Surly has just launched their first bike with a Pinion drivetrain – the fully upgraded Moonlander adventure bike designed for traveling on wooded shores, sand, snow, and even the lunar surface.
This Moonlander is equipped with 24x6.2-inch ultra-wide tires, which can "float" on different types of terrain. According to Surly, this is one of the widest bicycle tires available, providing the best contact area with the ground without changing tire standards or exceeding Q-factor tolerances.
The Moonlander is designed to handle extreme terrain such as forested coastlines, sand, snow, and even uncharted terrain. The price of the complete model is £4,699.99.
Moonlander has an aesthetic that concerns lunar exploration, and its overall appearance is full of science fiction. The frame is made of Surly's classic Chromoly steel and is designed with a small front triangle to lower the saddle height, making it easier to get on and off when tackling tough terrain.
Surly specifically extended the rear triangle to improve stability and balanced weight distribution between the front and rear axles for better riding characteristics. At the same time, increasing the height of the bottom bracket increases ground clearance, which reduces the possibility of hitting the crank when crossing forested terrain.
Hidden under the bracket area is the Pinion C1.9 XR 9-speed gearbox, which uses a closed gear system similar to that of automobiles. This type of transmission is popular among adventure riders because of its durability, easy maintenance, and long life. Compared to traditional transmission systems, it is more suitable for use in rough environments.
This is the first time that Surly has integrated the Pinion system into their frame, and the brand claims that this system will protect the transmission gears when traversing adverse terrain. Moreover, while the Pinion system supports belt drive, Surly equipped the Moonlander with a chain drive.
The tire width of the Moonlander is without a doubt one of the widest on the market, and these Fat Tire tires are designed to run at low pressure to better adhere to the ground. Additionally, the Moonlander can be equipped with 26x5.1-inch, 27.5x4.8-inch, and 29x3-inch tires to meet a variety of riding needs.
The Moonlander is designed rich in mounting points for equipment to meet the needs of modern adventures. Almost every tube of the frame has bolt holders, and the front fork also has racks and fender mounting points to make it easier to carry additional equipment. The Surly is available in four sizes: SM, MD, LG, and XL, with a 68.5-degree head tube angle that is more rake compared to the previous generation, while the seat tube angle is 73 degrees in all sizes, giving the plus-size models with the best reach of 443.9mm.
The complete Surly Moonlander specifications include:
Front fork: Surly Chromoly steel
Transmission: Pinion C1.9 XR 9-speed gearbox
Seat Cushion: WTB Volt Medium
Wheels: Surly Clown Royal 24 inches x 100mm
Tires: Surly Molenda, 24x6.2 inches
Price: 400 yen per round PHP348,443
