You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm quite smitten with my Singular Puffin.
That said having tried the semi fat route of running Nates/Bud/ Hüsker Du tyres on Marge Lites the full fat Surly ICT really appeals.
What I don't like about the ICT is the another level niche parts; BB, cranks rear wheel spacing.
The Surly Wednesday seems a good middle ground - as its billed.
Surly say it will take a 4.5" tyre in the back but they, Surly, don't make a 4.5" tyre.
I appreciate that fat bike tyre sizing is a little odd.... 3.7" passing for 4.0" etc but what tyre are they suggesting could be used?
Speciaized GC?
The Wednesday is a fair whack cheaper than the ICT with the benefit of a "std" 100mm BSA BB but I'm not sure how much more space there will be over my Puffin.
Any other 4.5" tyres about that are more like 4.5" than 4.0"?
Qbp produce tyre geometry lists for surly & 45nrth tyres, E.G.
http://45nrth.com/chronicles/post/tire-geometries
They are quite honest in saying that Dillinger 5s are 112mm or roughly 4.5" despite the name. I thought they specifically said 4.6". Just because they're aren't any 4.6" now doesn't mean there won't be in the future.
Easy option...
If you want 4" tyres you want 100mm BB and cranks and 170mm dropouts. So the Wednsebury is fine.
If you want >4" tyres you want 120mm BB (or 100mm and spacers) and cranks and 190mm dropouts.
So though the Wednesday and its 100/170 can fit 4.5" tyres, it takes drivetrain fiddling or 1x setup to make it work
Vee h-billies are 4.25 and not a bad tyre unlike the cheaper vee stuff which are crap. Why are you looking to change from the puffin? I've had everything from fatbnimble 29+ to 4.8 bud and lou in mine and other than the new snowshoe xxl whichdis 5.25 youre aren't going to get bigger rubber.
like surly, still have a surly fatty, but love the puffin more
Oh, and just to say I had similar thoughts about a Wednesday as a change from my Oof. In the end I decided it wasn't enough of a change so bought a Moonlander. 😉