XtraMonkey

So you've seen these bikes before in different forms and set ups, but after much thought I believe I've landed on the best possible set up. Here is a quick journey through where these bikes have done starting here to here to here to... [sorry for the picture quality]


My camera died so here is the best I could do for a time lapse of Saturdays project...










So as most of you know the Surly Karate Monkey is a 29er, big wheeled goodness. The Xtracycle kit that I had purchased a good 2 years ago now was for a 26" wheel. I decided to keep the rear wheel from what was on the Giant frame and so you guessed it kids, I'm running a 69er Xtramonkey as I'm calling it. I'm sure it has been done before but the set up is amazing! I can't believe I put up with such an aggressive position previously. Obviously with the larger front wheel it moves the bar positioning up but it's good, dang good! If you're looking into putting a Free Radical on an older bike running 'traditional' geometry or a completely rigid that doesn't have a suspension corrected fork on it it's the least you should do. Your body will thank you!

I might add that the thrill I'm having at running this as a 69er by no means that I support the confused line of bikes offered by a few companies that come stock in this set up. For the mountain application you cannot beat a 29er.