I'd really like to ride a Karate Monkey with this type of handlebar. It is just the latest idea in my head for a commuter bike. I'd probably like to build that up with an IGH, dynohub, disc brakes and all the other commuting goodies.

I've never ridden on a Karate Monkey and they aren't sold anywhere near me. Does anyone commute on this bike?

I've ridden, and abused, my Karate Monkey for about two years worth of commuting. My commute is urban/suburban, both on- and off-road, and the Monkey is just about ideally suited for that. I've only ever ridden it as a flat bar ss, so I don't know how it would behave with the setup you mentioned. That said, there's no reason it wouldn't do just fine with an IGH and more commuter trim . . . just plan your rack and fenders carefully if you're going to use discs.

Post your build if you end up doing it, and good luck!

Not commuting, but I've mountain-biked on a singlespeed Monkey with a Ti Jones H Bar before. I liked it, but the Monkey didn't fit me well, so on I went.

I got my karate monkey back last week. I'm riding it stock on wheels I raced on last year. It makes a lot of noise like a 4x4 but I can still keep up with traffic.

I think its the best bike made. I'm going to build up a 1x9 wheelset for it and will be switching it from a SS to that by summer.

The frame is solid, and holds up to Mexican roads well which means potholes as deep as 8"

Does anyone know what shops around the Minneapolis area have the bike that I might get a test ride on?

I have a Karate Monkey with a Ti H-bar and I love it . . . for mountain biking. When I commute on it it just feels a little too sluggish and I don't like not being able to get low like I can with drops. When I switch back to my LHT it feels like a carbon Colnago in comparison.

So yes, it will work, and it will be bombproof, but you lose some responsiveness and "zip" and those things equal fun for many commuters.

www.surlybikes.com

I just checked and there appear to be quite a few in that area.

I can search surlybikes.com for dealers - but that doesn't necessarily mean each of them have any Karate Monkeys. The one shop I am near that is listed as a Surly dealer is small enough that they don't have any Karate Monkeys there. I'd like to find a place that I could ride one and thought someone might know of a place that actually has some in stock.

Head over to MPLS Bike Love and ask around - I'm sure someone would let you ride their bike. Have you tried the West Bank Hub?

If someone on MPLS Bike love can't help, I'd check One on One Bikes. They don't stock a lot of anything but I know they have a Pugsley in their basement and if they don't have a Monkey for you to test ride, I'll bet anything they know somebody who does.

A fairly big shop that sells Surly is Freewheel Bikes. They have the Monkey on their website but I don't know if they keep any in stock. Like I said, it's a big place so it wouldn't surprise me if they do.

I have ridden my KM to work, but that was just to get it off the rack for the day. Not my usual commuting rig. It was fun though. My usual commuter has better options for racks and fenders than the KM does. As for bars. I have the On One Mary bars on the KM and I really like them.