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4.65/5
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31
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More Products from Surly
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Description:The Karate Monkey is all about big wheels and versatility. Build it up as a 700c mountain bike, cyclocross bike, commuter, or backcountry tourer. Create your ideal Frankenstein.
We decided to produce a 29er because we thought we could make improvements on the current designs from other manufacturers, while offering a unique, quality frameset at a Surly price. Mission accomplished.
Tubing:
100% Surly 4130 cro-moly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG welded
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Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | My friend sold it to me | | Strengths: | This review is for the campstove green Karate Monkey (2004?)
Surly frames are solid. They sure aren't light, but they're built to last. They're inexpensive. They're well engineered. Surly has good customer service. The KM can be run single speed or with gears, discs or rim brakes. It is highly versatile. I haven't ridden another 29er, so i can't compare it's performance. | | Weaknesses: | All but the most recent models of the Karate Monkey don't have sufficient downtube clearance for modern suspension forks. My model included. (As an aside, i fixed this by buying a Chris King headset and a Ventana crown spacer speciallly designed for King headsets. The fork crown just clears!) | | Similar Products Used: | None really. | | Bike Setup: | Single speed with shimano disc in front, v-brakes in back, avid levers. Hugi front hub with a delgado rim, surly rear hub with delgado rim. | | Bottom Line: | I like this frame a lot. I bought it to use as a winter commuter and summer mountain bike. The option to use disc/rim brakes is nice, as is being able to add a rear derailleur. The frame isn't light but it'll keep on rollin after you bash it into a tree. Surly frames are well engineered and it shows.
The one problem with this particular model year of the frame is a lack of downtube clearance for newer suspension forks.
I'd recommend this bike to anyone. I like it! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike J.
a Racer
from JC,MO
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Too many | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | bought it from a friend already built up... | | Strengths: | Steel is real baby, and the geometry is flawless, IMO. | | Weaknesses: | As far as I've seen, this bike has none, and I have put it through the paces this last year, even riding it up in CO last summer. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher 29er, Dos Niner, RIP Niner | | Bike Setup: | Rigid, FSA Bars, SS, THompsoned fore and aft, WTB Silverado, Racelite wheels | | Bottom Line: | This bike is damn amazing! I don't understand how anyone can think this bike is anything like a tank, other than the fact that it's probably tougher than a tank, but I digress. I'm a 150-60 lb rider and my bike probably weighs in around 24-5 lb range, maybe lower as I haven't weighed it lately. The fact is, it handles in tight singletrack as well as any other 29er I've rode, and probably better than any 26er I've rode. As mentioned above, I took this bad boy up to CO this last summer and rode multiple black diamond trails on it rigid (yes, people around winter park and red rock thought I was insane) and this mfer soaked up all the punishment I could give to it. IMO you can't get a more versatile, well made bike with out going custom. Plus, can you really beat a steel frame that you can build up for a sub 25 lb bike? SURLY is an American company that will never sell out, unlike some others (I won't call anyone out). Why are you still here? Go buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig W
a Weekend Warrior
from Tulsa Oklahoma USA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | still looking | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$345.00 | | Purchased At: | Frame @ Jenson build parts, Jenson Cambria, Peter White, LBS | | Strengths: | Strength, Look, Ride, Versatility | | Weaknesses: | Difficult to remove rear wheel with Disks | | Similar Products Used: | 1st 29er bought/built after test riding a few
previous rides include Tech, Specialized, Puegot, etc. | | Bike Setup: | XT/LX drive, LX wet brakes with combo levers,Thompson Stem, Cane Creek, Easton Post, Profile Bars, Oury grip, Big Apples mounted on Mavics, Kona Jacksh t pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, and the near all black with silver spokes looks sharp. I've yet to test the Schwalbe tires on anything challenging as of yet but look forward to it. It just fits and responds like no other bike i've had.
