Surly Bridge Club Black 700c Review
- Price: $1,499
- Frame: Steel
- Tires: 700c Aluminum
- Gear: 1 x 11
What we like about it: A simple and efficient gravel bike with sturdy and reliable capabilities.
What we didn’t like about it: The steel frame is relatively heavy, which some riders may find difficult to accept.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Surly Bridge Club Black 700c is a versatile gravel bike. With its exceptional carrying capacity and nimble handling, it is the ultimate gravel bike that can accompany riders on any trail.
In the following sections, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c.
Additionally, we will compare it to several other top bike models in the latter part of this article. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, feel free to follow us.
Riding Experience
The Surly Bridge Club Black 700c is a gravel bike with a robust and reliable performance, thanks to its steel frame. The external cable routing design gives it a rugged appearance. Paired with carefully selected components and powerful carrying capacity, it excels in long-distance riding.
To test it out, I packed my Surly Bridge Club Black 700c and headed to the gravel bike course at Barry-Roubaix. The trails there were covered in gravel and sand, with various slopes and descents. I immediately booked a nearby hotel on IHG and set off.
Climbing
When climbing with the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c, the steel rigid frame and fork ensure that my pedaling power is efficiently transferred without any energy loss. The drivetrain is also highly effective, allowing for quick uphill riding.
On steeper ascents, the Shimano Deore M5100 32t crankset combined with the Shimano Deore CSM5100 11-51t freewheel, featuring a 1×11-speed setup, shines. By shifting the rear derailleur to the largest freewheel gear, I instantly feel a reduction in the heaviness of pedaling, making it more effortless. This helps me conserve energy during uphill climbs.
What I appreciate is the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c’s excellent geometry. It provides a stable center of gravity during climbing, giving me more power to tackle uphill sections.
In summary, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c’s excellent geometry and high-quality component combination reduce my energy consumption during uphill rides and allow for faster speeds.
Descending
On downhill sections, I find the Surly Bridge Club Black, 700c to be a comfortable gravel bike. The all-steel frame, along with the steel fork, provides a degree of flex. This is particularly suitable for slightly bumpy gravel surfaces as it absorbs shocks and vibrations.
Furthermore, the 700C large-diameter tires offer excellent traction and stability on this type of terrain. It’s easy to achieve a fast descending speed.
Additionally, the Surly Bridge Club Black, 700c is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes and 160mm front and rear rotors, ensuring reliable braking performance and safety during descents. Even with continuous braking, it maintains efficient stopping power. This is where hydraulic disc brakes truly excel, consistently providing reliability.
In conclusion, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c meets my expectations for climbing and descending performance on gravel surfaces.
Specifications
The Surly Bridge Club Black 700c features a steel frame and fork with a degree of flex. This means it can absorb some of the road vibrations on bumpy sections, providing a more comfortable ride.
There are five frame sizes available (XS-XL), suitable for riders with heights ranging from 5’1″ to 6’5″. It offers broad compatibility and caters to the majority of riders.
The external cable routing design gives the frame a rugged appearance. It also makes maintenance, servicing, and component disassembly/replacement easier and more convenient.
Lastly, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c’s frame is equipped with multiple mounting points, allowing for the installation of full-sized water bottles and carrying additional gear for long-distance rides. It has an exceptional carrying capacity.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Multiple mounting points for enhanced carrying capacity, perfect for long-distance rides.
- Clearance for 700 x 47mm tires (with or without fenders), 27.5 x 2.8″ tires (27.5 x 2.6″ with fenders), and 26 x 3″ tires (26 x 2.8″ with fenders), suitable for various riding conditions.
- Simple construction that is easy to maintain and take care of, making it an efficient steel gravel bike.
- The Shimano Deore drivetrain system offers efficient pedaling performance and smooth shifting.
- Hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable braking power, even in challenging conditions.
- External cable routing design for a rugged appearance and simplified maintenance and component replacement.
What don’t we like about it?
- The steel frame is relatively heavy, which some riders may not accept.
FAQ
- Why are Surly bikes so popular?
Surly bikes are popular because of their durable steel frames. They offer practical bikes suitable for off-road riding, commuting, and transporting various sizes of cargo.
- Is this bike suitable for long-distance riding?
