Surly Karate Monkey Frameset
The Surly Karate Monkey frameset is a best-in-class, do-everything steel hardtail that pairs classic durability with modern geometry and deliberate clearance for plus-size tires. It stands out for exceptional value and broad aftermarket support—making it a more affordable, highly serviceable choice compared with boutique options like Chromag while offering more trail-focused geometry than the Timberjack.
Versatile wheel fit
Burly steel backbone
Versatile wheel fit
Burly steel backbone
Review Summary
"Most owners praise the Karate Monkey frameset for its durable steel construction, comfortable compliance, and roomy tire clearance that handles plus tires well; common complaints are its weight and more conservative geometry compared with modern trail frames."
Grin-inducing agility
4130 chromoly steel frame that balances strength and ride comfort.
Grin-inducing agility
4130 chromoly steel frame that balances strength and ride comfort.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Surly Karate Monkey frameset is a best-in-class, do-everything steel hardtail that pairs classic durability with modern geometry and deliberate clearance for plus-size tires. It stands out for exceptional value and broad aftermarket support—making it a more affordable, highly serviceable choice compared with boutique options like Chromag while offering more trail-focused geometry than the Timberjack.
Versatile wheel fit
Burly steel backbone
Grin-inducing agility
4130 chromoly steel frame that balances strength and ride comfort.
Generous tire clearance to accommodate 27.5+ and many 29+ setups.
Versatile wheel fit
Burly steel backbone
Grin-inducing agility
4130 chromoly steel frame that balances strength and ride comfort.
Generous tire clearance to accommodate 27.5+ and many 29+ setups.
$900-1200 CAD
Salsa Timberjack Steel Frameset
The Salsa Timberjack Steel frameset is purpose-built for wide-tire adventure and winter riding, with a comfortable, stable ride and plenty of mounts for racks and fenders that make it a financial and practical favorite for bikepackers. Compared with the Karate Monkey it favors touring versatility over aggressive trail bias, and it typically undercuts premium trail frames on price while still accepting true plus tires.
Plus-ready clearance
Trail-smoothing geometry
Plus-ready clearance
Trail-smoothing geometry
Review Summary
"Reviews applaud the Timberjack steel frameset for its simplicity, predictable handling, and excellent compatibility with plus tires for mixed-terrain riding; detractors note it is a bit heavy and not as progressive in geometry as newer designs."
Pack-hauler charm
Chromoly steel construction optimized for stability with plus tires.
Pack-hauler charm
Chromoly steel construction optimized for stability with plus tires.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Salsa Timberjack Steel frameset is purpose-built for wide-tire adventure and winter riding, with a comfortable, stable ride and plenty of mounts for racks and fenders that make it a financial and practical favorite for bikepackers. Compared with the Karate Monkey it favors touring versatility over aggressive trail bias, and it typically undercuts premium trail frames on price while still accepting true plus tires.
Plus-ready clearance
Trail-smoothing geometry
Pack-hauler charm
Chromoly steel construction optimized for stability with plus tires.
Simple, efficient hardtail geometry that excels on mixed trails.
Plus-ready clearance
Trail-smoothing geometry
Pack-hauler charm
Chromoly steel construction optimized for stability with plus tires.
Simple, efficient hardtail geometry that excels on mixed trails.
$800-1100 CAD
Kona Unit X Frameset
The Kona Unit X frameset offers a burly, confidence-inspiring steel platform engineered to handle heavy loads and aggressive singletrack with plus-tire compatibility and stout dropouts. It strikes a middle ground financially and technically—more trail-capable than touring-minded frames but generally more affordable than boutique race-focused steel frames like the Chromag Rootdown BA.
Playful slackness
Plus-capable traction
Playful slackness
Plus-capable traction
Review Summary
"Riders like the Kona Unit X for its tough steel build, confident handling, and solid value for plus‑tire setups, though some users report it feels heavy and less nimble than lighter alloy alternatives."
