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Skid Loader is a compact electric cargo bike wired for large loads, small footprints, and everyday deviant behavior.

Just as Easy, Not as Big

Cutting back on car trips is a worthy undertaking, especially in these times of planetary peril. With its electric-assist motor and extreme hauling capabilities, our compact electric cargo bike Skid Loader invites those inclined to throw a leg over and wave their middle digits at downtown gridlock. Built for finding more ways to drive less and ferrying various materials to work, play, or wherever, we gave Skid Loader the utility of a long-tail and a manageable footprint that fits wherever a normal bike does.

Comfortable and compliant under load, Skid Loader also enjoys cutting loose without cargo. Engineered to ride and feel like a regular bike, its 27.5” wheel platform provides abundant tire options you don’t get from cargo bikes rolling on smaller wheels. And because it’s a Surly, we gave it ample tire clearance and built it for commutes that go from bus stop to bandit trail. We also gave all three frame sizes adequate standover and a dropper post to fit riders of assorted shapes and sizes. Furnished with useful accessory barnacles and internal routing for just about everything, Skid Loader’s scaled-down and feature-packed cargo frame removes the roadblocks between you and riding whenever the hell you want.

  • Equipped with Bosch Performance Cargo Drive Unit, featuring four invigorating levels of ride assist
  • Capable of running dual batteries for extended range 
  • Dedicated rear rack rated for 100 pounds of potatoes, thanks to beefed-up M6 hardware
  • Internal cable routing for dropper post, brake, shifter, and lights
  • Mounts for fenders, front rack, and bottle cages (two on Medium and Large, one on Small)
  • Stable dual-leg kickstand for your loading convenience
  • Sturdy, full-size wheels and large-volume 27.5 x 2.5” ExtraTerrestrial tires
  • Meets UL 2849, and UL 2271 certification

Bike Capabilities

  • 5/5 with Easy Storage Easy Storage: 5 out of 5
  • 4/5 with Car Replacement Car Replacement: 4 out of 5
  • 4/5 with Hauling Hauling: 4 out of 5
  • 4/5 with Off Road Off Road: 4 out of 5
  • 5/5 with Electric Assist Electric Assist: 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.

Surly Skid Loader bike three-quarter front view in parking lot
Surly Skid Loader, detail view of Bosch handlebar power display
Surly Skid Loader, person riding on pavement, focus on frame
Surly Skid Loader close up of Bosch motor and dual leg kickstand
Surly Skid Loader frame detail, seat tube scarab decal
Surly Skid Loader rear rack detail
Person riding Surly Skid Loader on urban street at sunset
Surly Skid Loader drive side rear dropout detail

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Where to Buy

Surly Skid Loader bike, side view on white background

Specifications

Frameset

Frame
100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, TIG welded, E.D. coated
Fork
100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, double-butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, E.D. coated
Color
Bathwater Gray

Components

Headset
Cane Creek ViscoSet/40 series
Stem
Kalloy 4-bolt 31.8 mm clamp
Handlebar
Surly Terminal Bar
Grips/Bar Tape
Velo Grips
Seatpost
Trans-X Dropper Post, 120 mm/400 mm
Saddle
WTB Volt

Drivetrain

Drive Unit
Bosch Performance Cargo Drive Unit (20 mph)
E-Bike Classification
Class 1
Drive Type
Mid-Drive
Max Assist Speed
20 mph
Motor Torque
85Nm
Range Estimate

Peruse the Bosch E-bike Range Calculator to learn how you can extend your bike’s range.

Assist Levels
Four Ride Assist Levels: Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo
Walk Assist
Yes
Max Motor Assist
600W
Throttle
No
Gross Payload
400 lb. max weight capacity (rider plus cargo)
Battery Capacity Watt Hours
500 Wh
Battery Power Volts
N/A
Removable Battery
Yes
Estimated Charge Time
2–7.5 hours
Charger Included
Yes
Lights Included
No
Front Derailleur
N/A
Rear Derailleur
microSHIFT Advent X 10-speed
Cassette
microSHIFT Advent X H-Series 10-speed, 11-48t
Chain
TAYA 10-speed
Crankset
FSA Mega Arm set for Bosch, with FSA Mega Ring Steel, 38t
Shifter
microSHIFT Advent X Pro
Brakes & Rotors
Tektro 4-piston M745, Tektro 6-bolt 180 mm
Bottom Bracket
N/A

Wheels

Front Hub
Novatec thru-axle, 36h, 15 x 110mm
Rear Hub
Novatec HG spline cassette hub, sealed bearing, thru-axle, 36h, 12 x 148 mm
Spokes
Stainless 14g
Rim
WTB i35 27.5 HTZ, 36h
Tires
Surly ExtraTerrestrial 27.5 x 2.5", Tubeless Ready, 60tpi

Complete bike spec subject to change

MY23 Skid Loader Geo
units:

Select a few bike sizes to compare.

