Top

Reader’s Ride(s) – Nigel’s Customized Moonlander

nigel-moonlander

Nigel from Ontario, Canada sent us yesterday’s Wallpaper Wednesday photo and we had to know more about his rig so I pinged him to get the scoop on his build. Here is the skinny!

It all started at the 2012 Toronto bike trade show. I test rode a the Surly Moonlander, and was sold in 20-seconds of riding. Influenced by my R/C scale rock crawling truck build, I concocted my custom Moonlander in a similar way…Tough Steel Rig!

This bike is the funnest bike I’ve ever had. It, and my recent re-disovering of old trail playgrounds, has made this year one of my best cycling years ever. Can’t wait for the snow to cover them… and the beach-riding, never was able to enjoy that before on my past race bikes…

Here is the build list:

  • Surly Moonlander Frame & Fork
  • Surly MWOD Cranks
  • Surly Clown-Shoe Rims
  • Surly Bud & Lou Tires
  • Ghetto Tubeless (No Foam Strip, Just The Split-Tube And Stan’s).
  • Thompson Elite Seatpost
  • Thompson Elite X4 Stem
  • Brooks Saddle
  • Hope Headseat
  • Hope Bottom Bracket
  • Hope Fatsno Front Hub
  • Hope Pro-2 Evo Rear Hub
  • Hope “Stealth” V4 Clamps / Tech Levers / Vented 203Mm Rotors
  • Hope Seat Clamp
  • Hope Space Doctor
  • Hope Caliper Mounts “G” & “B”
  • XTR Rear Derailleur W/Titanium Jockey Wheels
  • XTR Front Derailleur
  • XTR Shifters
  • XTR Cog & Chain
  • Every Fastener is Titanium (Because Parts Are Only As Good As The Bolts Holding Them Together).
  • Cages (Some Cheapies, To Match Brazed-Caged Items).
  • Handlebars (Generic Flats For Now, Hopefully Thompson Ti’s In The Future).
  • Oury Grips (Old Favourites).
  • Custom Brazed Caged Headlights, And Cargo Storage
Here is a look at the custom brazed light cage. R/C crawler building comes in handy on fat-bikes as well!

Here is a look at the custom brazed light cage. R/C crawler building comes in handy on fat-bikes as well!

light-cage2

 

Have you got a fat-bike that you’d like to see gracing the pages of this here website? Say no more and send an email, with photos, to readersrides@fat-bike.com! We’d love to see your rig!

,

11 Responses to Reader’s Ride(s) – Nigel’s Customized Moonlander

  1. Olov Stenlund August 22, 2013 at 10:43 am #

    It´s just… i mean like… i was gonna say, eh.. Just WOW! Wow dude!

  2. RobB August 22, 2013 at 11:46 am #

    Definitely a COOL Moonlander! How much does that bad boy tip the scale at? Gotta be 30+ lbs. Either way an awesome ride.

    On a side note, how are the Hope Rotors with the shimano brakes? Quiet or noisy?

  3. Dave Druhan August 22, 2013 at 11:49 am #

    What beach/beaches do you ride? Sweet custom light setup Nigel!

  4. RobB August 22, 2013 at 11:50 am #

    By the way, nothing ghetto about that tubeless conversion in my eyes. Personally, I think that it was an ingenious idea that somebody thought of. 🙂

    Sweet Ride!

  5. Nigel August 22, 2013 at 9:19 pm #

    Thanx Fellas.

    -40lbs all up, and it’s momentum really helps over rooted trails.
    -Shimano?
    -Usually between Oshawa & Whitby on the beach.
    -Agreed! Ghetto tubeless is an awesome idea.

    Thanx again.

    • Dave Druhan August 23, 2013 at 11:29 am #

      Cool I am up in Ottawa and would like to try my fatty on a beach some time

  6. Marek August 26, 2013 at 2:43 pm #

    Please more pics, details! The best bike I’ve ever seen.

  7. steven August 31, 2013 at 8:51 am #

    Great rid Nigel, like the headlamps, also, look great! Thanks for the build list also, very helpful. Intersted in building bike – can you share the $ for this build?

  8. sean September 6, 2013 at 10:15 pm #

    Hey Nigel sick rig! I am putting together a Carver O’beast with front carver suspension and almost identical set up to you there and it will post in about a month. Was hoping to get the same front grill headlight setup for it. Any thoughts? Feel free to contact me.

  9. Derek October 30, 2013 at 8:48 pm #

    Nigel,
    Love your bike, especially light cage. Would be VERY interested in getting one for my Pugsly. Feel free to contact me.

    Derek

  10. Jefferson November 15, 2015 at 11:56 pm #

    Nigel, let me revive this thread as your bike is really sick. Maybe wanna share more info about custom brazed light cage.

Leave a Reply to RobB Click here to cancel reply.