Even More Words About the Surly Big Fat Dummy

I’ve had a Big Fat Dummy for almost two years now. Before that, I had the original Big Dummy for about seven years. I have already gushed about these bikes in a blog post, which you can find here. I have a little more to add to that post now that I’ve recently replaced my big fat wheels with 29-plus wheels (from 26 x 3.8 to 29 x 3). I imagine the 29+ configuration isn’t right for everyone, but it sure suits my needs. The character of the bike changed quite a bit, and since the Big Fat Dummy is currently available in both wheel sizes, I thought it worth the time to relate my experience with both.

Let’s say you’re trudging through an unfamiliar wood, encumbered by an unreasonably large satchel of magic beans that you’ve procured from market for your grandmother. You should’ve been home hours ago, and if you don’t soon find your way you’ll be sleeping in this forest, which you know to be overrun with marauders, wolves, violent fungi, and flesh-eating gnomes. You set down your unreasonably large satchel to wipe your brow, and happen to see a little round window set into the side of a large tree trunk. The window is lit from within. If you place your unreasonably large satchel underneath the window and stand upon it, you can see through the window a small, abandoned residence. Releasing the latch, you call into the warm room beyond, and your call elicits no reply.

There are three bowls of porridge on the table. One is too hot, one is too cold, and the third is just right. You eat all of them because you’ve been trudging through an unfamiliar wood all damn day, and your two-headed chicken didn’t fetch enough at the fair to earn you both an unreasonably large satchel of magic beans and a meal. After finishing the porridge, you find three enormous combs full of thick, gnarled hair. You do not use any of the combs. A small door at the back of the room lets you deeper into the tree trunk, and down there you find a garage. It’s mostly full of Conundrum unicycles, propeller beanies, and juggling pins, but toward the back you find three Surly cargo bikes. You are saved. The unreasonably large satchel will fit aboard any one of them, and you’ll have no trouble making it through the forest before dark.

The first bike says Big Dummy on the toptube, and it’s just a little too small. The unfamiliar wood is thick with roots, loamy soil, and creepy, sinister warnings spelled out in broken twigs. The bike would undoubtedly do the trick, but it has been outfitted with slick tires for some kind of road surface that will not be invented for centuries. You would likely struggle to clear some of the obstacles ahead, and perhaps sink into the soft earth.

The second bike seems much more appropriate. This Big Fat Dummy has 26x3.8 tires, and could haul your emaciated cow to market straight up the side of the settlement’s outer wall. This bike would most certainly do, although dark would be fast approaching when you reached the forest’s far side.

Fortuitously, there is a third option. It’s another Big Fat Dummy, but this one has 29x3.0 tires. It suits your needs to a big fat T. Magic beans aren’t all that heavy, and you need a cargo bike that’s fast enough to cover much uneven ground while escaping the clutches of various witches’ ovens, and yet have the traction and tire volume to ride over fallen, wilting beanstalks.

It’s all a bit academic, because while you’re busy test riding the cargo bikes around a small clearing behind the tree trunk, three bears return from their walk and eat you. And you deserve it, too, you bicycle thief.

Had I realized that this blog would end in your death, I’d have chosen another analogy. I apologize. Please take some comfort in knowing that everyone who lived lived happily every after. The bears made the best porridge of their lives from your magic beans and your delicious quads, and I have a most excellent cargo bike.

Yawp Cyclery's 2019 Goal Program

In 2017 we started a program that we un-ambitiously called our Goal Program. Even if you aren't the kind of person to whom goals appeal, we hope our program might appeal to you.

Part of the reason we here at Yawp! remain resistant to cycling goals is that most everyday riders don't have them. Riders who enjoy racing seriously have them, and because we are not fast (and never will be) we are outside of the cycling subculture most congruent with goal setting. Know what, though? We've set goals anyway, and they've led to unbelievably positive outcomes. That's why we suggest that you think about setting one yourself.

Yawp! offers an annual goal completion program. All you have to do to sign up. We accept submissions between January 1st and 31st every year. You may find goal-setting to be exhausting and obnoxious. If you're thinking this Program is not for you, remember these two things:

1. Why make a bunch of spur-of-the-moment bad decisions when you could make your bad decisions in advance?

2. There will be prizes for anyone who meets their goal.

The folks who set goals for 2017 really blew me away. They aimed high, and if they did not hit their targets it wasn't for lack of effort. Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to those of you who met your goals. 

If you aren't sure what kind of goal you want to set, here are a few examples:

-Commute to work by bike one day per week, every week.

-Ride 7,000 miles in a year.

-Ride 1,000 miles on dirt.

-Bikepack for one weekend.

-Bikepack the Colorado Trail.

-Finish a 50-mile event.

-Ride a hundo every month.

-Clean everything at Dakota Ridge.

