2012 Surly Karate Monkey SS
 

Hey guys I just bought a 2012 karate monkey SS. I love it but would like to know if the frame can handle a 125mm dropper seat post or if 100mm is as much as I can go. Hoping someone here may have one and know. What 27.2mm dropper would suit a karate monkey best? Thanks for any advice.

KM's are so much fun!

It depends on...

The model of the frame.
The size of the frame.
The total seat height you need.
The model of dropper in questions

You need to determine exactly how far down (measured from the collar) a seatpost can go into the seat tube before you hit that bend. Don’t guess, slide your post in to check. Call this measurement A.

Then put your saddle at the highest point you need it and measure from the saddle rails to the seat collar. Call this measurement B.

The two measurements you need to look at on any dropper post to see if they will fit are:

Exposed length with dropper in highest position (Measurement B).

Total length of dropper in highest position (A + B).

If either of these measurements exceeds what you measured, the post won’t work for you in that frame.

If you look at PNW’s website, they give you all of these measurements for all sizes of all their posts.

Not a ton of 27.2 options for droppers. I do believe PNW offers one. My Gravity Dropper Classic is also 27.2.

Here is the PNW Pine that is a 27.2 size, and has the needed measurements for the different sizes.

You can always try Surly directly. I've eyed some of their bikes over the years. Asked specific questions similar to yours and they responded quickly. I ended up buying a KM last year. A buddy got one a few years before that. He had compatibility questions, contacted Surly and got them resolved.

Other than probably being more aware of the 27.2 dropper options (since many of their bikes use that size), they will not be able to answer his question.