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All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

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Ever since gravel bikes have taken the world by storm, the idea of a “monster cross” bike seems to have faded into obscurity. True, a made up term for a loose category of bikes, but it looks like there are still monsters among us. Coming just short of a 27+ drop bar build, the new All-City Gorilla Monsoon seems to qualify for monster status with massive 27.5 x 2.4″ tires. Maybe it would be better to call it a drop bar mountain bike – either way, it looks like a lot of fun.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

Starting with the frame, the 612 Select steel tubing includes a full ED coating for future rust proofing. Clad in a Sunrise Fade paint job, the Gorilla Monsoon is feature packed, but still relatively straight forward.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

Equipped with both front and rear fender and rack mounts (compatible with the Surly 8 and 24 Pack Racks), the frame also includes three bottle cage mounts for extra water or gear carrying abilities. The All-City dropouts fit 142 x 12mm rear hubs with a 15mm thru axle upfront on the bi-plane crown steel fork. Thanks to all the braze-ons, you can run 1x, 2x, or 3x with max chainring combos listed as 1X = 38T, 2X = 28/42, 3X = 26/36/48. A straight 1 1/8″ steerer, 27.2mm post, and 73mm threaded English bottom bracket fit with the tried and true All-City ethos.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

Disc brake only, the fork has an IS mount up front, but a post mount rear, both with 160mm minimum rotor sizing.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

Shipped with WTB 27.5 x 2.4″ Riddler tires on i25 TCS tubeless rims, the frame and fork can also run 650b x 47mm or up to a 700c x 42mm tire set up. All-City points out that the 47mm tires will drop the BB a bit which is fine for loaded riding on pavement, and the 700c x 42mm set up will raise the BB by 8mm, though 700c x 38mm will keep it about the same.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

Sizing will be available from 43cm to 61cm frames.

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

All-City Gorilla Monsoon storms in with 27.5 drop bar monster gravel build

As a complete, the Gorilla Monsoon will include a 1×11 SRAM Apex 1 mechanical drivetrain with Hayes CX Expert mechanical disc brakes, and FSA Comet 1x crank with 36t chainring, and a Sunrace 11-42t cassette for $1999. Framesets will also be available for $850. Expect these to hit dealers in early April.

allcitycycles.com

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TheKaiser
TheKaiser
6 years ago

From a ride quality perspective, it is nice to see the fork has a proper curve to the blades. I don’t get why so many new steel forks, like the one Niner just released, are going straight blade. It seems to me that there is a missed opportunity for some more compliance in a category of bikes that seems to value compliance.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

Apples vs oranges.. That Niner fork you’re referencing is boosted and suspension corrected for mtb.

JK One
JK One
6 years ago

Apples to apples. A boosted suspension corrected fork could still offer additional compliance with curved legs.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  JK One

Since there are no aftermarket boosted suspension corrected forks with curved blades and littered with eyelets anywhere on the market, maybe you should be the first. Now put that apple on top of your head and let me shoot it with an arrow.

JK One
JK One
6 years ago

(deleted)

JK One
JK One
6 years ago
Reply to  JK One

(deleted)

Woody
Woody
6 years ago
Reply to  JK One

wall thickness and blade diameter has a far bigger effect on compliance

Dinger
Dinger
6 years ago
Reply to  JK One

This isn’t the 80’s, all of these products must pass CPSC and ISO fatigue and strength testing, leaving much less room for playing with flex & ride quality. The curve you’re seeing is there for looks.

You can’t perceive any difference in ride quality/compliance with a wide, soft tire under you, anyway.

Nefty
Nefty
6 years ago
Reply to  Dinger

You’re last statement is incorrect. Many riders are capable of perceiving differences between fork models, regardless of tire size and pressure. Just because you can’t……

Nefty
Nefty
6 years ago
Reply to  Nefty

“Your”

mike
mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Dinger

Exactly this! under a 23c tyre at 100psi maybe! under a 2.4″ tyre at 30psi, no way!

fifty-one
fifty-one
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Disc forks need stiffness that cancels out that kind of fork blade compliance anyway. You’re mounting a brake caliper right on that curve and you can’t let it be flexible like you could if there’s a Mafac Racer up top. Not to say that some disc forks don’t feel like they have some compliance, but first priority for a steel disc fork is not to bend under braking. Keep the flexy steel forks for rim-brakes. But that said, I’ll take a nice-looking low-down curve on a steel disc fork any day. Just not a flexy one.

