Updated: 26th December 2023
The Surly gravel bike bike battle! Which bike is best? We are going to compare these two iconic gravel bikes side by side and see what the difference is between each.
Surly Midnight Special Or Straggler?
(Save time reading the whole article and see what bike we recommend)
The Straggler seems better suited for commuting and lighter touring / bikepacking adventures. While the Midnight Special is a gravel bike suited for faster-paced rougher gravel rides and adventures!
Our Verdict
The Midnight Special is the superior choice compared to the Straggler. That tire clearance makes all the difference! With offerings for wider tires in this modern era of adventure cycling. Having the ability to run up to 60 mm tire compared to a potential 47 mm, it’s a significant difference in off-road capabilities.
It seems if you are coming from a roadie background and are looking for a bike with larger tire clearance the Midnight Special is your go-to.
It’s essentially a road bike with fat tires. If you are after a road bike with more versatility and adaptability in various types of terrain then this bike has your back.
The Straggler isn’t any kind of bike except maybe a commuter at heart. For me I’m after a bike I can feel comfortable taking it anywhere. It isn’t particularly fast, but isn’t slow either.
However, if you intend to haul gear or transport heavier loads on your bike, the Straggler’s design, with its longer chainstay and wheelbase, is more adeptly tailored for these demands.
It’s a Cross-Check with disc brakes, designed to be versatile and utilitarian, but not special in any way. If you are after a more utilitarian bike and don’t mind small tire clearance then the Straggler is perfect!
If you are a Single Speed junkie then the Straggler will appeal to you with those dropouts. And is probably best suited to those looking to get into gravel biking but also want a reliable commuter.
Key Takeaways
- The Midnight Special is an off-road capable all-road bike. Which has larger tire clearance, lighter weight, more capable climbing gear, a more upright riding position for comfort, shorter and predictable front steering, and a shorter rear end making for quick handling.
- Mostly a commuter bike, the Straggler is the budget-friendly option and has longer geometry for more stable riding when loaded. Ideal for lighter-touring and urban commuting. The option to run 650b or 700c wheels. Single-speed adaptability with an aggressive riding position, which isn’t as ideal for longer trips. The dropouts are great for single speed but annoying otherwise. Gearing is too high for off-road riding.
Difference Between Surly Straggler And Midnight Special
| Bike | Straggler | Midnight Special |
|---|---|---|
| Where to Buy | $1,698.99 USD ($2,507 AUD / £1,336.60 / €1,049.55) | $2,198.99 USD ($4,000 AUD / £1,730 / €1,994) |
| Category | Steel Gravel Commuter Bike | 650B Road Plus / Gravel Bike |
| Spec Level | Mid-Range ⭐️⭐️ | Mid-Range ⭐️⭐️ |
| Weight | 12kg or 26.7 lbs | 11.16 kg or 24.6 lbs |
| Wheels | 650b / 700c | 650b |
| QR or Thru | QR | Thru |
| Frame/Fork | Steel/Steel | Steel/Steel |
| Tires | 700c x 41 Surly Knard | 650b x 47 WTB Horizon |
| Tire Clearance | 650b x 41mm or 700c x 41mm (with fenders) or 42 mm (without) | 650b x 50mm or 700c x 38mm (with fenders) – 650b x 60mm or 700c x 42mm (Without) |
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc | Mechanical Disc |
| Groupset | Apex | Rival |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 11 (SRAM Apex 42T crank and SRAM 11-42t cassette) | 1 × 11 (40T Crank and 11-42t SunRace cassette) |
| Gear Ratio | 1 to 3.82 | 0.95 to 3.64 |
| Gear Inches | 29” to 111” | 26” to 100” |
| Stack/Reach Ratio (58cm) | 1.45 (Somewhat Aggressive) | 1.49 (Average & Rather Upright) |
| Chainstay (58cm) | 430 mm (Short/Mid – Quick) | 425 mm (Short – Quick) |
| Wheelbase (58cm) | 1047 mm | 1027 mm |
| Trail (58cm) | 68.1mm (High – Stable) | 61.8mm (Mid/Neutral – Predictable) |
What kind of bike is the Straggler?
