Surly ECR (Bikepacking Bike) Full Review
Description
In this video I do a Full In-Depth Review of the Surly ECR, a killer Bikepacking Rig by Surly. I break down the build of a Stock model & also talk about my Custom Rig.
Music By: Thunder/Dreamer
facebook.com/thunderdreamerband
Tags: Bikepacking,Adventure cycling,Surly Bikes,Surly,Surly ECR,gear review,Bikepacking.com,MRP Carbon,Salsa Woodchippers
Video Transcription
what's up guys it's Darwin so today I figured I would finally make a video in a four view of an amazing bike that sir Lee makes they specifically designed for bike packing and the rig that I'll be taking on my through ride of the Arizona Trail at the end of October it's this early ECR
so like I said in the beginning the surly ECR was specifically designed for bike packing in mind and as certainly says was kind of a love child born out of the ogre the Krampus and the long-haul trucker
very similar to the Krampus yet having a lower bottom bracket drop and quite a bit of a longer rear triangle like the long-haul trucker so a very capable bike of doing just about anything that you want it to do because the ECR is a 29 plus platform surly went with the nard 29 by 3 inch tire sitting on the rabbit-hole wheel set and the surly ultra front up on the side of the fork I'll steal for you can see they gave you a ton of different attachment points a bunch of different bosses to put gear or any water bottle cages they decided to go with the avid bb7 mechanical disc brake on running a 180 rotor on the front and then it's a 160 rotor on the rear we go up here to the cockpit of the bike you'll notice the Jones H bar which is really good frightening extra gear off the front like a sleeping bag Micro shapeshifters and then the avid brake levers moving down to the drivetrain of the bike you get a surly OD crank set with a 20 to 36 chain ring a shimano SLX front derailleur they put a KMC silver chain on it and then ad or LX rear with a 11:36 cassette so just like the troll and the ogre surly put a direct trailer mount into the rear on both sides and bosses for racks and gears they be a pretty stock saddle with steel rails and a steel seat post but overall the ECR is fully built stock ready to get out on the trail load up with some gear and get into a great adventure right off the floor so as you can see certainly gives you a pretty sweet stock set up but like any bike geek I have to completely change my rig and do some customizing to it to kind of fit my writing needs so right off the bat I'm a pretty big drop fan drop bar fan so I went with the salsa wood chippers that is a those are 42s but as you can see to give you a super wide stance on the front end of the bike really nice big reach especially whenever you're going down into something gnarly tetro breaks and I went with a Shimano dura-ace bar and shifter really like that classic touring style I also took off the steel fork and put on the MRP rock solid carbon post fork that's the 490 which clears the tire pretty well and because I lost my bosses I just kind of zip tied some cages to the fork it's working for now I might try something different but for now it works aside from that I pretty much kept the drivetrain pretty much the same thinking about upgrading some parts to some XT maybe some xtr stuff but right now it's working just fine for me and then I put on a 3t mountain carbon seat post which has been super comfy and kind of ditched the stock saddle that I had on there and went with the sella atomic ax super comfortable saddle really nice leather kind of sits like a hammock and really holds me in there really well and super happy with that really comfortable in the long run but yeah that's pretty much my setup as of now I'm thinking about changing a couple more thins working just started working with a company called gravity works who is a carbon
and talking about putting some 29-plus carbon rims on there especially for my ride of the Arizona Trail which number one is going to lighten up the bike quite a bit and obviously make it handle completely different and a lot nicer so really looking forward to that and aside from that I've been really really happy with the ECR not only do I write it bike packin trips I also write it everyday to work
cruising around cruising down to the bar riding single track just everything it's a really great all-around bike for me and I really love it hopefully you guys enjoyed this video like or dislike the video subscribe to my channel if you haven't already go over and check me out on Instagram I post a lot of new pictures early on in the week and even some previews of the video that I do every Thursday I'm getting really close to starting my through ride of the Arizona Trail less than two months away in about two weeks I'll be doing a full breakdown gear review of my entire rig that I'll be taking on the Arizona Trail so keep an eye out for that and as always guys thanks for watching you
About the Author
Darwin Onthetrail
At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
Hike On,
Darwin
More articles from this author
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 2) NC/TN
- Zpacks Arc Blast Review
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 2 (Rim to Rim to Flagstaff)
- Riding the "Cobble" of Southern Indiana
- Wind in the Canyon
- Virginia's Three Ridges
- BRS UltraLight Stove Review
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List
- Stick Pic Full Review
- Rocky Mountain Morning...
