Overview
*Also available in First Loser Silver
Embark on a journey where the trail’s whispers become roars, this is the Surly Krampus Rigid. Remember the thrill of your first bike ride? The Krampus evokes that, but on steroids. As the pioneer “plus” bike, this is about revolutionizing your trail experience. Those high-volume, 29+ tires? They’re the magic carpet of this fully rigid mountain crushing setup, posing the question who needs suspension when you can be connected.
Imagine the wind in your hair, the trail beneath your wheels, and the Surly Krampus Rigid carrying you to places you’ve only dreamed of. This bike is your ticket to freedom, designed for those who crave the call of the wild. Load up your bikepacking bags, gather your friends, and set forth on trail-oriented odysseys that will become the legends of your life. Envision day’s spent pedaling through nature’s dreamscapes and nights sharing tales around a campfire with your friends. Whether it’s the rugged trails of the Rockies or the serene paths of the Appalachians, the Krampus is your trusted companion, turning every journey into an epic bike camping saga.
Geometry & Ride Characteristics
The Surly Krampus Rigid’s geometry design seamlessly blends the attributes of traditional mountain and plus-sized bike geometries, creating a versatile framework that’s comfortable for extended rides yet nimble on challenging terrains. The frame’s geometry encourages an upright riding stance, minimizing rider fatigue during prolonged excursions. Moreover, the bike’s shorter top tube and elongated head tube amplify stability and precision, ensuring it’s a trustworthy ally for your off-road escapades.
The Surly Krampus Rigid delivers a riding sensation that is both exhilarating and controlled. The 29+ tires, combined with the bike’s unique geometry, ensure that riders experience a blend of stability and nimbleness on the trails. The large tires offer unparalleled grip, allowing for confident cornering and efficient climbing, while the bike’s design ensures quick responsiveness to rider inputs. Whether it’s navigating tight singletracks or cruising on open trails, the Krampus Rigid’s riding characteristics promise a balanced, dynamic, and thrilling ride, making every trail adventure memorable.
- 29+ Design: The Surly Krampus Rigid’s geometry is specifically tailored to accommodate 29+ tires, setting it apart from traditional mountain bikes which often cater to standard 29er or 27.5″ sizes. This design allows for a more substantial tire volume, ensuring better traction and shock absorption on rugged terrains.
- Tire Clearance: Unlike many mountain bikes that might accommodate up to 29 x 2.5″ tires, the Krampus Rigid is designed for 29 x 3″ tires. This additional clearance not only provides enhanced grip but also smoothens out trail imperfections more effectively than narrower tires.
- Head Tube Angle: At a consistent 69.0° across all sizes, the Krampus Rigid offers a balance between trail agility and stability. While aggressive downhill bikes might have slacker angles for high-speed descents, the Krampus leans towards a versatile angle suitable for varied trail conditions.
- BB Drop: A uniform BB drop of 65mm across all sizes ensures a low and centered rider position. This contrasts with some cross-country bikes which might have a slightly higher BB for pedal clearance, giving the Krampus a grounded feel, especially on technical sections.
- Wheelbase: With measurements ranging from 1087mm to 1164mm, the Krampus Rigid’s wheelbase is longer than many traditional trail bikes. A lengthier wheelbase generally provides enhanced stability, especially on fast descents and challenging terrains.
- Chainstay Length: A consistent chainstay length of 435mm for all sizes ensures that the bike has a predictable rear-end response. This is slightly elongated compared to some cross-country bikes, offering a stable ride feel, especially when navigating rocky sections.
- Top Tube Length: Both the actual and effective top tube lengths on the Krampus are designed to ensure riders have a comfortable reach and stance. While some aggressive trail bikes might have shorter top tubes for a compact riding position, the Krampus provides lengths that cater to both agility and comfort on the trails.
- Seat Tube Angle: With angles consistently set at 73.0° across sizes, the Krampus ensures an efficient pedaling stance. Some enduro bikes might lean towards slacker seat tube angles for downhill sections, but the Krampus maintains a balanced angle suitable for both climbing and descending.