A disc brake pavement and steel gravel bike. The mountain biker’s road bike. A ‘Rough road’ road bike. A day tripper and a weekender. A cyclocross bike with no pretense about racing. Light-duty touring bike. All-weather commuter. Bikepacking-inspired road/gravel bike.
What kind of bike is the Midnight Special?
The Midnight Special is a road-plus bike designed to provide comfort and speed on those all-day rides that extend well beyond fresh pavement.
Geometry – Straggler Vs Midnight Special
Geometry can play a big part in the difference between how I bike rides and feels. It is something to consider when buying a bike.
Surly Midnight Special Geometry
The Midnight Special boasts a more upright riding position for comfort on long rides, and a Mid/Neutral trail measurement up front meaning a predictable ride feel. Making it faster at cornering for more responsiveness. The chainstay length is on the short end making it feel quick in the rear.
Surly Straggler Geometry
The Straggler has a somewhat more aggressive riding position, meaning less comfort for longer rides in the saddle. The trail measurement is on the higher end making it feel stable up front. Slower steering is suitable for front-loaded touring or commuting. The chainstay is a little longer but still on the shorter to mid-range.
All measurements for the complete geometry comparison, are for 58 cm frames!
| Straggler | Midnight Special | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 591.1mm | 599mm | +7.9mm |
| Reach | 408.2mm | 402mm | -6.2mm |
| Stack to Reach Ratio | 1.45 (Somewhat Aggressive) | 1.49 (Average & Rather Upright) | |
| Top Tube Length, Actual C-C | 595mm | 579mm | -16mm |
| Top Tube Slope | 3.7deg | 2.5deg | -1.2deg |
| Head Tube Angle | 72deg | 73deg | +1deg |
| Seat Tube Angle | 72.5deg | 73deg | +0.5deg |
| Head Tube Length | 146mm | 160mm | +14mm |
| Bottom Bracket Drop | 72mm | 65mm | -7mm |
| Bottom Bracket Height | 280mm | 274mm | -6mm |
| Chainstay Length | 430 mm (Short/Mid – Quick) | 425 mm (Short – Quick) | -5mm |
| Chainstay Length Horizontal | 423.9mm | 420mm | -3.9mm |
| Front-Center | 627.2mm | 610.5mm | -16.7mm |
| Front-Center Horizontal | 623.1mm | 607mm | -16.1mm |
| Wheelbase | 1047mm | 1027mm | -20mm |
| Fork Offset/Rake | 44mm | 40mm | -4mm |
| Fork Length (On-Axis) | 400mm | — | |
| Fork Length (Axle-To-Crown) | — | 400mm | |
| Trail | 68.1mm (High – Stable) | 61.8mm (Mid/Neutral – Predictable) | -6.3mm |
| Mechanical Trail | 64.8mm | 59.1mm | -5.7mm |
| Wheel Flop | 20mm | 17.3mm | -2.7mm |
| Standover Height | 828.7mm | 846mm | +17.3mm |
| Tire to Pedal Spindle | 100.2mm (175 mm cranks) | 96.5mm (175 mm cranks) | -3.7mm |
| Pedal Spindle to Ground Clearance | 105mm (175 mm cranks) | 99mm (175 mm cranks) | -6mm |
Surly Straggler
Pros
- An all-round smooth feeling bike, offering comfort for loaded rides
- Perfect for urban commuting
- Great price relative to the Midnight Special
- Single speed optimized
Cons
- Not perfect at any one thing, has limitations
- Limited tire clearance (only up to 42mm) However some say you can get 47c on a 54cm frame
- Weird Rear dropouts, are great if you’re into single speed but annoying otherwise
- Some people have complained about major toe overlap, however, the Straggler has a longer front center than the MS
- If you do not set up the set screws on the back axle every time, it will slip
- Gearing is too high for off-road riding
The Surly Straggler is equipped with a 1×11 SRAM Apex drivetrain, a more modest option compared to the Midnight Special’s setup.
Both bikes feature a 4130 CroMoly Steel frame and fork and accommodate 650b and 700c wheels.
They share aluminum wheels and mechanical disc brakes. The Straggler is outfitted with Hayes CX Comp brakes, 160 rotors, and Alex Adventurer 2 tubeless-ready rims, along with Surly Knard 700cx41, 33TPI tires.
