Surge Stunts Subframe + 12 Bar V2 on My Surron: The Upgrade That Changes the Bike’s Balance
December 19, 2023
If you’ve spent any time trying to level up wheelies or learn stunt control on a Surron Light Bee, you already know the rear of the bike is both the magic and the weak point. The stock subframe is light, but it’s also the part I least want to trust when I’m putting real body weight on the back of the bike, scraping, looping, or just tipping over in the learning phase.
So I went all-in on the Surge Stunts combo: their heavy-duty subframe plus the Surge 12 Bar (I tested the V2, and also got time on a V1 setup for comparison). After installing and riding it, the biggest takeaway is simple: it doesn’t just add stunt hardware—it changes the way the whole bike balances and feels when the front wheel is up.
A quick overview: what this setup is
The Surge Stunts subframe replaces the OEM rear subframe with a much more robust steel design. It’s built in Kosha, Wisconsin, and it’s made specifically to be the mounting foundation for Surge’s 12 Bar.
The Surge 12 Bar V2 mounts to that subframe and is designed around weight distribution and rider interface: rear pegs, foot rests, and a geometry that supports stunt riding and repeated impacts.
One important note up front: the 12 Bar requires the Surge subframe to mount. If you want the bar, the subframe isn’t optional.
Install experience
The install was straightforward and felt purpose-built. Everything lined up the way I wanted it to, and the end result cleaned up the back of the bike more than I expected.
One thing I really liked: by going to this subframe setup, it deletes a bunch of the plastic pieces under the seat that tend to crack and break. The OEM layout back there feels like it was never meant to be a contact point. This setup clearly is.
I also saw it play nicely with common real-world mods. A bike I worked on with lowering brackets didn’t create install drama, and an aftermarket rear light still mounted up clean and flush.
The tradeoff is weight. This subframe is more robust and it adds weight compared to stock. The good news is that the extra mass sits under/behind you—exactly where it can help balance rather than just feel like dead weight.
V1 vs V2: what actually changes
I got time riding both configurations, and the differences are the kind you notice more after a few attempts at the same stunt rather than staring at parts in your garage.
One-piece vs modular feel
The V1 is a one-piece 12 bar assembly with bolt-on pegs, and it uses a replaceable bracket concept so if you bend a bracket in a crash, you can swap that piece instead of replacing the entire bar.
The V2 keeps the same general idea but feels like it takes rigidity more seriously—especially around the peg area thanks to additional cross bracing. In normal riding you won’t care, but in the real world (where crashes and tip-overs are part of progression) that extra stiffness matters.
Foot support changes
The V2 adds more foot positioning support. Instead of a single foot brace point, you’ve got two options that better accommodate different leg lengths and stance preferences. On the bike, that translates to easier experimentation: I can move between positions without feeling like I’m improvising with a dangling leg.
Wheel size fitment slots
The subframe includes adjustable mounting slots to accommodate different wheel setups (17 or 19 inch), and it can also accommodate 16 and 17 inch wheel sets. In practice, that means you can push the bar position forward/back depending on your tire/wheel setup and where you want the rear contact point to sit.
How it rides: the part that surprised me
The first thing I noticed wasn’t the pegs—it was the balance.
More balanced in wheelies
With the subframe and 12 bar on, the bike immediately felt more evenly weighted. Instead of feeling like everything is concentrated around the battery area, I felt more support and stability over the rear end.
In a wheelie, that gave me a wider balance point and made it easier to drop the bike back under control. It felt less twitchy and more “set,” like the bike wanted to live in that controlled rear-biased zone instead of constantly threatening to fall out of it.
Rear pegs + foot rests = real options
Once I stepped onto the rear pegs, the setup felt solid and confidence-inspiring. The foot rest/bracket is the kind of thing that sounds minor until you’re actually learning: it gives you more stable positions to work from, and it makes practicing less sketchy because your body has a predictable place to go.
