I have had the phenomenal opportunity to be able to witness and participate in building up several of Knolly Bikes new freeride rig, the V-tach. Noel Buckley has truly designed a masterpiece. When I had the chance to ride the prototypes I was very impressed. now that I have participated in assembling several of the first frames I am just starting to grasp the amount of thought put into this design.

Couple of pics from todays events:

My new V-tach (naked)
http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/1.jpg

Misc info.....
http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/2.jpg

With decals....
http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/3.jpg\

Noel applying decals (we had him doing this all day as he is still a tad slow on that broken leg......)
http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/4.jpg

The Sat. work crew posing with some stuff that was laying around (L/R Noel, myself, Bryan) and Todd was behind the camera.
http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/5.jpg


Have a few more frames to put together tomorrow, then I should get a build put in on my frame. Will post more pics in the days to come!

holyyyyy sh*t...what is that? 20 grand sittin on the stairs there? haha those are hot man

Nice looking frame! I should sell a kidney or one of my kids on the internet so I can get one. ;)

nice....but from the looks of the 4th pic, i'm concerned that Noel is over-medicating :eek:

Wow....that is truly a work of art and i'm sure that the photos don't even do it justice. Noel you really have outdone yourself with this. Hopefully there are enough people that order that you can get in with the big dawgs and do well with the business. Good luck. (I wish I could have one) :D

I must say...you are truly deserving of praise. If I ever get the chance to see one in person, ill send you 20 bucks just because it was better then a movie.

nice....but from the looks of the 4th pic, i'm concerned that Noel is over-medicating :eek:

Everything we were using was perfectly legal. That is our story and we are sticking with it. :D

Everything we were using was perfectly legal. That is our story and we are sticking with it. :D
That's legal in Canada right? Not necessarily in the US? ;)

that looks sick.
so how many people have ordered v-tachs so far?

thats to dam nice...:D

the black ones look tight...

My wife might be able to dress me now, but I'm still a pretty big mess these days. I haven't been on any drugs for a few weeks now, but my leg is still quite uncomfortable - I should have rolled up my pant leg in that fourth picture for Zedro so that everyone could see the nice line of scars (required 43 staples) going up my shin and my knee.

I'm basically sititng around watching my gut get fat from too much X-mas chocolate, while pretty much every other part of my body atrophies away to nothing... I've been doing physio three times a week, along with very limited Pilates (which I've done for years) and a bit of massage which has really helped to improve my stamina, but there's still not too much energy available. The toughest part of breaking my leg is going to happen over the next couple of weeks when I'm not able to head out riding with all my customers (which have been become close friends) - I was really, really looking forward to that. I guess I'll be joinging them for beers after their rides instead :)

Speaking of friends, I have had a huge amount of help from them for which I'm extremely greatful. It's really quite amazing actually how supportive everyone has been and how much interest has been generated in Knolly Bikes and the V-tach frame simply by word of mouth. The first production run has been sold out for months (and we're finally now delivering!) and the second run which was started last month for an April/May release is quickly filling up with orders. Very exciting indeed.

I'm definitely looking forward to more of these types of posts as our frames are delivered over the next week.




That's legal in Canada right? Not necessarily in the US? ;)

hot stuff there boys, nice job..........

Ha - was too tired and lazy to post up last night so you beat me to it. Here's a little more bike porn for you.

Here's my Trans Blue
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Couch_Surfer/bike_build_2.jpg

With Decals
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Couch_Surfer/bike_build_3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Couch_Surfer/bike_build_4.jpg

And in BadAss Black -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/Couch_Surfer/bike_build_5.jpg

Cheers
T

What the ...? No phone call? I've been abandoned ... I learn the frames are ready on the internet? Grrrr ... somebody owes me a beer!!

SooOOoooo, when does my frame get hand-delivered to my home? :p

Kn.

Absolutely stunning bike. What an amazing creation. Huge props to you, Noel!

Putting your bike together was one of the highlights of the afternoon Ken. It's a good thing Noel was there to pull the mallet away from us. :D



.... yes Noel does a throrough quality control cycle after the builds - apparantly he don't trust us none too much

Putting your bike together was one of the highlights of the afternoon Ken. It's a good thing Noel was there to pull the mallet away from us. :D



.... yes Noel does a throrough quality control cycle after the builds - apparantly he don't trust us none too much


Just so long as you used the right size/spec of sledge. Don't waste time with some weenie 5 pounder. Ten pounds is best for precision focusing of persuasive forces.

