[no skid marks]

Post your Katipo here.

Frame - Katipo DH
Rear shock - Double BarrelTi spring
Front shock/fork - 40s New Boxxers
Handlebars - Syncros Bulk Dirty 30s
Stem - Po1nt 50mm Point dirrect mount 50mm
Headset - Opium
Grips - Ritchy Foam, chopped to be thinner.
Saddle - SDG Bel-Air I-Beam
Seatpost - SDG I-Beam
Front brake -Elixir lever, Code caliper, A2Z 8"rotor.
Rear brake - Elixir, 7"Hayes rotorA2Z 7"
Cranks - XT
Chainguide -E-13 with old chian ring with teeth removed for bash ring(light).
Chain - F-Nose.
Pedals - Welgo MG21 Ti axlesTwenty6 Rayllye Ti axles
Rear derailleur - XO short cage
Rear shifter - X7/5 8 speed
Cassette - 8speed road 11-26 or something.
Front hub - Hope ProII
Rear hub - HopeHadley or I9
Front rim - Mavic 823
Rear rim - Mavic 823
Spokes - DT Titanium/some steel on rear.
Nipples - DT Pro Lock aluminum.
Tyres - Minion UST STWill give Ardent a go next
Tubes - UST with a dash of Stans
Total weight -Was 17ish with Rocco Air,not sure now.
Red = wish list or future upgrades.

 

[Nagaredama]

Very cool bike!

 

[Udi]

That looks pretty sweet skiddy.

What ID springs does the ccdb take?

 

[no skid marks]

The Ti 350lb one I have measures 37mm, but I think it's a touch bigger than the steel ones, because you have to put a plastic sleeve over the shock body to fatten it out and keep the spring centered and not rubbing. Or so I've been told.
I've just got to put on a few more Kg so I can use the dang Ti one. Or try angle grind the sides down a bit to lower it's rate, but I don't like my chances with Ti.
Come have a go UDI, your a fly weight like me.
The 40s look kooky on the front, but pfft, who cares.

 

[grimm]

Same guy making these who made Lahar?

 

[stinky6]

Out of curiosity does this bike infringe on the FSR patent? They do look really cool. Where can one get more info on the bikes; geometry, travel, price? I googled them and I couldn't find a web site.

 

[djamgils]

its a single pivot with linkage driven shock.

 

[jonKranked]

Out of curiosity does this bike infringe on the FSR patent? They do look really cool. Where can one get more info on the bikes; geometry, travel, price? I googled them and I couldn't find a web site.

its a single pivot with linkage driven shock.

If I'm not mistaken I believe the major point of their patent involves having a pivot on the chainstay near the rear axle. There's some other stuff that goes along with it regarding axle paths and whatnot (I *think*), but this is normally what gets companies in trouble.

The only company I can think of offhand that gets away with using a chainstay pivot near the rear axle and DOESN'T pay licensing fees to S'ped is Chumba Racing, but they have documentation that proves they were using this before Specialized was.

 

[IH8Rice]

Post your Katipo here.

im sure there wont be too many posted up on here.

cool lookin whip tho. im still looking for another DH bike that isnt so "main stream"

 

[stinky6]

If I'm not mistaken I believe the major point of their patent involves having a pivot on the chainstay near the rear axle. There's some other stuff that goes along with it regarding axle paths and whatnot (I *think*), but this is normally what gets companies in trouble.

Thats what I thought too and the Katipo looks that way, but the linkage is attached to the chain stay and not the seat stay, so maybe that negates it. Or would it be and FSR if the pivot was moved to the seat stay? Hope that makes sense.

 

[IH8Rice]

or maybe the FSR patent doesnt hold water in the country the Katipo's are from?

where is that anyway? NZ?

 

[Gridds]

It's a single pivot with linkage - blatently not a horst link, hence no patent infringement.

And grimm - no, not the same guy who made Lahars.

 

[dirtdigger]

Ok here's a cuple more.






you've kinda put me on the spot there NSM
but will have another one done next week.

 

[NoUseForAName]

Gt RTS.

 

[Npdh]

how much $ for a katipo ??

sick bike man

 

[no skid marks]

Cheap as chips with the NZ dollar so weak. I'll get you an accurate price.
There is a queue forming though.

