Mark's Everyday Companion , the Surly Midnight Special

Some bikes are built around a discipline. Others are built around the simple idea of having somewhere to go.

For Mark, the brief was to find a bicycle that could do a little of everything: the daily journey from A to B, a weekend ride, or simply the default choice whenever he felt like getting out. Practicality mattered, but not at the expense of a bike that was genuinely enjoyable to ride.

The Surly Midnight Special offered a compelling middle ground. Starting with a Fool’s Gold frameset he sourced himself, Mark brought the project to Cycle Project Store for assembly, with a clear idea of what he wanted: a comfortable, durable road-oriented bike with room to adapt as his needs changed.

The result is a commuter in the broadest sense of the word. Not defined by a particular route or routine, but by its readiness for whatever the day brings.

Surly’s appeal lies in its straightforward approach to bicycle design. Its frames are built with versatility in mind, without making a spectacle of it. For Mark, the Midnight Special stood out as a road bike made practical: generous tyre clearance, provisions for racks and the flexibility to take on more than the usual paved road outing.

It was a way to reconcile two competing instincts which are i) wanting something fun to ride and, ii) something useful enough for everyday life.

The component selection follows that thinking. A 44-tooth Wolf Tooth chainring paired with Shimano CUES 10-speed gearing and an 11–48 cassette provides a broad range for varied riding. Ultradynamico Rose tyres in 700 × 42c give the bike a generous footprint for different road surfaces, while retaining its road-going character.

There is no need for the bike to specialise too narrowly. It simply needs to be comfortable, dependable and ready to go, without requiring constant attention from its owner.

The frame colour was one of the things that drew Mark to the Midnight Special in the first place. Fool’s Gold changes with the light, offering a little more character than the familiar blacks, greys and brighter primary colours that populate so many bikes.

Mark chose the rest of the build to complement it. Silver and black was a deliberate pairing, giving the bike a classic look with enough contrast to keep things interesting.

The Velocity Cliffhanger wheelset brings together silver Rollcii hubs and Sapim spokes. Sugino RD2 cranks, a polished Shimano CUES derailleur and cassette, and a silver Ritchey Classic cockpit continue the theme.

Black details from the Chris King headset to the Brooks Cambium C17 saddle and Cult waffle grips, keep the palette balanced.

The Sim Works Little Nick handlebar adds its own character to the cockpit, a considered detail that feels at home on a bike intended for more than simply getting from one place to another.

The result is understated without being anonymous. The Fool’s Gold frame provides the personality. the silver components bring out its finish, while the black accents tie everything together. More than a collection of individual parts, it is a bicycle that looks unmistakably like Mark’s.

Going custom assembled takes more thought than choosing a complete bike off the shelf. Fit, gearing, component compatibility and the smaller finishing details all deserve consideration. For Mark, that process was part of the appeal as each decision could be made around how he intended to ride, rather than accepting a specification chosen for the broadest possible audience.

Versatility and fit came first, followed by the practical details that make a difference over time. Tyre clearance and mounting points leave room for future changes, while an emphasis on reliability and serviceability means the bike can be maintained and kept in use for years to come.

That is also Mark’s advice to anyone considering a commuter build. Start with how you will actually use the bike, rather than what looks best on a specification sheet. Think about comfort, the roads you ride, the tyres you need and whether carrying a load might eventually become part of the picture. Take your time, and work with a shop that understands how to bring those choices together.

For all its considered details, the idea behind this Midnight Special remains refreshingly simple. Mark wanted a bike he could grab and go. Something practical enough for the everyday, enjoyable enough for the weekend, and personal enough to keep for the long run.

Sometimes, the best bicycle is not the one built for a particular occasion. It is the one that is ready for almost any of them.

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