- Kurgo Max Dog Pack Full Review
- Sleeping Pads
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 1)
- Power on the Trail / Giveaway!
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike (in 1 day)
- Cold Weather Gear on the Appalachian Trail
- A Stroll through Gand Teton....
- Santa Fe Rail Trail
- Ask Darwin Q&A #17 + Announcement!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #24 (Answers)
- 2016 AZT Bikepacking Gear List
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Massachusetts)
- AZT: What Happened & What's next?
- Aug 2015 National Parks Tour
- Hoka Challenger ATR Review
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 5) Pennsylvania
- Ask Darwin Q&A #8 (Answers!)
- Osprey Mutant 28 Full Reveiw
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 1 (Utah Border to Grand Canyon)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #14 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #11 (Answers!)
- 2015 in Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #19 (Answers)
- Sleep Systems on The Appalachian Trail
- CNOC Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Pole Review
- DIY Pot Cozy & Cook Pouch for the Trail
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (New Hampshire)
- Gear I'm Done With!.... For Now
- HydroBlu Versa Flow Review
- Gear to Leave at Home during a Thru-Hike
- Exploring The Sandia Mountains of New Mexico
- AT Thru Hike Budget
- Cheap BackCountry Meals
- Ask Darwin Q&A #12 (Answers!)
- Staying Healthy on the Trail
- Cuben Fiber Gear, Is It Worth It?
- My Three Favorite Pieces of Backpacking Gear
- Ask Darwin Q&A #6 (Answers!)
- Six Moon Designs SkyScape-Trekker Full Review
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Katahdin)
- Cave Exploring in Missouri
- Thru-Hiking Solo vs with a Group
- 5 Things the Appalachian Trail Taught Me
- Ask Darwin Q&A #7 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #20 (Answers)
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 3) Virginia
- Snow Peak 700 & Litemax Cook System
- Best Footwear for the Trail?
- Gear for the PCT: My Big 3
- Gear I Won't Hike Without
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 1)
- Gear I wish I'd had during my Thru-Hike
- Outdoorsman Lab UL Sleeping Pad Review
- Wheeler Peak Winter Attempt
- AT Thru Hiker Slang
- Ask Darwin Q&A #16 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #3 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #15 / Giveaway Winner Announced!
- Headlamps VS Flashlights
- Ask a Hiker #2 (Post AT) Questions Answered!
- Going Stoveless! Pros & Cons
- Bugs On the Trail & How to Deal with Them
- Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork Trekking Pole Review
- Snowshoeing in Cumbres Pass Colorado
- Ask Darwin Q&A #29 (Answers)
- Ask a Hiker #1 (Questions Answered!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #23 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #27 (Answers)
- Training for a Long Distance Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 4) WV/MD
- Appalachian Trail Etiquette (Top 5)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Review
- Reasons You Might Quit Your Thru-Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #21 (Answers)
- Post Thru Hike - Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! (Part 2)
- GooseFeet Gear Down Sock Reveiw
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget!
- Pearl Izumi X Alp Launch II Full Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 1 - Goodbye New Mexico)
- Base Weight & Why It's So Important!
- Sleeping Bags VS Quilts
- How the Appalachian Trail Ruined my Life / Post Trail Depression
- We're Restoring a Vintage Camper?
- Tips for Hiking in the Desert
- Scariest Backpacking Trip Story
- How to Save Money during a Thru-Hike
- Should I Document My Thru-Hike?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #25 (Answers)
- CDT Section Hike - Part 2 (Silver City, NM to Doc Campbell's)
- Thru-Hiking Tricks of the Trade
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Full Review
- Coffee on the Trail
- BikePacking the Caja Del Rio
- Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #13 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #22 (Answers)
- AZT Bikepacking Food Resupply
- First Aid & Toiletries on an AT Thru Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #26 (Special Edition!)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Review
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 2)
- CNOC Vecto Water Container Review
- CDT Section Hike Gear List
- AegisMax UL Sleeping Bag Review
- How I Pack My Gear
- Gear for the PCT: Clothes Set-Up
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0 - Test Footage)
- Over 42,000 Sub GIVEAWAY!!!
- Bikes & Brews in Southern Indiana w/ Mike Boren
- AT Thru Hike Food Resupply
- Ask Darwin Q&A #4 (Answers!)
- BikePacking: Clipless vs Platform?
- Sawyer Squeeze Gravity System
- Ask Darwin Q&A #30 (Answers)
- BlitzWolf 9000 Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0.5 - PCT Days)
- Exploring Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #18 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #31 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Vermont)
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List (Snuggles Edition)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #28 (Answers)
- Dirty Girl Gaiters Full Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #9 (Answers!)
