City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (2024)

Table of Contents
Nothing More is Needed. Nothing Less Will Do. Bike Capabilities Related Content A Preamble to the Surly Preamble Make It Your Own: The Impossible Preamble #preamble Image Dump Where to Buy Specifications Frameset Components Drivetrain Wheels Frameset Components Drivetrain Wheels Frameset Components Drivetrain Wheels Support Downloads Info Hole Bikes You might also like

Preamble is a hard-boiled steel commuterbuilt for comfort, durability, and buffooneryon pavement and gravel.

Nothing More is Needed. Nothing Less Will Do.

The challenge was thus: Build a serious steel bike and give it only the attributes that matter most. Make it quick and comfortable on pavement, as well as confident and compliant on degraded surfaces. What the Enginerds put forth is Preamble, a pavement and gravel utility worker that proves you don’t need to cut corners or clip coupons to make a more affordable steel bike. You just need to keep shit simple.

Preamble can run racks and fenders and carry a couple water bottles. Surly was raised on stealing basic cable, after all. Smooth and efficient on asphalt, Preamble’s double-butted main triangle provides a resplendent ride feel and withstands abuse from life’s inevitable potholes. Make it your own with flat bars, drop bars, a basket, or bags. On the road to steel euphoria, Preamble is the gateway drug.

  • Let facts be submitted to a candid world: Offered in flat-bar and drop-bar configurations
  • Easy T-Shirt sizing to fit nearly every rider (XS,S,M,L,XL)
  • Sloping top tubes on XS and Small frames for improved standover and comfort
  • To offer the best rider experience for every frame size, XS and S frames get 650b wheelsets while M–XL get 700c
  • Custom-cast single-position vertical dropout

Bike Capabilities

  • 5/5 with CommutingCommuting: 5 out of 5
  • 4/5 with Tire ClearanceTire Clearance: 4 out of 5
  • 5/5 with Keeping Shit SimpleKeeping Shit Simple: 5 out of 5
  • 5/5 with PavementPavement: 5 out of 5
  • 5/5 with GravelGravel: 5 out of 5

NOTE: You can ride your bike wherever the hell you want, but this is what we think this bike is best at.

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (1)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (2)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (3)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (4)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (5)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (6)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (7)

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (8)

Related Content

A Preamble to the Surly Preamble

by Atom

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

Read More

Read more blog posts about Preamble

#preamble Image Dump

#SurlyMakeItYourOwn
Tag your Instagram Images with #SurlyMakeItYourOwn and your bike may show up here.

Where to Buy

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (11)

Specifications

Frameset

Frame
Surly Preamble, 100% Chromoly steel tubing, E.D. coated
Fork
Surly Preamble, 100% Chromoly steel fork, Disc Only
Seatpost Clamp
Surly Stainless 30.0

Components

Headset
VP 1-1/8"
Brakes
Tektro Hydraulic M275/276
Brake levers
Tektro Hydraulic M275/276
Rotors
Tektro Centerlock, 160mm F/R
Shifters
Shimano CUES U4000, 1x9
Stem
Kalloy 31.8mm
Handlebar
Kalloy 6061 PGW, 9-degree backsweep, 35mm rise
Grip/Tape
Velo Black Rubber
Saddle
Selle Italia X-Base Boost
Seatpost
Kalloy 27.2 x 300mm non-offset (XS-MD), offset (LG-XL)

Drivetrain

Crankset
Shimano CUES U4000-1, 40t
Bottom Bracket
Shimano Square Taper BB-UN101
Front derailleur
N/A
Rear derailleur
Shimano CUES U4000 GS
Cassette
Shimano Linkglide LG300, 11-41t 9sp
Chain
Shimano Linkglide LG500

Wheels

Front hub
Shimano HB-MT200, 32h, QR x 100mm, CenterLock
Rear hub
Shimano FH-MT200-B ,32h, QR x 141mm, CenterLock
Rims

Tubeless Compatible

Tires
XS-SM: MSW Hybrid 650b x 35mm MD-XL: MSW Hybrid 700c x 35mm
Complete Bike Weight
27 lbs for Medium