I would race this bike in the old fart class without hesitation, great all around bike for anyone though. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Decorah, Iowa
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | South Mountain, Phoenix | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | DNA cycles, Mesa, AZ | | Strengths: | acceleration, short wheelbase, track drop-outs, lack of EBB, versatility, plus it's a surly so you know it's the coolest thing on the trail. I feel it is superior to any other 29er | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket is a bit low, 73mm bottom brackets can be tough to find when using old square taper cranks. | | Similar Products Used: | none, first niner | | Bike Setup: | rigid 1x9 xtr, mary bars, old school rf turbine cranks, blackspire bashguard, chris king, bb7s, thomson stem and post, 2.3 rampages all blacked out | | Bottom Line: | Pretty much everything you've read about 29er's is true, they're amazing. I bought one because they are a do it all machine and that's a plus for a (somewhat) frugal college student. I like the fact that I can put road and cyclocross tires on it too. I may take it on RAGBRAI this year. Get out there and ride peoples! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Groove Daddy
a Weekend Warrior
from Roseville, MN USA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Reservoir Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | One on One Studio | | Strengths: | Durable, responsive and compliant frame. Very smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | None yet! | | Similar Products Used: | None since my childhood Dyno Detour. As far as MTB goes, this is my first 29", first rigid bike, first steel frame, first single speed. My other MTB is a full-sus geared aluminum 26". | | Bike Setup: | Rigid single speed, Stylo cranks, King HS, Mavic rims and Surly hubs, Shimano rim brakes with Avid levers, Salsa bar and stem. Some skinny cross tires for commuting. | | Bottom Line: | Since 2001 I have been riding a high-end FS geared 26", and although I love that bike, over time I began to be drawn to the aesthetic of simplicity that single speed bikes have. I also decided that I wanted to commute to work via bike, and so my search for a do-it-all bike began. I initially had my heart set on a Surly 1x1, but was convinced by a friend that my 8-mile commute (from Roseville to downtown Minneapolis) would be easier on a bike with bigger wheels. He recommended cross bikes like the Bianchi San Jose and the Surly Crosscheck, but since I will always be a mountain biker at heart, I couldn't quite swallow the idea of buying one of those. I wanted a bike that was burly enough to handle serious trails, but would also make a decent commuter through all of the Minnesota seasons. I began looking into 29ers, and finally settled on the Karate Monkey.
So how does it ride?? Like a dream, man!! It is smooth like nothing I have experienced before. Not squishy and plush like my FS, just...smooth! I was a bit nervous about the rigid fork, but to my surprise it is nowhere near as jarring as I expected. Maybe this is what people mean by the "feel of steel"? Whatever it is, I am sold on the rigid/steel/singlespeed/29" thing!
On another note, many reviewers have described this frame as being heavy. Maybe I'm just used to a heavy FS bike, but the Karate Monkey feels light to me. I am not the world's strongest climber, but I have gotten this bike up some hills that previously gave me trouble. What's more, the KM feels snappy and responsive; far from the lumbering tank that some people have described it as being. Maybe the snap is in part due to the rigid fork?
Before I bought the KM I also looked at other 29" bikes like the Raleigh XXIX and Redline Mono. They were appealing due to the low price, but ultimately do not compare to the quality of the KM frame.
I have been commuting on the KM for a few weeks now, and have ridden it on some of my favorite trails. I love this bike and will be riding it for a long time to come, and would recommend it to anybody who wants a do-it-all bike that actually does it all very well! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike D.
a Cross Country Rider
from NorCal
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Steel frame absorbs shock well. The curved seat tube shortens the wheelbase about 1" relative to what it would be if it were straight. So the total wheelbase is only about 1/2" longer than my Surly 1X1. Overall, a very well thought out frame that's worth every penny of the $400 it cost me. | | Weaknesses: | The frame is on the heavy side. But, Surly doesn't care so why should I? | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first 29er. I have owned about 5 26er's in my time though. | | Bike Setup: | 8 speed, 100 mm White Brothers Magic 29, Avid BB7 discs, ... overall it comes in just under 30 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | Most set up their Monkeys as rigid single speeds. I've ridden a Surly 1X1 for the past 2 years and it was time for a change. By the way, the 1X1 was tough to give up.
This bike rips. I rode it rigid for the first dozen or so rides. Rigid, it was like a big and bad motocross bike.