Tire options vary between the 650b and 700c models. Notably, the Straggler offers forward-exiting horizontal dropouts for single-speed compatibility and wheelbase adjustability, a feature absent in the Midnight Special.
Component-wise, the Straggler includes an SRAM Rival 1, 40T crankset, and an SRAM 11-42t 11spd cassette, offering a slightly larger crank than the Midnight Special.
Additionally, the Straggler provides clearance for updated WTB Horizon 650b x 47mm or 700c x 41mm tires with fenders.
Surly Straggler for Touring
The Surly Straggler is a versatile bike well-suited for light-to-moderate touring. Its sturdy steel frame and 42mm tire clearance make it robust enough to handle mixed gravel and pavement surfaces comfortably.
The bike is equipped with mechanical disc brakes and offers the flexibility of using panniers, thanks to a slightly longer chainstay, still short compared to other touring bikes.
However, the Straggler might require a gearing adjustment for hilly terrain when carrying a load. Its frame and fork are chromoly steel, offering strength and durability, crucial for touring.
The bike’s tire clearance and wheel options make it adaptable for various touring needs, though it might not be as specialized in handling heavy loads as some dedicated touring bikes.
Surly Straggler for Bikepacking
The Surly Straggler design is compatible with a range of cargo mounting options, including bottle cage mounts and rack mounts, although it lacks 3-pack mounts on the fork for expanded capacity.
Not sure if I would recommend it as much for bikepacking compared to the Midnight Special. That limited tire clearance can be restrictive for off-road bikepacking adventures. However, for those planning urban bikepacking adventures, it’s still worthwhile to consider.
Surly Straggler Alternatives
- The Preamble is worth considering as a Straggler flat bar gravel bike alternative
- Surly Cross-Check
- Bombtrack Arise
- Kona Rove
- Kona Dew Plus
- Jamis Renegade
- Poseidon Redwood
- State 4130 All-Road
Surly Midnight Special
Pros
- Good balance between a sturdy build with surprising agility
- Larger tire clearance (up to 60 mm)
- Bikepacking friendly (ready for off-road adventures)
- The MS thru axels are more convenient than the QR
- One extra bottle mount then the Straggler
- Better all-round bike! A zippy bike that has all the mounts, comfort and offers some utility
Cons
- Not optimized for single speed like the Straggler
- More expensive
- It does not have as stable geometry for loaded riding compared to the Straggler
The Midnight Special boasts a superior SRAM Rival 1 drivetrain compared to the Apex, featuring a smaller SRAM Rival 1 40T crank and a SunRace 11-42t cassette.
Its braking system includes TRP Spyre brakes with 160mm rotors. This model offers impressive tire clearance: 650b x 60mm or 700c x 42mm without fenders (650b x 50mm or 700c x 38mm with fenders), ideal for off-road adventures.
It comes equipped with Alex Adventurer 2 rims and WTB Horizon 650b x 47 tires, enhancing traction and allowing for more precise tire pressure adjustments on various terrains.
The bike’s increased tire clearance is a significant attraction, alongside 12mm front and rear thru-axles, contrasting with the Straggler’s quick-release feature.
Surly Midnight Special Alternative
Is Surly Midnight Special Fast?
The Surly Midnight Special is not primarily designed for speed, especially when compared to lightweight road bikes. Weighing around 26 lbs, it’s on the heavier side. However, its design focuses on comfort and endurance, making it suitable for long rides rather than attacking Strava segments. Its steel frame provides durability and a unique riding experience different from carbon fiber bikes.
Is The Surly Midnight Special A Good Gravel Bike?
The Surly Midnight Special excels as a gravel bike. It is equipped with wide 650b tires that cushion the ride on various terrains, including paved roads, gravel routes, and mild singletrack trails. Its stable and planted feel, even when loaded with gear, makes it a reliable choice for gravel biking. It also can run a 700c setup, adding to its versatility.
Surly Midnight Special As Road Bike
While the Surly Midnight Special is heavier and not as fast as traditional road bikes, swapping its 650b wheels for 700c options can transform it into a capable road bike. Its geometry places riders in a nimble position, allowing for control and ease in turns. The bike’s combination of speed and weight makes it viable as a road bike that can handle off-paved surfaces too.
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