Frameset

Frame
Surly Preamble, 100% Chromoly steel tubing, E.D. coated
Fork
Surly Preamble, 100% Chromoly steel fork, Disc Only
Seatpost Clamp
Surly Stainless 30.0

Components

Headset
VP 1-1/8" Threadless
Brakes
Avid BB5 Mechanical
Brake levers
Avid FR-5
Rotors
SRAM 160mm F/R
Shifters
microSHIFT Acolyte Xpress
Stem
Kalloy 31.8
Handlebar
Kalloy, 35mm rise, 9-degree backsweep
Grip/Tape
Black Rubber
Saddle
Selle Italia X-Base
Seatpost
Kalloy 27.2 x 300mm

Drivetrain

Crankset
Samox, 3-piece, 40t
Bottom Bracket
JIS 68 x 124.5mm
Front derailleur
N/A
Rear derailleur
microSHIFT RD-M5185M
Cog or cogset
microSHIFT 12-42t, 8-speed
Chain
KMC Z8.3

Wheels

Front hub
Novatec, 6-bolt disc, 32h, QR
Rear hub
Novatec, 6-bolt disc, 32h, QR
Rims

Tubeless Compatible

Tires
Kenda Kwik Tendril 700c x 35mm (MD/LG/XL) & Kenda Standard 650b x 1.35 (XS/SM)

Frameset

Frame
Surly Preamble, 100% Chromoly steel tubing, E.D. coated
Fork
Surly Preamble, 100% Chromoly steel fork, Disc Only
Seatpost Clamp
Surly Stainless 30.0

Components

Headset
VP 1-1/8" Threadless
Brakes
Avid BB7 Mechanical
Brake levers
microSHIFT R400-L and R-490-R
Rotors
SRAM 160mm F/R
Shifter
microSHIFT R400
Stem
Kalloy 31.8
Handlebar
Salsa Cowbell
Grip/Tape
Black Cork
Saddle
Selle Italia X-Base
Seatpost
Kalloy 27.2 x 300mm

Drivetrain

Crankset
Samox, 3-piece, 40t
Bottom Bracket
JIS 68 x 124.5mm
Front derailleur
N/A
Rear derailleur
microSHIFT RD-M46S
Cog or cogset
microSHIFT 11-36t, 9-speed
Chain
KMC Z9

Wheels

Front hub
Novatec, 6-bolt disc, 32h, QR
Rear hub
Novatec, 6-bolt disc, 32h, QR
Rims

Tubeless Compatible

Tires
Kenda Kwik Tendril 700c x 35mm (MD/LG/XL) & Kenda Standard 650b x 1.35 (XS/SM)

Complete bike spec subject to change

City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (12)City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (13)

units:

Select a few bike sizes to compare.

SIZEXSSMMDLGXL
Rider Height5'0"–5'5"1524–16515'4"–5'8"1625.6–1727.25'7"–6'0"1701.8–1828.85'11"–6'3"1803.4–19056'2"–6'7"1879.6–2006.6
Reach13.935215.038115.439115.940416.6421
Stack20.451721.153522.356723.860525.3643
Head Tube Angle70.0°71.0°72.0°72.0°72.0°
Head Tube Length4.71205.31355.11306.71708.3210
Seat Tube Length16.141019.950522.256523.860525.4645
BB Drop2.1542.1542.6662.6662.666
Wheelbase38.998739.9101340.6103041.5105542.71085
Chainstay Length16.542016.542017.143517.143517.1435
Top Tube Length, Effective19.750021.554522.457023.660024.8630
Seat Tube Angle74.0°73.0°72.5°72.0°72.0°
Standover Height28.472230.677632.582634.086335.5901
Stem Length3.1803.1803.5903.91003.9100
Stem Angle7°7°7°7°7°
Handlebar Width15.038015.740016.542017.344018.1460
Crank Length6.51656.71706.71706.91756.9175
Fork Length15.038015.038015.740015.740015.7400
Fork Rake1.9471.9471.7441.7441.744

Select a few bike sizes to compare.