I've had the 100mm fork for about another dozen rides. Personally, I like the suspension fork better than a rigid fork. Especially since the White Brothers Magic 29 is so tuneable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mathias Malak
a
from Miami
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Price and stickers dont come off easily | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | built up | | Bottom Line: | This is the best 29er frame out there for a fully rigid ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan O
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | the one I'm riding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$ | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Design, powdercoat, steel, strong, fast, plush, cool, unique. A product designed by cyclists for cyclists. Surly customer support is as great as their products..great people, great bikes, great service. | | Weaknesses: | Bicycle does not come with extra time for riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Waterloo made, hard tail aluminum 26" | | Bike Setup: | Single speed, disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | There is only one thing I like riding more than this bicycle! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Choke
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA, United States
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mission Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeman.com | | Strengths: | Versatility & It's Black! | | Weaknesses: | Offers too many options, if that can be a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Rigid, Single speed 34x20, On One Midge flared drop bar, WTB Dual Duty rims, Deore hubs, IRC Notos 29 x 2.05 tires, spd's, Planet X Uranus saddle, Dimension cyclocross cranks, Forte single speed convo kit, XT v-brakes, Dia Compe V287 brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | Great value, climbs like a goat, flies down descents. I love it. You can set it up however you want: geared, single, cantilevers, v-brakes, disc brakes. I don't think it really gets better than this unless you NEED a true-blue racing bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Hunt
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley CA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Enchanted Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$ | | Purchased At: | Trade. First Flight Bikes. | | Strengths: | Solid build. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. Front derailleure clearance. Headset and bottom bracket shells must be chaced and faced prior to bearing instalations. Some frames you can get away with not having to chace and face but if you use a King headset or a new external bearing bottom bracket this is a must. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized 29 er. (Or is it a 700 er? ) | | Bike Setup: | Paul Motolites and Paul levers, Salsa Delgado rims, Salsa Moto Ace bar and Cromoly SUL stem, LX cranks, Chris King headset, Canadian made Syncros seatpost, Bontrager Race Day saddle, XTR hubs, frog pdals, Specailzed Fast Trak LK tires, WTB tubes, Wheelsmith 15/16 gauge spokes, Spline alloy nipples. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is blast to ride but has some quirks. The rear drop outs are kind of a pain but since I've been riding a Spot single speed for nine year you get used to it. The front derailleur set up is a struggle but Surly lists their favorite choices on their website. That said I think a lot of full sus bikes have more front derailleur issuses than the Karate Monkey.
At first I though Wes Williams of Willits bikes was out of his mind when he would wander around Interbike like John the Baptist trying to make converts but now I'm converted. I'll never own another 26" mtb again.
I now can climb steeper and looser single track trails. I can pick more techinical lines on a trail and because of the extra coosh of the fat tires I'll never own another susupension fork.
29"ers may limit smaller riders from joining the club but for all my 6'4" 160 lbs of scar material and sinew the Karate Monkey fits me fine! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damien Theo
a Cross Country Rider
from philly, pa
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | speedgoat | | Strengths: | great handling/geometry, versatility, price. | | Weaknesses: | rear disc mount a bit of a hassle to remove wheel. Front derailleur clearance. Fat rear tires (WTB 2.55) will rub if all the way in the dropout. Heavy. Standover could be lower. | | Similar Products Used: | Ventana Padrino 29er | | Bike Setup: | Reba 100mm, Midge drop bars, 1X9, 32C tires for commuting. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike and probably the best value for the dollar of any bike ever made.
Tight wheelbase and chainstays make it a fast turning and climbing bike on tight singletrack unlike other 29er slugs.
I am running a 100mm Reba but my bars are a bit lower than on other bikes. I like the handling as it is. It steers plenty fast but I want to try the 80mm fork and see how that is.
I have an extra set of wheels with road tires for commuting and I plan to throw a rack on it for grocery getting and hopefully some mountain touring.