- Osprey Escapist 18 Full Review
- How to Prevent Blisters & Foot Injuries on the Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 1) Georgia
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 6) NJ/NY/CT
- CDT Section Hike - Part 1 (Lordsburg, NM to Silver City)
- 2015 AT Thru Hike Post Gear Set-up
- Ask Darwin Q&A #10 (Answers!)
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 3)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #5 (Answers!)
- Sandia Mountain Snow Storm
- Typical Pennsylvania on The Appalachian Trail
- Salomon X Ultra Hiking Shoe Full Review
- Top 5 Favorite Places on the Appalachian Trail
- New Gear for the AT & PCT Thru Hike
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 2)
- Zpacks Nero Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #34 (Answers)
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Jacket Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #35 (Answers)
- Gear I Carry on a Day Hike
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 1
- AZT Post Hike Gear Set-Up (7lbs 11oz)
- How I Afford My Lifestyle
- Ask Darwin Q&A #32 + GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #33 (Answers)
- Ultralight Vs Traditional Packs - What's the Best for you?
- Tent Vs Bivy - What's the Best Shelter for You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #36 (Answers)
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3
- Ask Darwin Q&A #39 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #38 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #41 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #40 (Answers)
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 2 - Canyons, Trees, & Trails)
- The Trowel - Necessary or Nonsense?
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 2
- Ask Darwin Q&A #37 (Answers)
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2017 (Top 10)
- Cold Soaking/Stoveless Backpacking - Is It Right For You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #43 (Answers)
- Back Again - A Rim2Rim2Rim Hike w/Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #44 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #42 w/ Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #45 (Answers)
- A Thru-Hike Before A Thru-Hike?
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Electronics & Ditty Bag
- The Perfect UL Headlamp? - UCO Air 150 Review + MOD!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #46 (Answers)
- Hike Your Own Hike - An Ode to the Hiking Community
- Ask Darwin Q&A #47 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #50 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #48 (From the AT!)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike Gear List (11lb 5oz)
- Gear I Would NEVER BRING on a Long Hike!
- How to Plan Your 1st Thru-Hike
- Where Our Gear Is Born... Ep.1 - Zpacks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #49 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #51 (Answers)
- UGQ Bandit Quilt Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #52 (Answers)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 3
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 2
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 1
- Ask Darwin Q&A #53 (Answers)
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Desert Protection
- Ask Darwin Q&A #56 - The End?
- Vargo BOT Review - IS IT WORTH IT?
- Ask Darwin FINAL Q&A - #57
- Ask Darwin Q&A #54 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #55 (Answers)
- Post Pinhoti Trail Gear Thoughts & Failures
- VAN TOUR, GIVEAWAY, & THANK-YOU'S!
- PCT Thru-Hike Gear List (FINAL)
- Gear for the PCT - Cook System & Water Storage
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 6 - Water and Windmills
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 17 - Good Days and Bad Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 12- Passes and Postholing
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 16 - Hiking On
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 10 - Mt. Whitney and Beyond
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 9 - Into The Sierra and Back To The Stove
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 4 - Back on Trail
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 13- A Few Rough Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 20 - Hello Washington!
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 3 - Trail Injuries
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 7 - Still In The Desert
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 2 - Every Available Mile
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 8 - Gateway To The Sierra
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 1
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 19 - Death By Mosquito
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 11- Blizzards, Bailouts, and Beaches
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 14- End Of The Sierra...Sorta
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 5 - Famous Places
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 18 - Crossing Into Oregon
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 15 - Refuel: Food, Beer, and Rest
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Extras & Outtakes
- Post PCT Q&A
- ZPacks Duplex 3,000+ Mile Review
- AT or PCT - Which Trail is Better?
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 21 - Another Beginning’s END
- Gear I Would CHANGE on the PCT
- So, What's Next? The CDT?
- Post PCT Thru-Hike Gear List
- Food on the PCT
- A Quick Message... AT & PCT 50th Anniversary!
- PCT Video Editing Q&A
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 1
- EE Torrid APEX Jacket 3,000+ Mile Review
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 2
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2018 (Top 10)
- Advice for Future PCT Hikers
- Something A Little Different + GIVEAWAY!
- Total Cost for the PCT, Mental Game, & My “OTHER” Trail Name... Q&A
- Katadyn BeFree 500 Mile Review
- Best Cameras For The Trail?