New 857, actually turns out to be an 856 **Bike is now finished, see page 3**

[Akagi]

Nice looking build.

Does the platform function work properly on the bike?  Does it stop bobbing while remaining responsive from the terrain?

Also, what length of stem is that?

[sammydog]

Nice looking build.

Does the platform function work properly on the bike?  Does it stop bobbing while remaining responsive from the terrain?

Also, what length of stem is that?

The back end is really quiet firm, no bobbing at all. When climbing it actually feels like a hardtail. That said, I am sending the shock away to be tuned specifically for the bike and my riding style (or lack thereof). Weighing up the options at the moment between two companies that tune fox shocks. I may buy a new shock and send it off to be tuned, just deciding at the moment on the best course of action. The suspension does work well though.

The stem is 110mm.

[shovelon]

Nice looking build.

Does the platform function work properly on the bike?  Does it stop bobbing while remaining responsive from the terrain?

Also, what length of stem is that?

The back end is really quiet firm, no bobbing at all. When climbing it actually feels like a hardtail. That said, I am sending the shock away to be tuned specifically for the bike and my riding style (or lack thereof). Weighing up the options at the moment between two companies that tune fox shocks. I may buy a new shock and send it off to be tuned, just deciding at the moment on the best course of action. The suspension does work well though.

The stem is 110mm.

So you think the clunking is the shock?

There should be some kind of bottom-out bumper inside. Manitou says if you don't keep at least 50 psi in the platform chamber, you could damage the shock. My strut modification does the same as yours and I don't get any problems with mine.

One thing to check is the frame mounts. If the shock bushings are shifting during compression, it could clunk.

Terry

[fyrstormer]

Looks great! You're missing one last piece though:





See those blue bolts in place of the brake studs? Yeah, just a little bling from the blokes at Hope. You should get a pair in silver and ditch the zip-tie.

[sammydog]

Actually I will do that, hadn't seen those before. I got the hope cable guides elsewhere on the bike, but missed those.

thanks for posting that.

[trajectory]

Looks great! You're missing one last piece though:
See those blue bolts in place of the brake studs? Yeah, just a little bling from the blokes at Hope.

It's the little blings that show you care! 

[fyrstormer]

hehehe...I had to read that three times before I noticed you said "blings" instead of "things". Well played, sir. 

Yep, I've thus far been lucky enough to get matching blue anodized accessories for this bike, like the skewer handles/nuts, cable guides, and ODI handlebar-grip clamps. It would be kinda cool if I could find blue-anodized derailleur pulleys and cable endcaps, but it's hard to beat Shimano's ball-bearing pulleys even if they are plastic.

[fyrstormer]

Here is a question for everyone.

I am periodically getting a knocking sound through the rear end. Sounds like the swingarm but I am not sure. It reminds me of the sounds my old monocoque norco dh bike made.

Any one got any suggestions as to it's cause? Does anyone else get the same noise?

Well, your chainline passes below the center of the swingarm pivot, so even with the SPV shock your pedaling forces are still trying to extend the suspension. There's something in the suspension that's loose, but otherwise held in place by gravity, and you're canceling-out the gravitational compression when you pedal hard.

If your main pivot bushings and strut bushings are anything like the ones I've used, they fit WAY too tight. (I had to lathe mine down a bit to get them to turn smoothly.) So it's almost certainly not them. I'm gonna agree with everyone else and blame it on the shock bushings. Lube them up with some Noleen suspension grease and see if it goes away.

[shovelon]

hehehe...I had to read that three times before I noticed you said "blings" instead of "things". Well played, sir. 

Yep, I've thus far been lucky enough to get matching blue anodized accessories for this bike, like the skewer handles/nuts, cable guides, and ODI handlebar-grip clamps. It would be kinda cool if I could find blue-anodized derailleur pulleys and cable endcaps, but it's hard to beat Shimano's ball-bearing pulleys even if they are plastic.

Try TorontoCycles.com

[Colin]

Here is a question for everyone.

I am periodically getting a knocking sound through the rear end. Sounds like the swingarm but I am not sure. It reminds me of the sounds my old monocoque norco dh bike made.

Any one got any suggestions as to it's cause? Does anyone else get the same noise?

Well, your chainline passes below the center of the swingarm pivot, so even with the SPV shock your pedaling forces are still trying to extend the suspension. There's something in the suspension that's loose, but otherwise held in place by gravity, and you're canceling-out the gravitational compression when you pedal hard.

If your main pivot bushings and strut bushings are anything like the ones I've used, they fit WAY too tight. (I had to lathe mine down a bit to get them to turn smoothly.) So it's almost certainly not them. I'm gonna agree with everyone else and blame it on the shock bushings. Lube them up with some Noleen suspension grease and see if it goes away.

Yeh, check the shock bushings havn't ovalised and also check that they are rotating smoothly, (but that usually results in a creak rather than a clunk).
Also check the tightness of the strut to shock bolt, as I have had a clunk when that has come slightly loose.

Col.

[fyrstormer]

Wrapping a layer or two of plumber's Teflon tape around the inner bushing race might help too, by taking up some of the slack.

God only knows why they call it plumber's tape though, I've never seen a plumber actually use the stuff. Which is why I've always had to re-fix anything I've ever had a plumber work on. 

[purple gerbil]

What about your freehub??