It's simply a great bike that can do anything at an unbeatable price.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Racer
from columbia, tn usa
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | oak mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$ | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | looks great, feels right, options galore, short wheelbase performs well in tight/twisty singletrack, welds, paint (husker blue), trueness in fork and disc brake mounts | | Weaknesses: | none detected so far- weight weenies would sniff, though | | Similar Products Used: | first 29er, but i've owned cdales, scott, waltworks, derosa, airborne, and a surly crosscheck | | Bike Setup: | 07 karate monkey singlespeed and rigid- avid bb7, nokon cables, eno cranks, phil wood bb, chris king stainless headset and hubs w/stan's arch rims, crow on rear and rampage on front
| | Bottom Line: | i really wanted another waltworks, but couldn't wait. figured i could try 29 on the cheap with the KM and order custom later if i liked it. it won't be necessary- this frame/fork feels like it's worth twice what i paid for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Baker
a Racer
from Putney
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | endless | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Westhill Shop | | Strengths: | Rides lighter than it is. Strong yet forgiving frame. Love the bigger wheels. Versatile for gears and SS. | | Weaknesses: | A bit to heavy for sustained climbing. I ride it rigid and for longer rides some suspension would be nice. Hard to keep the rear wheel true. | | Similar Products Used: | My 1st 29er | | Bike Setup: | Full SRAM drivetrain, American Classic hubs laced with DT Swiss rims, Thomson Post, Ritchey WCS stem, Monkey Lite bars, XT crank | | Bottom Line: | The karate monkey is a wonderful bike for everyday riding and if racing is a priority would recommend a lighter frame or front suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TrailSlayer
a Racer
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Custom Built Myself | | Strengths: | Nice thick dropouts,bottom routed cables(good for wet wether),nice geometry- handles real well.Great price.Rides like a Surly!!! | | Weaknesses: | None-I like the extra weight of the strong 4130 cromoly steel frame.Doesn't glance off rocks and bounce around as much.I'm a strong rider and dont care about the weight issue.I just want quality materials. | | Similar Products Used: | My first 29er- my third Surly frame. | | Bike Setup: | Wheels:(Phil Wood 36 hole,wheelsmith 14g spokes, brass nips, velocity dyad hoops)Running 1x9setup. Blackspire 34tooth singlespped front ring,spot bash guard, n-gear jump stop. 12-34 tooth cassette. Sram X7 trigger shifter and rear mech.King headset, thompson stem, american classic seatpost, avid bb7 discs with ebc gold aftermarket pads.Easton ea 50 bar, oury lock on grips, maxis ignitor 2.1 tires. Using the 5mm monkey nutz to pull the rear end a bit back for mud clearance.2 coats of JP weigle frame saver on the inside.Its a size small frame Im 5'7" have no toe overlap issues. | | Bottom Line: | I've been itchin to try a 29er for a while, but was just so content on my Surly 1x1 singlespeed and other rides.I found for myself a 1x9 setup is definetly the way to go.I wanted gears in the back for epic rides but a singlering in the front, because frankly I believe front derailluers are evil. Like many have described I was blown away how much my climbing improved with the bigger tires.These things just roll over rocks that used to knock my front end all around.My 26 SS still rips the doors off the Monkey in tight, twisty , technical singletrack no matter what others say about a 29er handling just as well- they are simply amatuer riders whom are not riding agressively in the first place.I dig the rigid fork. On my 26" ride I ditched the rigid fork after 2 weeks, but with the longer length of the fork combined with the bigger tires, I haven't wanted to put a suspension on my 29er yet and its been a while since Ive had it.Its not a bike that tears through trails anyhow- its more of a high speed longer distance smoother riding XC trail bike- the kind that gives you a killer cardio workout and takes you many many miles from the trailhead. Overall I really like the Karate Monkey and it rode how I expected it would.Its gonna be a keeper. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Weekend Warrior
from OKC
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$ | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Customer service, Flat out flies in the rough and for a bigger guy, I dont really notice any flex. | | Weaknesses: | if you run suspension, on the older model KM the fork hits the downtube, also if you run gears, front derallieurs are finicky, If you have the money get a King bolt on hub. It really eliminates any hasel with the Monkey Nuts. | | Similar Products Used: | First 29er | | Bike Setup: | Sram XO twistys, XO rear der, Xgen front der, White Brothers magic 80, thomson stem & seatpost, king headset, Specialized Sworks carbon riser bar, Avid juicy 5 brakes, Truvativ Stylo GXP crank, if you havent noticed ANTI SHIMANO, Dt TK 7.1 rims with Supercomp spokes | | Bottom Line: | If you are interested in 29ers get a monkey. You wont be disappointed and if you ever get another bike, keep the monkey and build it up like a townie. The bike rides great, and once you get the gremlins worked out on the set up there isnt another bike I have had experience with that beats it. Overall I wont be getting rid of mine for some time to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
M@rco
a Cross Country Rider
from TORINO - ITALY
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | Price, the feel of the steel. | | Weaknesses: | ABSOLUTELY not for use with a front FORK !!! You will have 68 degree Head tube angle, not good handling for 29er !!! Rear dropout not the best ... | | Similar Products Used: | Zion 29er, Fisher Paragon 29er | | Bike Setup: | Geared | | Bottom Line: | I like the feel of the steel but I must use this frame with rigid fork because with REBA 80mm I loose all the handling and the front wheel go everywhere on hillclimb.