- Standover Height: The varying standover heights, ranging from 770mm to 853mm, ensure riders of different statures can comfortably mount and dismount the bike. This is particularly beneficial in technical terrains where quick foot placement might be necessary.
vs. the Surly Krampus SUS
The Surly Krampus SUS is a more premium version of the Surly Krampus Rigid. While both models share a similar frame, the defining distinction between them is that the Krampus SUS is equipped with a suspension fork. The other primary differences lie in the componentry as follows:
- Fork:
- Krampus Rigid: 100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, double-butted tapered fork blades, TIG welded, E.D. coated.
- Krampus SUS: RockShox 35 Gold RL, 15 x 110mm, 120mm Travel.
- Brakes & Rotors:
- Krampus Rigid: Avid BB5 mechanical, 180F/160R.
- Krampus SUS: Tektro Gemini HD-M520, 180F/160R.
- Shifter:
- Krampus Rigid: Shimano Deore SL-M6100.
- Krampus SUS: Shimano Deore XT SL-M8100.
- Stem:
- Krampus Rigid: Kalloy 31.8.
- Krampus SUS: ProMax 31.8.
- Saddle:
- Krampus Rigid: Selle Italia.
- Krampus SUS: WTB Volt.
- Seatpost:
- Krampus Rigid: Kalloy, 30.9, 400.
- Krampus SUS: TranzX JD-YSP15.
- Crankset:
- Krampus Rigid: Shimano Deore MT510.
- Krampus SUS: Shimano Deore M6100.
- Rear Derailleur:
- Krampus Rigid: Shimano Deore RD-M6100.
- Krampus SUS: Shimano Deore XT RD-M8100.
- Tires:
- Krampus Rigid: Surly Dirt Wizard 29 x 3″, 60tpi, Tubeless Ready.
- Krampus SUS: Surly Dirt Wizard 29 x 2.6″, 60tpi, Tubeless Ready.
vs. the Surly Karate Monkey Rigid
The Surly Karate Monkey Rigid, with its versatile hardtail design, is tailored for both 29er and 27.5+ wheel sizes, making it adaptable to varied terrains from singletracks to bikepacking routes. Its geometry emphasizes a balance between agility and stability. In contrast, the Surly Krampus Rigid is specifically designed around the 29+ tire size, offering enhanced traction and shock absorption on rugged trails. The Krampus’s geometry, combined with its larger tire volume, provides a more cushioned and grounded ride experience, though it might come at a slightly higher cost compared to the Karate Monkey.
- Frame and Fork Material:
- Surly Karate Monkey Rigid: 100% Surly Chromoly Steel for both frame and fork.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: 100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing for both frame and fork.
- Geometry:
- Surly Karate Monkey Rigid: Designed for both 29er and 27.5+ wheel sizes, emphasizing a balance between agility and stability.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Tailored for 29+ tires, offering a more substantial tire volume for better traction and shock absorption.
- Groupset:
- Surly Karate Monkey Rigid: Shimano Deore XT, 12-spd, a high-performance groupset suitable for varied terrains.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Shimano Deore SL-M6100, designed for reliable shifting and performance on trails.
- Tire Clearance:
- Surly Karate Monkey Rigid: Surly Dirt Wizard 27.5 x 2.8″, optimized for trail versatility.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Surly Dirt Wizard 29 x 3″, designed for enhanced traction and shock absorption on rugged terrains.
- Ride Feel:
- Surly Karate Monkey Rigid: Versatile with a balance between agility and stability, suitable for varied terrains from singletracks to bikepacking routes.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Grounded and cushioned, with enhanced traction and shock absorption on rugged trails due to the 29+ tire size.
- Wheelbase:
- Surly Karate Monkey Rigid: Designed for both 29er and 27.5+ wheel sizes, ensuring a balance between agility and stability.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Tailored for 29+ tires, offering a more substantial tire volume for better traction and shock absorption.
vs. the Kona Unit X
The Kona Unit X, built with Reynolds 520 Butted Cromoly, offers a versatile ride suitable for both trail adventures and daily commutes, supported by its Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain. Its geometry is designed for nimbleness, making it adept at quick maneuvers on varied terrains. In contrast, the Surly Krampus Rigid, tailored around the 29+ tire size, emphasizes traction and shock absorption on rugged trails. The Krampus’s larger tire volume provides a more cushioned and grounded ride experience, potentially at a slightly higher cost relative to the Unit X.
- Frame and Fork Material:
- Kona Unit X: Reynolds 520 Butted Cromoly for both frame and fork.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: 100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing for both frame and fork.
