[DLo]

Yaaaap. It's finally done. Here's a shot of it:

Go here for more.

Couple riding shots too, my friend just got a Santa Cruz Super 8. Built it today and we both took the bikes for a spin.

Did I mention that Brian rocks? We've gotta go ride! Btw, I thought about putting the stickers on.. I'm not so sure I want to do that. Maybe just the Karpiel sticker. I dunno, it looks pretty nice the way it is? I'll put them up and see how I like it, then decide.

 

[ZJChaser]

lookin good man..still think I want my Bullit repainted black, but thats last on a long list of things. first I just need my damn new wheelset and rear shock.

you got the new linkage on that now too finally? what happened to taking a break? that dind't last too long.

 

[seismic]

nice bike !! Looks good too without the stickers.

 

[Incubus]

Looks great. Especially with the repaint.

Those seats are an eyesore though.

Why did you scribble out the SUV next to the cherokee? Was a mistress over and you don't want your girl to find out?

 

[Kornphlake]

Or was your girl hanging out the window topless and you didn't want us to see?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Looks good

 

[Fulton]

nice tacoma!

 

[DLo]

Naw, I wasn't paying attention when I took the pic, and my sister was gettin into the Subby. She got annoyed so I told her I'd scribble out the original

Did the stickers come in yet Brian?

Oh, and AJ.. I did take a break. 2-3 weeks without a functional bike? Now it's back to :love:

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Naw, I wasn't paying attention when I took the pic, and my sister was gettin into the Subby. She got annoyed so I told her I'd scribble out the original

Did the stickers come in yet Brian?

Oh, and AJ.. I did take a break. 2-3 weeks without a functional bike? Now it's back to :love:

Not yet, hopefully soon, I'll let you know when they come in. How does it ride compared to the old one?

 

[dhtahoe]

Lower your BB a tad

 

[Damn True]

uh....good luck with that

 

[vitox]

yea, try with the shock bolt at the 7:00 or 8:00 oclock position when looking at it from the driveside, that should ensure better all round characteristics.

 

[Curb Hucker]

Naw, I wasn't paying attention when I took the pic, and my sister was gettin into the Subby. She got annoyed so I told her I'd scribble out the original

sure i bet that was just fat ol' Brian standing there and he didnt want his picture on the internet.

Its good ya finally got a working frame, maybe now we can ride in June speeking of black bikes, my new bike of the week comes in 3 days

 

[dexterq20]

Are those pics from the Stanford campus? If I recall correctly, that looks a bit like the library.

 

[ZJChaser]

ya I guess thats long enough of a break. damn I've been riding the last week and a half on a Shimano Avilo built wheel and no rear brake because its obviosly not a dusc hub. I need my new wheels. .....thursday will be a good day.

 

[The Kadvang]

Are those pics from the Stanford campus? If I recall correctly, that looks a bit like the library.

Reprezenting Stanford urban woo woo. Yes, that is Stanford.

 

[DLo]

Yap, that's Stanford.

Mike, what's optimal for lowering the BB? I've noticed that the BB is lower than my old Disco, and accidentally scraped my pedals a couple times. I'll try the 7-8:00 position, but does that keep it at 9" of travel or does it pull it down a bit? I lost that picture that was posted a while back in one of my threads, and I can't seem to find it. It had all the shock settings for that circular piece.

 

[vitox]

Yap, that's Stanford.

Mike, what's optimal for lowering the BB? I've noticed that the BB is lower than my old Disco, and accidentally scraped my pedals a couple times. I'll try the 7-8:00 position, but does that keep it at 9" of travel or does it pull it down a bit? I lost that picture that was posted a while back in one of my threads, and I can't seem to find it. It had all the shock settings for that circular piece.

just think of it this way,

the further forward the shock bolt is, the more travel.

the more separated the lower links are from the bb shell, the better it will pedal.

if you have the long 3.0 clearing swingarm then the travel is more than 9" at the max position, but i can almost guarantee you will be better off with the bike in a lower position with less travel and better pedalling characteristics.

 

[DLo]

That makes sense, I'll remember it. Thank you for the tips. I'll try a little bit of experimenting then this week. I do believe I have the 3.0 clearing swingarm.

 

[BMRisko]

Looks good man! The ZJ could use some bigger tires though.

 

[ZJChaser]

Risko is on RM...wtf...same risko from JU, NAGCA I assume?

PS..DArren..you know he right...save yourself the trouble though and just buy my ZJ all built up already and you can have it all to yourself.

