Velopedia Bicycle Archive
Surly Karate Monkey Frameset - Hi-Viz Black
Mountain bicycle from the Velopedia specification archive.
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- Model year
- Not published by manufacturer
- Original MSRP
- $999.00
- Sizes
- XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors
- Hi-Viz Black
- Geometry
- 5 manufacturer sizes · Ride analysis
- Archive ID
- 900000888
- Catalog verified
- August 19, 2026
Current market
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Used-frameset inspection
If you’re buying this frameset used
Before buying: confirm the serial number and exact model, inspect frame and fork alignment, and inventory every included axle, hanger, clamp, headset part, cable guide and proprietary fitting.
Inspect the frame and fork →- FrameCheck paint chips, vent holes and the inside of the seat tube for corrosion. Also look for dents, bent tubes and cracking around welded or brazed joints.Inspect the frame and fork →
- Included hardwareInventory every axle, hanger, clamp, headset part, cable guide, frame plug and proprietary fitting included with the frameset. Confirm replacement availability before treating a missing small part as insignificant.
- AlignmentSight along the frame and fork from several directions. Confirm that the fork, rear dropouts, head tube and other visible interfaces appear straight; professional measurement is appropriate when alignment cannot be established visually.
Used-frameset inspection checklist 14 universal checks for a record with limited component data Open checklistClose checklist
The archived record does not contain enough component detail for a fully specification-informed frameset checklist. Use these universal checks on the frameset in front of you, inventory every included part and confirm exact interfaces before choosing components.
Identity and fit
Follow the full used-bike inspection order →Archived: Surly Karate Monkey Frameset - Hi-Viz Black · Mountain · Published sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Frame and fork
Inspect the frame and fork →Archived: Frame: Surly Karate Monkey - 4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, trumpet flared tubes, TIG welded, ED coated · Fork: Surly Karate Monkey - 4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, ED coated · Steel
Alignment
Inspect the frame and fork →Frame interfaces
Inspect the bottom bracket and shell →Before accepting the frameset
Inspect the frame and fork →Have you owned this bike?Help preserve its real-world history by sharing your owner experience.
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Frameset
| Frame Construction | Surly Karate Monkey - 4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, trumpet flared tubes, TIG welded, ED coated |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Fork | Surly Karate Monkey - 4130 Chromoly, Natch tubing, double-butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, ED coated |
| Fork Material | Steel |
Wheels & Tires
| Wheel Size | 27.5" |
|---|
Size-specific frame data
Geometry
Manufacturer-published geometry normalized for consistent archival comparison. Effective top tube and reach remain separate measurements because they describe different aspects of fit.
| Measurement | X-Small | Small | Medium | Large | X-Large |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 330 mm | 368 mm | 419 mm | 470 mm | 521 mm |
| Effective top tube | 560 mm | 585 mm | 610 mm | 635 mm | 660 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 100 mm | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm |
| Head-tube angle | 69° | 69° | 69° | 69° | 69° |
| Seat-tube angle | 73° | 73° | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Chainstay / rear center | 423 mm | 423 mm | 423 mm | 423 mm | 423 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1053 mm | 1078 mm | 1103 mm | 1129 mm | 1155 mm |
| Bottom-bracket drop | 55 mm | 55 mm | 55 mm | 55 mm | 55 mm |
| Reach | 377 mm | 402 mm | 427 mm | 450 mm | 472 mm |
| Stack | 597 mm | 597 mm | 597 mm | 606 mm | 615 mm |
| Standover height | 743 mm | 759 mm | 783 mm | 812 mm | 827 mm |
| Fork offset / rake | 47 mm | 47 mm | 47 mm | 47 mm | 47 mm |
| Fork length / axle-to-crown | 483 mm | 483 mm | 483 mm | 483 mm | 483 mm |
Geometry source: Manufacturer HTML geometry table ↗ Measurements can vary by configuration, wheel size, or flip-chip position where noted by the manufacturer.
