|   The Strong has arrived! | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:08 AM | | Sorry for the blasphemy of a geary on this page, but i'll post again after the conversion is complete (after a couple geared rides, that is...)
I rode it to work today, just to get a feel for it before i break it this weekend, and overall i like the ride. The rear end is amazingly plush, but the fork is quite a bit on the stiff side so that may be overworking the back.
Still need to get cockpit issues worked out, like why can't a #&*^$# thompson seatpost tilt down as far it say it will??? The back screw is barely screwed in at all, and the saddle is still nose-up. Disk brakes are already starting to work better... etc etc etc.
Basically just looking forward to spending a lot of time on it this weekend. :-)
-GMF |
| re: The Strong has arrived! | Jrm
Apr 19, 2002 8:10 AM | | Replace the rear bolt with a longer one? Just match the grade and thread count... |
| re: The Strong has arrived! | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:28 AM | | Yeah, that is the obvious solution, isn't it? I guess my complaint is that i've owned 2 of these seatposts, and both had the same problem. Thomson should simply provide a longer bolt in back.
Definitely going to the hardware store tonight, though. |
| Just turn the post around... | shiggy
Apr 19, 2002 8:53 AM | | ...while the design looks symmetrical there is a tad more nose-down adjustment if the top of the ^^"THOMSON"^^ logo is toward the back of the bike.
The instructions warn against using bolts other than those suppied. If you look at the underside of the heads you will see that it is rounded. |
| Just turn the post around... | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 10:27 AM | | Thanks for the suggestion (it really does look symmetrical), but unfortunately it already has the top of the "T" pointing toward the back. I think i need a whole new post, really. The seat is slammed all the way back on the rails, so i think the setback version is probably more of what i need. I'll get the 12* head on it, too.
-GMF |
| Actually... | Jrm
Apr 19, 2002 9:22 AM | | i did just that with a Bontrager Comp Post. |
| another pic | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:10 AM | | i guess i can't really line up a camera with the bike, huh?
I really like the head tube badge Strong uses |
| another pic | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:13 AM | | mmmm.... chainstay clearance of the little boingy metal thing at the bottom of the bike.
I'll need it if i ever see mud again (cali not so good for that)
The guys at strong also did a really nice transition from the chainstays to the flex plate. Nice work, kids. |
| another pic | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:15 AM | | Strong also did a very clean job of mounting the shock. Looking at it, i didn't know how i was going to ever get the thing out, but lo and behold it slides right out. Again, nice work, kids.
Eventually, i'm going to get the air shock in there with the lockout... |
| Last pic | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:18 AM | | Maybe i was a little generous with the chainring/crank clearance. Better too much than not enough, and when i get really strong (so to speak), i'll be able to fit a 30/40/50 gear set and amybe be able to keep up with everyone else on their SS :-) |
| What type of DT? | derek
Apr 19, 2002 9:50 AM | | What type of down tube is that? Pretty wild looking!
Bike looks good, now if you just built it yourself! :-)
-Derek |
| What type of DT? | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 12:32 PM | | Don't push me, Derek... pretty soon i am going to have fire, and i won't know how to use it! Random flames coming your way.
I do have the paul dropouts sitting in my tool box, though, waiting for the switcheroo (and a torch set).
Oh yeah, and the down tube is a Columbus Ultra Foco Mega style... kind of a faceted tear drop shape to it.
-GMF |
| nice!--questions | Hank
Apr 19, 2002 10:13 PM | | who made the flex plate? This is the first steel version of this design that I've seen. And why not a full flat c-stay like Ibis? Also, why the shock location (vs normal softail design)--more travel? Has Strong done others with this design?
Cool bike. Congrats and enjoy. |
| Did you grease the stanchions | Roger
Apr 19, 2002 8:27 AM | | on the fork? There's also a dampning adjustment on the bottom of one of the fork legs (trying to remember). Look for the allen bolt with the hole in it. K2's website has the owner manual for the noleen if you don't already have it.
Sweet looking rig by the way. Just like my wife's recently sold Razorback RS. |
| Did you grease the stanchions | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 8:31 AM | | Yup.. first thing i did was completely tear it down and GENEROUSLY lube all the internals and bushings. Still need to play with damping settings, but the problem is it is just pumped up too stiff.
and thanks. :-)
-GMF |
| pivotless? | DAS
Apr 19, 2002 8:58 AM | | So the chainstays are pivotless? What's the frame material? You're not worried about fatigue?
did you custom order that rig before they went out of business?
Looks like a fun bike. |
| yup | GMF
Apr 19, 2002 9:12 AM | | yes.
yes. steel. yes.
huh?
Strong is still in business. It was Ibis that went bankrupt, and they are very different companies (strong got screwed by ibis, though).
The bike is a fillet brazed steel frame with a combo of columbus ultra foco and true temper OX platinum. The flex plate is some super-crazy "maraging" steel alloy with some increadible material properties, which lets me get as much travel as i do out of as little space i do.
And i guess it isn't truly pivotless... there is a pivot holding the shock on. :-)
Have fun in the PNW... you can only run so much before you learn that mud is a way of biking life up there! :-)
-GMF |
| re: The Strong has arrived! | TimL
Apr 19, 2002 8:32 PM | | Damon:
You've got balls galore if I understand you correctly and you are going to fire up your new torch on your new frame....
The bonty is going to gather some dust now. Nice Ride.
Tim |
| Turn the Thomson post 180 degrees... | Hoerni
Apr 22, 2002 7:37 AM | | ...and it will work!
Nice bike by the way
Hoerni |
| |
