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anyone got one?
how much like a k/monkey are they?
Aren't they basically just an old-school KM with all the bosses and studs and mounts? Rather than a new school KM which is just stripped down to a basic frame?
The Ogre is the Karate Monkey as was with a few more braze on's. The Monkey is now disc only having lost the Canti Boss's which the Ogre still has. Thw KM, still has the threaded Barrel's on the rear stays for a rack, but if you are wanting racks and guards, then I'd say the Ogre.
Just built myself a Karate Monkey for winter and i'm loving it
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Welcome to pop round and have a look Tony if you are near Micky woods, its a 20" so probably too small for you, but it will give you an idea.
The Ogre is the 29er version of the Troll. It has the same geometry as the KM, but the funny dropouts will take racks, trailers, mudguards and what not a lot easier, due to the placement of the rear disc.
Good bit of kit if you want something you can strap all sorts of shit to.
Potentially stupid question.. do you have to take the rear brake off the KM to get the wheel out?
Nope, you take the skewer out, let the wheel fall forward, drop the chain off the sprocket then pull the wheel out backwards from the slot dropouts.
Ton, you won't regret buying a Surly, I have a 2005 Karate Monkey as my only bike and I love it. I'd quite like the disc only version but can't see myself bothering to change, it ain't broke so why bother fixing it...
The Ogre looks perfectly suited to your requirements however the Freeload racks work fine with my old Monkey and I suspect even better with the newer disc model.
Sheck, I have Hope discs on my Monkey and don't have to do anything to remove the rear wheel...
ruffrider, i have just sold a surly lht, which i loved mate.
but i like to take offroad diversions when touring, and something that will take a 2.2 tyre with guards is very appealing.