Kn.

Are those still FSR? The CS pivot is level with the axle so does that make it non FSR? I thought FSR had to be like a few mm below. If its not thats a tight way to get around the patent.

just noticed how nice the top tubes are. Can only really spot it with the mat black one with the light shadowing.

Those look nice. Especially the full trans blue and the full black.

It just occurred to me Noel, since this is a no-compromise frame, is in your opinion the 5th Element the best shock out there? Or at least the best for your design?

Are those still FSR? The CS pivot is level with the axle so does that make it non FSR? I thought FSR had to be like a few mm below. If its not thats a tight way to get around the patent.

i think its cuz of the way it is sitting on the stairs

patent is american, not canadian...

wow...those are flippin' nice bikes!!! Drool...

Noel covered it off here (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=556739#poststop) a few days back. Jim

What the ...? No phone call? I've been abandoned ... I learn the frames are ready on the internet? Grrrr ... somebody owes me a beer!!

SooOOoooo, when does my frame get hand-delivered to my home? :p

Kn.

All of us sat around looking stupidly at one another saying " I thought YOU had Kens # in your cel phone......"

Your frame went together perfectly Ken, no need to worry. We were going to leave 1 bolt loose and see if you could find it but Noel got all cranky and started talking about liability......

As for the beer, sure I will get you a few. Name a time and place!

just noticed how nice the top tubes are. Can only really spot it with the mat black one with the light shadowing.

You mean these top tubes.....

http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/6.jpg

Those look nice. Especially the full trans blue and the full black.

It just occurred to me Noel, since this is a no-compromise frame, is in your opinion the 5th Element the best shock out there? Or at least the best for your design?

Hey Bulldog:

There are actually several reasons that we use the Progressive Suspension 5th Element shock, the first of which is that when the frame was initially designed it was the ONLY real option on the market for a new company without any supplier ties and purchase commitments. Back in early 2002, to be blunt the 5th was kicking the crap out of every other shock on the market: CV/T technology was new and unsurpassed by any other major shock manufacturer (you might be able to argue that someone like Avalanche has equally good, though different technology and manufacturing, but it's a moot point since they only sell their shocks after market, not OEM). Originally I wanted the V-tach to work with all four main American shock manufacturers: Progressive, Fox, Romic and Avalanche. However, Avalanche (due to non OE sales) was out immediately and Romic uses differrerent i2i measurements than everyone else, so they were eliminated too. That left Fox (struggling with the Vanilla DH at the time and just about to introduce their stop-gap Pro-pedal technology) and Progressive Suspension.

Anyway, after learning to deal with both companies as a flegling start up, we are very pleased with the relationship that we have established with Progressive Suspension. They have been very supportive and until recently, pretty much un-chalenged with their suspension damper designs. Now Fox has the DHX which is being heavily advertised and is no doubt a very good shock. However, do I feel that it's superior to the 5th Element? No, not really. It might have some features that allow easier adjustments and a slightly detuned rebound cicuit compared to the 5th which gives it a slightly more lively feel, but otherwise, it is a marginal (arguable at best) increase over the incumbent technology whereas the 5th element and it's CV/T damping was probably the biggest revolution in suspension since the first shock absorber was fitted to a bicycle. To me, that is hardly a reason to even consider switching shock suppliers.

Additionally, if you actually look at each shock in the pro-racing world, the 5th element has been tops for a couple of years now. This year in Pro world cup DH racing 5th element owns spots 1,2,& 3, plus many other top 10 finishes. Nothing else even comes remotely close. Progressive has also been consistantly re-tuning the rebound circuit for their shocks to provide a more active rebound for free riders (like us) since we don't (yet) make a DH racing frame (though the V-tach is very raceable - it's just not my vision of an ideal pro-level DH racing frame).

On top of that, as a small manufacturer, Progressive has given Knolly time and support that are way above what would be required for the volume that we purchase from them.

Finally, here's a reply from Ska_Todd (about 60% down the page) who if I remember works as for Iron Horse and give his reasons for IH using the 5th element shock - which are pretty much exactly Knolly's performance reasons for using this shock:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=65594

Please let me know if that sufficiantly answers your questions!

