I’ll try to keep this brief. Long time fat kid turned fitness nut then gravel rider then gravel racer. Started mountain biking about a month ago. I picked up this KM to pull my kids trailer, it was rigid when I bought it. My buddy parted his KM out recently so I snagged his squish and dropper and away we went. As I start to split more time between gravel and trail I’ve found this bike to be a lot better than expected, the steel rides incredibly well. My biggest fuss with it is that it’s a pig, 32 lbs. I race a Crux on gravel and that thing is just under 18 lbs, pedals and cages installed. I don’t know what wheels are on this bike but it appears to be the same ones that come on the Chisel, so specs are limited. It’s got a mix and match drivetrain with a GX Eagle Crank and a Shimano Deore 1×12 out back. I plan to ride local Dorba trails once a week or so to mix up my gravel training, so I guess where I’m headed with all this is if I’m looking to spend ~1500-2000 on a hardtail am I better off customizing this frame or trying to find a lightly used rig?
CrispyJalepeno on
You can certainly look around at used ones up rn, it never hurts to look. If you really like what you got you can customize your current bike… but unless you change frames you’re never going to lose a lot of that weight.
Nice bike, though. I like the color
iddi_73 on
Personally I’d keep it like that and just replace stuff when it breaks. All my mtbs are 29+ pounds. The real weight savings would be shaving 30 lbs off me.
But if your parts are compatible, and you want to spend the money, you could buy a lighter frame and transfer the kit?
Clickclickdoh on
You mentioned DORBA… so I’m guessing you are in the DFW area.
I just finished Judgement Day on an Academy Sports hardtail with a 1×10 drive train upgrade. Your current bike crushes it in just about every way. You’ll be fine on DORBA trails with what you have.
Acceptable_Worth9834 on
Honestly, if you don’t need it to be light, or its fine the way that it is I wouldn’t change anything.
The biggest change will come from your frame, fork, and wheels.
That all being said, you could easily spend $3k on the components and wheels and everything and still have a pretty heavy bike. If weight is THAT important to you, I’d look into getting an XC carbon hardtail and start there.
r0cksh0x on
N+1 my friend. Keep this as the bike for family activities and a solid backup ride. You can add a decent used bike at that budget.
fartjarrington on
If it’s boost, a tapered head tube, and a threaded BB (and I’m pretty sure it is), I’d make it my long-term commitment.
Upgrade as needed. That frame will last a long time.
MTBorangecounty on
Wish they would upgrade my local trails to have designated hiking/biking like dis
The-Hand-of-Midas on
I currently own 4 Surlys, including that one. I obviously think they’re fantastic.
hoo_dawgy on
If you want a light bike a KM will never be light, I’m actually going to buy a steel frame for my next MTB so it’s all personal
Test ride lots of bikes, asking randos on the internet won’t help you find what you want IMO
10 Comments
I’ll try to keep this brief. Long time fat kid turned fitness nut then gravel rider then gravel racer. Started mountain biking about a month ago. I picked up this KM to pull my kids trailer, it was rigid when I bought it. My buddy parted his KM out recently so I snagged his squish and dropper and away we went. As I start to split more time between gravel and trail I’ve found this bike to be a lot better than expected, the steel rides incredibly well. My biggest fuss with it is that it’s a pig, 32 lbs. I race a Crux on gravel and that thing is just under 18 lbs, pedals and cages installed. I don’t know what wheels are on this bike but it appears to be the same ones that come on the Chisel, so specs are limited. It’s got a mix and match drivetrain with a GX Eagle Crank and a Shimano Deore 1×12 out back. I plan to ride local Dorba trails once a week or so to mix up my gravel training, so I guess where I’m headed with all this is if I’m looking to spend ~1500-2000 on a hardtail am I better off customizing this frame or trying to find a lightly used rig?
You can certainly look around at used ones up rn, it never hurts to look. If you really like what you got you can customize your current bike… but unless you change frames you’re never going to lose a lot of that weight.
Nice bike, though. I like the color
Personally I’d keep it like that and just replace stuff when it breaks. All my mtbs are 29+ pounds. The real weight savings would be shaving 30 lbs off me.
But if your parts are compatible, and you want to spend the money, you could buy a lighter frame and transfer the kit?
You mentioned DORBA… so I’m guessing you are in the DFW area.
I just finished Judgement Day on an Academy Sports hardtail with a 1×10 drive train upgrade. Your current bike crushes it in just about every way. You’ll be fine on DORBA trails with what you have.
Honestly, if you don’t need it to be light, or its fine the way that it is I wouldn’t change anything.
The biggest change will come from your frame, fork, and wheels.
That all being said, you could easily spend $3k on the components and wheels and everything and still have a pretty heavy bike. If weight is THAT important to you, I’d look into getting an XC carbon hardtail and start there.
N+1 my friend. Keep this as the bike for family activities and a solid backup ride. You can add a decent used bike at that budget.
If it’s boost, a tapered head tube, and a threaded BB (and I’m pretty sure it is), I’d make it my long-term commitment.
Upgrade as needed. That frame will last a long time.
Wish they would upgrade my local trails to have designated hiking/biking like dis
I currently own 4 Surlys, including that one. I obviously think they’re fantastic.
If you want a light bike a KM will never be light, I’m actually going to buy a steel frame for my next MTB so it’s all personal
Test ride lots of bikes, asking randos on the internet won’t help you find what you want IMO