- Geometry:
- Kona Unit X: Designed for agility, making it adept at quick maneuvers on varied terrains.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Tailored for 29+ tires, offering a more substantial tire volume for better traction and shock absorption.
- Groupset:
- Kona Unit X: Shimano Deore 12-speed, suitable for varied terrains.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Shimano Deore SL-M6100, designed for reliable shifting and performance on trails.
- Tire Clearance:
- Kona Unit X: Maxxis Rekon TR 29×2.6″ or WTB Ranger TCS 29×2.6″.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Surly Dirt Wizard 29 x 3″, designed for enhanced traction and shock absorption on rugged terrains.
- Ride Feel:
- Kona Unit X: Versatile and nimble, suitable for both trail adventures and daily commutes.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Grounded and cushioned, with enhanced traction and shock absorption on rugged trails due to the 29+ tire size.
- Wheelbase:
- Kona Unit X: Designed for a balance between stability and agility, suitable for both trails and urban settings.
- Surly Krampus Rigid: Longer wheelbase tailored for 29+ tires, emphasizing stability especially on rugged terrains.
Features
29+ Tire Compatibility: The Surly Krampus Rigid is tailored for 29+ tires, offering enhanced traction and shock absorption on rugged terrains.
Trail-Optimized Geometry: The specific geometry of the Surly Krampus Rigid ensures a balance between agility and stability, making it adept for trail adventures.
Grounded Ride Feel: The bike’s design, especially with its 29+ tire size, provides a grounded and cushioned ride experience, particularly on challenging trails.
Durable Construction: The Surly Krampus Rigid is constructed with 100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, ensuring durability and resilience against the demands of trail riding.
Bag, Rack and Fender Mounting Points
The Surly Krampus Rigid is equipped with the following mounting points to cater to all your bikepacking needs:
Rear Rack Mounts: The rear of the bike has mounts for attaching a standard rear rack for panniers or other gear.
Down Tube Mounts: The down tube has mounts for a water bottle cage or for attaching additional gear.
Under Downtube Mount: There’s a mount under the downtube, which is a common place to carry an extra water bottle or tool keg.
Fender Mounts: The bike has mounts for full coverage fenders, which are essential for wet weather bikepacking.
Surly Krampus Rigid Featured in the Wild
The 2023 Surly Krampus is Here
The 2023 Surly Krampus, recently unveiled, boasts fresh build kits and introduces two new color options: Nose Drip Curry and British Racing Green. Celebrating a decade since its debut, the Surly Krampus was the pioneer in production plus-sized tire bikes, featuring 29+ tires, off-road-friendly geometry, and a Chromoly steel frame. As Miles Arbour notes, “It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the Surly Krampus was unveiled… A couple of us here can thank the Krampus for our introduction to bikepacking.” While its core DNA remains consistent, the 2023 model showcases aesthetic updates, with the two new paint jobs being the highlight.
Surly Krampus- An Ideal Bikepacking Rig
The Surly Krampus Rigid is a trail-oriented bike that stands out with its 29+ tire compatibility, offering a ride that’s both nimble and stable. The bike’s geometry, including a moderate head tube angle of 69.5 and short chainstays, ensures it’s snappy around corners and not sluggish, despite the large tires. The author of the review states, “Simply put, this is the most fun bike that I have ever ridden, period.” Highlighting its versatility, the Krampus is described as being at home in various environments, from technical trails to hardpack, and it competes well even against XC racing bikes.
A 1,000+km Review of the Krampus – Pedals, Packs, and Pinots
In a detailed review of the Surly Krampus on “Pedals, Packs, and Pinots,” the author, Benhandrich, delves into the strengths and weaknesses of the bike after covering just under 700 miles. Describing the Krampus as a “gateway drug to a world of bicycling,” the author praises its versatility across various terrains, from off-road dirt to packed snow. However, the bike’s weight and the 1X10 drivetrain are highlighted as areas of contention, especially for uphill climbs. Despite a list of modifications and concerns, the author concludes, “Having ridden other mountain bikes, I still believe that the Krampus would be my *first choice if I had to do it all over again.”
Specs
Build Kit
The Surly Krampus Rigid’s key components include a Cane Creek headset, Avid BB5 mechanical brakes, and a Shimano Deore drivetrain. The bike is equipped with a 12-speed cogset, ranging from 11-51t, and rides on WTB ST i40 TCS 2.0 rims paired with Surly Dirt Wizard 29 x 3″ tubeless-ready tires, ensuring a versatile and smooth ride across varied terrains.