Anyway I use it with rigid fork and have a very good traction on every huphill with rocks and roots too, but
not to go downhill on the same single track if you like
to go fast ...
A good frame but not exactly an XC frame to use with suspension fork. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trogdor
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT, USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Snowbowl Lookout | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Price, versatility, strength, price, and price. | | Weaknesses: | Lateral bottom bracket flex | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Specialized FSA comp, Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Rigid, baby! Surly hubs w/Salsa Delgado rims, RaceFace cranks, Avid BB7 disc brakes, Thomsen seatpost, Selle San Marco Era seat, Ritchey WCS stem, Easton EC70 flat bar, etc, etc... | | Bottom Line: | Where do I start? This bike handles like a dream. I switched from a geared/suspended aluminum hardtail and have never looked back! I was skeptical about building a rigid 29er w/disc brakes and sat through numerous assaults from my "purest" singlespeeder buds, but after it was all said and done I will never ride anything 26" again.
It climbs like a goat, it charges through singltrack like a freight train, and it blew me away when it came to navigating those poorly constructed switchbacks. This setup handles fast, steep, and rocky descents better than my Stumpchumper. And I don't have any problems with toe overlap.
Anyone who thinks that running a rigid fork will slow you down needs to get some skills. I've not noticed any difference in descents. 4130 soaks it all up, but that also comes with a cost- I've noticed that the bottom bracket really flexes under hard climbing conditions. I also strongly urge the use of a DH headset. The massive fork acts as a huge lever and will destroy a regular headset. Trust me. Lifetime warranty my butt...
When searching for a 29er frame a I spent many, many nights researching custom frames. I wanted a simple steel frame with more or less traditional geometry. I was at the time willing to spend the money. Other manufacturers always had somehting I didn't want. Fancy dropouts, or a sloping top tube, or didn't offer a steel frame, or whatever. When it came down to it I just couldn't justify spending that much money for some frame that I'd be afraid to take off the rack and ride or just plain handled like garbage. I took a gamble with a "cheap" frame and it paid off. I've seen Surly rise from a nobody company because: 1) they ride; and 2) they build study, no frills frames that can take finesse or abuse. It's your choice.
Buy the ticket, take the ride! Don't be afraid to purchase something that isn't the most expensive thing on the market. High prices often don't equal satisfaction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Chrsitchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Geometry, the elastic feel of steel, simplicity, precision of handling | | Weaknesses: | Not cheap here in NZ. | | Similar Products Used: | Assorted experiments with old 700C frames, internal geared hubs. | | Bike Setup: | Karate Monkey Large Frame, Rear Sturmey Archer 8-speed internal geared hub, front - mid 1980's Normandy road hub, WTB 2.55" Weirwolf tyres and sun rims; Tektro V-brakes; Exustar SPD pedals; Salsa crankset; no-brand flat steel bars. | | Bottom Line: | My KM purchase was the result of getting tired of all the same-same, too complex and finiky products being offered by the main makers, and that at 6'2", 220 lbs. with size 15 feet I felt like I was overpowering most of the 26" bikes - and my toes had a nasty habit of running into the front wheel when things got tight. 29ers have to be the way to go for bigger riders – even from the point of aesthetics – on a 26” bike I look like I’ve nicked some child’s ride and the 29er feels a lot more “my size” - any my toes don't foul the front tyre!