Sevo
Sevo
6 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

It’s more about the tubing than the fork curve. I’ve ridden straight blade forks that ride as bad as you’d think, I’ve ridden straight blade forks that are more comfortable and better handling than any curved fork. Ridden curved forks that are far too flexy in all directions and one’s that are just perfect. Don’t always have to cost alot. My curve balded Soma fork is one of my favorites. Course the fork blades and made bybtge masters of metal a Tange too.

Mr Pink
Mr Pink
6 years ago

Beautiful kick ass bike, but monstercross it is not. Not by a long shot. Killer gravel bike however.

Monstercross was a great concept created by a guy in leadville who closed shop after a head injury and wasn’t well known. MTBR’s forums ruined the concept, often thinking it’s drop bars on any old bike with big tires…which isn’t new and dirt drop bikes go back to ‘83. Many companies made dirt drop mountain bikes. Different beasts.

True monstercross was designed to sit between a cyclocross bike and a mountain bike. Dirt drop handlebars set up higher than road drops, and 45mm wide or less tires. Why no bigger tires? so a 68mm road bb/cranks could be used to keep q factor low.

Handbuilt bicycle guide has the best and most accurate article I’ve seen on the topic. And a couple guys run a page called monstercross news on fb that’s spot on. Other than that, think guitar ted weote a good article once explaining how gravel bikes and monstercross are two very different beasts.

Those who know and own such bikes get guys like me to see the light and go wow, yeah that is legit and it’ own thing and then ya never go back.

Steve h
Steve h
6 years ago

Awesome! Hope it rides as nice as it looks!

Fred
Fred
6 years ago

Cool bike, but it doesn’t seem like there is much difference between this & the Cosmic Stallion, Space Horse or Macho Man. For the VAST majority of riders out there, they can all do the same exact thing. Compare the stats, they are almost all the same bike that some fit slightly plumper tires.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

Tubing, carbon fork, geo, race, tour, commute, all have marked differences once you throw a leg over one. What may seem similar on paper can be an eye opener after riding further than the parking lot. Are you bummed that we have choices? Is it really a bad thing that that the industry is paying attention to the most populated mid range part of the market?

Fred
Fred
6 years ago

Not bummed that we have choices, bummed that AC frame prices are going through the roof. Is the GMonsoon supposed to be a more afforadable CStallion? $850 for a low-midrange steel frameset. (The Log Lady SS frameset MSRP was like $950) I don’t know the perfect answer, but I’d like to see them keep prices reasonable vs keep designing, testing, marketing, etc all these similar niche production bikes with the latest trendy marginal update..

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

Cosmic S. and the Gorilla M. are worlds apart in ride characteristics and utility. Have you ridden any of these in question btw? I’m aware the common prose of charlatans is to base everything on paper, but gimme a break. And your original comment had nothing to do with price… uh, now it’s your main beef? Again, gimme an effing break. If AC is too much drain on your account maybe you should get more education, set your goals higher and make more money, or simply be looking elsewhere. Surly, Soma, Kona, etc… Just sayin’.

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Just my opinion kernal, you can do the same exact thing on a CStallion, GMonsoon, MMan, or SHorse or even a Midnight Special if you are even a moderately skilled rider (not concerned w marginal gains/differeces). If you ride a MMan & think you need a new bike with 650 wheels & thru axles to go bikepack better, you are just trying to keep up with the bike jonses…

* I’m broke rn, but I have a good job, thanks <:0D

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

A Macho man can absolutely handle some bikepacking, to a point. A G. Monsoon would be a far better choice for the longer, rougher haul. It’s up to the individual to make that decision and not be judged by somebody like you. How about drop labeling people based on their bike purchase habits as trying to keep up with the jones? That’s fairly gauche statement, but not surprising given the nature of the BR comment section.

francie
francie
6 years ago

@kernal i’m looking at the CS and the gorilla M, what are your opinions on the differences and why one without the other. i’m a newbie in understanding the differences but am looking to ride more dirt.

Lu Gee
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

By “VAST” you mean: Very Astute Sophisticated & Tasteful majority, right?

Gillis
Gillis
6 years ago

Pretty sure John Tomac was racing this (via Yeti) back in the 90’s.

pedallingpete
pedallingpete
6 years ago

Oh look, a Singular Peregrine concept copy 10 years later!

Papi
6 years ago
Reply to  pedallingpete

Didn’t the Singular Peregrine run 29″ wheels? Also 2012 was only 6 years ago .

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