Regards,

And one of my new toy all built up (save cutting steertube and shifter cabling). Waiting for my triple ti eggbeaters to arrive so I can install those for weight savings.....

http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/7.jpg

You mean these top tubes.....

http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/6.jpg

metallic blue...awwwwwww...oooooohhhhh nice

metallic blue...awwwwwww...oooooohhhhh nice

Thanks, but the factory calls it "Trans Sparkle Blue" ;)

TJ

Very NICE... DOG.

Okay, the bike is nice too. Congrat.

And one of my new toy all built up (save cutting steertube and shifter cabling). Waiting for my triple ti eggbeaters to arrive so I can install those for weight savings.....

http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/7.jpg

Wow, that looks so much better complete. Congratulations Noel! And i dont know, but i think that beats the demo 9 in my book... :D

Hey Bulldog:
.....
Please let me know if that sufficiantly answers your questions!



Uh, yeah, sufficiantly is an understatement. It's great having you around here Noel. Thanks.

wow super nice frames...it looks so hot with that 888.

Nice looking frame! I should sell a kidney or one of my kids on the internet so I can get one. ;)


The going rate for a kidney on e-bay will provide you with enough funds to purchase 2 of these! Go on, pick a color, any color...... :D

Trev/K'endo/JimC, you'll have to excuse me while I live vicariously through you while you bring these beauties to life. I look forward to seeing the glee on the dirt too, so drop me a line when you're ready to drop in...........mcarthur79nospam@hotmail.com

Trev/K'endo/JimC, you'll have to excuse me while I live vicariously through you while you bring these beauties to life. I look forward to seeing the glee on the dirt too, so drop me a line when you're ready to drop in...........mcarthur79nospam@hotmail.com


You will probably be riding with JimC/Kendo before me as my back is still fixing itself after my Whistler incident.

I might take it for a spin around Stanley park........

the painter did the rear trans red and the front trans blue. Here's (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/picker2004a/v_fr/v_fr_trb_trr47.jpg) an SC bike with the same combo. It's fugly!

Hopefully it'll be done in the next few days.

Jim

Progressive has also been consistantly re-tuning the rebound circuit for their shocks to provide a more active rebound for free riders (like us) since we don't (yet) make a DH racing frame (though the V-tach is very raceable - it's just not my vision of an ideal pro-level DH racing frame).



That is the true gem of the post. So your telling me theres a chance??? I want the first one and i'll be sure to take it to all the NORBAs for you.

-TS

any close up pictures of the shock linkage....I keep busting mine.

side view and overview

the painter did the rear trans red and the front trans blue. Here's (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/picker2004a/v_fr/v_fr_trb_trr47.jpg) an SC bike with the same combo. It's fugly!

Hopefully it'll be done in the next few days.

Jim

Hey that's kinda like the CaptainAmerica theme Cedric was sporting...you just need to paint some white stars on there and you'll be all set.

Rode Pipeline/Crippler saturday with memories of my days on a hardtail - sure am glad someone invented duallies!! Those Nevegals sure are the tops for dem Fromme roots. No snow in sight, and balmy temperatures......extend bike season....retard ski season

Something like this?

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010189.JPG

Something like this?

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010189.JPG


Wow. That is all I can come up with on that creation.

I vote that Jim keep the paint job and build up a Superman theme Knolly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some more of the Superman bike.

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010187.JPG

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010188.JPG

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010189.JPG

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010190.JPG

http://www.bikeweekdaytonabeach.com/bikeweek2004/ratshole/P1010191.JPG

tastless, underpowered, vibrating, overpriced, badly-designed clunker elevated to cult status; accessed only by those with beer guts, wallets, and too much time. And the wrong colour, eh?

OK, where's my asbestos suit?

Jim

tastless, underpowered, vibrating, overpriced, badly-designed clunker elevated to cult status; accessed only by those with beer guts, wallets, and too much time. And the wrong colour, eh?

OK, where's my asbestos suit?

Jim

But you know, a set of bright yellow deemax's on the blue/ red sparkly bike, and you almost wouldn't need the superman skinsuit when you ride it. Almost...

I've been badly abused for my colours/choices of bikewear, maybe some of those rims might "help"

Jim

But you know, a set of bright yellow deemax's on the blue/ red sparkly bike, and you almost wouldn't need the superman skinsuit when you ride it. Almost...