-Race the Iditarod. 

Guidelines
You must submit your goal between January 1st and 31st. You must complete your goal by December 31st of this year.

Challenge yourself. If commuting to work will not be a challenge, set a different goal.

Buying a new bike, getting your touring rig all situated, or finally getting your brakes dialed are all good goals, but they don't count toward this program. Your goal must have to do with riding.

Set as many goals as you like; only one prize per participant.

To sign up, just fill out the form below. This year, we'll be sharing everyone's goals publicly in the beginning of February so that we as a community can support one another in the pursuit of these goals.

Enrollment is open! Please fill out the form below to submit your goal. 

YAWP! Cyclery's Essential Videos

A few weeks ago we posted a bunch of our favorite photographs (here). We also found a few videos we like, and we hope you enjoy them too.

Yawp! Cyclery's 2018 Gift Guide

Remember how it was in the year 1818? It was really hard to buy gifts because everyone already had everything. A horse, a butter churn, and long underwear—that’s all there was to have and everyone had it. How lucky we are to live in 2018, when no one person could possibly have everything. If you’re having trouble thinking of gifts for someone who rides bikes, these are a few of our favorite things.

lezyne tubeless patch kit

Lucky penny not included—for scale only.

Tubeless plugs are great. The Lezyne kit stands above others we’ve tried because the capsule threads back together to form a stout plunger. Additionally, the plugs are very thick—all the better for plugging holes. There’s also plenty of room inside the capsule for extra valve cores, a small valve core tool, and a pint of your favorite ice cream. $20.

45nrth Sturmfist gloves

There are a lot of gloves and mittens out there in the world, but most of them were not made to address the specific needs of winter biking, which often involves an elevated heart rate for extended periods. Gloves not only need to block wind, but to insulate while being highly breathable. The Sturmfist 5 is recommended for temperatures ranging from 15-35 degrees, and the warmer Sturmfist 4 is recommended for 0-15 degrees. Both offer the dexterity you need, and the Sturmfist 4 uses Aerogel insulation, which is what NASA uses to insulate space suits. The Sturmfist 5 is $85 and the Sturmfist 4 is $130.

togs

Want to add another hand position to your flat or riser bars? TOGS are an inexpensive, sleek, and smart way to do just that. They sit just inside your grips and allow you to control the bar from the top. They sit you up just a little, and for long paved sections or fire road climbs they are exactly what we didn’t even know we’d been looking for. They come in several colors and have a flexible tip so that if you wad it up or go over the bars, you won’t get stabbed. They’re great! $20.

Gravel cycling by nick legan

This book is a joy to read, beautiful to look at, informative, and inspiring all at once. Learn things about how to pack and outfit your bike, where to ride it, and how to ride it. Whether you’re looking to compete or explore, there’s good advice here. The book’s scope is wider than what you might expect from a “gravel” book, and even if you think gravel isn’t your thing, this book will make you want it to be your thing. $25.

fix it sticks Mountain kit

This multitool was on our list last year, but now that we’ve had more time to carry, use, and play with it, we’re absolutely nuts about it. It includes a great little pouch that you can put a bunch of extra tools in, and it includes a high-quality chain tool and tire levers. It’s totally worth $56. You can get the tool into hard-to-reach places, get a wrist-full of leverage, and there are no ratchets to break or slip. It’s the best!

Spurcycle BelL

You know how aggravating it can be to ring your bell and not be heard. This rebuildable bell is small, attractive, and LOUD (IN A PLEASANT WAY). Silver $49, black $59.

Yawp! cyclery Merino wool jersey by soigneur

If you’ve worn merino wool, then we need say no more about these jerseys. If you haven’t, here are some fun facts:

1. Thermo-regulating: 
Merino wool is a natural, active fibre. When worn next to the skin, super fine Merino wool works as a dynamic buffer, helping to stabilize the humidity levels and temperature of the micro-climate between the fabric and the skin. This keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. 

2. Breathable: 
Being 100% natural, Merino wool is highly breathable, because wool absorbs large quantities of moisture then moves it away to evaporate into the air. Just how good is merino wool? It can absorb and release twice as much moisture vapour as cotton, and thirty times as much as polyester!

3. UV resistant: 
Merino wool absorbs UV radiation, which is why sheep don’t get sunburned. 

4. Odor resistant: 
Merino wool helps reduce sweat and odor, keeping you drier, cleaner and less smelly.

5. Comfortable: 
Soigneur merino wool clothing is made from 19 micron fibers, extra fine wool as soft as silk, cashmere or alpaca.

6. Water-repelling: 
Sheep don’t like being wet and neither do you - Merino wool’s fine properties make it quite water-repellent, meaning you don’t have to worry about being caught in a short shower or light rain when riding in a Soigneur merino jersey.