 

[carl_ed]

Some specs for the black and gold Katipo
I'll stick with red for the wishlist

Frame - Katipo DH
Shock - Rockshox vividTi spring
Fork - Rockshox boxxer teams
Handle bars - FSA gravity maximus
Stem - Truvativ hussefeltThomson/Twenty6 direct mount
Headset - Chris King
Grips - ODI ruffian MX
Saddle - SDG Bel-air RL TI
Seatpost - Thomson
Brakes - Avid juicy 5's with Hope floating rotorsAvid elixirs
Cranks - Shimano saint New Saint
Chainguide - MRP system 3
Chain - SRAM 991
Pedals - Burgtech penthouse flats
Derailleur - XO short cage
Shifter - XO trigger
Cassette - Shimano ultegra 12-25
Front hub - Hope pro II
Rear hub - Hadley
Front rim - Sun Rhyno lite Mavic 721
Rear Rim - Mavic 721
Tyres - Maxxis Minion DHF
Tubes - Light-ish ones
Total weight - I don't know

 

[IH8Rice]

Cheap as chips with the NZ dollar so weak. I'll get you an accurate price.
There is a queue forming though.

are chips cheap?

 

[Sonic Reducer]

is that chainroller system reliable and how much drag does it add? how well does it pedal?
cool looking bikes though, and steel. weight?

 

[no skid marks]

is that chainroller system reliable and how much drag does it add? how well does it pedal?
cool looking bikes though, and steel. weight?

Mine idler hasn't caused me any concerns, I've not touched it in 6 months riding. I doubt it put's any more drag on the system than the bottom roller would. The benefits the idler gives(no pedal kick back, no pedal induced lock out), far out weight a negligible amount of friction.
With a Rocco air, mine weighed about 17kg.

 

[grimm]

I will repeat myself, is this the same guy making these, who made Lahars?

 

[Wobbler]

I will repeat myself, is this the same guy making these, who made Lahars?

It's a single pivot with linkage - blatently not a horst link, hence no patent infringement.

And grimm - no, not the same guy who made Lahars.

back one page

hope this helps

 

[grimm]

back one page

hope this helps

Mustve been blind.. sorry. thanks for pointing it out!

 

[dhkid]

NSM, how is the bike with out a floating brake? that pivot is rather high.

and i wont grind down a ti spring, the surface finish of ti is very important to its overall strength.

 

[Demomonkey]

Cheap as chips with the NZ dollar so weak. I'll get you an accurate price.
There is a queue forming though.

Local press expecting NZD to "fly" but by US standards still going to be a great buy.

 

[no skid marks]

NSM, how is the bike with out a floating brake? that pivot is rather high.

and i wont grind down a ti spring, the surface finish of ti is very important to its overall strength.

I've ridden a lot of high pivot bikes with and without floaters, and I'm still undecided what I prefer. I tried my Katipo with a BMW floater, but the floater mount wasn't in the right spot, so it didn't work right.
With a floater, you can be more of a chump, and get away with a lot more, I find body possition isn't as important, and even if you get out of shape, the bike will eat whatever is in it's way.
However, without a floater(like my Katipo), the back squats a touch when braking, keeping with the forks diving, so this keeps the geo from getting steeper rapidly.
I don't imagine it's better, but without a floater you can feel the back tyres traction better, and make it bight by dabbing the brake and making the bike squat a bit, also stiffening it up a touch, so you can feel the back end better, this gives me a sense of control and feel for the rears traction, I'm not sure if makes the bike faster, as the rear suspension isn't free to work as well, and absorb small hits, but it gives me confidence because I feel i know what's going on out back better.
I've just put the Double Barrel on, and I'm hoping I'll be able to tune the squat with the low speed adjustments, so I'll let you know.
I'm not that strong, and I find when I get out of shape, anywhere(off a jump, corner, rock garden)that the floater helps me get through it easier, but if I'm riding well, no floater seems more racey.
Sorry for my confusing post, but I'm still in two minds as to what I prefer.
I don't think the bike uses much travel, or stiffens up(becomes less plush)much without a floater, it's not that big a deal. Most bikes sold with the option(Orange 222, Balfa BB7), I've found that riders prefer the lighter set up, over the benefits of a floater, as you rarely see either with a floater.
Yeah I don't think I'll bother trying to grind the ti spring, I'm eating like a reformed hunger striker instead.

 

[dhkid]

cheers for the reply man, makes perfect sense.

 

[dirtdigger]

I just finished another frame, this is my new one, I'm looking to up date some parts later on, maybe new deemax wheels would be nice?

weight= 42lbs

 

[Demomonkey]

The finish on your bikes looks great. To cool to see frame builder out here at the bottom of he world deliver what looks like a quality product. Whats the price on one of those puppies? 135 or 150 rear hub?

 

[Percy]

are chips cheap?

Yes.