Slight problem, the V-tach uses a 150mm rear hub, I dont think the deemax's are available with that?

Therefor, Jim, break out the skinsuit! :cool:

been working on one all day! Jim

http://mattmaguire.com/gwar/graphics/skinsuit.jpg

Anyone remember Cipollini's skin suit?

http://www.repubblica.it/2003/j/sezioni/sport/cipollini/cipollini/stor_3323232_131723.jpg

(From 2001 Giro D'Italia)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/1340008.stm

Body fails to impress

Mario Cipollini had a difficult day on and off the track on Saturday.

Cipollini and his Saeco team were fined 800 Swiss Francs ($457.7) by Giro d'Italia judges for failing to wear team colours in the prologue trial.

Instead, the extrovert rider opted for a full-length skin suit decorated with muscles of the human body.

Cipollini: Dressed but did not impress

"I've wanted to wear a skin suit like that for a long time," joked Cipollini after his ride.

"Some people will be shocked, but I think it was a pleasant surprise for most people."

However, the colourful costume failed to improve the rider's performance in the race, finishing a dismal 48th and 32 seconds behind winner Verbrugghe.

any close up pictures of the shock linkage....I keep busting mine.

side view and overview


Will take some tonight and post (unless another V-tach owner beats me to it....)

TJ

O M G !!!!!!!!


Sploooge!!!

closer pic of the linkage plates (on the prototype) http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/125/pbpic125801.jpg

so on knolly's site it says basic frame kit with stuff like cranks, bb, headset, chainguide and rear hub. is this stuff included for the $3000 or whatever it is now USD?
Or is the frame and rear shock only $3000, then the basic kit, and then the hop-up kit?
Thanks

any close up pictures of the shock linkage....I keep busting mine.

side view and overview

This OK?

http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/8.jpg

so on knolly's site it says basic frame kit with stuff like cranks, bb, headset, chainguide and rear hub. is this stuff included for the $3000 or whatever it is now USD?
Or is the frame and rear shock only $3000, then the basic kit, and then the hop-up kit?
Thanks

The basic price is frame and shock only. Expensive, yes. But, it's not out of line with any similar handmade frame with no compromises on engineering and quality.

Kn.

Okay ... I got mine and I gots to say. The pictures just don't do it justice. I won't post any photos for now, since I'm one of the three who chose the blue front/black rear combo. Just for the record, though I officially made my colour choice before Trevor!!

Welp, time to build 'er up! Now, where did I put that mallet?

Kn.

Enough with the pretty pictures already!! Get those bikes up to the mountains, get some mud on them and beat them like they were designed to. The first scratch is going to make a grown man cry for sure!!!!! Can't wait to hear the riding reviews.

Actually I've decided to frame mine and hang it above the fireplace. Can't bear to think about scratching it.

Truthfully, the sad part is that mine likely won't even see components until after XMas. Damn it I should have taken this week off

Actually I've decided to frame mine and hang it above the fireplace. Can't bear to think about scratching it.

Truthfully, the sad part is that mine likely won't even see components until after XMas. Damn it I should have taken this week off


No components until after xmas? That is frame abuse. I am going to report you to the authorities.

You will then be thrown in jail and turned into a prison *****.....

That is frame abuse

Ain't that the truth. Had to do xmas shopping sunday after we built them - then fly to San Fran and back just in time for Xmas (which consists of a drive up to Kamloops for 3 days).... I'm thinking my GF will kill me if I bring the frame, my tools, my components and a bike stand to her parents in Kamloops for that visit. I can see it now...
Me: "Merry Christmas everyone - you, uh, mind if head out to the garage for a few hours?"
GF (in her mind): "Good luck on ever hoping to have sex again honey"

Okay ... I got mine and I gots to say. The pictures just don't do it justice. I won't post any photos for now, since I'm one of the three who chose the blue front/black rear combo. Just for the record, though I officially made my colour choice before Trevor!!

Welp, time to build 'er up! Now, where did I put that mallet?

Kn.


Ken, where are you....

Bryan and myself are thinking of bailing on work tomorrow afternoon and taking the new toys for a ride, interested in joining?

This OK?

http://www3.telus.net/TWJ/a/a/8.jpg

anymore pics?? Does the shock hook up to both bolts

See Tarpon's Knolly thread for more pics of the linkage.

See Tarpon's Knolly thread for more pics of the linkage.

thanks