RIDDEN & RATEDMost of the time I left it with
one click of compression and
the recommended pressure
and rebound clicks and it
handled things without much
fuss. Brake dive and pedalling
out of the saddle are well
controlled overall. While it only
has 32mm stanchions there’s
not as much flex as you’d
expect as the bushings and
chassis feel stout. You also
have the option of running
bottomless tokens in the air
spring for more progression at
the end of the stroke.
Final thoughts
I think the capabilities of the
bike really lend it towards the
all-mountain/trail end of the
spectrum but with the option
of longer rides including bike
packing expeditions. With its
large collection of attachment
points for pannier racks, Surly’s
range of accessories and
small diameter tubing creating
lots of space on the frame for
strapping goods to the bike,
the Karate Monkey can also
double as a bike pack hauler.
You could definitely load a
lot of gear on the bike but
keeping that mix-it-up attitude.
I could see myself stopping in
to set up camp somewhere
with some great singletrack
to ride, taking this bike out for
a rip around some technical
trails before moving on to the
next destination.
Overall if you’re looking
to go a bit retro with a steel-
framed hardtail that can
handle anything from longer
expeditions to single track
rips, this bike is worth a look.
SPECIFICATIONS
Frame Surly 4130 Chromoly Steel. Custom double but ted externally flaired tubing. Horizontal
slot ted with derailleur hanger, Surly “Gnot Boost” 142 or 14 8mm hub spacing compatibility.
Fork RockShox Sektor RL, 27.5 14 0mm travel, 51mm offset, 15x110 front axle, Disc.
Headset Cane Creek Ten
Handlebars Salsa Rustler 31.8
Stem Promax, 31.8mm, 7° 60mm on XS, 70mm on SM/L, 80mm on XL
Shifters SR AM NX Eagle 1x12
Rear Derailleur SR AM NX Eagle
Cassette SR AM Eagle 11-50 t
Chain SR AM NX Eagle
Crankset Truvativ Descendent 32T
Bottom Bracket SRAM Power Spline
Pedals N/A
Brakes SR AM Level Hydraulic, SR AM Centreline rotors 180mm F/160mm R
Brake Levers SR AM Level Hydraulic
Wheels WTB ST i4 0 TCS Rim, 110mm 15mm thru-axle, 32h Front
WTB ST i4 0 TCS Rim, 14 8mm 12mm thru-axle, 32h Rear
Tyres Surly Dirt Wizard 27.5x3.0
Saddle WTB Volt
Seatpost TranzX SP15, TranzX 1x lever, 80mm drop on XS/S, 120mm drop on M/L / XL.
Weight 5.5kg (size L, with tubes, no pedals)
Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL
Price $3699
Website http://www.surlybikes.com, http://www.scvimports.com.auRight: The Karate
Monkey, a new edition
to the Surly family.