Caleb's Surly Straggler Commuter

At the heart of this build is the ever-versatile Surly Straggler, in a Cold Steel Blue finish. A colour that seems to strike the perfect chord between rugged utility and understated cool. Caleb had his eyes on this frame from the start, and for good reason: it’s one of the most adaptable steel frames on the market, built for commuting on city streets, gravel paths, and everything in between.
 

Instead of going with the typical all-black “murdered-out” aesthetic, we felt the metallic finish on the Cold Steel Blue frame called for something with more nuance. Kean Hong, who pieced together the build for this project with Caleb — suggested a thoughtful mix of silver and black components to bring out the frame’s cool tones, while adding just the right amount of visual interest.

One detail that really brings this to life is the crankset: a silver Sugino Crankarm paired with a black Wolf Tooth Chainring:

And of course, we had to pair it with a black/silver pedal from Blue Lug x MKS to echo that same contrast.

For the cockpit, we went with Ritchey, a brand that, like Surly, traces its roots back to the US  where practicality and performance go hand in hand. Ritchey has long been known for producing components that strike the sweet spot between quality, durability, and value. Their parts are designed with real-world riding in mind. Nothing flashy, just well-engineered pieces that work and last. That made them a perfect match for this build.

We paired a Ritchey Classic Kyote Handlebar with a matching stem and seatpost, all finished in polished silver. The wide, ergonomic sweep of the Kyote adds comfort and control, ideal for city riding, while the silver finish brought a nice contrast to the build without feeling overly retro. 

Topping things off, we picked the classic Sella Italia Flite 1990 Saddle that seemed like a timeless piece to complement the Straggler's steel frame both visually and functionally. More than just a nod to tradition, the Flite offers proven comfort for daily use and a clean aesthetic that ties the entire build together.

No good build is complete without a wheelset that pulls its weight, literally and figuratively. We worked with the folks at Built Wheels, who hand-laced a ROLLCi GRA23 27.5" Gravel Rims to ROLLCi RC23 Hubs from Veloci Cycle.

Completing the setup are the Volummy Tyres from Sim Works, known for their plush ride feel, generous volume and all-road capability. 

This setup offers a solid balance of performance and value, light enough for daily commuting, yet sturdy enough to handle rough patches with ease. The sleek black finish grounds the build visually, while the responsive ride quality makes it a dependable companion for everyday miles — even on the days you feel like a bit of a Straggler yourself. 🐌

For Caleb, this wasn’t just a new bike. It was a new way of getting to work, moving through the city, and enjoying the ride. And with the right mix of components, comfort, and a little flair, we think this Straggler will serve him well for many miles to come.

Thinking about building your own commuter?

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