Surly Karate Monkey Is It A 'Do ALL Bike?'

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DISCLAIMER: Below is a list of what I use to make these videos and what I use on Most of my bike rides. If you purchase something through the links below it will give me a small commision at no extra cost of the original product to you. By doing this you are helping the channel out so if you choose to do so, thank you in advance.

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Cameras I Use

Cameras I take on Rides

Riding Camera

What I take on ALL my bike rides.

Tech

Lights
How I Mount Front light and Wahoo.

Bike tools
My bike pump is so old they don't sell it anymore

Thank you for watching and hope you enjoyed it!

DISCLAIMER: Below is a list of what I use to make these videos and what I use on Most of my bike rides. If you purchase something through the links below it will give me a small commision at no extra cost of the original product to you. By doing this you are helping the channel out so thank you in advance.

What I take on ALL my bike rides.

Lights

Bike tools
My bike pump is so old they don't sell it anymore

Tech

Camera:

And for those who care to wonder:
"What gear does he use to make these videos?"
My Camera Gear

Studio Camera:

Riding Camera:

POV:

[zacharykondas]

That dog looks like he is having such a good time

[stevet]

This is a masterpiece cycling video! On work days when I'm unable to ride I watch this video, and it always gets me stoked for the next day off!

[nickfitzham]

Hey Josh, just want to say that I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched this video. Great editing, music, everything.

My fixed, all-road, and fat bikes are all Surlys, and I’ve long thought about getting a KM. About a month ago, after some heavy inspiration from this video, I finally bought a frameset and have been building it up myself. I’ve currently got it set up single speed with the rigid fork and a PNW Loam Dropper. There’s still snow on the ground here in Maine, but we’ve got a long dirt driveway that I can rip around on until spring comes.

Anyway, thanks for the inspiration!

[pokeypaul]

Amazing in depth video. Answers basically all of my questions. As a Surly-curious MTBer i was wondering which model was for me. I think the KM hits the nail on the head.

[ninjasrose]

It’s a sick bike. I bought a Kona Unit last year. So glad speed rigid. I absolutely love it!!!

But, much like the KM. If I want forks and gears I can. If I wanna go bikepacking one day I can. Such a versatile machine.

[michaele.]

The km is one of the best platforms. I have had touring, mtb front air fork / dropper post, and even drop bar set ups and it excels in all categories. If you want one bike and like tinkering this the bike for you. Love the review.

[cosmoshaw]

Amazing, thank you for the response and video! I have similar values to you and I'm convinced this is my next bike! Surly is releasing a new build/colour mid November, very excited!

[rredderr]

I have turned mine into an ebike, added a mid-drive motor with the battery mounted on the downtube. I wanted the steel frame to support the extra weight, it has worked very well, I commute ~13 miles each way twice a week with it in San Diego. Love my KM!

[zenofthemoment]

Moved back to Wisconsin from Boise due to divorce. When I got back here, I bought the first XL KM I could find, and it happened to be brand new still in the box, and black. Got it home, swapped all the parts over from my 5” FS trail bike, and off we went!

So far, so good. It usually takes me a few years to really find the groove with a new bike, making millions of little changes all along the way, but I think this is going to be the one bike that can do everything I need it to. It’s so incredibly versatile. 27.5x2.8 for aggro MTB, 29x2.35 for commuting, bikepacking, daily use, etc. I pull a Burley Coho trailer that turns it into a cargo bike and grocery getter. It just does it all!

Still, I’m going to keep the Ice Cream Truck and the Long Haul Trucker…for now. But I don’t NEED them anymore, I just keep them because I like them.

Thanks for keeping me pumped for the few months while I was searching for it, and now, when it’s cold and dark out and I’m just needing a little stoke, here’s your awesome, beautifully produced video! Feels so good man! YEEEWWW!!!🤘

[Mike-vdqt]

Great video! Beautiful scenery with trails in the woods. I'm jealous, SoCal near the border with TJ, temps in the desert hit 103 already.

[spenserak]

Massive fan of my rigid eggplant monkey with 3.0 dirt wizards. Grew up on BMX, and my theory is that my old muscle memory plays a big role in why I have more fun on the monkey than anything else for 95% of mtb things. It's like a big kid MTB-BMX fantasy. Other than a couple small bits like grips, the only thing I changed from the start was adding a dropper, like you. Not sure that I ever intend to throw on a squishy fork, but this bike with a dropper is crazy capable and comfortable. It made me a huge fan of plus tires too, and I pretty quickly swapped in a wider set on my full suspension. I suppose this goes for surly in general, but one of my favorite things is the adaptability. Planning to pick up a second gravel-ish wheelset that I can easily swap in and transform the bike in 30 seconds.

[sonofagreatsouthernland]

Surly bikes, especially the Karate Monkey are sensational! Attention to detail sets these solidly made units ahead of many others.

[ekrano]

Great vid. I’ve just ordered a KM for a custom build. RockShox Rev and SRAM GX going on it. I’ll be riding trails and bike-packing.

[robertbonner]

Nice KM and story. Also, great choice with adding a dropper post . That’s my next purchase for my KM.

[ferdinandmelchor]

Hey great vid man! the quality of your shots are awesome! more power to your channel!

[marcellopacifici]

I really like your videos, cheers from cold Finland!

[StellarSailor]

Hey man, great video. You live in a beautiful place! I’ve just ordered an Ogre for a 17 mile each way commute! Love from the UK

[knarf]

Great video. I was thinking of buying the Karate Monkey. Your dog is amazing

[Chiro]

Doggo: “Are you coming? You back there? Ok let’s go! You still there? Huh? Come on, let’s go! You there? You still there? You coming...” he’s having the time of his life

[marvinblamberg]

Love the calm and vibe of your videos! Did you keep km?