Anyone considering the new Karate Monkey?

[cackalak]

The new Karate Monkey looks promising as a bikepacker.  Plenty of brazeons, ability to fit 27.5+ tires and nice frame geometry.  The only thing I wish is for more frame bag space (typical of Surly with super short head tubes). 

Any of you going to get one once they're available?

[Vonpotter]

I own a 2011. No joke, the week before they announced the new specs, I upgraded mine to Sram NX and put braze-ons on my fork. For a little more money, I could have gotten the new model. with everything I planned on doing to mine.

In my opinion, the new model, while touting a lot of cool features, lost some of the cockiness that was the Karate monkey. up until this year, you could spot a Karate Monkey a mile away due to the frame shape. The curved seat tube and top tube gusset were a dead giveaway. Now, you'd have to get close to see its a Monkey.

I'll keep my old one.

[JAGI410]

I rode the new SS version, and I think I want one. I already have a Surly Wednesday though, so I could just as easily build a 27.5+ wheel set for that and have a very similar bike.

[bakerjw]

I bought one last year. It has the MDS which I like. The new one? Not so much.

[Hayduke]

My wife is, she wants some of that 27.5+ goodness in a ridgid bikepacking package. She rode a small frame ECR and thought it too much of a good thing haha

[vikb]

Any of you going to get one once they're available?

No. I'm sticking with 29+. I love how the big wheels roll over stuff.

[MikeC]

Unless you're <5'6" or so, look at a Krampus so that you can run 29+.  I have yet to see a bikepack route of any ilk where I wouldn't want 29+.