I tried assorted old 700C frames, but needed something to take a bigger-than-cyclocross tyre - enter the KM. I've been running it on the road with 48mm City-contact slicks as a great urban assault weapon/commuter with the 8-speed hub, and I’m trying out some 2.55 LT Weirwolf tyres which are the best hardpack/general XC tyres I’ve used to date: the extra volume has transformed the handling, given the bike’s unsuspended state.
Single track/XC/gravel-road touring use, with some climbing and on-trail down-hilling - have got to the age where the really vigorous and technical stuff has lost its appeal as I'm a bit slower to heal these days. The KM does very well at all of these duties – supple-yet-stiff steel frame, precise handling, easy to ride DH (if you don’t go crazy) because the wheelbase is long enough to stop it getting too skittish, but also manages to be a good climber because the rear wheel is tucked well in under you, and good at just rolling along over pretty well anything that gets in your way on the flat stuff, courtesy of the 29” wheels.
There is only one drawback: I have the feeling I'm going to get on that great upgrade path, because the bike is a fantastic test bed for anything you want to try and a delight for experimenters (embrace the inner geek!). After only a few days on the new tyres, items high on the shopping list are Rock Shox Rebas or maybe a White Brothers Magic 29 (if the budget will take it); a dual speed rear + twin chain-rings + a singleator; and maybe disc brakes. I may also need to buy a second KM to keep on the road as the first bike becomes more and more off-road dedicated.
All in all, great general purpose bike that can have pretty well anything fitted to it in the way of extras and accessories. No, it’s not the latest thing, it certainly isn’t the lightest and a low bling factor (thank God) – but it does everything at least capably, the important stuff very well and hasn’t become so specialised it is a pain to use outside it’s own small ecosystem.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Atherton, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | UC Santa Cruz | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$860.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | The best frame $400 can buy. Steel frame is strong but oh so forgiving. When you ride the bike, it handles just like a 26er; with the added benefit of the raw rolling power only 29er wheels can provide. That is to say, Surly really nailed the frame geometry. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | I trialed a Gary Fisher rig. The Monkey frame is about 1.5 lbs heavier, but the Surly steel tubing is well worth it. | | Bike Setup: | Rigid with Avid BB7 front and rear, single speed (36-18), Salsa Delgado rims, XT components for the rest. | | Bottom Line: | I've owned this bike for 1 day and have taken it for 1 ride. I plan to add gears (I already have a Surly 1x1), riser stem and bars. Later I'll add a front shock. It's unbelievable how much this bike handles like my Surly 1x1. The curved seat tube makes it all possible. Nice touch Surly, hope you patented that design. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carl service
a Cross Country Rider
from long beach, ca
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | el moro canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeman.com | | Strengths: | 29" wheels rail corners harder than any other
steel is real
short wheel base is awesome. feels like huge bmx bike | | Weaknesses: | rear disc brake configuration. front derailluer clearance. neither bothers me. i don't run discs or gears! | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | 32:16 surly hubs xtr v brakes, paul love levers, ridgid | | Bottom Line: | the karate monkey is the most amazing bike i have ever ridden. yes there are custom hand built 29ers and ti and carbon frames. whatever. for the price and the way it rides, nothing comes close to it. it is my pure bred race bike. i weigh 220 and this bike is an extension of my body. i would recommend a KM to every one. this is also my first single speed. let me tell you, single speeding has completely changed the way i look at mountain biking. it is an awesome experience. people think i'm a kook cause they don't understand SS. i try to explain it but i don't think any one that isn't a true mountain biker or cyclist will every fully understand why SS is so RAD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a
from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | | | Strengths: | Wide tire clearance, many set-up options, beefy 4130 tubing. | | Weaknesses: | Tricky to run v-brakes with fat 29er tires. | | Similar Products Used: | | | Bike Setup: | Rigid fork, 9 gears, v-brakes, Surly bars. I'm a 6'6" clyde and the XL(22") fits great. | | Bottom Line: | A rugged steel frame at a great price. You can't go wrong with anything from Surly. Buy this frame if you want something that can go from XC bike to commuter to snowbike to singlespeed to... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean Machine