That convenience matters when you’re putting in repetition. It’s not about looking cool—it’s about making the bike easier to manage while you build skill.
Scrapes and contact points
I didn’t feel like the scrape position was compromised. The brackets and pegs are placed in a way that still lets the bike do what a 12 bar bike should do.
And when the bike goes down (because it will), the rear pegs are also a layer of protection. They’re a first point of contact that can help keep the frame from taking the hit.
Seat rigidity and “rear confidence”
Another underrated benefit: the back of the seat area felt more rigid. When you’re doing anything that loads the rear—seat stander-type movements or just aggressive transitions—it’s reassuring not to feel like the tail is going to flex or give up.
Who this is really for
This setup is very clearly aimed at stunt riders.
If you mostly cruise, commute, or hit mellow trails, you may not get the full value out of a reinforced subframe plus a dedicated 12 bar system. It’s an investment, and it pays you back the most when your riding style includes repeated rear impacts, practicing wheelies, learning tricks, and accepting that the bike will take some hits along the way.
Also, none of this magically makes anyone a better rider. What it does is make the platform more supportive, more consistent, and more crash-tolerant—so you can put in the seat time with fewer “I hope this doesn’t bend” moments.
What We Like
The bike feels more balanced in wheelies, with a wider, more confidence-inspiring balance point
Rear peg/foot support gives me more stable positions to learn from and progress faster
The subframe is dramatically more robust than stock and feels built for real abuse
Modular/repair-friendly approach makes crashes less financially terrifying
Deletes fragile under-seat plastics that tend to crack and break
Things To Consider
Added weight is real (though I liked where that weight ended up for balance)
This is a specialized stunt-focused upgrade; casual riders may not see the same payoff
The 12 bar requires the Surge Stunts subframe—budget accordingly
It’s still on you to put in the practice time; parts don’t replace technique
Final Thoughts
After installing and riding the Surge Stunts subframe and 12 Bar V2, I get why so many dedicated Surron stunt riders treat this kind of setup like a foundation mod. The bike feels more stable when it matters most, the rear end feels like it can take punishment, and the added foot/peg options make progression feel less sketchy and more repeatable.
If your riding includes wheelies, scrapes, and learning tricks (and you’re honest about the fact that the bike will hit the ground), this is the kind of upgrade that changes the experience—not just the look.
Links
Surge Stunts (promo code Sully for 5% off): https://www.surgestunts.com/
Surge Sully: https://www.instagram.com/surge_sully/
Want a discount on your Gladiator?: https://chibatterysystems.com/?ref=KcwIhYRqEg8OK (or use promo code RUNPLAYBACK)
Surron Aero Wheel Covers (coupon 10% off: RUNPLAYBACK): https://evraceworks.com/products/surron-aero-wheel-covers
Beyond Riders: https://beyondriders.com/?ref=gHuZWag3 (coupon code $10 off: RUNPLAYBACK)
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GritShift Wheelie Guard: https://gritshift.com/products/short-fuse-wheelie-guard
SurRonShop Lowering Brackets: https://www.surronshop.com/stranica-tovara/seat-lowering-brackets
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Sur-Ron X 64T Precision CNC Sprocket: https://lunacycle.com/sur-ron-64t-precision-cnc-sprocket/
Deity Highside 760 Handlebars (80mm): https://www.deitycomponents.com/store/p412/DEITY_HIGHSIDE_760_HANDLEBAR_%2F%2F%2F_80mm_RISE.html
Funn Direct Mount Stem: https://amzn.to/3BrZFN0
Bell Super 3R MIPS Bike Helmet: https://amzn.to/3TJ1vTR
Fox Racing Bike Gloves: https://amzn.to/40P5SyQ
Surpassme Moto Grips (alt link): https://amzn.to/3mDGVpc
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Shimano H03C Metallic Disc Brake: https://amzn.to/3APZRoj
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/