Surly Karate Monkey

[pancho]

I finally settled on a bike I am building a KM 29'' singlespeed. Anyone on one? Would like to hear any likes or dislikes can't wait to ride hopefully friday night or Saturday. Was told to only put one chain tensioner on the drive side wonderiing if that is accurate.

[Tman]

I rode mine geared and loved it............would have tried it single but already ride a 1x1

[tryandgetme]

you only need the one, since it's really only the drive side of the bike that's got the chain trying to pull the wheel forwards. I like to put both tensioners on though so I can quickly remove the wheel, change a tire, and stick it back on with my prefered tension without messing with it (I just take the axle nuts off far enough that the tugs fall off sideways). I think I also had a tiny bit of movement from braking hard, both tensioners help with that too.

[varider]

Yeah, built mine up about a year ago. Rigid SS and love it. I've ridden my geared full squish maybe twice since.

Only complaint on the KM is watch the BB height. I notice clipping pedals on stuff i didn't used to at first, but I've adjusted.

I was just thinking last night as I cleaned it off and adjusted chain tension that two tensioners would be nice to get back in the right place lickety split. Also makes it easier to get at the bottle opener on the Surly Tugnut regardless of what side of the roof rack it's on.

[bdee]

I love mine, low BB issues aside it is a great bike. Try running 170 or 165mm cranks if the pedal strikes are a major issue. I run 165s and rarely if ever clip anything (And it's plenty bony around these parts). The handling is great with the stock fork, and it truly does not feel as hefty as it is - sort of like the 1x1. You really only know it's a porker when it's time to carry. Be sure to spray some frame saver in it and enjoy!

[S. cerevisiae]

Go w/2 tensioners. It's how Redline ships the Monocogs. Works wonderfully for remounting the rear wheel.

Do get an aluminum cog. I'm seeing some freehub damage from the cheap steel stock cog on the Monocog. Will be swapping that out before too long.

Also consider a "twinglspeed" or "duocog" set up. They really make a multi-tasking machine out of SS's.

[jerman]

Rigid + SS + Surly Karatee Monkey = Love:p

[slide]

I too, took the route of the Karate Monkey, a geared upright with
all the trimmings with extra gravey. You know what? The damn thing works too well!

Yeah, there I've said it.

I can ride on the order of 40 miles or so and still not tear my legs up for some sort of decent workout. The lightness and comefortable riding gives me the impression I could go another 40 without too much effort.

All this has cumulated into the need for me to take more drastic measures like "getting in touch with my inner holigan".
So I'll just have to get an Instigator and put weights on it or something.

[Krautwaggen]

The only problem I've had with running one tensioner on the drive side is the wheel will slip occaisionally after getting airborne (if using a quick release skewer) I should really probably switch to a bolt on axle bein that I weigh a sh'load. Never had pedal strike probs running 175's so I don't know what the issue of the low bottom bracket height is. I guess if you're traversing deadfall much larger than the bottom bracket height it could be a hindrance, but I usually carry over that kinda stuff (sissy).

[lubes17319]

Built mine up in October, (many thanks to Dave & Steve) & haven't touched the Instigator since....except to strip it down. Anyone wanna buy it? (too late, it's gone away to a new home)

I've got the Tuggnut on the drive side only & works like an ace.

Just dingled it up last week, so I can now roll double duty on it. KM's rock!

[adam12]

Man the KM rocks. I went geared, and squish. Now I'm single and rigid...isn't that how it always goes? I haven't had to use any tensioners yet. I run Salsa flip offs. I just clamped 'em down tight, and have had no problems. I have seen several run them though. I always wanted a tuggnut. Mostly for the bottle opener.:D

[fxdwhl]

Here's mine, single with one tensioner on driveside. Never had the wheel move. Yeah it takes a little longer to set up and tighten but once done there's no slipping.

[pancho]

Well I got one for the drive side so we'll see what happens. Tomorrow is finally the big day last week they sent it with 26'' wheels so I had to look around and ended up going with surly hubs and stan's 355 rims. Once it's built I'll post some pics going to try to race it on the 22nd so breaking it in the hard way.

[real_ss_budgie]

yeah the KM is a sweet little do anything machine...servicing the thing as we speak. i have a cheap n nasty tug nut to stop slip..wanna get the surly job for that surly goodness.

hey lets start our own KM owners forum......no moncogs allowed, mate!

[pancho]

Here it is finally rode it today gears may be a tad steep 34 X 18 may have to go to a 19.

[jerman]

Here it is finally rode it today gears may be a tad steep 34 X 18 may have to go to a 19.

That is one sweeeet looking ride! I am jealous of that color!:D

[slide]

yeah the KM is a sweet little do anything machine...servicing the thing as we speak. i have a cheap n nasty tug nut to stop slip..wanna get the surly job for that surly goodness.

hey lets start our own KM owners forum......no moncogs allowed, mate!

Only if I can parade my "skid mark brown" KM around as if it were the noblest of steeds. (We could also discuss how to ride with our noses that high in the air).

[tryandgetme]

Here's mine, single with one tensioner on driveside. Never had the wheel move. Yeah it takes a little longer to set up and tighten but once done there's no slipping.

what tire is that on the front? Looks a bit knobbyish. I'm looking for a knobbier 29er tire...

[fxdwhl]

what tire is that on the front? Looks a bit knobbyish. I'm looking for a knobbier 29er tire...

Panaracer Rampage. Very happy with it too. Little less volumn than the exi but much, much better traction.

[real_ss_budgie]

Only if I can parade my "skid mark brown" KM around as if it were the noblest of steeds. (We could also discuss how to ride with our noses that high in the air).
i see what you mean the new blue makes the brown look like yesterdays jam...still when the thing gets ratty you could always flavour it another colour...

[slide]

Yeah, on my new Instigator frame I felt so strongly about this I'm
painting it "Detroit Diesal Alpine Green" with a clearcoat of glow in the dark blue. Two weeks of sanding priming and cleaning.