Building the "Best" Surly Midnight Special YouTube Series

Building the "Best" Surly Midnight Special

At Ottawa Bike and Trail, we love the creative process of building a bike from scratch. There’s nothing quite like starting with a bare frame, researching, and hand-picking every component to create something truly special. Our latest build project is no exception—we’re building what we believe is the “Best” Surly Midnight Special. But before you ask, what does “Best” actually mean?

The "Best" is Personal

The best bike isn’t about having the lightest frame, the fanciest components, or the biggest price tag. The best bike is the one that fits your needs, your riding style, and your vision for the perfect ride. For us, the Best Surly Midnight Special is one that blends comfort and the ability to handle any road surface. And for this build, we also want it to turn heads. When we first saw the Fool’s Gold colorway on the latest stock Surly Midnight Special, we wanted to see what it would look like with all silver components. So, this bike will feature some of our favorite parts in shiny silver finishes.

Parts Available at Ottawa Bike and Trail

And here’s the best part: Everything we use in this build is available at Ottawa Bike and Trail. If you’re inspired by this project, you can pick up the same components and build your own Midnight Special—or take it in a completely different direction. We’ll have links to all the parts below.

Need Help with Your Build? We’ve Got You Covered

Want to build your own bike but not sure where to start? We offer a custom build consultation service to help you make your bike your own. Whether you need guidance selecting the right parts or want a full build assembled by our expert mechanics, we’re here to make sure you get the best ride possible—your version of the best. It all starts with a consultation appointment. We’ll get on the phone with you, discuss your needs, and put together a full plan for you.

Follow Along

We’re excited to share this build with you, and we’ll be documenting every step on our YouTube channel and social media. Follow along to see how the project unfolds, and let us know in the comments what your “Best” Surly Midnight Special would look like!

Part 1: The Build Process

In the first part of our Building the Best Surly Midnight Special series, we start with a raw frameset and install some of the most essential components, including the headset, fork, crankset, handlebars, and seatpost.

Part 2: Wheels, Tires,  and Pedals

Part 3: The Final Build

Part 4: First Ride and Honest Review