Check out our facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/guggear/

Thanks.

-Jon

Hello.

I am still making custom frame bags.

The cost for the bag is dependent on what type of bag you need and additional feature sets.

What kind of frame are you running? What size? Do you need the bag for a certain date?

Thanks.

-Jon

Hello.

I am making custom frame bags for people. If you are interested in ordering a custom bag for your bike, please contact me for more information.

Thanks.

-Jon

Myself and some friends caught up with some riders outside of Butte, MT.

Here's the post:

http://thebozemanfix.blogspot.com/2012/06/cdt-mtn-bike-race-6-14-12.html

Bob Pavlica from Surly got right back to my on the KM weight. Although I asked for a frame weight and a complete bike weight, I only got the complete weight.

He recommended that I get an Ogre if I was planning to run a rear rack system (which I'm not) so those weights are listed too:

"Karate Monkey
16                          26lbs 2oz
18                          26lbs 5oz
20                          26lbs 9oz
22                          26lbs 12oz
 
Ogre
16                          No weight yet
18                          28lbs 5oz
20                          28lbs 13oz
22                          No weight yet
24                         No weight yet"

The real bummer about the KM is that the rear wheel comes with Surly hubs which are fixed or single speed options only. So I am looking at getting a new rear wheel or lacing a new hub with cassette for gearing. That is a pain in the butt, but I guess it'll be fun to ride the KM single speed for a while before gearing it.

I'm gonna spend some time weighting my winter/all around rigid steel Gary Fisher 26 and components this weekend. It's in need of an overhaul anyway. I'll post some weights if that interests anyone.  I'll throw some pics up too because it's got salsa woodchippers and shimano tiagra road shifters and I'm proud of the build.

I guess knowing the weight of the bike I've been riding on trails and around town would be a good basis for knowing what I'll be taking into the woods.

I can totally agree with cackalak about the KM geometry. I think the shorter wheelbase is important for handling.

I'm now looking at other 29ers that are steel framed. I was back and forth on the aluminum frame, but I think the steel will hold up better.

Also, after reading some different fork reviews, I'm was thinking about the White Brothers Rock Solid,http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/white-brothers/rock-solid/] http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/white-brothers/rock-solid/, but since the stock KM fork is only 1lb heavier I guess I'll run that if I end up getting the KM.

I also emailed Surly to find out more about the frame weight since I couldn't find the weight listed anywhere online. I also asked them to throw a stock 18inch on a scale for me. I'll post that info if they get back to me with it.

I looked at the Kona Unit and it seems like a good bike.

I appreciate all the feedback.

I also love Surly. I've been riding bmx for almost 17 years and I fully appreciate the quality and longevity of 4130 steel. I've rode the KM, but I feel like the weight might not be needed for the touring setup.

I am not doubting the ability or awesomeness of the KM, I'm just thinking that shaving 4lbs of my frame might be really useful when looking at 100 mile days of singletrack and forest service road plus gear.

Hey paxton coyote, I dream of the Ti Fargo. Perhaps in another year or two.

Thanks for the input.

I'm going to purchase a 29er hardtail for off road touring in the next month or so. $900 is pretty much my budget. I can purchase a stock 18inch Surly Karate Monkey from my friend for $700, but I'm considering purchasing a Motobecane Fantom 29er from Bikesdirect.

I want to tour with gears. So, even with the KM I would eventually get a SRAM 2x10 setup (which I think means getting a new rear wheel because I believe the KM comes with a freewheel and not a cassette).

I am torn about running a rigid fork or a suspension fork. I mountain bike with suspension and rigid forks on different 26 inch bikes. I like both setups, but I'm leaning toward running a suspension fork for touring. I feel the suspension will be great for the end of the day, riding down a forest service road feeling totally exhausted.

I am also torn about riding the steel frame v. the aluminum frame. I know the KM will hold up, but I really don't want the extra weight when I can possibly save it with an aluminum frame. I've read online that the Motobecane frames are made in the same factories as Trek's, but I'm not sure how that translates into an off road touring setup.

I'm looking for any advice. I'm all about running a lightweight set up, but I like to ride far and through all kinds of terrain and I'm worried about destroying an aluminum frame. I'm 6ft and 175lbs BTW.

Thanks.

-Jon