Surly Karate Monkey and Surly Krampus are two of the most popular mountain bikes. Both bikes are designed for off-road riding, but they have some distinct differences that make them ideal for different types of riders.
Karate Monkey is a hardtail bike with a rigid frame and a more aggressive geometry, making it great for technical trails and cross-country riding.
Krampus Is a full-suspension bike with a more relaxed geometry and a more forgiving ride, making it better suited for downhill and freeride trails. In this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at features of both bikes and see which one is right for you.
What Is Surly Karate Monkey Bike
This is a rugged and reliable mountain bike that is perfect for tackling any terrain. It features a chromoly steel frame, a rigid fork, and 27.5-inch wheels.
It is equipped with a wide range of components, including Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, a 1×11 drivetrain, and a dropper post.
It is designed to be comfortable and efficient on trail, and its lightweight frame and components make it an ideal choice for riders who want a bike that can handle anything. This bike is an excellent option for riders looking for a reliable and versatile mountain bike that can take them anywhere.
Advantages of Surly Karate Monkey Bike
Weight: Karate Monkey bike, with its steel frame construction, tends to be slightly heavier compared to bikes with alternative frame materials. However, this added weight can contribute to a more stable and robust ride, especially on rough terrains.
Durability: Its steel structure is extremely durable. Riders looking for a bike that can handle harsh terrain and vigorous trail riding may trust it.
Cost: Karate Monkey is cheaper than carbon or titanium bikes. For budget riders, its strong build and superb components offer great value.
Disadvantages of Surly Karate Monkey Bike
Weight: The steel frame of Karate Monkey may result in a slightly heavier bike compared to those constructed with lighter materials, potentially affecting the bike’s overall agility and acceleration.
Maintenance: Steel frames, while robust, may require more maintenance compared to frames made of other materials. Regular care, such as rust prevention and paint touch-ups, is necessary to maintain the frame’s longevity and appearance.
What Is Surly Krampus Bike
This is a mountain bike designed for cyclists who want to ride on rough terrain. This bike is perfect for those who want to explore off-road trails and take on challenging terrain without having to worry about their bike’s performance.
It is built with a lightweight aluminum frame, a rigid fork, and 27.5-inch wheels. It has a drivetrain consisting of a single-ring crankset and 11-speed cassette, and a dropper post for added control.The bike also features disc brakes for improved stopping power, and a wide range of gearing options to tackle any terrain.
This is an excellent choice for mountain bikers looking for a reliable and capable ride.
Its combination of lightweight frame, rigid fork, and 27.5-inch wheels makes it a great option for tackling any type of terrain.
Advantages of Surly Krampus Bike
Weight: Krampus, like Karate Monkey, features a steel frame that offers durability but also adds some weight to the bike. Its weight contributes to stability and a planted feel, especially on challenging terrains.
Durability: With its steel frame and reliable components, Krampus is built to withstand demanding trails and rough conditions. It can handle aggressive riding and adventurous journeys, making it a durable choice for riders seeking off-road capabilities.
Cost: Krampus, similar to Karate Monkey, generally provides good value for its quality and durability. While not a cheap option, it offers an attractive price point for riders seeking a dependable and versatile mountain bike.
Disadvantages of Surly Krampus Bike
Weight: Added weight of a steel frame on Krampus might affect its agility and acceleration compared to lighter bikes. Riders focused on speed and maneuverability may find their bike to be slightly less responsive.
Maintenance: Steel frames, while durable, require regular maintenance to prevent rust and corrosion. Additional care, such as paint touch-ups and frame protection, may be necessary to maintain the bike’s appearance and longevity.
Surly Karate Monkey And Surly Krampus Bike – Key Differences
These bikes are two distinct offerings from Surly Bikes, each with its own unique characteristics and intended uses. While they share some similarities, there are key differences that set them apart.
Frame And Fork
Surly Karate Monkey Bike: This bike features a chromoly steel frame and fork, designed to be strong and durable. The frame is designed for 26-inch wheels and is available in sizes from XS to XL.
