New Surly Grappler! How does it compare to Karate Monkey and Krampus?

[@CarlynTucker-s9m]

The Grinch that stole the Grappler! A new classic. Thanks for the clear breakdown of differences between the 3 Surly bikes, I found it very helpful. Thanks!

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.

[@JoeOsChannel]

Ottawa KANSAS...Not Canada. Got you. I know I made that mistake awhile back. great video, great bikes. Love my Surly.

[@RadioSaladStudios]

I do like that Ghost Grappler... I've been wondering if a Surly is in my future.. Thanks for making it a bit more difficult to decide. I like the Big Dummy... That Grappler looks indestructible.

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

It is indestructible. Big Dummy is also cool.

[@RadioSaladStudios]

@@ottawabikeandtrail My next ride is gonna be a cargo bike. I can definitely see myself on the electric Big Dummy... Have you done a video on that? Thanks.

[@peterbaskind9872]

I’m a MicroSHIFT fan. Their stuff works well and is easy to set up - a big plus for those like me who are not especially mechanically inclined. But the Sword shifters are so much nicer than the Advent shifters. They feel better in the hand and routing the shifter cable under the tape looks so much nicer. They are, of course, cross-compatible. Yeah. I’m picky. But…

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Agree 100 percent! I’d like to see redesigned Advent shifters.

[@johndunbar2393]

i don't care what anyone says. Surly makes some cool bikes. My first Surly will definitely be a new Moonlander. I'd also like a Krampus in the quiver. Thanks for the video!

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

I agree. Love to get my hands on a Moonlander. But, theres not much fat tire riding in our area.

[@mattgarrett1665]

Love mine with flat bars!

[@obfuscurity]

Adore that new color but I really don't understand the choice to go with Advent X in the drops. Especially for a touring-style bike where many folks will want to have a large bag between the hoods.

[@obfuscurity]

I'll add that I went with microSHIFT Sword components for my dropbar Salsa Fargo and it's lovely. This is not a critique of microSHIFT in general, just the Advent X drop shifters for this use case.

[@Marchey_]

That looks stunning!

[@GilsonBaluntong]

Is there a belt driven with pinion gearbox surly? ❤

[@donnydread7631]

“Intergalactic” He says! 🙏🏻

[@OutThere42]

Best way to figure out what bike to get is to ride. Figure out the kind of places you like to ride around ,what kind of surfaces you like and don’t like, the speed that you like to ride, and how much time you like to ride. That’s what helped me sort out my two favorite bikes.

[@marcoscottcity]

i have krampus 2022 and the bolts on the fork are arranged differently..just one on the side, three in the inner part toward the frame..in this case when you mount a drybag and turn ,the bag touch the frame , no confy steering... the forks i saw in this video shows different bolt arrangement

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Yes, they changed the fork design in the newer models.

[@tmayberry7559]

What is the max chainring size 1x for this bike

[@sadiejones7991]

They might make dish chain rings like Sram, they have flat, three and seven degrees. But figuring out the chain line is a key

[@ottawabikeandtrail]

Good question. Non-boost rear hub is 36 tooth. Boost rear hub would be 38 tooth. The bike comes stock with a boost rear hub.

[@tmayberry7559]

@@ottawabikeandtrail what about 2 x configuration.? 38 tooth paired with a 11 x36 cassette would be a good combo I think 🤔.

[@tmayberry7559]

@@sadiejones7991 what do you mean dish chain rings

[@Monk_Life]

I'd like to try a Grappler or Krampus with 2x drive...mountain bikes are brutally slow for me otherwise...

[@xclent1975]

That stem is crazy high

[@MMcG25]

To ride in the drops

[@johndunbar2393]

He explained the reasoning. Did you even watch the video, or just have to throw out a critical comment?

[@MMcG25]

@@johndunbar2393 I did hear his comment, yes, but with a bike like that and the flared bars, ideally you'd want your hands to be comfortable riding in the drops, especially in bumpy, technical terrain with a bit of a more upright riding style. So really very little steerer tube cutting seems necessary for the store owner who I know fits well on size Medium Surly bikes. Merry Christmas to you.

[@johndunbar2393]

@@MMcG25 I was asking the OP, my friend, not you. Sorry for the confusion! I just now realized it didn't put the OP's username before my reply. Your explanation makes perfect sense, and I do see a lot of folks run taller steer tubes. I'm in western Kansas and predominantly ride gravel roads, and I'm always realizing how much of an anomaly my riding style is, because I'm only in the drops, to get aero, going into headwinds. But, the vast majority of folks I see, or talk to, say they're in their drops in the situations like you mentioned. I'm not comfortable in the drops, honestly. Merry Christmas to you too, my friend!

[@MMcG25]

@@johndunbar2393 No worries. I'm dying to try one of these with a short stem and wide dirt drop bars. I used to have a Singular Gryphon (similar idea) and it rode so nicely (but that could have been in part due to the tubing choices Sam Alison made for the frame and fork on that bike).