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Initially I was just going to sell the old Monkey, get Christmas out the way and then get one of the new KM frames - they tick a lot of the boxes with the MDS dropouts, 44mm headtube etc. Then I figured that was a safe option and maybe there was something else worth looking at... Krampus Ops could be fun... slack, clearance, huge tyres if I fancy... what about an El Mariachi? Or the Jones diamond frame and so on...
Basically I'm after something with a modular dropout (or fixed + ebb) as the old KM track ends are a bit of a PITA to remove the rear wheel when you run gears, especially when you're piss wet through, cold and it's the middle of the night... I've got the 1x1 for singlespeeding too so this is likely to be run geared through the summer and stored during winter...
Needs to have a 44mm headtube for Whiskey forks or new suspension, limited options for 1 1/8 these days... Want good clearance (big 2.4s and room for mud) but doesn't need to be 29+, I could always run the 27.5 wheels with + tyres if I wanted... Would like to keep the chainstays pretty short too...
I know I don't want a bikepacking bike (longitude, ECR, Fargo etc.), it needs to be something that's fun to ride and I'll just strap some bags to it and make do!
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Steamroller's been rebuilt, mostly beater parts for the moment and a few things scavenged from the remains of the Karate Monkey (brake, dyno hub etc.). Quite nice riding fixed again, although the next super-wet weekend I'm hoping to drop the frame off for some canti bosses and cable guides for some laid back summer singlespeeding.
Doing some maths... Thorn's ST 700 forks with 55mm offset should drop the trail down to ~45mm which seems to be a sensible figure for 700c low-trail bikes. Interested to try that over the summer and see how it handles. The disc trucker fork on there at the moment is a bit tall and the steering does feel a bit sluggish at times.
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Andy, I also want some canti bosses and mudguard eyes for my steamroller. Curious to know, who did you get to do this for you. Cheers
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In other news... Straggler has a few changes...
Set up in the Lakes this weekend too much weight and stuff on the bike but the combo of 25mm rims, tubeless Bon Jon tyres, Hope carbon post and ti saddle rails are supremely comfortable. Wildcat harness works pretty well between the drops, need to try and assemble a fork-crown mount for the Revo though as the bag does cut the light off at the bottom a little.
Feels like it's lacking a bit of colour though... maybe some lairy bar tape...
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I need to ride your 56cm Straggler before confirming what size Minty Green Straggler I want as my Dorset Gravel Dash 100 prize. #boastpost
JB
Dom
Jackiespanner.
Tallboy
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EmyrAbout
A Surly collection: Straggler, 1x1, Steamroller and LHT
Posted by
@atk
... and here's what's replaced the KM...
I've been after a 1x1 for ages and when my LBS gave the heads up about some ex-demo/unused framesets for sale I just couldn't resist! Most of the build has come from the Karate Monkey, with the exception of the wheels - prototypes from Halo, on loan/test from the LBS. The 27.5x2.4" Mountain Kings are massive and there's still a decent amount of clearance at the back even with the wheel slammed. The 1x1 feels more fun than the Karate Monkey. The Monkey was a solid, dependable ride, but sometimes a little dull as you endlessly rolled over stuff. This feels much more agile and responsive. With the Jones bars the steering is light and precise, the shorter back end feels good hoisting myself up the climbs too. The only thing it's missing is the dyno hub, thankfully I didn't sell off my Exposure Toro last year!