With its multiple mounting points and impressive carrying capacity, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c is capable of long-distance rides.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here we have a sizing chart for you. Of course, it doesn’t always have to be followed, and the best way to find the perfect size is to try it out.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’1″-5’6″ | XS |
| 5’4″ – 5’9″ | S |
| 5’7″ – 6’0″ | M |
| 5’10” – 6’3″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’5″ | XL |
Surly Bridge Club Black 700c Specs
Build
| Frame | Surly Bridge ClubBB Standard: BSA, 68mm, ThreadedColors: Majestic Moss; Black; Gloss Black |
| Fork | Surly Bridge Club |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BSA |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 |
| Stem | Promax, 31.8mm |
| Handlebar | Surly Terminal Bar, XS,S – 718mm, M,L,XL – 735m |
| Saddle | WTB Volt 142 |
| Seatpost | Promax, 27.2mm |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore M5100 Shadow Plus |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Crank | Shimano Deore M5100 32t |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore M5100 Rapid Fire |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore CSM5100 11-51t |
| Chain | KMC X11 EPT |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-M275 |
| Brake Levers | Tektro HD-M275 |
Wheels
| Rims | WTB ST i21 TCS |
| Front Hub | Novatec 9×100 QR |
| Rear Hub | Novatec 9×141 QR 11-spd |
| Tires | Surly Extraterrestrial 700×41, 60tpi Tubeless Ready |
| Disk Rotors | Tektro 160/160mm |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click view | Wheelset | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Specialized Diverge Elite E5 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano GRX RX400 | 2 × 10 |
| Cannondale Topstone 3 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano Sora | 2 × 9 |
| Canyon Grizl 6 | Click View | 650B/700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Shimano GRX RX400 | 2 × 10 |
| Kona Rove AL 650 | Click View | 650BAluminum | Aluminum | Tektro Mira CX Mechanical | 2 × 8 |
Surly Bridge Club Black 700c vs Specialized Diverge Elite E5
They are two gravel bikes with different areas of expertise, each excelling in their style of riding.
The Surly Bridge Club Black 700c, with its steel frame, can absorb some ground vibrations. Its geometry is more upright, providing greater comfort for long rides. Additionally, the frame has multiple mounting points, allowing for increased load capacity and better performance during ultra-long rides.
On the other hand, the Specialized Diverge Elite E5 has a more aggressive geometry, similar to a road bike, resulting in higher riding speeds. The drop handlebars offer multiple riding positions, effectively alleviating pressure on the hands.
Therefore, between these two bikes, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c offers stronger load capacity and the ability to handle complex riding conditions. The Specialized Diverge Elite E5, on the other hand, provides faster riding speeds and is better suited for shorter distances.
Learn More: Is Specialized Diverge Comp E5 Worth Buying? [2022 Specialized Diverge Comp E5 Review]
Surly Bridge Club Black 700c vs Cannondale Topstone 3
These two bikes, although both gravel bikes are designed for different riding purposes and terrains.
The former features a 1×11-speed drivetrain, making gear shifting simpler and allowing riders to focus more on the actual riding.
Moreover, the abundance of mounting points on the frame provides exceptional load capacity. As a result, this bike is well-suited for long-distance rides, no matter how far.
The second bike leans towards a geometry design more similar to a road bike, along with a 2×9-speed drivetrain, giving it a faster riding speed. The carbon fiber fork provides a degree of flex, reducing the impact of bumps during the ride.
Ultimately, the choice between these two gravel bikes depends on individual needs. However, I would prefer the first one because of its enhanced functionality.
Learn More: Is Cannondale Topstone 3 A Good Bike? [2022 Cannondale Topstone 3 Review]
Surly Bridge Club Black 700c vs Canyon Grizl 6
Both of these gravel bikes are exceptional, and it’s difficult to determine which one is better.
The former has a geometry more similar to a mountain bike, and its steel frame can absorb some of the road vibrations, providing a more comfortable ride. The flat handlebar design enhances its maneuverability. It further confirms that this is an adventure gravel bike suitable for long rides on challenging terrain.
On the other hand, the second bike appears to be more refined, and its carbon fiber fork also absorbs road vibrations. However, its advantage lies in the geometry design leaning towards a road bike, along with the drop handlebar design that offers more versatile riding positions and faster riding speeds.
Therefore, both bikes have their advantages and are excellent gravel bikes. The choice can be made based on individual needs.
Learn More: Is Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 Suspension 1by Worth Buying? [2023 Canyon Grizl CF SL 8 Suspension 1by Review]
Surly Bridge Club Black 700c vs Kona Rove AL 650
I would highly recommend the former, Surly Bridge Club Black 700c.
Firstly, its steel frame and fork can absorb road vibrations, providing a more comfortable and smooth riding experience. The second bike, with its full aluminum alloy frame, may be lighter in weight, but it tends to have stronger vibrations on gravel surfaces.
Secondly, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c has more mounting points on the frame, offering powerful load-carrying capabilities, making it more suitable for ultra-long rides.
Lastly, the larger wheel size of the former provides better stability during riding. It also requires less effort at higher speeds. On the other hand, the smaller wheel size of the second bike offers more agility in handling.
In conclusion, the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c outperforms the Kona Rove AL 650 in various aspects as a gravel bike. That’s why I highly recommend it.
Learn More: Is Kona Rove Worth Buying? – [Kona Rove Review]
Summary
Above is my review of the Surly Bridge Club Black 700c. In our opinion, it is a gravel bike with impressive load-carrying capabilities and the ability to handle various challenging terrains. That’s why we give it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you’re interested in other gravel bikes, we also review a wide range of bikes at various price points, making it an enjoyable exploration. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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