Frameset
- Frame: 100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, trumpet flared tubes, TIG welded, E.D. coated
- Fork: 100% Surly Chromoly Steel, Natch tubing, double-butted main triangle, trumpet flared tubes, TIG welded, E.D. coated
Drivetrain
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M6100
- Cassette: OE 12-spd, 11-51t
- Chain: KMC X12 Anti-Rust
- Crankset: Shimano Deore MT510
- Shifter: Shimano Deore SL-M6100
- Brakes: Avid BB5 mechanical brakes
- Rotors: 180F/160R
Components
- Headset: Cane Creek
- Stem: Kalloy 31.8
- Handlebar: Salsa Rustler
- Grips / Bar Tape: Velo Black
- Seatpost: Kalloy 30.9
- Saddle: Selle Italia
- Seatclamp: Surly stainless, 33.1mm
Wheels
- Front Wheel: Novatec 15×110, 32h, 6-bolt, WTB ST i40 TCS 2.0
- Rear Wheel: Novatec 15×110, 32h, 6-bolt, WTB ST i40 TCS 2.0
- Tires: Surly Dirt Wizard 29 x 3″, 60tpi, Tubeless Ready,
Frame Construction
The Surly Krampus Rigid is constructed from 100% Chromoly steel that is renowned for its durability and resilience, making it apt for challenging terrains. The frame is designed with Gnot-Boost 12mm x 145mm rear dropout spacing, ensuring compatibility with various wheel and hub options. Furthermore, the frame incorporates internal cable routing for shifter, brake, and a dropper post. The precision TIG welding technique employed ensures the frame’s robustness, enabling it to tackle diverse terrains without compromising its structural integrity. The main triangle of the frame is double-butted, a process that reduces weight without compromising strength.
Geometry
| SIZE | Small (15) | Medium (17) | Large (19) | xLarge (21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 399.0 | 421.6 | 441.1 | 451.7 |
| Stack | 589.8 | 594.5 | 599.2 | 613.2 |
| Head Tube Angle | 69.5° | 69.5° | 69.5° | 69.5° |
| Seat Tube Length | 375.0 | 425.0 | 475.5 | 525.0 |
| BB Drop | 60.0 | 60.0 | 60.0 | 60.0 |
| Wheelbase | 1091.1 | 1116.7 | 1138.8 | 1155.3 |
| Chainstay Length | 446.0 | 446.0 | 446.0 | 446.0 |
| Top Tube Length, Actual | 561.0 | 578.0 | 597.4 | 614.7 |
| Top Tube Length, Effective | 585.0 | 609.0 | 630.0 | 645.0 |
| Seat Tube Angle | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Fork Length | 483.0 | 483.0 | 483.0 | 483.0 |
| Fork Rake | 47.0 | 47.0 | 47.0 | 47.0 |
Warranty
Register your purchase at Surly’s Warranty Registration.
LIMITED WARRANTY FOR THE SURLY KRAMPUS RIGID
This Surly product is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for three years from the date of retail purchase of the product, subject to the limitations detailed below. Save your dated receipt for proof of purchase.
This warranty does NOT cover the following:
- Damage due to improper assembly or follow-up maintenance or lack of skill, competence or experience of the user or assembler
- Products that have been modified, neglected, used in competition or for commercial purposes, misused or abused, involved in accidents or anything other than normal use
- Installation of components, parts or accessories not originally intended for or compatible with bicycle as sold
- Damage or deterioration to the paint, surface finish, aesthetics or appearance of the product
- Normal wear and tear
- Labor required to remove and/or refit and re-adjust the product within the bicycle assembly
This limited warranty is expressly limited to the repair or replacement of a defective product, at the option of Surly, and is the sole remedy of the warranty. This limited warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the Surly product and is not transferrable. This warranty applies only to products purchased through an authorized dealer or distributor. In no event shall Surly be liable for any loss, inconvenience or damage, whether direct, incidental, consequential, or otherwise resulting from breach of any express or implied warranty or condition, of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise with respect to our products except as set forth herein.
This limited warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights, and those rights and other rights may vary from place to place. This limited warranty does not affect your statutory rights.
TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, THESE WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND THERE ARE NO OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS INCLUDING WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
