Pimping my 2014 Surly Ogre

I love my Surly Ogre.  Yet, I had to make it my own.  I always want a few things different than the manufacture provides.  It was time to make these changes.  The first thing I noticed while spending a few days on the Great Divide, was that I needed a little more room than what my Revelate Viscacha bag could provide.  After reading a few excellent cycling blogs, I stumbled onto the Carradice Camper Longflap saddlebag.  This bag is almost twice as voluminous as my Viscacha bag.  It’s also nearly 3 times as heavy, so if you’re counting grams, this may not be the bag for you.  However, if you are counting convenience and capacity, it may be the perfect bag for you.  Let me start by saying I love everything about this bag, from the stiff waxed cotton fabric, to the rivets and buckles, to the leather strapping.  It’s the perfect blend between style, function and practicality.  The British Racing Green color only adds to the overall appearance.   In my mind, it’s completely Ogre-esque.   That being said, I needed to make a change or two.  First off, the wooden dowel used in the back of the bag looked a little wimpy to me.  Also, it was cut sharp at a 90 degree angle which looked as if it might abrade the corners of the bag.  I cut another dowel, longer and slightly larger in diameter, and rounded off the corners for a smooth finish.  The original dowel had a flat spot on one side to better fit against the bag.  On my table saw, I cut a flat spot on the new larger dowel.  The flat spot rests against the back of the bag.  Don’t those corners look a lot better?

The dowel is screwed to the back of the bag to provide hanging support.  There is also a nylon skirt at the top opening (mine is tucked downward in this photo).The two side pockets are much larger than they look.  Check out the 1 liter Nalgene bottle.  Yup, it fits.  The flap just buckles.   Looking down into the bag, showing the Nalgene bottle for size comparison.  This is a nice size bag and I wouldn’t want it one centimeter smaller.  The pocket on the right side is compressed against the main compartment in this photo (don’t worry, it’s there).The saddlebag is supported with a Bagman 2 Expedition Support rack.  This stabilizes the load and keeps it from rotating forward into the back of your thighs. Notice the leather strap near the top.  These straps wrap around the dowel inside the bag and fasten through the saddle tabs on the back of the Brooks.  This rack is completely compatible with the Brooks B67 sprung saddle.  Also, notice the room now created in front of the bag.  I will definitely find a good use for this newly created storage area (how about my sleeping pad or a small Tarptent).  Near the bottom, I ran the leather strap around the base of the rack.  This rack is light, strong and very simple.   There is even a small area under the rack where I might fasten my sandals.
And here is the saddlebag in all its glory.  If you can’t tell, I’m totally in love with this setup.  It offers convenient access and increased storage, much needed on my last trip.  Yet, you say, “It’s not water proof”.  No worries…just pack all clothing in a waterproof stuff sack.  This makes it even easier to unload the clothing into your tent at the end of a long day in the saddle.  Now for the grips.  One word, “Ergon GP1”, done.
Don’t forget to wrap the awesome Jones H loop bar.  Through the words of Journey, “Anyway you want it, that’s the way you need it, anyway you want it”.  Next up: The Tires.  I was never really happy with the stock WTB Nano 2.1 tires.  First off, I prefer a wider tire for off-road riding.  Secondly, they just look a little anemic to me.  Now thats more like it.  Schwalbe Smart Sams.  These are not as slow as you might think.  Look at the concentration of knobbiest around the center area.  This provides a nice on-road riding ridge.  The Smart Sam’s are affordable, tough and wide at 2.25″.  I love to run off-road gravel at 25-30 lb., the extra width and air volume provides a more comfortable ride.  Next up:  The pedals.  These nylon platform pedals are thin, light and strong.  They also are very affordable at $29.00/pair.  They are also completely rebuildable.  The thin side cutouts allow for straps if you so choose.  Complete rig minus the frame bag and front harness kit (which I only use when touring).  I always leave the front Everything bags attached (never know when you need to grab 2 liters of RootBeer for the Pizza).

Summary:

My Surly Ogre is now a proper machine.  With the above changes, it fits my personal style and riding preferences.  It is so much fun turning a bike into a proper machine.  All this stuff is dirt cheap compared to motorized toys.  Why not get your bike right?  If you do, you’ll enjoy spending more time on it.  If you don’t, things will never feel quite right.  And, you’ll find an excuse not to ride it.  Once you’ve spent all the money to buy it, you might as well get things right and make it yours.

Bikepacking is a blast.  If you haven’t yet experienced this type of riding, you need to try it.  It has become my most enjoyable form of cycling.  Nothing like two or three days touring on backcountry gravel roads.  I can only imagine what a month or two would be like.