The Conundrum. It’s our unicycle frame for those wanting a Large Marge/Endomorph 3.7-compatible unicycle.

Why would anyone want to ride a unicycle? What’s the point of riding one wheel, when riding two wheels is arguably faster and easier? There are lots of reasons; here are a few: 1. The pure challenge and satisfaction of learning to ride make it enjoyable. Once you’ve experienced the feeling of accomplishment from riding 3 meters on your own, you’ll be pushing yourself to ride 5 meters, then 10, then 30, then around the block. Pretty soon, you’ll be measuring your goals in kilometers instead of meters. And once you learn to ride a uni, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever lose the skill. 2. It is great exercise. More muscles are used for unicycling than bicycling, because of the inherent balance elements that are introduced. Spinning one wheel across town, or over your favorite single-track, is going to give you a good workout. 3. It’s very portable. The weight of the heaviest production unicycle is rarely over 8kg (17.6 lbs). It will fit in a car without disassembly. And it can fly with you as checked luggage without incurring extra charges if it’s packed correctly. 4. Generally speaking, unicycling is not equipment-intensive and, therefore, not expensive compared to bicycling with the same quality of components. 5. It’s a complement to other physical activities that you participate in. Your balance and coordination will definitely improve as you spend time on one wheel. This increased control translates to bicycling, snowboarding, skiing, skating, etc.

If you open your mind to possibilities and put aside common stereotypes, you’ll realize that unicycle riding is for all types of people…not just jugglers, acrobats, and clowns. Unicyclist come from every age group, every social, economic, and racial background. Most unicycles get used for cruising around the neighborhood, but many have toured the globe, while others have rolled over some extremely technical off-road trails and stunts…stuff that most bicyclist wouldn’t attempt to ride. Unicycles are ridden on pavement, dirt, slickrock, and snow. Most types of terrain and trails explored by bicyclists have also enticed unicyclists. That being said, we thought it would be appropriate to offer a one-wheeled vehicle that can provide the fat-tired stability and durability that Surly bicycle framesets are known for.

The Conundrum will be offered in two sizes: 24" and 26". Both are designed to use a Large Marge rim with a Magura hydraulic rim brake. You don’t have to use our rim; rims from other manufacturers will certainly work. But the dedicated Magura mounts are spaced to accommodate a 65mm-wide rim. You don’t have to use a brake; some riders like ’em—some don’t. We simply give you the option. Of course, we made room for the widest production bicycle tire on the market…the Surly Endomorph 3.7. The Endomorph is only offered in the 26" size at this time, but the 24" Conundrum was designed to accept a 24 x 3.7" tire when this size becomes available. A 24" x 3.0" DH tire is recommended in the mean time.

The Conundrum was designed with the same functionality and durability criteria that we use when bringing any of our frames to life. The frame is constructed from 4130 CroMoly, of course. The legs were formed, to our specifications, to fit into our own investment cast bearing clamps. The seat tube will accept a 28.6mm seatpost, and we’ll include seatpost shims to accommodate 27.2mm and 22.2mm seatposts as well. Our bearing clamps have a 42mm I.D. that work with stock Kris Holm hub bearings. We’ll include the appropriate shims for 41.28mm (1-5/8") O.D. Profile hub bearings and the 40mm O.D. bearings used on many brands of hubs. By including a number of seatpost shims and bearing shims, we give you the freedom to use many brands and sizes of components to build up your Surly rig. That’s the Surly way. Like our frames and forks, the Conundrum will be powdercoated \to protect it from abrasion and corrosion. We’ll even include a 31.8mm Surly Constrictor seatpost clamp to keep your perch in check.

Are you intrigued? Do you have what it takes to roll some some solo fat rubber? Do you want to try something new? Do you want a uni that will go where others can’t? Yes? Well, it looks like the Conundrum is the vehicle for you.