The Surly Go-Test used to be a pioneer. It used to be a flexible and reasonably priced gravel motorcycle many years earlier than the gravel class actually existed. However the Go-Test is not more. Occasions have modified, applied sciences have advanced, and Surly is transferring on. They nonetheless construction a lot of fashionable flexible drop bar motorcycles from the Straggler to their latest Preamble. And so they’ve teased that a number of extra new motorcycles are in construction.
However the rim brake Go-Test is useless. And so we’re gonna briefly pour one out for an outdated good friend…
Surly Go-Test 1999-2023, Leisure in peace you outdated soul!
First off a shout out to web bikeshop good friend Parallel Handbuilt for sharing the sorrowful information of the Go-Test’s passing, and pointing me in opposition to the transferring Bicycle Pubes eulogy. And most likely to James Johnson now of Analog Cycles who guided me within the Surly virtues long ago within the day. You spot, I used to be running in a motorbike store in the United States when Surly introduced the chromoly metal Go-Test long ago in 1999. It used to be Surly’s third ever motorcycle. And it used to be a revelation.
Right here used to be an inexpensive welded metal frameset with a lugged crown fork and canti brake studs masquerading as a cyclo-cross motorcycle. However actually, it used to be a call for participation for journey.
It used to be a clean canvas to construct no matter motorcycle you sought after. This used to be a go motorcycle, a fats tire street motorcycle, a town commuter, a loaded traveling motorcycle, or a vast journey motorcycle. It are compatible any hub spacing same old of the day. And that used to be the one same old that actually numerous from motorcycle to motorcycle again within the day. It used to be the whole thing we are saying a gravel motorcycle can do now, simply with out the phrase gravel. And it best set you again $389 in 1999 for a go frameset with 45mm tire clearance. The boundaries had been as much as you.
Over the following 24 years, the minds of numerous cyclists had been corrupted by way of driving filth roads and gravel roads on Go-Assessments. Paired with 32mm & 35mm Panaracer Pasela tires, that used to be the start of gravel cycling in my thoughts.
Why did it pass away?
Anyway, Surly simply quietly took the Go-Take a look at in their line-up. In step with Surly emblem supervisor Dan Rasmussen, they’re all “unhappy to peer it pass as gross sales had been robust till the top.” However occasions have modified. Everybody’s on disc brakes now. So the rim brake Go-Test – final actually up to date round 2017 – used to be merely now not maintaining with the days. And Surly already had the Straggler – a lot the similar motorcycle because the Go-Test, however with disc brakes – since again in 2013.
And there’s the lighter, extra fashionable Preamble with an all-road leaning, however nonetheless room for 41mm tires. Now, there’s much less and not more explanation why to stay the outdated motorcycle round.
So, what’s subsequent?
Rasmussen describes the verdict to retire the Go-Test as “multifaceted“. We take that to imply is that even supposing the Surly workforce held the outdated motorcycle pricey of their hearts, it most likely simply didn’t make logical and fiscal sense to stay it round. When on the similar time, they might dedicate assets to different extra up-to-date tasks. Rasmussen assures us that, “Surly is doing nice“. And that they have got “a number of new motorcycle and [parts & accessories] choices that can be popping out within the coming months and years that we’re actually occupied with and can no-doubt be nice additions to the motorcycle trade.“
So, let’s consider the beautiful, pioneering Surly Go-Test as a pioneering gravel motorcycle. And we’ll look ahead to what Surly has within the works!