Bike Check: Charlie’s Surly Singlespeed Karate Monkey

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 do …

By charliedontsurf

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Bike Check: Charlie’s Surly Singlespeed Karate Monkey

Now that looks like a giggle to ride…

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.

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.

That bike is lush.

” 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…

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.

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

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.