It was an ex demo from UK importer ISON. I bought it as i sold my red KM to build another after being disappointed with the Salsa Fargo frame set i built up, you can read all about that and the Monkey Here. Read the comments after and you will notice how much love there is for the Karate Monkey... -:)
Or just watch the film, this is exactly what i had in mind for the bike... -:)
So i pinched the rear Hope Pro 2 hub, monkey nuts for the drop outs and gears for the KramPug as it is so fast and makes it more versatile. With more roll and comfort with 29+ it kind of replaces the Karate Monkey for trail riding around here in East Lothian, so the Monkey is going to be used for a new roll in the fleet. It will be my winter night riding bike, single speed with the GATO mud tyres it will be great on muddy trails around the local woods near my house and night rides with friends at Pencaitland, and being single speed it can be put away dirty, ridden to work the next day and then cleaned in daylight and lights charged.
Friend Colin popped round the other evening and laced the Surly single speed hub onto the 29er rim, I made him coffee while he worked away, and err i had a cider and watched...
He soon had the wheel laced and trued then tensioned it then gave it a few more tweaks until he was happy with it...
An old tool of the trade, his Raleigh spoke key which he reckons has built hundereds of wheels...
Something new i learned tonight, the wheel was that perfect it always spun to a stop with the valve hole at the top, Colin says this usually only happens with road wheels...
Another day at work then home and i got on and finished the Monkey... KramPug was 32/18 gearing. 29er tyre diameter is a bit smaller so i fitted a 17t Shimano BMX sprocket along with the Surly 32t chain ring and chain from the KramPug...
I had a Surly Tug Nut chain tensioner when i had an Alfine 8 speed internal gear hub, but it was not really that good on that application. i loaned it to friend Mike who was not using it so got it back to fit this bike, this is perfect, i have a quick release tool free single speed hub so i can quickly drop the wheels to put in the car in winter if i want...
Finished...
Nice and simple, still to get another 25.4mm 90mm stem as the 100mm stem fitted (from the Moonlander) makes the front a wander a bit, and another pair of flat pedals. Also going to refit the 740mm bars as these 720s i fitted thinking it would be better for in woods i did not like after a quick spin, rather just slow down a bit through the trees and have the bigger bars...
Friday half day it threatened to rain at any moment so i nipped out for a spin for an hour or two...
Here's a shop that you don`t hear advertising much about fatbike related stuff these days,
Brixton Cycles sell Surly Bikes, and they had one of the original few that came in to the UK, It is still going and single speed and was at Forth Fat with owner Pete...
Along the JMW to North Berwick...
Horses going on the Law soon, same as Traprain...
A new pond...
See the guy walking down the closed path that is signed not to use due to erosion?, what an arse!...
Down in North Berwick and chatting with friend Eddie, no sign of the traffic warden... -:)
The things you see in Vans...18" Surly Krampus frame box... -:)
Quick visit to see dad then back home as it was getting real dark and the heavens were about to open very soon, Gorse being cleared around the Law...
Old bottle top...
Flat out home and just caught in the rain as i got in... -:)
Wild evening with sideways rain...
Fire on, some tunes blaring, and some Henry Weston 8.2% Cider... bliss...
The big Surly Moonlander has not been out for a few weeks, been riding the Pugsley and the KramPug, sitting looking at me from behind a pile of bikes in the living room (where all your good bikes should be!) glaring at me... better take it out to the beach tomorrow and do some dune surfing and rock crawling on the big beastie...
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