The Preamble is the new entry-point to Surly’s range

By Oscar Huckle

Published: Wednesday, 22 February 2023 at 12:00 am

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Surly has unveiled the Preamble, an entry-level steel bike designed around both flat and drop handlebars.

Surly is known for its no-nonsense steel bikes, and the American brand says the Preamble is built “for comfort, durability and general buffoonery on mostly paved surfaces”.

The Preamble arguably sits between bike categories. The flat-bar version looks much like a hybrid bike suitable for commuting, whereas the drop-bar version is similar to some of the best gravel bikes.

The Preamble is offered in five sizes, from XS to XL, and Surly claims the geometry works well for both flat and drop handlebars.

The brand says the top tube is sloped on the two smallest sizes for improved standover and comfort.

There will be two builds of the bike available, with either drop or flat bars, as well as a frameset option. Pricing starts at £1,099 / $899 for the complete bikes.

Hard-boiled and straightforward

Surly says the Preamble is a “hard-boiled and straightforward steel bike”, and this is reflected in the bikes’s materials and design features.

The frame uses Surly’s proprietary chromoly ‘Natch’ steel tubesets, which contribute to the comfort and durability claims.

The bike has an ‘ED’ (electrophoretic deposition) coating, which is an anti-corrosion treatment.

Surly

The Preamble is built around disc brakes with quick-release dropouts.

There are mounting points to run both a rack and mudguards, as well as space for two bottle cages in the main triangle.

The Preamble is compatible with 2x and 1x drivetrains.

There’s clearance for 650b x 41mm gravel bike tyres on sizes XS and S, or 700c x 41mm on the larger sizes, with or without mudguards.

Surly Preamble geometry

Frame	XS	S	M	L	XL
Head tube angle (degrees)	70	71	72	72	72
Seat tube angle (degrees)	74	73	72.5	72	72
Top tube length (mm)	500	545	570	600	630
Head tube length (mm)	120	135	130	170	210
Seat tube length (mm)	410	480	565	605	645
Chainstay length (mm)	420	420	435	435	435
Wheelbase (mm)	987	1,013	1,030	1,055	1,085
Reach (mm)	352	381	391	404	421
Stack (mm)	517	535	567	605	643

Surly Preamble specs and prices

Surly

There will be two models in the range – the Preamble Flat Bar and the Preamble Drop Bar.

The Flat Bar will retail for £1,099 / $899 and the Drop Bar £1,399 / $1,199. A frame-only option will be offered for £650 / $549.

International pricing and availability is to be confirmed.

Surly Preamble Flat Bar

Surly

• Frame: Surly ‘Natch’ steel tubeset with ED coating
• Fork: Surly Preamble, 100% chromoly steel fork, disc only
• Drivetrain: MicroShift Acolyte Xpress shifters, RD-M5185M rear derailleur, 8-speed with Samox 40t crankset and KMC Z8.3 chain
• Brakes: Avid BB5 mechanical disc
• Wheelset: Novatec 6-bolt disc 32h
• Tyres: Kenda Kwik Tendril 700c x 35mm / Kenda Standard 650b x 1.35in
• Price: £1,099 / $899

Surly Preamble Drop Bar

Surly

• Frame: Surly ‘Natch’ steel tubeset with ED coating
• Fork: Surly Preamble, 100% chromoly steel fork, disc only
• Drivetrain: MicroShift R400-L and R490-R shifters, RD-M46S rear derailleur, 9-speed with Samox 40t crankset and KMC Z9 chain
• Brakes: Avid BB5 mechanical disc
• Wheelset: Novatec 6-bolt disc 32h
• Tyres: Kenda Kwik Tendril 700c x 35mm / Kenda Standard 650b x 1.35in
• Price: £1,399 / $1,199

Surly Preamble frameset

Surly

• Frame: Surly ‘Natch’ steel tubeset with ED coating
• Fork: Surly Preamble, 100% chromoly steel fork, Disc only
• Price: £650 / $549