04/22/2026
Testing the New Surly Sorceress
This week, our friend Spencer brought in the new Surly Sorceress and kindly let me borrow it for a test ride over the weekend.
I took it to my favorite proving ground, the 50 Year Trail system in Catalina. The trail is packed with slick rock, jumps, technical climbs, and fast descents. As a fan of slacked-out hardtails, I had a blast. The Sorceress reminded me of my Kona Honzo ST; the short chainstays make it snappy, while the long front end feels stable on descents. I felt incredibly confident on this bike.
I was particularly impressed by the stock tires and the SRAM Eagle Transmission spec’d on this build. On the downside, I wasn't a fan of the stock saddle or handlebars, and I noticed a lack of mounting options for bottles and racks. While it isn't designed specifically for bikepacking, I think it would perform well on demanding routes like the AZT.
Overall, I’m stoked that Surly created a hardtail that is this much fun to ride. It’s a bike that can handle just about any trail in Tucson with ease.
-Jake
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