This is designed to be nimble and responsive, with a low bottom bracket for improved cornering and stability. its fork is made from chromoly steel and features a suspension-corrected design for use with suspension forks.
Surly Krampus Bike: This bike features a chromoly steel frame and fork, designed to be strong and durable. Its frame is designed for 29-inch wheels and is available in sizes from XS to XL.
It is designed to be agile and responsive, with a low bottom bracket for improved cornering and stability. Its fork is made from chromoly steel and features a suspension-corrected design for use with suspension forks.
Wheels And Tires: Surly Karate Monkey Bike: It is equipped with 29″ wheels and tires. Wheels are made from alloy and feature a double-wall construction for added strength and durability.
Tires are Surly’s own 2.3″ Dirt Wizard tires, which offer excellent traction and grip in all conditions. Surly Krampus Bike: This one is equipped with 27.5″ wheels and tires.
The wheels are made from alloy and feature a double-wall construction for added strength and durability. The tires are Surly’s own 2.3″ Dirt Wizard tires, which offer excellent traction and grip in all conditions.
Drivetrain
Both feature a drivetrain that consists of a Shimano SLX 1×11-speed crankset, Shimano SLX 11-speed shifters, and Shimano SLX 11-speed rear derailleur. Both bikes have a gear range of 11-46t and a chainring size of 32t.
Karate Monkey has a SRAM NX 11-speed cassette, while Krampus has a Shimano SLX 11-speed cassette. Both bikes also feature a KMC X11SL-1 chain.
Brakes
Surly Karate Monkey Bike: This one is equipped with Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes, which offer superior stopping power in all conditions. The brakes are adjustable for different riding styles and terrain, and they have a great feel and modulation.
Surly Krampus Bike: This bike is equipped with Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes offer superior stopping power and modulation, and they are adjustable for different riding styles and terrain. They are also highly reliable and require minimal maintenance.
Cockpit
Surly Monkey: Karate Monkey features an aluminum frame and rigid steel fork, with a wide range of handlebars, shifters, and stem options. The cockpit is designed to accommodate a variety of riding styles, from aggressive trail riding to more relaxed touring.
Surly Krampus: This bike features an aluminum frame and rigid steel fork, with a wide range of handlebars, shifters, and stem options. Its cockpit is designed to accommodate a variety of riding styles, from aggressive mountain biking to more relaxed touring. Its handlebars are designed to be wide and comfortable, with multiple hand positions for different riding styles.
The shifters are designed to be easy to use, with a smooth shifting action and ergonomic design. The stem is adjustable for height and angle, and can be adjusted to fit any rider’s preferences.
Accessories
Surly Karate Monkey Bike Accessories:
- Handlebars: Karate Monkey bike comes with a flat handlebar that provides a comfortable and secure grip for a rider.
- Pedals: It comes with wide, flat pedals that provide excellent grip and stability when riding.
- Saddle: This bike comes with a comfortable and supportive saddle that can be adjusted to the rider’s preference.
- Grips: This one comes with ergonomic grips that provide a secure and comfortable grip when riding.
- Lights: Karate comes with a set of lights that provide visibility when riding in low-light conditions.
- Fenders: This bike comes with full-coverage fenders that protect the rider from dirt, mud, and debris while riding.
Surly Krampus Bike Accessories:
- Handlebars: Krampus bike comes with an adjustable handlebar that can be set to the rider’s preferred riding position.
- Pedals: It comes with wide, flat pedals that provide excellent grip and stability when riding.
- Saddle: The bike comes with a comfortable and supportive saddle that can be adjusted to the rider’s preference.
Grips: It comes with ergonomic grips that provide a secure and comfortable grip when riding. - Lights: It has a set of lights that provide visibility when riding in low-light conditions.
- Panniers: This one has pannier racks that can be used to carry items while riding.
Maintenance
Surly Karate Monkey requires regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure optimal performance. It is important to regularly check the tires, brakes, chain, and gears for any wear or tear.
It should also be lubed with a dry lubricant to keep the components moving smoothly. Additionally, it is important to check the bolts and nuts to make sure they are tightened properly.