SIZEXSSMMDLGXL
Rider Height5'0"–5'5"1524–16515'4"–5'8"1625.6–1727.25'7"–6'0"1701.8–1828.85'11"–6'3"1803.4–19056'2"–6'7"1879.6–2006.6
Reach13.935215.038115.439115.940416.6421
Stack20.451721.153522.356723.860525.3643
Head Tube Angle70.0°71.0°72.0°72.0°72.0°
Head Tube Length4.71205.31355.11306.71708.3210
Seat Tube Length16.141019.950522.256523.860525.4645
BB Drop2.1542.1542.6662.6662.666
Wheelbase38.998739.9101340.6103041.5105542.71085
Chainstay Length16.542016.542017.143517.143517.1435
Top Tube Length, Effective19.750021.554522.457023.660024.8630
Seat Tube Angle74.0°73.0°72.5°72.0°72.0°
Standover Height28.472230.677632.582634.086335.5901
Stem Length3.1803.5903.5903.91003.9100
Stem Angle7°7°7°7°7°
Handlebar Width27.670027.670028.372028.372028.3720
Crank Length6.51656.71706.71706.91756.9175
Fork Length15.038015.038015.740015.740015.7400
Fork Rake1.9471.9471.7441.7441.744
Frame Construction

100% Surly Chromoly steel, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, TIG welded, E.D. coated

Fork Construction

4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, ED coated

Rear Dropout Configuration

Vertical

Rear Hub Spacing

"Gnot-Boost"138mm
10 x 135mm or 10 x 141mm

Front Hub Spacing

10 x 100mm

Rear Brake

Disc - 51mm I.S. (180mm max rotor)

Front Brake

Disc - 51mm I.S. (203mm max rotor)

Headtube

Ø34mm

Steerer Tube

Ø28.6mm

Crown Race

30mm (1-1/8")

Stock Headset Upper (S.H.I.S)

EC34/28.6

Stock Headset Lower (S.H.I.S)

EC34/30

Seat Collar

Ø30.0mm

Seatpost

Ø27.2mm

Front Derailleur (Clamp)

High direct mount top-pull (Ø28.6mm)
26mm offset adapter (included) for 135mm rear hub spacing
29mm offset adapter (not included) for 141mm rear hub spacing

Max Chainring (CL) [3]

1x (47CL): 42T
2x (47CL): 46/36T

Bottom Bracket

68mm BSA, threaded

Tire Clearance Frame [1]/[2]

XS-SM frames: 650b x 41mm (with or without fenders)
MD-XL frames: 700c x 41mm (with or without fenders)

Tire Clearance Fork [1]

XS-SM frames: 650b x 47mm (with or without fenders)
MD-XL frames: 700c x 44mm (with or without fenders)

Bottle Mounts Frame

2 Standard

Rack Mounts Frame

Yes

Rack Mounts Fork

Fork crown and mid-blade rack mounts and fender mounts

Fender Mounts Frame

Yes

Fender Mounts Fork

Fork crown and mid-blade rack mounts and fender mounts

  • [1] Different tire and rim combinations will result in different clearances.
    [2] Depending on drivetrain configuration, tire clearance may be limited by the chain and not frame.
    [3] Listed chainring clearance is worst case scenario. Clearances vary widely depending on components and configurations.

Support

Downloads

  • Preamble Instructions
    [pdf] - 1.5MB
  • Fork Instructions
    [pdf] - 7.0MB
  • Surly Bike Sizing Chart
    [pdf] - 308KB
  • Wheel, Rim, and Tire Instructions
    [pdf] - 672KB
  • Bicycle Owner's Manual (English)
    [pdf] - 1.2MB

Info Hole

  • Bike Fit
  • Some Things About Our Steel
  • Care and Feeding of Your Steel Frame

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City Commuter Bike | Flat Bar Gravel Bike | Drop Bar Pavement Bicycle (2024)
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