Snappy corner grin
Steel hardtail with modern, trail-focused geometry for confidence at speed.
Snappy corner grin
Steel hardtail with modern, trail-focused geometry for confidence at speed.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Kona Unit X frameset offers a burly, confidence-inspiring steel platform engineered to handle heavy loads and aggressive singletrack with plus-tire compatibility and stout dropouts. It strikes a middle ground financially and technically—more trail-capable than touring-minded frames but generally more affordable than boutique race-focused steel frames like the Chromag Rootdown BA.
Playful slackness
Plus-capable traction
Snappy corner grin
Steel hardtail with modern, trail-focused geometry for confidence at speed.
Frame clearance designed to accept 27.5+ and many 29+ tyre options.
Playful slackness
Plus-capable traction
Snappy corner grin
Steel hardtail with modern, trail-focused geometry for confidence at speed.
Frame clearance designed to accept 27.5+ and many 29+ tyre options.
$1000-1400 CAD
Norco Torrent S2 HT Frameset
The Norco Torrent S2 HT frameset is a market-leader style hardtail that brings modern trail geometry, generous tire clearance for plus rubber, and high-end frame features such as tapered headtube and boost spacing for confident handling. It competes technically with the most aggressive options on this list—offering a more performance-oriented package than the Timberjack and a clearer focus on trail speed and stiffness versus the more comfort-oriented Surly.
Stable-speed platform
Plus-friendly design
Stable-speed platform
Plus-friendly design
Review Summary
"The Norco Torrent S2 HT is generally seen as a capable, well‑built hardtail that handles aggressive trail riding and plus tires satisfactorily; criticism centers on its weight and that the spec/geometry won't suit every rider seeking the latest trends."
Hard-charging confidence
Durable steel frame built for trail use and plus-tire compatibility.
Hard-charging confidence
Durable steel frame built for trail use and plus-tire compatibility.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Norco Torrent S2 HT frameset is a market-leader style hardtail that brings modern trail geometry, generous tire clearance for plus rubber, and high-end frame features such as tapered headtube and boost spacing for confident handling. It competes technically with the most aggressive options on this list—offering a more performance-oriented package than the Timberjack and a clearer focus on trail speed and stiffness versus the more comfort-oriented Surly.
Stable-speed platform
Plus-friendly design
Hard-charging confidence
Durable steel frame built for trail use and plus-tire compatibility.
Balanced, trail-oriented geometry for predictable handling.
Stable-speed platform
Plus-friendly design
Hard-charging confidence
Durable steel frame built for trail use and plus-tire compatibility.
Balanced, trail-oriented geometry for predictable handling.
$700-1000 CAD
Chromag Rootdown BA Frameset
The Chromag Rootdown BA frameset is a boutique, race-minded steel platform prized for immediate trail feedback, premium fit-and-finish, and optimized clearance for plus tires while retaining an agile, aggressive attitude. As a premium option it commands a higher price but delivers a technical riding edge and pared-down geometry that experienced riders will prefer over more utility-focused frames like the Timberjack or Karate Monkey.
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Review Summary
"Owners consistently praise the Chromag Rootdown BA for its excellent steel ride quality, robust construction, and purposeful geometry for plus‑tire trail use, with the main drawbacks being its premium price and slightly heavier feel."
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Chromag Rootdown BA frameset is a boutique, race-minded steel platform prized for immediate trail feedback, premium fit-and-finish, and optimized clearance for plus tires while retaining an agile, aggressive attitude. As a premium option it commands a higher price but delivers a technical riding edge and pared-down geometry that experienced riders will prefer over more utility-focused frames like the Timberjack or Karate Monkey.
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Designed to clear large-volume plus tires for excellent traction.
Bombproof steel feel
Root-loving traction
Enduro-ready smirk
High-quality chromoly tubing with refined, ride-tuned construction.
Designed to clear large-volume plus tires for excellent traction.
$1200-1700 CAD