a Cross Country Rider
from ohio
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | can't decide | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$247.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Versitle,strong,can run wide tires,geometry, | | Weaknesses: | takes practice fixing flats when running discs on horizonal dropouts.cable routing under bottom bracket,if using suspension fork watch out for frame clearence. | | Similar Products Used: | none first 29er | | Bike Setup: | sram attack shifter,xtr rear derailleur,2006 deore crank w super god bashring,botrager race wheelset,wtb motorapter wire bead tires w stan's notube rim strips,cane creek solos headset,avid juicy 5 disc brakes w mudcutter rotors,easton ec70 riser bars,90mm thompson elite stem,salsa seatpost w selle italia turbo matic trans am saddle,marzocchi mx pro w eta fork | | Bottom Line: | If you can accept the limitations of this frame you will love this bike.If you are going to buy a hardtail frame get a 29er.It feels like you have a suspension for most XC riding.My bike weighs 26 pounds and with a 1x9 setup climbs great,and has a very stable feeling going downhill( the brakes have something to do with this also).The bike just builds confidence .There are other 29er frames out there so shop around and check the MTBR forums for info before you buy.I'm happy with this frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GlowBoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere in Oregon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Gallery downtown Portland | | Strengths: | Super versatile. Great handling. Perfect geometry, even for short guys like me. Cheap. HUGE tire clearance. | | Weaknesses: | A bit harsh-riding for lighter guys. Heavy for a non-EBB frame, even considering it's a steel 29"er. Rear-facing horizontal dropouts are fussy. BB is slightly lower than I'd like. | | Similar Products Used: | Various 26" hardtails, plus what is now my "real" mountain bike, my custom 29" singlespeed Vulture with EBB and suspension. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 (inaugural year) Surly KM, 16", camp stove green, Avid BB7 185mm discs, Salsa Delgado wheels w/ various hubs, On-One Mungo moustache bars w/287-V levers, currently running a SRAM DualDrive Disc hub with 2 cogs (18t/22t) paired to 40t/36t rings. Initially ran it singlespeed, mostly 34x22 and 34x20. Then the DualDrive Disc with various drive ratios, which I use for commuting and fireroading. Have also run it 1x4 and 2x4 with a derailer and a rear V-brake. Have run every kind of 700c/29" tire available, from 700x23 road slicks to cyclocross tires to hand-shaved 29" semislicks to 29" full knobbies to a front 26x3.0 Gazzaloddi. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is versatile, as you'll see from my Bike Setup details above. You name it, I've tried it with this frame: Vs, discs, derailers, internally geared hub, singlespeed. The inclusion of both canti posts and disc mounts allows you to run any type of brake you want. The rear-facing horizontal dropouts (with slotted disc tabs) and derailer hanger allow you to run any type of drivetrain you want, and the 1" length allows you at least two different axle positions for any given gear combination.
The rear-facing track fork ends aren't a perfect solution: it's slightly harder to remove and install the rear wheel than with vertical or forward-facing horizontal dropouts. Also, you need to use the Monkey Nuts to position the axle a little further back if you're going to run full gears (to avoid interference problems with the front derailer) or if you're going to run V-brakes (the canti posts are too low for most V-brakes to reach the rims with the wheel all the way forward).
Another drawback of the dropouts is that with my 185mm rotors, you generally have to loosen the disc caliper bolts to remove and reinstall the rear wheel, which means you have dial the caliper position back in afterwards. Not a huge deal, but if you change tires and gearing frequently (as I do) it can be a pain. I've finally learned to avoid this problem by running the wheel most of the way back in the dropouts. This solution offsets the short chainstay/wheelbase advantage of the KM, however.
Speaking of which, this bike does have a nice tight wheelbase for a 29"er: 41.1" (versus 42.8" for the smallest Fisher hardtails). If you think 29" bikes are slow-handling, that's probably based on experience with the relatively long and slack Fisher 29"ers. The Karate Monkey handles as fast as any 26"er I've ridden. Surly nailed the geometry perfectly, even though it was one of the first production 29"ers made. The 17" chainstay, only a hair longer than most 26"ers, results in great climbing traction. And despite being just 5'7", I fit on this bike just fine, with just the right cockpit length, just enough standover and NO toe overlap to my size 44 shoes on 175mm cranks.
