JonnyV

Well, kind of. The wife has given me permission to build a new bike. We're strapped for cash, what with a newborn (our first. Hopefully my future riding buddy but currently my buddy, nonetheless) and saving for a house. So, a budget in mind I worked a deal with the shop I used to run. Going to start with a Surly Karate Monkey frame. Truvativ t40 cockpit. Oury grips. Truvativ Stylo 1.1 crank, WTB fx28 ss wheels, WTB Silverado saddle, Small Block 8 tires, and my old Avid BB5 brakes and old XT pedals. It'll be kinda heavy. And with a 32x18 or 20 gearing, climbing will be a challenge. But most of my riding will be at the Allegrippis trails or rails to trails with my son in a trailer so I'm thinking the gearing will be fine. Does anyone ride the Karate Monkey? What are your thoughts on it?

Cfiber

If you were single, I could see a KM. However, since you're married, I think that an Ogre would be more suitable, because you can haul cargo, carry groceries, climb hills, attach a trailer, and transport your baby better, than you could with a KM. The Surly website says that the KM is faster than the Ogre. I don't quite see how that's possible given the fact that they both have the same geometry and wheel diameter. Since when is a single speed designed to be faster than a multi-geared bicycle. Still love the KM though, I just like the Ogre more. God, I love Surly bikes! At any rate, something tells me that you're on to something!