SIZE SM MD LG
Rider Height 4'11"–6'0" 1498.6–1828.8 5'3"–6'3" 1600.2–1905 5'6"–6'6" 1676.4–1981.2
Reach 14.7 373 15.8 401 16.9 428
Stack 23.3 593 24.3 616 25.2 640
Head Tube Angle 69° 69° 69°
Head Tube Length 6.3 160 7.3 185 8.3 210
Seat Tube Length 17.5 445 17.5 445 19.7 500
BB Drop 2.4 60 2.4 60 2.4 60
Wheelbase 45.4 1153 46.8 1190 48.3 1226
Chainstay Length 20.9 530 20.9 530 20.9 530
Top Tube Length, Effective 22.0 560 23.4 595 24.8 630
Seat Tube Angle 72.5° 72.5° 72.5°
Standover Height 27.9 709 29.3 743 30.7 780
Stem Length 2.4 60 2.8 70 3.1 80
Stem Angle 7° 7° 7°
Handlebar Width 28.3 718 28.9 735 28.9 735
Crank Length 6.7 170 6.9 175 6.9 175
Fork Length 16.5 420 16.5 420 16.5 420
Fork Rake 2.0 50 2.0 50 2.0 50

Standover height measured at the center of the TT and based on a wheel diameter of 714.5mm

Frame Construction

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

Fork Construction

100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, double-butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, E.D. coated

Rear Hub Spacing

12 x 148mm (Surly axle included)

Front Hub Spacing

15 x 110mm (Surly axle included)

Rear Brake

Disc - 74mm Post (180-203mm rotor)

Front Brake

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

Headtube

Ø34mm

Steerer Tube

Ø28.6mm (1-1/8")

Crown Race

Ø30mm (1-1/8")

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

EC34/28.6

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

EC34/30

Seat Collar

Ø33.1mm

Seatpost

Ø30.9mm

Tire Clearance Frame [1]/[2]

26 x 2.6–3.0" w/o fender
26 x 2.6–2.8" w/ fender
27.5 x 2.0–2.8" w/o fender
27.5 x 2.0–2.6" w/ fender
29 x 1.5–2.2" w/o fender
29 x 1.5–2.0" w/ fender

Tire Clearance Fork [1]

26 x 2.5–3.0" w/o fender
26 x 2.5–2.8" w/ fender
27.5 x 2.0–2.8" w/o fender
27.5 x 2.0–2.6" w/ fender
29 x 1.5–2.2" w/o fender
29 x 1.5–2.0" w/ fender

Rigid Fork Spec

420 x 50mm

Bottle Mounts Frame

1 Standard (S); 2 Standard (M–L)

Bottle Mounts Fork

Two 4-pack mounts

Rack Mounts Frame

Yes (M6 bosses for dedicated rack)

Rack Mounts Fork

Yes (upper, lower, and mid-blade threaded)

Fender Mounts Frame

Yes

Fender Mounts Fork

Yes

Other Features

Kickstand plate; Internal cable routing for dropper post, brake, derailleur and light; Dual Bosch PowerPack Battery 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 the frame.

Support

Frame Warranty

LIMITED WARRANTY

This Surly product is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for three years from the date of retail purchase of the product, subject to the limitations detailed below. Save your dated receipt for proof of purchase.

This warranty does NOT cover the following:

  • Damage due to improper assembly or follow-up maintenance or lack of skill, competence or experience of the user or assembler
  • Products that have been modified, neglected, used in competition or for commercial purposes, misused or abused, involved in accidents or anything other than normal use
  • Installation of components, parts or accessories not originally intended for or compatible with bicycle as sold
  • Damage or deterioration to the paint, surface finish, aesthetics or appearance of the product
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Labor required to remove and/or refit and re-adjust the product within the bicycle assembly

This limited warranty is expressly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective product, at the option of Surly, and is the sole remedy of the warranty. This limited warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the Surly product and is not transferrable. This warranty applies only to products purchased through an authorized dealer or distributor. In no event shall Surly be liable for any loss, inconvenience or damage, whether direct, incidental, consequential, or otherwise resulting from breach of any express or implied warranty or condition, of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise with respect to our products except as set forth herein.

This limited warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights, and those rights and other rights may vary from place to place. This limited warranty does not affect your statutory rights.

TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THESE WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND THERE ARE NO OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.