 

[DLo]

Yeah, same Risko. I mentioned this place a couple times I think.

I put the shock bolt at roughly 7-8:00 on the drivetrain side. It sure does pedal a hell of a lot better, but it also kind of feels dead.. I think I'm going to play around some more. The seat also doesn't pop into my ass whenever I try to curb hop now too

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Yeah, same Risko. I mentioned this place a couple times I think.

I put the shock bolt at roughly 7-8:00 on the drivetrain side. It sure does pedal a hell of a lot better, but it also kind of feels dead.. I think I'm going to play around some more. The seat also doesn't pop into my ass whenever I try to curb hop now too

thats running it between 7-8" at that setting.

 

[DLo]

Guess I gotta find the happy medium then. Btw, do you know how cool this is, being able to actually turn that circular piece?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Here Darren, from the Go-Ride site:

SETTING UP YOUR KARPIEL
Karpiel set-up tech tips


KARPIEL SET-UP TIPS
The Karpiel bikes have a lot of adjustability, but it is not always clear what is happening while you work through the settings.

2000 KARPIEL "DISCO VOLANTE" SET UP

Let's start with the general characteristics of the frame. Out of the box the frame is set at maximum travel (9" = 225mm), very plush rising rate, and probably medium to tall bottom bracket height (which varies depending on tires, fork, and wheel size). The adjustment for these characteristics is the pair of round eccentric shock mounts within the upper links. To adjust theses you loosen the two (one in the center of each link) 4 mm bolts, place a 10 mm hex wrench in each circle, and swivel each circle equally with the 10 mm wrenches. Don't forget to tighten the bolts when you are done.

What are you doing?

You are adjusting the position of the lower shock mount in relation to the linkage system. Because the eccentric mount is a circle, as you adjust one characteristic others will change too. Yes it is a bit complex at first, but once you give it a couple of tries it will make sense.

Here are some basic rules.

IMPORTANT: As you adjust the circle, make sure that the lower link does not contact the bottom bracket shell at full extension, and that the shock reservoir does not contact the upper pivot of the swingarm at full compression.

1. When the shock mount is closest to the front of the bike you have maximum travel (9"), at the top or bottom of the circle (8"), at the back of the bike (7").

2. When the shock mount is closest to the front of the bike you have Medium bottom bracket height, at the top of the circle High bb, at the bottom of tht circle Low bb, at the back of the bike Medium bb.

3. When the shock mount is closest to the front of the bike you have Medium steering angle, at the top of the circle Steep steering angle, at the bottom of the circle Slack, at the back of the bike Medium.

As you will notice the lower link changes position as you adjust the eccentric shock mount in the upper link. The general rules for the lower link are:

1. When the lower link is near vertical the bottom bracket is highest, the steering angle is steepest, and the suspension is at its most progressive/plushest.

2. The more horizontal the link is the lower the bottom bracket, the slacker the steering angle, and the more linear/firm the suspension. Also the bike pedals even better as the link gets horizontal.

A good place to start set-up is with your fork choice. Matching front and rear suspension performance (not necessarily travel) is key to a fast/consistent bike. Your fork choice will dictate how you set the rear suspension up.



1. If you go with a firm 6" travel fork you will probably want to lower the bottom bracket height to slacken the steering angle, which will in turn flatten the lower link and firm the rear suspension to match the feel of the front.

2. With a medium feel 7" travel fork you will probably want to keep the bottom bracket height near the middle to maintain the steering angle, which will in turn put the lower link at a 45 degree angle and the rear suspension will be progressively plush.

3. With a plush 8" travel fork (my recommendation) you will probably want to raise the bottom bracket height to maintain the steering angle, which will in turn put the lower link near vertical and the rear suspension will be VERY progressively plush. But, what about the Armageddon?

2000 KARPIEL "ARMAGEDDON" SET UP

The Army has 2 eccentric barrels that adjust the suspension performance, steering geometry and ride height of the bike.

LOWER SHOCK MOUNT

The adjustments on the lower shock mount of the Armageddon performs the same general functions as on the Disco. One difference is that the affect on the feel of the suspension is more subtle due to the Army's greater travel (9" to 11").

UPPER SHOCK MOUNT

The upper shock mount adjuster is mainly used to adjust the suspension rate from linear (straight) to progressive (rising). This adjuster can also be used to change the ride height and steering geometry in the same way that the lower shock mount adjuster can (as described in the Disco section).

Progression Adjustment

1. When the upper shock mount is towards the front of the bike the suspension rate is linear. The suspension starts out a little firmer, than in the progressive mode, but has very long mid-stroke that soaks up rock garden courses very well.

