[Closed] How is it so fast rolling?

Tyre rolling resistance, expectations...

Did you ride the 2 back to back?

Momentum.

Gravitational attraction to the next hill.

Did you ride the 2 back to back?

Yes.

I was wearing SPD's on the Surly, our Boardman is flat pedals as it's officially my son's bike and his choice. I know this does make a difference.

Perhaps faster tyres, lighter rim = faster to accelerate, add in me clipped in for more efficient cruising pedalling..?

I don’t think SPD’s make that much difference do they? I agree with Scotroutes, it’s because Surly bikes come with their own gravitational field. A bit like the Transition Trans AM that I used to have. Weighed more than a moon yet was pretty rapid if you rode it when the tide was coming in!

My Wazoo fatbike was faster than I expected it to be on downhill and flat, it was only really on the inclines that extra 6Kg+ above my road bike where the weight outdid the rolling resistance and inertia.

Bigger wheels, heavier tyres, more momentum? Once you get it going, small planets tend to be hard to stop...

I recently sold a genesis tarn. Semi fat, weighed more than a small car. It rolled along better on tarmac than my super light Anthem with Racing Ralph's. I reckon.it was momentum.

You could be on to something...

Fast-rolling touring tyres (Marathons, not Marathon plus) run at 80psi., with quality hand-built wheels (XT dynamo so no drag when off).

You can do this with a steel chassis and Ti-railed Brooks saddle.

Frame weight is nothing with a rider and luggage on board. Rider fit, position and relaxation also plays a role.

That's my take on it.

PS you didn't mention the spare spokes on the chainstay.

I didn't notice them until I cleaned it!

I do think the combo of tyres & wheels = better acceleration.
Tyres & SPD's = holds speed better.

"New bike" effect?

Because it is a Surly!!

My Surly LHT does seem to roll very nicely despite its vast weight and low quality build kit. Its not fast like road bikes are, and is slow to accelerate, but with the weight it just seems to roll along happily on the flat soaking up the bumps and eating up the miles. Just wish I got to use it on more touring trips.

Momentum is king. Me and the wean on the Kona Ute have a gross vehicle weight of 2.5 Jupiters. Arrive at anything in excess of 10mph and it crumbles before our Juggernaut.

Hills on the other hand, not so much. Like a brick wall in treacle.

+1 for because it is a Surly (and momentum)

My Krampus just keeps on going.

I think its the combo of weight (on the downs), a very comfy ride, big tyres & wheels which just plough over small rocks/ruts/roots/rodents and the lovely, lovely steel frame.

The Schwalbe touring tyres will have less rolling resistance than SB8 lowering rolling resistance and probably be heavier which helps once up to speed.
Ride the same bikes up a gravel climb and see if the Surly still feels faster.

What's the world coming to when someone says Marathons are fast rolling ! Yikes.

Momentum/inertia.

What’s the world coming to when someone says Marathons are fast rolling

They are pretty good for touring tyres and in this case in comparison to SB8s

I am currently using Marathon Plus and find that they roll fine in comparison to other very tough tyres. They don't roll well compared to a GP5000 but that is not the point.

SB8's are the problem. Like treacle IMHO.

Tyres can make a huge difference. I've been messing around with a power meter on my mountain bikes and have been quite surprised just how much difference tyres make to speed for similar power inputs.

The tyres have to be right for the application.
My mate has a genesis day one 853 alfine 11.
Not a light bike, shod with marathon plus tyres.
We go camping on our bikes and it rolls beautifully, and is comfy to ride.
On occasion, we’ve went for a lightweight day out, just enough kit to make a cuppa, on those days, he complains that it really doesn’t feel quick, or comfy, or fast rolling.
So, having the correct tyres for the type of riding you are doing matters.
IMHO, it matters probably more than any other factor for ride quality/rolling resistance.
See also: tyre pressure.
This can also explain why 2 people can ride the same bike, on the same day, and have vastly differing opinions on it.

Weight, grease and tyres?

Best-rolling bike of mine (notably so) weighs around 45lb before luggage is attached. It has hi-ten tubing (the main tube is about 60mm across) a hub generator, hub gears and roller brakes and a kickstand the size of my forearm. 26” double-walled with some Dutch schwalbe marathon- clone tyres.

It was the finest sofa on-bearings-effect I’ve ever had (until sadly crippled with rust/neglect/sea-air)