I’ve been biased to the Surly brand since 2003. This is about when I purchased my first Karate Monkey “29er” and then again in 2004 when I picked up a hidden stock of the pink 1×1. Since then I’ve had many bikes with the Surly logo stickered down the side. Multiple Karate Monkey’s, a Long Haul Trucker, a Big Dummy and Steamroller.

There hasn’t been much change to the 2013 Surly lineup, some colors, a 14″ Pugsley and of course, the Krampus.

Disclaimer: I am now the Southeast rep for Surly. If you buy a new Surly Bike in NC, SC, TN, AL or GA, from an independent bicycle dealer, I will make money from it. I encourage it, and look forward to being able to afford a Krispy Kreme donut in your honor. 

The last 10 days of my existence I’ve been in Utah drinking in all of the new bike knowledge I could handle. One of the biggest things that came out of the event of Saddle Drive was a new fatty bike from Surly Bikes.

Meet the Surly Krampus

Surly has coined a new term in the cycling industry called 29+.

3″ tired 29er mountain bike. Take your beloved Surly Karate Monkey or Ogre, enter some EPO, a different rear yoke, different geometry and fork… and you have the Krampus.

While better written folks have talked about the Krampus I feel it is my duty as your Southeast Surly rep to give you my take on it, especially for the territory I live. Read more from smarter people here:  Surly & DirtRag

The Krampus is f’n awesome

Take the fat tire smile fest of a Surly Pugsley and make it feel more like a mountain bike instead of feeling totally different from anything you have ridden before.

The low PSI of the 3″ tires makes traction easier to keep, the handling will be loved in the mountains of Pisgah. The simple design, the beautiful sparkling paint job and name make it a sought after bike already.

Ride a Krampus at Southern Spokes

We will have a few early production Krampus for demo at Southern Spokes! This will be the first consumer place to ride a 29+ (to my knowledge).