Home > Feature Stories

Frostbike – Here Comes the Ice Cream Truck, Surly’s All New Trail Fat Bike with Actual weights!

21 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical

Fatbikes are nothing new for Surly, but a “trail” fatbike certainly is. As one of the most talked about items at this year’s Frostbike show, Surly’s new symmetrical, fatter, trail bike points towards the evolving future of fat bikes. More and more riders are taking to the bigger tires for more than just snow, and using them for every day riding. Based on the geometry of the Krampus  with some DNA from the Instigator, the Ice Cream Truck is built to rip, just with really fat tires.

When we heard the Ice Cream Truck coming we went running. Check out the details plus the actual weight after the break!

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical

There have been quite a few companies doing symmetric trail oriented fatbikes now, but few are offering them in steel. If that sounds good to you, you’ll feel right at home with the CroMoly frame and fork. Geometry is slacker than that of Surly’s other fatbikes and is purposely designed for stiffer ride.

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical

Compared to the Moonlander or Pugsley, the ICT has a number of modern frame appointments including Surly’s MDS dropouts, a 44mm head tube, and a pressfit bottom bracket to keep the Q-factor as tight as possible. Surly’s Modular Dropout System allows for both geared with Shimano Direct Mount and single speed gearing options and will work with 190 quick release or 197mm thru axle.

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical

 

Interestingly, the front uses a standard symmetric open dropout, though this version was running a bolt on wheel. Why not go thru axle on the front? This is pure speculation, but we’re wondering if there might be another fork option available for the Ice Cream Truck by the time it is released. With trail geometry and a 44mm tapered compatible head tube you can start putting the pieces together…

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical

Of course you can’t talk about the ice cream truck without talking about the fact that it is the first symmetric fatbike design to come from the world of Surly. The offset design was more or less created due to the lack of wider hubs available back in fat bike’s infancy, and while it still works quite well, symmetric designs offer improved stiffness and easier wheel changes – both good things for a “trail” fatbike. The Ice Cream Truck has plenty of clearance for 5″ tires on 100mm rims and will come in two versions, the $2700 5″ model with Clown shoe rims and Bud 4.8″ tires and the $2450 Ops version which will downsize to Rolling Darryl rims and 3.8″ Nates. Other spec differences include SRAM Hydro brakes for the 5″, and Avid BB7s for the Ops, and a Shimano Deore XT/SLX vs Deore/LX with Microshift shifters for the drivetrain. Frame and fork will also be available for $850.

Surly Ice Cream Truck Trail Fatbike fat bike fatty steel symmetric symmetrical
Who needs a repair stand when you can just hang a scale off of Peter from Surly?

And of course, what everyone wants to know – what does it weigh? In spite of the fatter frame, bigger frame tubes, and 4.8″ tires on 100mm rims, this large Ice Cream Truck weighs 34.48 lbs. Not bad for a $2700 steel monster Ice Cream Truck. Note that this isn’t the exact build – this particular bike was set up with a full SLX 2×10 drivetrain and Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes and a Surly OD 22-26t crank. It should be pretty easy to take a lot of weight out of this build too.

QBP did a great job putting together these videos from Frostbike. Check out the rest of them here.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

21 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Champs
Champs
10 years ago

What used to be Surly’s “Gnot-rite” spacing for the Cross-Check rear end is now the size of Ice Cream Truck’s 132.5mm press-fit bottom bracket shell, to pair with a 197mm thru-axle.

Predictable complaint about new and escalating fatbike specs goes here, but seriously, this thing is huge. Apparently people keep asking for more.

nameresu
10 years ago

You just don’t need a thru axle rigid fork. You just need a hub with axle and nuts, like DMR Revolver SS. And you got a super stiff front with regular dropouts.

Jeffy
Jeffy
10 years ago

I’m excited about the fact that there might be a 483mm front 135 spaced fork for my Krampus. I’ve been wanting to set this thing up with a 4.8″ fat front tire. Can’t wait.

