 2 Worth Buying? [2022 Giant Yukon 2 Review]
Surly Ice Cream Truck vs. Framed Alaskan Carbon – Carbon Fork – Women’s Fat 27.5″
When comparing these two bikes, the latter one is equipped with a carbon fiber frame and fork, making it lighter than the former, which has a steel frame and fork. However, the steel frame is known for its durability.
The 26-inch wheels on the first bike offer better handling during rides, especially on winding trails, providing greater agility. The second bike’s 27.5-inch large wheels contribute to better rideability and traction.
In terms of drivetrain components, the first bike features Shimano components, which provide smoother and more precise operation. The second bike comes with SRAM drivetrain components that offer crisper gear shifts.
Ultimately, the latter bike provides a lighter riding experience, and given the similar price range, I would recommend the former.
Summary
In this review of the Surly Ice Cream Truck, we find it to be a robust and durable fat tire bike capable of handling various terrains. This is why we have awarded it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in other fat tire bikes, we conduct reviews on a wide range of bikes at different price points, making the process quite enjoyable. Feel free to explore our other reviews.
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