7. Therapeutic to the skin: 
Wool has been found in medical research to be therapeutic to the skin, providing a natural treatment for eczema that reduces the need for traditional medicines. Dermatological trials have shown that adult and infant eczema sufferers who wear super fine Merino wool garments next to the skin have significantly reduced symptoms.

8. Doesn't pollute the oceans: 
Every time synthetic (i.e. plastic) clothes are washed, tiny strands of fabric are washed away. Now, a quarter of fish have these strands in their guts, and over 60% of the plastic debris found in the sea are microfibres from clothing.  We may like to think that cycling is 'clean and green' but the moment that synthetic cycling jersey is put in the washing machine, more plastic microfibres are finding their way into the oceans.  

$150

Sinewave beacon dynamo headlight

Once you’ve used a dynamo light, it’s hard to go back. Imagine if automobile headlights had to be removed and recharged once a week; you’d always be getting caught out after dark with your headlights plugged into the wall at home. With a dynamo light, you never have to think about it. (These lights are powered by special dynamo front hubs, so the recipient of this gift would need to have one of those).

The Sinewave Beacon isn’t just the most colorful and customizable of dynamo lights, it’s also one of the best and brightest (and made in the USA). It has an integrated USB charger, will run off of a battery pack to avoid flicker at low speeds, is weatherproof, and has loads of other features. Whether you’re looking to crush the Tour Divide or put in some miles after work, this light is an excellent choice. $350.

Pretend to work at Yawp! cyclery

Workshirts! $45

Oveja negra Portero backpack

This backpack is fantastic. Though I’ve used it almost every day for just under a year, it’s hard to find any evidence of frequent use. It’s just the right size (adjustable from 16-22 liters), lightweight, comfortable, and functional. I don’t miss any of the “features” I’ve had on other packs. It’s somehow slim and tidy and yet holds everything I need. Made in Salida. $165.

Backpacks are obviously great and endlessly useful, but not wearing a backpack on a bike ride is also pretty great. That’s why the last item on our list is:

bike bags of all sorts

Few things have changed the way we ride in the last few years as much as all of these marvelous bags. When it’s easy to carry more stuff, it’s easy to ride farther, or to head out when the forecast is questionable.

In shoulder seasons especially, it’s common for the temperature to fluctuate a lot during a three-hour ride. Having space to carry extra gloves or stash a jacket has taken a narrow window for riding and blown it wide open.

Take food and stay out all afternoon. Take a water filter and stay out all day. Take a sleeping bag and stay out for a week.

We’re so fond of bags that we try to stock many varieties of them made by many fine brands. All of them are made in the United States, and many of them in Colorado, and some of them in Denver. Denver! Dang! (That’d be your friendly neighborhood J.Paks, FYI).

If you don’t know what kind of bag would best suit your needs, come in and we’ll talk your ear off. Then your ear can be the first thing you put in your new bag. Cedaero | J.Paks | North St. | Oveja Negra | Swift

BIKES THAT COST LESS THAN YOU’D EXPECT

The Surly Bridge Club and the Salsa Journeyman (Journeyperson) Apex build.

Both of these bikes are an incredibly good value. The Bridge Club is great for commuting, all-day gravel, bikepacking, offroad touring, urban exploring, and just about anything else. The Apex Journeyman is wonderful for nearly the same things. They are both similar to other bikes that cost $300-500 more. Bridge Club $1200. Journeyperson $1499.

If that’s not enough, you can see past years’ guides here:

2017 | 2016 | 2015

YAWP! Cyclery's Essential Photos

We’ve taken a lot of photographs over the years, so we thought we might select our favorite 10 and post them. Overachievers that we are, we’ve posted closer to forty. That might be too many, but we don’t care. We had a ton of fun looking through all of these pictures, and who are we to deprive you of having a ton of fun, too?

I think either Rebecca or I took all of the pictures below. If the pictures are any good, they’re Rebecca’s. As far as I can recall, the only photo we didn’t take is of the Tunnel of Stoke during the Randonee-nae. That was taken by Kevin McDonough. If we stole other photos, it was inadvertent. Please notify me and we’ll credit you.

Speaking of which, we know you’ve taken some incredible pictures on our rides, too. Please send us a few of your favorites to be featured on our next blog post. You have until Sunday, November 18th to submit them. Photos and videos both are allowed. We might even have a prize for our favorite photo that you submit. The only requirement for your submissions is that they have something to do with Yawp! Send your photos to yawp at yawpcyclery dot com.

The first picture below is how Yawp! looked before we opened. The shop looks a little better now, but it’s still just sticks and concrete. Those things aren’t important. Those materials are not the shop. The shop is you. The shop is all of the fun things we’ve done together, and will do together in the future. Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of everything, or everybody. If you don’t see yourself, I’m sorry. We still love you.