Ice Cream Man... guaranteed to satisfy..
Ice Cream Man... guaranteed to satisfy..
10 years ago

This is exactly what I want. Fatbike with symmetric hubs that won’t break the bank. Thanks Surly. Love the name too. Just need the proper bell…

Kathie
Kathie
10 years ago

Too bad all of their bikes are huge! If you’re anything other than average to tall height, nothing will fit. Surly, your missing part of the market. Too bad. Smaller dimensions should not be difficult on a ‘hardtail’, as there isn’t any suspension to worry about. Thank you Salsa and 9zero7 for making it possible for smaller riders to be able to fat bike too.

PDXFixed
10 years ago

I’m also wondering if they went 468 or 483 for the fork length… would really love to see a geo chart.

qber
qber
10 years ago

You would think after selling out of the full SLX including brakes Pugs last year they would make it again?

Boink
Boink
10 years ago

Currently ride a mooney full time and also have two pugs!I will have an Ice Cream Truck ASAP!!! Love my steel pigs!!!!

Jason
10 years ago

@Kathie – Like Salsa, Surly now offers an XS size in the Pugs and Moonie, so I would expect an XS ICT to be available as well.

JayBay
JayBay
10 years ago

So, can someone explain to me WTF this “trail” geometry is? Is it a mountain bike or isn’t it? Damn thing looks like a mountain bike with fat tires to me. So how is “trail” specific geometry designed for “trail” riders going all out on “trail(s)” any different than all the other mountain bikes with fat tires out there?

andrew
andrew
10 years ago

“trail” fatbikes. I’ve had my laugh for the day.

Kathie
Kathie
10 years ago

@Jason. Yes, they make an extra small. But, while the reach, stack, and tt measurements are similar, the standover on the surly is still almost 2 inches higher. Starting/stopping, and getting on and off, while being on a soft surface, (thus feet sinking), can be difficult. I think they make great bikes. I also think they can do better on their dimensions. If I can find a full suspension DH rig that fits, a hardtail should be no problem. Just hoping someone from Surly, and other brands, see this. Come on peeps, help the shorties out :o)

Ham-planet
Ham-planet
10 years ago

Mechanical discs on a flat bar bikes over $1000? Absurd.

Steve
Steve
10 years ago

Agree with Kathie, I’m about 5″6″ small ( but not super small) yet the top tube is nearly always too high even on the smaller sizes. No problem for riding but stepping over that top bar especially if the bike is loaded with bike packing gear on uneven ground can be a near disaster.

JC
JC
10 years ago

Does anyone know what rear hub (brand/maker) is going to be used in this bike?

Tad Dickman
Tad Dickman
10 years ago

Ham-planet: NOT absurd. Most fat bikes go with mechanical brakes for reliability in winter and easy, fast adjustment. You don’t want to be messing around with anything for too long if it is -10 outside and you are slightly sweaty. And the thing with prices – no one is forcing you to pay anything if you don’t want it. Can we get over prices already as bike riders? Take up hiking if you have a problem with it.

blackbean
blackbean
9 years ago

I love my Krampus, rode it on all the trails in Helena last spring in 3 days. It climbs better than any bike so far ( I only weight 115 lbs) the descending was so good that after 25 years of regular mtn biking and racing, I all of a sudden became a much better descender (within a week). It became my “go to bike” (out of 10 very nice newish within the past 5 years bikes). I’ll ride or race that thing anywhere (note that all of this riding has been in the summer, not winter): so obviously, I can see how this geometry could develop this way as would want fatter tires for the winter (and sometimes in the summer too).

Bob
Bob
9 years ago

I just wish they’d make a stiffer symmetrical 170mm rear spacing and 135mm front spacing.

Nick
Nick
9 years ago

Trail geometry-

Short back up, slack head tube.

Not that hard to compare specs and see the difference. Chain stays are a full inch shorter than most fat bikes (17.7″) and the head tube is 68°.

If you didn’t know that it probably doesn’t matter to you for the riding you do. I for one, just picked mine up and I’m super excited for it to ride like a real mountain bike. Not the school bus that most fat bikes feel like.

Nick
Nick
9 years ago

back end*

nathan kensley
9 years ago

this bike rocks.
Having found most bikes to steer a little funny i was curious about the ice cream truck.

yes the trek farley is a good riding bike, same with specialized, they can not touch steals smoothness and durability.

after riding the ice cream truck off road on some rocky trails i can say this bike is the ultimate fat bike to ride off road or on road. the ice cream truck simply makes me look around for what i can jump next

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.