Although the 11.7" bottom bracket is slightly lower than I'd like (resulting in extra pedal strikes), it's in line with many other hardtails. And the cool thing about 29" is the BB drop is about the same as on many road and cyclocross bikes: put on 700x35 'cross tires and the BB height drops to about where it should be on a 'cross bike, put on 700x23 slicks and it drops further to where it should be on a roadie. Thus the KM's versatility extends to tires too, and I've run every imaginable size on it. I even experimented with a 3.0" Gazzaloddi for a couple months. You could run this tire up front, and a 26x2.6" in back for a half-decent snowbike (with a marginally low BB).
The inexpensive 4130 tubing keeps the price down. I'm guessing Surly is not using size-specific tubing, based both on the published frame weights and on the ride. Sure you can tell it's steel, without all the buzziness of aluminum, but on medium bumps this bike beats me up substantially more than my prior OXII frame -- despite the bigger wheels. I'm 160 lb though, so this frame is overbuilt for smaller guys. Bigger riders report a much smoother ride.
Yes, 5.5 pounds (plus 2.5 for the fork) is tanklike for a fully rigid frame without an EBB. But even most "nicer" steel 29" frames seem to be coming in around 5 pounds, so at $400 you really can't complain too much about an extra half pound.
Bottom, bottom line? Buy it if you want to get a 29"er on a budget, or you want a versative platform for experimenting. Especially if you find one used, easy to do since this is a popular frame. If you're buying new, also consider the Soma Juice, a slightly lighter and smoother 631 frame for the same money with nearly identical geometry and versatility. Shop around, as there are a number of promising new 29" hardtails coming on the market as of this writing, but you can't go too far wrong with the Monkey. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Potawatomi | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel Sports | | Strengths: | Inexpensive, versatile, strong, nice ride, cool Surly image, sticker kit available (including head badge) for repainting | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, skidmark brown color not very shiny | | Similar Products Used: | Not many 29ers, but plently of 26er steel frames | | Bike Setup: | Currently SS with the ability to swap to 1x8 in about 10 minutes. XT hubs, Salsa rims, Raceface Next LP crank, Monkeylight bar, Nanoraptor rear, Bontrager Jones front | | Bottom Line: | As usual, it's hard to go wrong with a Surly. Just accept up front that the frame and fork will be a little heavy, and the paint may or may not be real nice (my Crosscheck is like a mirror). For the price, something has to give.
My two favorite aspects of the Monkey is the easy handling and the robustness. The moment I got on the bike for the first time it felt like a bike I had owned for years...or at least months. No sneeky handling or strange cockpit geometry. And with a frame and fork of 4130 chromoly weighing in at 8.3 lbs (according to the Surly web page) I don't spend much time worrying about it failing! That strength also makes it an excellent choice for larger riders. Plenty of people race them successfully so it must not be a huge hinderance, anyway.
Riding a rigid fork takes some getting used to if you have not done so in a while. Every little bump hits you, despite the "plushness of steel and 29" wheels." The tradeoff is telepathic steering and obviously zero pedal bob. Since the front wheel tends to bounce a bit I went with a more aggressive front tire to keep it from sliding. For me, a Nano on the front just wasn't sufficient, but I have been very happy with the Jones. Riding a rigid fork is a good reality check in this day of 5" FS XC bikes. For many of us that have been riding for 15+ years it's cool to get back on a basic bike.
A word about the paint. The skidmark brown is a fairly cool color, but both frames I have seen were not very shiny. "Big whoop," you say, "it's a mountain bike meant to be ridden, not framed." True! After a couple years all my frames' finishes are semi-gloss anyway. But in case you want something more custom, Surly offers the complete KM sticker kit, minus the two fork "Surly" stickers. I repainted mine metallic gold which really makes it stand out!
Unless you are a die-hard racer this is a great bike. For general riding, even fast general riding it will not disappoint for many years to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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