surly karate monkey

Bike Check: Charlie’s Surly Singlespeed Karate Monkey

Members' FeatureOnline Feature

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At Singletrack we get to see all the latest technology and ride countless bikes, but what bikes do Singletrack staffers ride home on? After we have downloaded new firmware for an electronic mech, set shock pressures using the ebikes app and bluetooth pressure sensors, charged our seatposts and become bewildered by… well… almost everything. What bike do we grab to blast out of the “bewildermess” and into the wilds. Price: unknown From: Surly Bikes / Bikemonger / Ison Distribution / Back of the lock up. Who The Heck Are Surly? Surly have been making single speed bikes ‘n’ stuff out...

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Charlie Hobbs

Merch & Marketing Manager at Singletrack

Grumpy, happy, hairy, overweight and awesome. I started riding offroad in 1978, and never stopped. I was once Charlie The Bikemonger, I invented orienBEERing, the Clunker Classic, and the Dorset Gravel Dash. I own the Bum Butter brand and I'm a co-owner of Dirt Dash Events. I also work at Singletrack, I have the self-appointed job title of "Overlord of the leftovers" and look after the merch shop, and marketing. Other interests include skateboards, surfboards, motorbikes, and cooking (I invented the Beefer Reefer).

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Bike Check: Charlie’s Surly Singlespeed Karate Monkey
  • matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    Now that looks like a giggle to ride…

    Posted 3 months ago
    jmmtb
    Full Member

    Do I detect an echo of Hunter S. Thompson in there? What a great write-up, really enjoyed that. Haven’t sold me on the single speed thing tho, I like riding up hills.

    Posted 2 months ago
    hightensionline
    Full Member

    You know what, whilst fitting these bars and looking down at the four clamp bolts my mind drifted back to the 80’s and the endless dirty summers tearing around on clunkers and then BMXs. Nostalgia bars?

    That totally resonates. Looks like a right hoot to ride; it’s inspired me to have a serious look at that 90s steel frame hiding at the back of the pile.

    Posted 2 months ago
    csb
    Full Member

    That bike is lush.

    Posted 2 months ago
    suburbanreuben
    Free Member

    ” Haven’t sold me on the single speed thing tho, I like riding up hills.”

    So do I. They’re even hillier on a singlespeed…

    Posted 2 months ago
    brakestoomuch
    Full Member

    Great write up; “Futile thumb wiggling into a void” made me laugh.

    I’ve always fancied a singlespeed, but my Achilles played their veto card.

    Posted 2 months ago
    hardtailonly
    Full Member

    Really enjoyed that write up, you write very well and humoursly Charlie!

    Posted 2 months ago
    tomparkin
    Full Member

    I love it.

    My SS 26er Soul is a similar sort of “what’s in the shed?” build. I got lucky with a magic ratio so no tensioner needed. Recently put XT (!) brakes on it and now it is even more amazing. Weighs nothing.

    Four genuine lols in this writeup too. Excellent stuff.

    Posted 2 months ago
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