Geometry interpretation
What this geometry means
X-Small geometry
Riding position
The 597 mm stack is tall relative to the 377 mm reach, pointing to a more upright front-end position rather than an especially long, low cockpit. The 73° effective seat angle is comparatively relaxed for a modern mountain bike, placing the seated position farther behind the bottom bracket than a steep climbing-oriented layout.
Handling tendencies
A 69° head angle combined with a 1053 mm wheelbase points to quicker-steering and more responsive steering and chassis behavior. The longer the chassis and slacker the front end, the more the bike tends to favor composure over very quick direction changes. A 423 mm rear center is compact, which tends to make rear-wheel weight shifts and tight direction changes easier than a long-rear-center layout.
Small geometry
Riding position
The 597 mm stack is tall relative to the 402 mm reach, pointing to a more upright front-end position rather than an especially long, low cockpit. The 73° effective seat angle is comparatively relaxed for a modern mountain bike, placing the seated position farther behind the bottom bracket than a steep climbing-oriented layout.
Handling tendencies
A 69° head angle combined with a 1078 mm wheelbase points to quicker-steering and more responsive steering and chassis behavior. The longer the chassis and slacker the front end, the more the bike tends to favor composure over very quick direction changes. A 423 mm rear center is compact, which tends to make rear-wheel weight shifts and tight direction changes easier than a long-rear-center layout.
Medium geometry
Riding position
The 597 mm stack is tall relative to the 427 mm reach, pointing to a more upright front-end position rather than an especially long, low cockpit. The 73° effective seat angle is comparatively relaxed for a modern mountain bike, placing the seated position farther behind the bottom bracket than a steep climbing-oriented layout.
Handling tendencies
A 69° head angle combined with a 1103 mm wheelbase points to quicker-steering and more responsive steering and chassis behavior. The longer the chassis and slacker the front end, the more the bike tends to favor composure over very quick direction changes. A 423 mm rear center is compact, which tends to make rear-wheel weight shifts and tight direction changes easier than a long-rear-center layout.
Large geometry
Riding position
A 450 mm reach paired with 606 mm of stack gives this size a moderate frame proportion: roomy enough when standing without pushing strongly toward either a very low or very upright front end. The 73° effective seat angle is comparatively relaxed for a modern mountain bike, placing the seated position farther behind the bottom bracket than a steep climbing-oriented layout.
Handling tendencies
A 69° head angle combined with a 1129 mm wheelbase points to quicker-steering and more responsive steering and chassis behavior. The longer the chassis and slacker the front end, the more the bike tends to favor composure over very quick direction changes. A 423 mm rear center is compact, which tends to make rear-wheel weight shifts and tight direction changes easier than a long-rear-center layout.
X-Large geometry
Riding position
A 472 mm reach paired with 615 mm of stack gives this size a moderate frame proportion: roomy enough when standing without pushing strongly toward either a very low or very upright front end. The 73° effective seat angle is comparatively relaxed for a modern mountain bike, placing the seated position farther behind the bottom bracket than a steep climbing-oriented layout.
Handling tendencies
A 69° head angle combined with a 1155 mm wheelbase points to quicker-steering and more responsive steering and chassis behavior. The longer the chassis and slacker the front end, the more the bike tends to favor composure over very quick direction changes. A 423 mm rear center is compact, which tends to make rear-wheel weight shifts and tight direction changes easier than a long-rear-center layout.
Across the size range
From X-Small to X-Large, reach grows by 95 mm and stack by 18 mm, showing how the frame becomes both longer and taller through the published size range. The rear center stays essentially constant at about 423 mm across sizes, so most of the wheelbase growth happens in the front half of the bike rather than by lengthening the rear triangle.
Geometry describes frame proportions and likely tendencies, not a ride test. Rider proportions, cockpit setup, tires, suspension settings, wheel configuration, and component choices can materially change how a bicycle fits and feels.
Gallery
Specifications are presented as a reference. Components may vary by market, size, production run, or later manufacturer revisions.