A classic ride - the Surly Karate Monkey steel hardtail
The world is ever more complicated and this holds true for bikes as well. Read about Julian's custom built Surly Karate Monkey - back to the roots.
The world is ever more complicated and this holds true for bikes as well. Full suspension rigs are becoming more complex, there are more and more drivetrain options, and at least a dozen different axle standards are on the market. All this, coupled with the latest carbon fibre frames, and it’s hard to even know where to start.
But in reality, it’s all about the riding. That feeling you get when wind hits your face and you’re pushing through local forests and trails discovering new things along the way.
Back to the basics
That yearning for simplicity is perfectly mirrored in my new Surly. The Karate Monkey frame, a 29er, has been a staple part of the Surly assortment for years. It is made of durable and robust 4130 steel, which gives it that high-quality sleek look only steel hardtails can have. A few years ago, I set up and rode one of these frames as a singlespeed and I have regretted selling it ever since.
The build
Now I have one back in my possession, and there have been a few updates from the last model I rode in 2010.
The newest version of the Karate Monkey allows for the dropouts to be easily exchanged with Surly’s MDS (Modular Dropout System). 10 mm quick releases and 142x12 mm thru-axles can all be built into this frame maximizing its versatility. Even a set of horizontal dropouts are included for building up a singlespeed.
My build incorporated the included Surly fork, which, due to its long axle to crown length and the flexibility of the steel, offers plenty of comfort. Of course it is still a ridged fork, so every un-level surface can be felt. A suspension fork like the RochShox Reba or Fox 32 could also be used, because the frame is built around the axle to crown length and 120 mm travel of both of these forks.
However, the wheels are the heart of this build. A set of limited edition pink Hope Pro II hubs have been waiting 3 years to be used. Coupled with the 35 mm ARC35 rims by Easton and silver DT Swiss alpine 3 spokes, these wheels are robust and the silver spokes give them a striking look. The rims have a beautiful bushed surface finish and the Maxxis Ardent Skinwall tyres sit wide on the 35 mm internal width, increasing cornering grip. The skin coloured sidewalls and carcass not only give the bike a classic look, but due to their high level of flexibility have low rolling resistance as well.
The drivetrain was kept to a minimum and was chosen based on how I would be using the bike. A complete Shimano XT 1x10 setup with an 11-36t cassette keeps the rider slogging up hills, but it matches the sporty characteristics of the bike perfectly. Due to the frame and forks rigidity, power is transferred directly from the pedals to the drivetrain and finally to the ground resulting in unhindered forward motion.
The brakes also come from the Shimano XT groupset, and they have an ergonomic brake lever and a responsive contact point which work perfectly and reliably.
Saddle and grips are another part of the build that really shine. Both, the SME3 Pro saddle and the GE1 grips are from Ergon’s laser lemon ltd. edition series and both tend to incite a double take.
Another set of goodies are the CNC machined stem and seatpost from Thomson. The Elite series parts have been known for years as being lightweight and functional. Combined with Renthal handlebars, they add the last bit to the high quality finish of this bicycle.
The ride
After going on a few rides, one thing is clear, this custom build is hard. I quickly remembered that for the last few months I have been riding a full suspension bike. The first long root sections gave me the feeling of riding a bull at a classic American rodeo. However, after hitting the trails a few more times my body remembered how to find the perfect line, which is so important when riding a hardtail. There is a reason why beginners in the MTB scene are recommended one as their first bike. You learn how to work with the bike, read lines, and stay light while hitting uneven surfaces. A lack of suspension fork makes this experience even more acute. Despite the increased effort, at the end of every trail I found myself grinning from ear to ear. This is how I learned to mountain bike 10 years ago, feeling every stone and root along the way.
The Karate Monkey is the perfect companion for me to call up that old-school MTB feeling once more. I can’t wait to be riding this bike for years to come and one thing is sure, I won’t be selling this authentic hardtail anytime soon.