2. When the upper shock mount is towards the back of the bike the suspension rate is progressive. The suspension starts our a little softer, than in the linear mode, but becomes firmer through its travel. This setting is ideal for courses with big hits or large drops.

3. The upper mount can be set in the middle (but I haven't tested it yet) to achieve a suspension rate between linear and progressive.

Geometry Adjustment

1. The geometry and ride height adjustments are the same as with the lower shock mount, but can be performed without changing the travel length.

2. You can also offset any geometry changes, that occur while adjusting the travel length on the lower shock mount, and still achieve the amount of travel desired.

 

[DLo]

Fergot aboot that writeup! Thanks!

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Its a good write up to at point you in the right direction, ultimately you need to find what feels right for you.

 

[vitox]

thats running it between 7-8" at that setting.

that would be with the older style linkages.

Dlo has the 3rd gen bike as far as i can see, the one with chainring bolts on the upper and lower pivots, if so the max travel is pretty close to 9,5" and min travel i would estimate to be just shy of 8", ive measured these things a lot of times btw. remember the old bikes totally needed a different spring for the different travel settings, well the new ones with the bent upper linkage dont have so much leverage change as before.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

that would be with the older style linkages.

Dlo has the 3rd gen bike as far as i can see, the one with chainring bolts on the upper and lower pivots, if so the max travel is pretty close to 9,5" and min travel i would estimate to be just shy of 8", ive measured these things a lot of times btw. remember the old bikes totally needed a different spring for the different travel settings, well the new ones with the bent upper linkage dont have so much leverage change as before.

Actually your wrong its a 2000/2001 front with an 02 rear, it uses the old Hayes Torx bolts. It has the older shorter upper links.

 

[seismic]

I always wondered why Go-Ride f#cked up the upper barrel setting for the Army.
They say that when you turn the barrel so the shock mount hole is towards the fron of the bike it is a linear setup.... That is NOT true !!!! If you mount the shock so it is as close as possible to the front of the bike it is most progressive !! It took me quite some time to figure out, but I know it now. I have tried all the positions and mounting the shock so it is towards the rear of the bike in the upper barrel makes it very linear !!

I talked with a bunch of guys about this problem (including Craig Seekins) and I am not in doubt...... what do you think, Brian ?

 

[seismic]

Ohhh, quite some spelling mistakes in that post...sorry !

 

[Brian HCM#1]

I always wondered why Go-Ride f#cked up the upper barrel setting for the Army.
They say that when you turn the barrel so the shock mount hole is towards the fron of the bike it is a linear setup.... That is NOT true !!!! If you mount the shock so it is as close as possible to the front of the bike it is most progressive !! It took me quite some time to figure out, but I know it now. I have tried all the positions and mounting the shock so it is towards the rear of the bike in the upper barrel makes it very linear !!

I talked with a bunch of guys about this problem (including Craig Seekins) and I am not in doubt...... what do you think, Brian ?

I think GR has it backwards. This is where I have mine set up.

 

[vitox]

Actually your wrong its a 2000/2001 front with an 02 rear, it uses the old Hayes Torx bolts. It has the older shorter upper links.

man i need a new monitor or glasses!

 

[seismic]

I think GR has it backwards. This is where I have mine set up.

Yep...so you are on the linear side with approx 10" of travel. Actually it must be a little more travel since the standard for the travel setting is with a 2.75" stroke shock and with an Avy 3.00" shock I guess we can add a couple of % ?

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Yep...so you are on the linear side with approx 10" of travel. Actually it must be a little more travel since the standard for the travel setting is with a 2.75" stroke shock and with an Avy 3.00" shock I guess we can add a couple of % ?

I wanted to keep a similar feel to my old Disco.

 

[Low_b]

Looks great Darren.
Glad everything worked out for you!!

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Looks great Darren.
Glad everything worked out for you!!

Hey Bry whats up?

 

[Low_b]

Hey Bry whats up?

Not much..Just watchin it rain.
All this mud around here sucks..
I'm hopefully gonna shuttle Auburn sometime this weekend..

 

[DLo]

Thanks for the bike Low B.. and the extra shock, now I got two backups. Though, I don't think I will need it, the avy will handle it all from now on *knocks on wood*

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Not much..Just watchin it rain.
All this mud around here sucks..
I'm hopefully gonna shuttle Auburn sometime this weekend..

Cool, well have to hook up and do some Auburn runs within the next month. Currently I'm forkless :evil: