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IB16: Surly’s Krampus plus bike is now Boost – or not

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surly-crampus-2017-redinterbike-2016-148

Like many things Surly, the Krampus was ahead of its time. Introduced when 2.4″ was still considered a huge tire, the bike not only helped to usher in a wave of plus, but proved that 29+ could be viable as well. A lot has changed since the Krampus was launched more than 4 years ago. Geometries have changed, better tires are available, and dropper posts are all but ubiquitous. And then there’s the hub spacing…

The new Krampus addresses all of that to ensure the big wheels keep on rollin’…

surly-crampus-2017-redinterbike-2016-151

The Krampus won’t ship with a dropper post but if you want to add one, it’s stealth dropper compatible. The cable routes along the bottom of the downtube then tucks into the seat tube just above the 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket. Meant to be used with Boost spacing cranks, the frame will clear a 30t chainring in 1x configuration and 24/36t in 2x with a 34.9mm high direct mount front derailleur using the included adapter.

surly-crampus-2017-redinterbike-2016-150 surly-crampus-2017-redinterbike-2016-152

One of the biggest changes to the frame is the addition of Surly’s Gnot-Boost 12mm horizontal/slotted vertical dropouts. Offering the best of both worlds, the dropouts are actually spaced at 145mm which allows them to stretch to fit Boost 148mm x 12mm hubs, standard 142 x 12mm hubs, and even 135mm QR hubs. Also, the horizontal dropouts allow for single speed use, but the dropouts also include a vertical slot on the inner face of the dropout to allow the wheel to drop out easily for geared applications.

surly-krampus-2017-geo

Along with new Natch 4130 chromoly tubing, the frame sees some changes to the geometry to make it align with more modern trail geometry while still allowing for 29 x 3.0″ tire clearance. Sold complete with a SRAM NX 1×11 drivetrain in Andy’s Apple Red, framesets with a rigid 483mm axle to crown fork with a 47mm offset and Boost hub spacing will also be sold in Dark black.

surlybikes.com

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17 Comments
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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 years ago

Bleh, those dropouts are a pain with discs

Comrad
Comrad
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Agreed. I loved my Krampus but I’ll never ever go back to the horizontal dropouts after using the MDS with the Ice Cream Truck

gregclimbs
gregclimbs
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

FWIW, the horizontals are much easier if you run 180 rear rotors since the caliber doesn’t lock the wheel in place.

Chuck
Chuck
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

These dropouts are revised to allow the wheel to fall straight down when you remove the thru axle. That is why the article says, “the horizontal dropouts allow for single speed use, but the dropouts also include a vertical slot on the inner face of the dropout to allow the wheel to drop out easily for geared applications” You need to see the revision before assuming it is the same old dropout.

pTymnWolfe
pTymnWolfe
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

This style of dropout is incredibly simple to adjust. The caliper rotates in two slots to accommodate when the axle slides front to rear. If you find this adjustment too difficult perhaps you shouldn’t be working on your own bike. Maybe take it to a shop instead? I’m sure anyone there could assist you with adjusting two screws.

YesThat'sMyLastName
YesThat'sMyLastName
7 years ago

So it requires a boost fork, boost crank, 29+ tires/rims….and yet a 145mm rear end? If you’re going to start using new standards at least give us a 148 rear end so we don’t have to rely on stretching or compressing our rear triangle to accommodate ANY hub on the market. 145 rear end spacing is a proper solution for 0% of people and a hack solution for 100% of people. If they wanted to give a real solution to multiple rear hub options they should have decided on a replaceable sliding rear dropout. This would have allowed them to machine dropouts to fit 135/142/148 rear ends while keeping the caliper aligned to the hub without resorting to sliding IS mounts.

Scott
Scott
7 years ago

Surly has always been about versatility (you call it a hack) in their bikes. This isn’t a new idea/standard from them as they use the same concept on the Cross Check with a 132.5mm spacing to allow the user to use road or mountain hubs. Steel frames can easily flex the couple of millimeters to account for it.

Not sure how replaceable sliding rear dropouts is consider simple compared to just putting your wheel in the frame and bolting it down.

Smokestack
Smokestack
7 years ago

The drops are the new ones as found on the Wednesday. There’s a slot in the forward position that allows you to slide the wheel forward, pull the through axle out, and have the wheel drop out from the bottom of the drop, pretty near like every 142 or 148 frame. I agree about what a PITA the OG Krampus was with Shadow derailleurs. Checked the new system out on a Wednesday we sold a guy and it is super easy to work with. Simple, effective, and versatile.

Fall
Fall
7 years ago

Like it says in the article, “the dropouts also include a vertical slot on the inner face of the dropout to allow the wheel to drop out easily for geared applications.” LIke how the Wednesday is.

Like this.
http://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2016/07/SURLY_WEDNESDAY_DROPOUT3-1.jpg

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
7 years ago

This reminds me that the first mountain bikers are entering their 70’s now….my dad was basically asking me for a 29+ full stiffie for his next bike.

contrarian
contrarian
7 years ago

Is the new frameset any lighter? With the Stache Carbon and many Ti offerings I’ve always hoped Surly could do a lightweight steel frameset under 5lbs.

Craig
Craig
7 years ago
Reply to  contrarian

Agreed. Long gone are the days when a 4 pound mtb frame was easily achievable. Now with disc compatible dropouts, chainstay yokes for tire clearance for bigger tires, larger diameter seat tubes for dropper posts, oversized headtubes, and longer and stronger downtubes for long travel forks, as much as I like steel frames, modern mtb frames in steel are getting gradually heavier.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
7 years ago
Reply to  contrarian

Contrarian. In almost 20 years of existence Surly has never catered to people looking for lighter bikes.

Lucien Chardon
7 years ago

The steel frame part I find still attractive.

However, I’m now torn between this bike and the new-ish 27,5×3.8 platform (see Rocky Mountain Suzi Q or Trek Farley). I’m not talking bikepacking/wilderness/adventure so much, but rather trail riding all year long, including winter. Yesterday the 29+ seemed perfect for that, but now I find the 27,5×3.8 concept (let’s call it a faster fatbike) very tempting.

transgerald
transgerald
7 years ago

i need some real life pics of the full rigid red bike in size large. that bike is frikkin beautiful.

Kev
Kev
7 years ago

Any idea when they’ll be available?

slckoltz
slckoltz
7 years ago

Has anyone weighed the frame and fork independently? Would like to get an idea of approximate weights (frame at a minimum). Thanks!

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