Return to a Monkey,
Great varity in the Monkeys here :thumbsup:
I sold my Red Monkey last summer and built a Fargo using the Halo wheelset and few parts lying around. I ended up selling the fargo frameset as i found it harsh and uncorfortable with no luggage, and realised i should have kept the Monkey!,
I sold then got the chance to buy another 18" Monkey frameset - ex demo from ISON the UK importer, being the newer frame with dropped top tube i like it a lot.
I fitted a Works Componants 1 degree offset headset to slacken the steering slightly, I had a couple of front end tuck-in crashes on my first KM, this slacker head angle has made the bike kess twitchy and is real nice to ride on singletrack.
It was first built 2x9 with bashgaurd as what had come off the Fargo build.
I did a launch film as i always do for a new bike build
Then i got an set offset pair of Krampus 29+ wheels from Tyler from Surly as a thankyou when he and Eric came to the UK and turned up at Forth Fat here on the SE Scottish coast. These went onto my spare first Pug frame.
With a KramPug now built i have to admit to kinda neglected the Monkey a bit :nono:.
The Krampug SS hub was then swapped with the Monkey`s gears so now it is SS
6th Sept 006 by
coastkid71, on Flickr
6th Sept 022 by
coastkid71, on Flickr
6th Sept 015 by
coastkid71, on Flickr
6th Sept 009 by
coastkid71, on Flickr
It is now ideal for UK winter trails, i have been commuting in to work on it a few days a week, then go for a detour home through the woods.
This was taken on Monday morning, why it is so clean!
15th Now; Various 003 by
coastkid71, on Flickr
Now the trails are wet the KramPug`s Knards are hopeless and clog and throw everything all over you.
Enter the Monkey!, with its Gato Geax tyres it is ideal. they are ok on the road too.
I like the singlespeed simplicity and the newer frameset seems to have more of a spring to it than the MK1 Monkey. It is a lovely frame.nice and whippy and fun
15th Nov; midweek cycling 001 by
coastkid71, on Flickr
Next plan is to try it with some drops and an 8 spd Alfine. This should make it a great long day bike for our local hills with the Alfine ideal for Heather and mud conditions.
The bike i tried to make with the Fargo, but will be a lot more comfortable
And this one is DEFT not for sale!
6th Sept 010 by
coastkid71, on Flickr