Surly Krampus requires regular maintenance and cleaning to ensure optimal performance. It is important to regularly check the tires, brakes, chain, and gears for any wear or tear. Additionally, it should be lubed with a wet lubricant to keep the components moving smoothly. It is also important to check the suspension for any damage or wear and tear.
Suspension
Surly Karate Monkey features a rigid fork with a 100mm travel suspension fork option. The frame is designed to be compatible with both rigid and suspension forks, allowing you to customize your ride to best suit your riding style.
Krampus Bike is equipped with a 100mm travel RockShox Recon Silver RL fork with lockout. The frame is designed to be compatible with both rigid and suspension forks, allowing you to customize your ride to best suit your riding style.
Brakes
Surly Karate Monkey: It comes with Tektro HD-M285 hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes provide superior stopping power and modulation in all weather conditions.
Tektro brakes also feature adjustable reach levers, which make it easier for riders with smaller hands to reach the brakes.
Surly Krampus: The Krampus comes with Shimano BR-M445 hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes provide powerful and reliable stopping power in all conditions.
Shimano brakes also feature adjustable reach levers, which make it easier for riders with smaller hands to reach the brakes.
Cockpit
Kuat NV 2.0 and Thule T2 Pro XTR are two popular bike racks. Both racks offer great features and are designed to make transporting your bike a breeze.
However, there are some key differences between the two racks in terms of the cockpit.
Kuat NV 2.0: It has a very low-profile cockpit. This means that the rack sits very close to the ground, which makes it easy to load and unload your bikes. The rack also has a tilt feature, which allows you to tilt the rack down for easier access to the back of your vehicle.
Thule T2 Pro XTR: It has a higher-profile cockpit than the Kuat NV 2.0. This means that the rack sits further away from the ground, which can make it slightly more difficult to load and unload your bikes.
However, the Thule T2 Pro XTR also has a higher clearance, which means that it can be used with vehicles that have lower ground clearance.
Surly Karate Monkey Vs Krampus Bike – Similarities
The Surly Karate Monkey and Surly Krampus bikes share several similarities, making them both exceptional choices for riders seeking versatile and capable off-road bikes. Let’s explore the common features that these bikes offer:
Frame and Geometry
Both the Karate Monkey and Krampus feature Surly’s durable and well-designed frames. These frames are crafted from high-quality steel, known for their strength and durability, providing a reliable foundation for demanding trails.
Additionally, both bikes have similar geometry that strikes a balance between agility and stability, ensuring confident handling on a variety of terrains.
Drivetrain
The Karate Monkey and Krampus bikes come equipped with a Shimano SLX 1×11-speed drivetrain. This drivetrain configuration includes a single chainring up front and an 11-speed cassette at the rear, offering a wide range of gears to tackle different gradients and trail conditions.
This ensures efficient power transfer and smooth gear shifts for an enjoyable riding experience.
Tires
Both bikes feature wide and high-volume tires, providing enhanced traction and control on challenging trails. The Karate Monkey and Krampus are designed to accommodate 27.5+ or 29-inch tires, allowing riders to choose the tire size that suits their preferences and terrain requirements.
Fork Options
Surly offers various fork options for both the Karate Monkey and Krampus, providing riders with versatility based on their preferences and riding style.
Riders can opt for a rigid fork for a more traditional feel and simplicity, or choose a suspension fork for added comfort and improved handling over rough terrains.
Versatility
Both Karate Monkey and Krampus are designed to be versatile platforms that can handle a range of riding styles. These bikes excel in off-road adventures, including trail riding, bikepacking, and even bike touring.
Their sturdy frames and components can withstand the rigors of demanding terrains and long-distance journeys.
Final Words
The Surly Karate Monkey and Surly Krampus bikes offer two different riding experiences. The Karate Monkey is ideal for technical and off-road riding, while the Krampus is better suited for all-terrain and touring.
Both bikes are strong and durable, and offer a great ride for their respective intended uses. Ultimately, it will come down to personal preference and intended use to determine which bike is best for you.
