29 inch Kung Fu

[Dirt Dad]

Hello all. I'm looking at the Karate Monkey and I've got a few questions. The first is sizing. I'm 5'10 with a 30" inseam barefoot. According to the serrota fit bike I need about 640mm of top tube. I could ride the medium frame with a 60-70mm stem or a small with a 90-100mm stem. I'm leaning toward the larger frame but I've never ridden one so I'm not sure. I'm not usually intimidated by low standover. My other question is about the karate monkey's kung fu. I ride alot of technical ugly rocky terrain. My main bike is a 5 inch travel dual squish built to abuse. I'd like to be able to cover the same terrain albiet somewhat slower. My "bro's" seem to think 29's are glorified crossbikes for tow path and rail trail rides. I think the 29 fu is much stronger. By the way if anyone lives in the northern Shenandoah Valley and woul be so generous as to let my take their 29er for a spin I would really appreciate it! :D

[riderx]

My "bro's" seem to think 29's are glorified crossbikes for tow path and rail trail rides.Your Bros are wrong.

As far as the northern Shenandoah Valley test rides, try posting on the MORE forums (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/), there are quite a few KM riders on there that your could probably hook up with.

[Dirt Dad]

Yeah a couple of the "guys" seem to immediatly dismiss new and different technology. I don't even think they realize it. :p

[tryandgetme]

monster truck tires sure are bigger than the tires on my truck...bigger dosent always mean wussier :D

[Dirt Dad]

Any insite on sizing?

[bigwheelz]

I'm a tick over 6 foot with longish legs and I opted for the large KM. I was worried it would be too small, but it fits just right. I noticed the top tube is a little more stretched than most bikes. I'm running a Thomson 110 stem (usually run a 130) with 5-degree rise and I still kick my seat forward quite a bit. As far as standover, I've got about 3-inches before I hit trouble.

It sounds like you're in between sizes, I'd probably opt for the medium and run a slightly longer stem and a little more post if necessary. Either way, you have a lot of rig under you!

I've been riding aluminum hartails and full sus bikes for 10 years. The KM was my first steel bike (and 29er) and it is the baddest MFer going! I can't belive the stuff you can roll over with it. I just put a Marzocchi MX fork on it and I can't belive how well this thing rolls through rocky, technical terrain. This bike changed the way approach riding.

[riderx]

Any insite on sizing?I'd say medium.

[Dirt Dad]

What's your reasoning?

[riderx]

Seems to be what locals your size are riding around here. I rode a small recently and I'm a hair over 6-0 and that thing felt tiny!

Best if you can take a local ride on one though.

Here's a few varying opinions (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=8868&highlight=karate+sizing)

[Dirt Dad]

Cool. I appreciate the feedback.

[qtip]

I'm about your size...only with a 32" inseam and I'm very happy on my geared and SS Small KM's. Best thing would be to ride a few.

[haloblack]

As far as size I can't really help you. Im 6'2. 34" inseam. I ride a 20" SS monkey. They seem to be a little tall so youd be safe going with the smaller of the two sized in question.

As far as kung fu. Let the nay-sayers believe what they will. My rigid monkey rolls all my local trails I used to ride my 5spot at. In fact the 5spot hasnt been out on the trail since I got the KM built up.

Oh, It's got the 'fu. It's got the 'fu like Jet Li.

[Dirt Dad]

Thank's for the input guys!