【BIKE of the WEEK】SURLY Disc Trucker

The SURLY Disc Trucker is popular as a touring bike, but it’s also an exceptionally capable city bike.
I used to think of the Disc Trucker strictly as a bike for hauling heavy loads on long trips.
However, once I took a look at the geometry and realized its long rear end provides great stability and a comfortable ride, I thought, "Wait, this is actually perfect for city riding too!"
For this build, I worked with the owner to create a city-focused setup while keeping in mind the future touring trips they’ll likely take.

First priority: comfort for city riding.

The biggest challenge with city riding is figuring out what to do with your gear.
The solution? A front rack. We went with the SIMWORKS Obento Rack!!
Add a basket for quick grocery runs, or strap on a tent and sleeping bag for your future tours.
A front rack is honestly the perfect item for someone who wants to blend everyday utility with touring capabilities.
When you're ready to head out on a real adventure, you can just add a rear rack to increase your cargo capacity.

The choice to move the shifters off the handlebars.

By mounting the shifters on the downtube, the cockpit looks clean and clutter-free! But it’s not just about the looks—there are solid, practical reasons for this choice:

• They are in a position where they're less likely to hit the ground if you fall, lowering the risk of damage.
• These are non-indexed friction shifters, so they don’t require precise cable adjustment and are very low maintenance.
• They don't require outer housing, so if a cable snaps, it’s quick and easy to replace.

I decided on this after consulting with the owner to ensure they’d be prepared for any unexpected trouble on the road.

Going for nice, chunky tires.

We upgraded the wheel size and fitted PANARACER GravelKing SS 27.5 x 1.90 tires.

There’s a strange power in fat tires—they make you want to roll over every curb or jump off every ledge you see in the city.
Being able to have fun with those urban obstacles is a wonderful, unbeatable feeling for a cyclist.

It feels good to have a bike in your favorite color.

Since we had some time while waiting for the frame to arrive, I spent a lot of time chatting with the owner about what color it should be.
The paint job was handled by our trusted friends at KYUTAI PAINT.
Getting to choose your own color is incredibly exciting, isn't it? Just knowing you picked the color yourself makes you love the bike that much more.
For this one, we went with a sapphire blue with a matte clear coat.
When we saw the frame finished, we were both so stoked! (lol)

A bike that can go anywhere might just end up changing your life.

Check out our archive of custom builds from Circles to get some inspiration for your own project.