The Karate Monkey rigid fork replaces suspension forks designed for use on 29"-wheeled bikes. It features International Standard disc mounts, removable canti pivots, 1-1/8" threadless steerer, tapered straight blades, and a black powdercoat finish. 468mm axle to crown.
Rake: 43mm Steerer: 260mm Weight: 2.59 lbs. (1.18 kg)
Submitted by
Julius
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA Date Reviewed: May 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon, CA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Cheap, very strong, v-brake/disc compatible
Weaknesses:
Heavy, shudders in heavy braking
Bike Setup:
Soma Juice
Bottom Line:
This fork is perfect for riders > 200lbs. as it is pretty strong. However, I find that it shudders under heavy braking on descents but maybe I'm the only one? I'm running 185 discs. I paid only $35 so I shouldn't complain too much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines Date Reviewed: March 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Came with KM frame
Strengths:
Solid rigid steel fork that complements the Karate Monkey frame quite well. Can be run with V brakes or disc brakes. Holds line like a champ. Price is affordable.
Weaknesses:
Heavy and probably best suited for the heavier/larger rider.
Similar Products Used:
Trek rigid steel fork on 26" wheeled bike.
Bike Setup:
XL Karate Monkey frame/fork with Avid V brakes/levers, American Classic wheelset, XT chainring/BB, SRAM drivetrain, Thomson post/stem, King HS, WTB saddle, Xpedo pedals, Karma tires. Total bike weighs 23.9 pounds.
Bottom Line:
It is hard to beat the price since the fork came with my KM frame. I like the stiffness of the fork and it performs well on most Iowa singletrack. One needs to gain some suspension with a front tire that provides some cush. One could add a carbon handlebar and comfy grips so the fork will be less harsh, but this is a steel rigid banger. It's nice to have a maintenance free fork. One less thing to worry about.
A Karate Monkey frame and fork can be built up light. My size XL with gears coming in at 23.9 pounds does not feel like a heavy bike underneath me at all. It flat out flies on the trail and for where I ride, the fork rails the corners and allows me to hammer ride out of the turn with no flex.
Lots of chilis for value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON Date Reviewed: February 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
BuckWallow
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At:
SpeedGoat
Strengths:
Affordable way to experience rigid riding. Great precision and tracking. Nice offset (43mm).
Weaknesses:
Bit heavy, and harsh.
Similar Products Used:
Misfit Rigid Fork
Bike Setup:
Don't have the fork anymore, but can recommend it.
Bottom Line:
A product with great value for the price. Anyone looking to have a spare fork, or to change the handling of their bike, should look to this product.
It rides well in all conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ivan
a
from Red Republic Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
webcyclery.com
Strengths:
Cheap - especially since it came with my monkey frame. Stiff (which is both good and bad). Looks fine.
Weaknesses:
No disc only version. yeah it goes against KM spirit of changeability - but my canti-bosses are rusting from the inside out. Stiff - damn thing rattles out my teeth on baby-head downhills. For everything else - works well
Bike Setup:
KM Rigid
Bottom Line:
For the price (free with your frameset) or on sale - this is a bargain fork. If you're wanting a more forgiving rigid ride you may want a Ti fork. Perhaps talk to Walt. But for cheapie - this is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ott
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands, arnhem Date Reviewed: December 5, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
simplisity
Weaknesses:
Cantilevers and disc mounts. Needs two versions
Similar Products Used:
Onone steel
Bike Setup:
GF RIG 32=18/17
Bottom Line:
Steel as vork matarial rules, looks good and it`s easy to get
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martijn
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland Date Reviewed: December 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
www.singlespeed.nl
Strengths:
Cheap, stiff and clean looking
Weaknesses:
Stiff as in harsh on bumps, not that light, not enough rake
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Rig frame with nearly all the goodies you can think of:)
Bottom Line:
Nice fork for smooth trails but a bit harsh on bumps. Tree roots, stones and trail bumps make it a bumpy ride with this fork mounted. Next fork will be a carbon one with a bit more rake and a bit more give. For commuting it might be the ultimate fork, cheap and stiff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
GlowBoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland OR Date Reviewed: December 1, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Lost somewhere in Oregon
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Bike Gallery as part of KM frameset
Strengths:
Cheap. Stiff. Looks good. Extra rake may quicken the handling slightly and helps prevent toe overlap.
Weaknesses:
Stiff. Harsh ride for 165 lb riders like myself.
Similar Products Used:
Various rigid 26" forks over the years.
Bike Setup:
Surly Karate Monkey, configured every way you can imagine over the past 3 years: singlespeed, 2x9 derailer and (currently, for commuting) 3-speed internal hub. V and (currently) disc brakes. Straight, Mary, inverted cruiser, drop and (currently) Midge bars. 29" knobby, (currently) 28" semislick, cyclocross, and road racing tires.
Bottom Line:
Cheap rigid fork that gets the job done. Others say it's fairly compliant under 200+ pound riders, but for smaller guys it's downright brutal. I went from a lightweight rigid 26" bike to the 29" Karate Monkey (frame and fork), and the ride actually got harsher.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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