Mountain Biking - Karate monkey-switching between fixed and gears?

So, I am think about putting together a karate monkey with 29" wheels for city and offroad use. I ride fixed on pavement and trails. I also want to use the bike with gears for a light load , long distance tour every year or so. Does anyone know how difficult it would be to swap between gears and single speed periodically? Would I need a different wheel set for each setup? What else would I need to do the swap? Is this is a really bad idea? It would be great to have one bike for all of these interests...

You would need different wheelsets. As for switching back and forth, do you plan on letting your rear derailluer to just hang there while you are riding fixed? And to change between fixed and geared, your going to need two different chains. Were you planning on running it 1x9 when geared?

I would take the deraillur(s) and everything else for a geared ride of when not in use. I only do a bike tour once every year or so, so if it means a weekend of setting up the bike it is worth it. Not sure what gear combo I would want to run when geared. If I rode 1x 9 would I be able to use the same crankset?

You should be able to run the same crankset/chainwheel when switching between SS/Fixed and 1x9. At least with running 1x9, you will only have to install/adjust a rear derailluer.

What about the front wheel? Is there any reasons I would have to change that? The issue with the rear is the hub, correct?

OH sorry, your right. Your only going to need a back wheel. As I was typing, I was also thinking of ordering a new wheelset for one of my bikes.

So that would not be too bad... I would have to swap the back wheel, put the derailour on, adjust the cables... anything I am missing? The brakes would not need much adjustment if the wheel size remained the same, correct?

I have a Karate Monkey that I've installed gears for some rides, but 98% of the time it's SS/fixed. I used to run a cassette freehub rear wheel so I could either install the 9-spd cassette or one cog with spacers. I've since built a fixed/free hubbed wheel and leave the other cassette wheel with gears installed and ready to go.

Depending on how prepared you are and what you use for handlebars, shifters, grips, etc...the switch should only take 1/2 hr or so. I had separate handlebar setups ready for geared or fixed mode.

KM is a good choice for a versatile bike.

That sounds great! I have never ridden a 9 speed, just 27 and single. Do you think 9 speeds would be enough for a long distance tour. It would be a credit card tour, meaning very little extra weight on the bike. It seems like it would be fine, since I ride single speed everywhere else, including off road....

That sounds great! I have never ridden a 9 speed, just 27 and single. Do you think 9 speeds would be enough for a long distance tour. It would be a credit card tour, meaning very little extra weight on the bike. It seems like it would be fine, since I ride single speed everywhere else, including off road....

9 speeds works for some, just as going Single Speed is not for all. The only one way to see if 1x9 is for you, just try it.

If you're accustomed to riding singlespeed, then having 9 gears will be a bonus :)

I suppose that if you're traveling light, then it would only be hills, headwinds and desired cruising speed to consider in terms of gearing. I would think that 9 gears should be sufficient if you choose an appropriately sized chainring.