Nice bikes by the way, cheaper and more reliable way of getting a similar bike to a Lahar, and as a bonus you actually get the bike!!

 

[dirtdigger]

The finish on your bikes looks great. To cool to see frame builder out here at the bottom of he world deliver what looks like a quality product. Whats the price on one of those puppies? 135 or 150 rear hub?

Hey thanks, the rear hub is 150 x 12.

If anyone is interested in a frame just shoot me a PM.

The next one I'm building is going to have a 64* head angle and close to 47" wheel base.

 

[Gridds]

The next one I'm building is going to have a 64* head angle and close to 47" wheel base.

Yes Mate! That would be mine! Looking forward to it Scott..

I'll be sure to post pics up on here when its built!

Cheers, Tim.

 

[Gridds]

So here it is, my new ride!

The frame finally arrived on Friday. I know you guys like pics so here you go:

Spec:
Frame: Katipo DH, 4130 Cro Mo. Custom size, geo, colour etc. Fox DHX 5 TF Tuned 222mm x 70mm w/ 450 lb x 2.8" steel spring.
Forks: 2006 Marzocchi 888 RC2X
Wheels: Front: Hope bulb / Mavic D521; Rear: Gusset Dozen 150mm / Mavic 721; wrapped in Michelin rubber.
Cranks: Saint (old) 38T ring
Pedals: Easton Flatboy
Chain Device: E13 SRS+ 36-40T ISCG old.
Bottom Bracket: Hope Ceramic
Rear Mech: New Saint (Sram attack shifter)
Brakes: Saint (old), 203mm disks.
Bars: Gravity Light cut to 780mm
Stem: Funn Direct Mount
Headset: FSA DH Pig Pro
Grips: Odi Ruffian MX
Post: Thomson Elite
Saddle: WTB Cro-Mo

Geometry (static): Custom - long/large.
Wheelbase: 47"
Chainstay: 16.75"
Head Angle: 64° ish
BB Height: 14"

Weight:
Frame only: 9.25 lbs

Frame + Fox DHX5 with 450lb x 2.8 steel spring: 11.15lbs

Complete bike in current build: 42.1 lbs (sorry forgot to take pic)

The build has had absolutely no attempt to be light. Strength, performance and reliability at reasonable price was the aim. Obviously much weight can be shaved with lighter forks, cranks, pedals, wheels, Ti spring and ti bolts etc. but meh..

Huge props to Scott the frame builder - he kept me up to date by email on an almost daily basis on the progress of build and posting etc. Legend! Cheers Scott!!

I'd be interested to know what you all think please?

 

[LMC]

Gridds, she looks great, nice clean lines and the red sets it off well. lighter than i expected too, shes steel right?

how much did the frame come to in £?

 

[Gridds]

Yep, 4130 cro mo steel.

Frame cost was $1400NZD = ~£540 Sterling. Import tax + duties £122.09

Bargain!!

 

[xy9ine]

Yep, 4130 cro mo steel.

Frame cost was $1400NZD = ~£540 Sterling. Import tax + duties £122.09

Bargain!!

seriously? great looking frames for dirt. amazing. i'd be all over that if i needed a new bike.

 

[Gridds]

seriously? great looking frames for dirt. amazing. i'd be all over that if i needed a new bike.

Yep. That was without shock though.


Carpark test = excellent! Really really stiff laterally at the back, much more so than my last frame (Dark Cycles Scarab). I can feel it has a bit less travel (7.8" with current shock). It is slightly harder to manual than the Scarab but I expected that with the higher pivot, but I'll soon get used to that. The geometry and sizing and everything else feels perfect.

Can't wait to get it out on a proper hill, though I've got a 3 week tour of the Alps in less than two weeks so game on!

 

[monkeyfcuker]

That thing looks sweet, especially in red! Looking forward to a ride report.

 

[- seb]

Yep, 4130 cro mo steel.

Frame cost was $1400NZD = ~£540 Sterling. Import tax + duties £122.09

Bargain!!

Fookin hell! I don't think you told me that, or if you did I wasn't listening!

Looks real nice mate, REAL nice!

PS, I've been to your house, and I know that aint it. Did you drive around until you saw somewhere fancy enough to be deserving of your bike porn?

 

[Gridds]

Fookin hell! I don't think you told me that, or if you did I wasn't listening!

Looks real nice mate, REAL nice!

PS, I've been to your house, and I know that aint it. Did you drive around until you saw somewhere fancy enough to be deserving of your bike porn?

Ha ha cheers dude. Na I went down to the 'rents this weekend..