Krampus

"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker) 10/17/2017 at 20:37 • Filed to: Feelin' Surly

3

28

Hi Oppo, it’s been a while. Work’s been all consuming lately, and quite frankly, hell. I’ve finally drawn together what looks like an exit strategy, and that means I can start to think about things I like again, such as cars and bicycles. I’m thinking of buying one of these once I GTFO:

It’s a 29+, 1x11, and I’d add a dropper, carbon bars and seat post, run tubeless, and add my own pedals.

What say thee?

S65 > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 20:43

0

I took apart my old Specialized Mtb and never did anything with it, kinda wanna get it rideable by Christmas tho

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 20:49

1

These are pretty sweet bikes for exploration and touring. I like suspension on a daily fun mountain bike and some lighter wheels like standard 29" or 27.5" for the quicker handling. You should also look at a kona honzo or salsa timber jack.

OPPOsaurus WRX > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:05

4

adding pedals is a pretty good idea

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:18

0

I think if I were to go for a plus bike then I’d shoot for a 27.5+ simply so I get the option to run a normal 29er wheel/tyre where the terrain doesn’t suit the plus tyres.

The Surly’s are a good thing but I’d also give the Bombtrack Beyond+ a really good look over...although I note that the American distributor http://nacycles.com/store/index.php?route=common/home  has it out of stock ATM

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:21

0

That’s a really nice build, but beware of those SRAM Level brakes! Aaaand Carbon forks make a rigid bike fly up hills!

Cash Rewards > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:24

0

What are you planning on doing with it? I would at least want a front suspension, but the single track trails I ride warrant it. But crushing fire roads on this thing would be a blast.

Chariotoflove > OPPOsaurus WRX 10/17/2017 at 21:27

1

COTD

(If, ya know, we had one)

benjrblant > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:27

0

Personally, I enjoy running 29ers. I worked in a shop for a few years, and my biggest gripes with Surly are that 1) derailleur hangers are part of the frame. Sure, steel is malleable and can be bent back but only so many times and only so far. 2) Surly only warranties their frames for 3 years. I’ve heard they’re pretty cool about it and will sometimes make an exception for a few months, but not being able to replace that hanger after 3.5+ years would make me nervous. The even sized headset is kind of old school if that matters to you. Meh, it’s not a big deal.

If you’ll be adding a dropper post, carbon bars, and a tubeless conversion, I’d personally consider some other brands. The 1x11 29er market is loads bigger now than it was just a few years ago. Have you cross shopped anything comparable?

functionoverfashion > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:32

0

I like the simplicity, but I personally wouldn’t go back to full rigid with the trails I ride around here - too rocky/rooty/bumpy and downhill. I’d consider a 27.5+, too if I were you. But hey, go ride one. That’s the best way to find out how it really feels. I wouldn’t have ended up with the bike I have, if I hadn’t ridden several over the course of one summer.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > benjrblant 10/17/2017 at 21:34

0

Looked at a Trek Stache. Looked slightly fragile and not terribly bike packing compatible.

I’m in the land of ATV trails, so I was also looking at the Rocky Mountain Sherpa.

Chariotoflove > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:36

0

Rather than go tubeless, I’d say add suspension. But even if you want a lighter rigid bike, I still wouldn’t go tubeless. But then, I’m a roadie at heart; so, you can probably safely ignore me.

benjrblant > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:39

1

I’m in the land of mountains, so I hear that! bikepacking.com has a few good reviews.

If you want to stick with a QBP product, the salsa Fargo is another good consideration. I personally run a Niner SIR (also steel frame), not a bad option as well. Keep in mind that the biggest difference between brands is just the frame. The kit/buildout is usually gear by the same few companies and components can be switched quite easily.

benjrblant > functionoverfashion 10/17/2017 at 21:41

0

I’ve ridden a few trails around Franklin and Plymouth! Hardtail is the way to go.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Cash Rewards 10/17/2017 at 21:45

1

Primarily a three season all-rounder/big kid’s BMX when I get in the mood to crash.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > benjrblant 10/17/2017 at 21:55

1

Sound advice. I’m looking for a fun utility truck- a bike that can handle mostly day trip family haulage with occasional urban freeride duty. Rigid, plus wheels so as to be sand/loose terrain compatible, and still be fun to ride.

Kids, man...

tromoly > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 21:57

0

I’ve been riding a 2009 Surly Karate Monkey with rigid fork and single speed for 8 years now, it is the greatest bike I’ve ever owned. Only had to replaced wheel bearings (rears blew out after ~5 years, replaced both sets to be safe), they’re really nice bikes.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Chariotoflove 10/17/2017 at 22:00

0

As a reformed roadie myself, I can honestly say that going tubeless mattered... on my 4.8" fat bike.

I’m a little skeptical about the benefit for a 3" tire, so I was going to convert one and compare for a while.

Chariotoflove > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 22:03

0

That sounds messy. Good luck though.

benjrblant > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 22:07

1

Wherever your search leads, I’d love to find out. Keep us posted please!

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Chariotoflove 10/17/2017 at 22:08

1

Fatty stripper kit and 2oz of sealant per tire since March. It’s been ridden hard with zero issues. The guide rs brakes on the other hand... no bueno.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > tromoly 10/17/2017 at 22:14

0

I test rode both at length, but the Krampus seemed better suited to 6’-4” than the km. But it was a seriously fun contender.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > S65 10/17/2017 at 22:20

1

Are you going to restore or modify? Similarly, I’ve got an old trek frame in my basement without a plan.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 10/17/2017 at 22:21

1

I agree. The carbon fork was just before the carbon wheels on the priority list :-)

The Lurktastic Opponaught > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 10/17/2017 at 22:28

1

I was going to switch them out for the guide RS set on my fat bike, but with all the issues they’ve been having (recall and warranty repairs) I’m just about done with sram. I’m on the lookout for an xt set on fleabay.

As for the driveline, I’ll run the nx until it dies, then replace it with XT 1x11.

Chariotoflove > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/17/2017 at 23:26

1

That’s pretty sweet (not the brakes). Reminds me of the year I spent on a tube emergency repaired with some Vittoria pit stop by the road side.

S65 > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/18/2017 at 06:08

0

Modify

Captain Brotatohead > The Lurktastic Opponaught 10/18/2017 at 08:40

1

As a man with a biking problem, I know exactly the bike you need. A monster cross bike or something similar. There aren’t many, but they do exist. The Raliegh Stuntman and the Wilier Jaroon Plus are the only major brand bikes that I’m aware of. I kind of love the idea of having a bike that can basically be transformed from a rigid mountain bike to a road bike simply by swapping wheels. I’m pretty sure that the bikes listed above have rack mounts and fender mounts. As far as I’m concerned, tubeless is an absolute must for trails. I occasionally ride my CX bike on the trails with 33mm clinchers (cuz I’m not risking my race tubulars) and I flat maybe 10-15 percent of the time.

functionoverfashion > benjrblant 10/18/2017 at 10:14

1

To each his own... I love the rear suspension on a lot of the trails I ride around here. Bombing down a hiking trail and jumping over logs and such, at speed, it’s nice to have the travel in the rear. As long as you can lock it out on the way up!

Franklin falls is one place where I definitely don’t need the full suspension! And I actually use my middle ring up front.

If you’re back in the area I could point you to some good stuff around here. Most of the best stuff isn’t marked, of course.