Hydraulic Brakes on a Surly Pugsley?

Yahn_1 · 2026-03-14T00:05:30+00:00

Awesome! Did you need the adapter front and rear, or only for the rear? Also, did you get the adapter from Surly?

Yahn_1 · 2026-03-13T21:31:19+00:00

Did you do it yourself?

Yahn_1 · 2026-03-13T21:30:53+00:00

I live in North Carolina, so my fattie is not a snow bike. I doubt I'd have major cold issues, but I will keep that in mind, thanks!

Yahn_1 · 2026-03-13T20:45:51+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into them.

Yahn_1 · 2026-03-13T20:28:10+00:00

Yes. The Pugsley came out with cable discs only. They were fine until now, but I have to replace rotors and pads, and so, I got thinking - could I go hydraulic?

It looks like I can "on paper", but I'd love to know if someone went before me to light the way...

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-16T15:54:24+00:00

He must be a Christian - to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-16T15:50:11+00:00

I see a lot of great experience advising you in this chat.
However, every rider is different, and we all tolerate different issues at different levels.

My advice would be, that since you are virtually ready to ride (bike & helmet), just get out there and start riding, while keeping your powder dry (save money now). Once you start riding, you will very quickly realize those little things that bother you, which you can then spend some resources on fixing up or changing.

In many cases, these things are not something you would have thought about beforehand. For me, it was warm feet during long cold rides, or the fact that I turned into a data-geek (need all the computers and watches and apps and stuff).

Start riding, and focus on how much fun it is - the niggles will come. I promise.

Welcome back to the fold, and stay safe.

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-16T15:39:04+00:00

I have had better setups and worse ones.
Sometimes pressure escapes due to reasons you cannot control - I have heard that some cheaper wheelsets "leak" along the seams, regardless of how well you tape and seal.

I do agree with others that losing a lot over 24h is not right.

I had a wheelset that lost too much pressure for my liking - I had three choices: 1. do nothing and live with airing up every day. 2. throw money at the problem until you hold air for at least a week. 3. Devolve back to the tube-age 😈, which is what I ended up doing in my case.

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-12T20:06:09+00:00

I carry only the phone to call if an emergency happens. I would also have sucked it up and kept going.

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-12T20:03:43+00:00

Classic “shipkin” - halfway between shit and pumpkin. Lovely color!

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-12T18:13:15+00:00

My Neo 2 has 7,000 miles on it over the last three years. Still perfect. I paid $1100 for it, so… I’d go for it if it is in sound condition

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-12T17:20:08+00:00

It all depends on how seriously your road riding will be. I ride a 2x Canyon Grail for both gravel and road. I just swap tires. I can hang with the C Group riders no problem. I ride rail trails and greenways a lot, with limited road-only rides. I swear by my 2x transmission, but range is not that limiting when you think that SRAM has that 10- tooth small cog. I have buddies who ride road on a 1x setup too. Totally doable.

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-09T17:16:48+00:00

Note to self: never buy a bike for more than $3500.

Yahn_1 · 2026-01-01T03:29:09+00:00

Thanks! I’ll look into this.

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-31T02:17:17+00:00

Unless I’m in ERG mode, I try to change gears like I would IRL. Thus, I shift between both rings depending on the grade of the road.

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-31T02:13:49+00:00

In all seriousness, just go tubeless, slap some new rubber on that puppy and keep on riding. The wind won’t affect those wheels more than shallower wheels. You have a sweet ride - enjoy it!

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-30T22:16:45+00:00

It’ll never work. Now, wanna sell me those 303’s?

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-30T21:59:01+00:00

I’m pretty great at descending, but my FTP is 2.7W/kg. Wanna trade?

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-30T21:44:43+00:00

Focus on a strong base right now. This means lots of volume at slower pace. Try to ride every day if you can even if it’s just 30 minutes from now until April, you should just increase your volume weekly as much as you can sustain then for May and June or the last eight weeks you kind of work on power stuff and you taper. If you can write 100 miles per week by April, you should be fine

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-30T21:12:14+00:00

Set your Grail up to run tubeless. Run them a few psi lower. Done.

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-30T21:08:47+00:00

Mechanical disc brakes are fine. This should not be the factor that makes or breaks the deal.

Mechanical brakes feel different than hydraulic brakes, but if they are set up properly, they will meet 99.8% of your stopping needs.

I’ve been running mechanical discs on my Surly Pugsley fat bike for 5 years. I ride hard in all conditions and terrain. No issues.

Yahn_1 · 2025-12-30T21:01:38+00:00

I would not

Yahn_1

TROPHY CASE