First Look: 2013 Surly Krampus

The bottom bracket is a standard 73mm, and the Krampus will be equipped with either Shimano SLX or ZEE 1x crankset and the Shadow PLUS rear derailleur (mine currently has the SLX) when it’s released in March. The frame will take a direct-mount front derailleur, but in order to get two chainrings going without chain/tire contact, Surly recommends using their customizable MWOD crankset in order to move the small chainring farther outboard. I’d recommend leaving it single-ring up front, but riders may want to swap the stock 39t chainring for mellower climbing gears. Rounding out the build are a 780mm Salsa Whammy Bar and a 70mm stem.

The Ride

Admittedly, my first few rides on the Krampus were not life changing. As I mentioned, I’ve spent very little time on hardtails in the past decade, and when factoring in a rigid fork, even with the huge tires, I was flailing.

After about two rides, however, my old-school techniques returned: I started looking at rigid bike lines rather than 6” bike lines, and things started to come together. It feels good to relax the deathgrip and rediscover old techniques.

I realize that one of the things I missed most about hardtails was their efficiency. I didn’t look at the chainring size until after my third ride, and was shocked to find it had 39 teeth. Even with the huge wheelset, the Krampus pedaled so efficiently that I assumed it was a 32t or 34t. The combination of traction, 29+ rollover-ability, and rigid bike efficiency allows the rider to charge up hills and loose rocky sections.

Joe Hanrahan, Surly Krampus, Blister Gear Review
Joe Hanrahan on the Surly Krampus.

The Krampus also carries its speed quite well. There is a sweet spot of drivetrain input and wheelset rotational inertia that when reached feels like some sort of velo-nirvana. The bike just rolls and mobs overstuff without the necessity of constant power input.

I haven’t taken it on any huge alpine rides (and likely will never do so), but I have done numerous rides in the 1,600-foot climbing range and never wished for lower gears. On the higher end of things, the 39t ring allows for downright unsafe-feeling speeds, which is a beautiful thing. It’s hard to spin out the Krampus, but when you do, you will be laughing (and maybe crying on the inside a little).

Those Tires

Finding the perfect tire pressure is key for maximum Krampus performance and enjoyment. Unfortunately, the gauge on my floor pump is very unreliable, so I have been starting rides with a higher psi, and releasing a bit until things feel good. (There is definitely a digital pressure gauge in my near future.) I’d wager I still am running more pressure than most would, but I can’t stand squirmy tires, and I’ve been riding in fairly rocky places.

Joe Hanrahan,Surly Krampus, Blister Gear Review

To that end, the tires have been great. I haven’t flatted in about 15 rides (keep in mind, I’m a downhill / all-mountain-ing kind of guy jumping on a very capable rigid bike), and despite their volume and width and the number of pointy rocks in this vicinity, the sidewalls look great.

The only thing I wanted to replace was the brakes. They are Avid BB7 cable driven brakes, which are OK, but some good hydro brakes would be killer.

Bottom Line

Thus far, I am enamored with the Krampus. I often find myself reaching past a fully pimped out Knolly Chilcotin to grab it for a ride, which makes me chuckle.

While pedaling out on some sandy, new Moab trail last week, I realized one of the reasons why I dig the Krampus so much: it brings back those good memories of rallying rigid bikes with canti brakes 20 years ago, but instead of steep angles, long stems, and terrible tires, I’m on a modern machine. It just inspires me to go ride something a little different.

Now that snow is finally falling here in Utah, I should get the chance to get it out on some snowy trails and see how it does, and I will be reporting back.

8 comments on “First Look: 2013 Surly Krampus”

  1. NIce writeup Shabadood. Where in Moab did you ride it? I’ve been eyeing one for down here in Phoenix just because it looks so fun on choppy loose trails.

    • Hey Scott,
      I took the Krampus on an out-and-back on 7-Up, a new addition to the Mag 7 network. Its mostly classic Moab old jeep road with some sections of singletrack built in that goes about 9 miles from Hwy 313 to the top of Bull Run. It shined in the loose, sandy turns where my buddy TJ was moto-footing as his bike slipped to the outside, but the Krampus would just stand up and float and grip on the sand.
      I don’t know if those buff, rolling trails still exist in Phoenix (Pima? Dynamite?) but the Krampus would be a blast on that kind of stuff too.

  2. That’s the same one I test rode. What did you think of that 39t front ring? I will need a 32t. :). I loved the bike A LOT! Still trying to find out what grips those are too.

    • I’m digging the 39t ring. With a 36t cog on the cassette I haven’t felt too maxed out gear-wise on the stuff I’ve been riding. A 36t ring might be a good thing if I was going to take it on bigger rides with more extended climbing and higher altitudes. I think climbing on a rigid bike is so novel to me that the 39t hasn’t been an issue, just stand up and put the hammer down.
      I went out to my garage to check what grips those were and there aren’t any logos. They aren’t Salsa, Lizard Skins or Odi, I checked all their sites…but they are lock ons. Hmmmm. I never even thought about the grips. I guess its a good thing when you don’t even notice them.

  3. I would agree on the grips. They are fatter than the clamps. Me likey them. I so can’t wait to get mine and build it up. Thanks for looking at the grips for me.

  4. Hi,

    Nice review. I’m very interested in this bike. But I’m not sure what size. I’m between the two, either med. or large. You reviewed a medium size bike.
    How tall are you? What is your inseam size?

    Thanks
    Tom

  5. Perfect review summarizing the unbelievable abilities of this magnificent invention called the Krampus. This bike is so amazing I bought two of them setting one up with a rock Shox Bluto and the other rigid. Works great in the most severe rock sections imaginable and with the thudbuster can reduce impact to the tail bone big time when you do have to sit. With a 30 degree stem and 2 ich rise bars man this feels like the best factory setup MONTESA trials motorcycle. This bike is one serious off road weapon and gone is my full suspension stumpjumper which this thing eats for breakfast lunch and supper its uses most FS mountain bikes for traction

Leave a Comment