Knolly Endorphin - Updated 22/11/12

Ghostt
Ghostt Posts: 192
edited November 2012 in Your mountain bikes
*Scroll down for finished pics!*

Finally took the plunge and bought a full sus frame:

2010 built Knolly Endorphin

2012-05-11_11-41-22_545.jpg

and close up of the shock linkage, just cause it's awesome!

2012-05-11_11-41-37_368.jpg

This was supposed to be a fairly budget build, but as is the way with these things I may have gotten a little carried away...

Bits so far:

RS Sektor RL Dual Position Coil forks, 120-150mm travel, 15mm thru-axle, Medium spring:

2012-05-01_16-02-16_976.jpg

Easton Haven Bars (711mm width) and Stem (70mm):

2012-05-11_11-46-49_42.jpg

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Formula RX Brakes, 180 fr/160 rr:

2012-05-11_11-48-31_367.jpg

Cane Creek 40 headset:

2012-05-11_11-49-54_107.jpg

Full spec will be:

Frame: 2010 Knolly Endorphin w/FOX RP23 High Volume, 140mm travel, size M
Forks: RS Sektor RL DP, 120-150mm travel, M spring
Headset: Cane Creek 40
Bars: Easton Haven Alloy, 711mm width
Stem: Easton Haven Alloy, 70mm length
Brakes: Formula RX, 180fr/160rr
Seatpost: Thomson Elite, Hope QR
Saddle: SDG Bel Air, Ti Rails
Shifter: Shimano XT, no display
Cranks: RaceFace Turbine, 34t RaceFace Single Chainring
Cassette: Shimano XT
Derailleur: Shimano XT, GS Cage
Chain: Shimano XTR
Wheelset: Superstar Switch Hubs/Sapim DB Spokes/Stan's Arch EX
Tyres: Bontrager XR4 Team Issue TLR, run tubeless
Pedals: Exotic Mag/Ti Flats

Think that's it! First build from scratch, so if anyone has any helpful pointers they'd be most appreciated.
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot

Comments

  • cranaz
    cranaz Posts: 39
    never seen one of these before, looks really nice mate
  • RideOnTime
    RideOnTime Posts: 4,712
    smart head set...
  • mrmonkfinger
    mrmonkfinger Posts: 1,452
    crazy linkage, what is it supposed to do? the suspension itself looks like a horst design, aside from the weird shock linkage bit
  • Ghostt
    Ghostt Posts: 192
    Next batch of parts ordered, should be ready for next weekend. Cannot wait!
    cranaz wrote:
    never seen one of these before, looks really nice mate
    Cheers. I'd never really heard about them either, just happened to be the right travel and the right price so I looked into it. They're a Canadian brand, used to make their frames in Vancouver (although switched to Taiwan now). Gets good reviews over there too.
    crazy linkage, what is it supposed to do? the suspension itself looks like a horst design, aside from the weird shock linkage bit
    Knolly call it four by 4, it's a modified version of the Horst design, but with an extra four linkages in it (!) I'm not actually sure how it works, but supposedly it was designed to overcome all the issues associated with current suspension designs...

    I'm most happy about the uninterrupted seat tube, means I'll be able to run a long enough tube for pedalling it properly but can drop the saddle right out the way for the downs. Found it to be an issue on a Stumpjumper I demo'd, the seat tube has a big curve in it, so I couldn't get the seat quite low enough, very annoying. Anyway, you can read about it here: http://old2009.knollybikes.com/about/fourby4
    RideOnTime wrote:
    smart head set...
    They're pretty cool, as the top cap/compression ring is integrated, so there are fewer individual parts to fiddle around with plus it seals better apparently. Oh, and they're only £30 from Merlin!
    Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot
  • mrmonkfinger
    mrmonkfinger Posts: 1,452
    yeah, the straight seat tube is a huge plus for an all round bike, that was high on my list for my current frame
  • CrustyMX
    CrustyMX Posts: 1
    Hello,

    I've been looking at these frames/bikes online for the past few months. Think you could post your impressions once you get it built up and ride it a bit?

    Thanks
  • Ghostt
    Ghostt Posts: 192
    Finally took delivery of nearly all the components (just waiting on the chainring and it's done, cannot wait!) So it now looks like this:

    2012-05-21_16-29-57_485.jpg

    Ended up going for a SRAM drivetrain, XO short cage mech, X9 Shifter and 36-11t cassette. Went for a 36t Renthal chainring, shall see how it climbs.

    Weight is about 12kgs, maybe just under, which is not bad considering the frame weighs 6lbs and the forks are nearly 2kgs! Will get a post-first ride review up, hopefully tomorrow, with a few more pics.
    Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    damn thats nice, must admit to being a fan of the new model, it looks insane! looking forward to a review.
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Metric or Imperial, choose one ;)
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    knolly bikes are based in vancouver but there frames were actually built in america (portland or) by sapa.. before they started to have problems with them and shelved production.. then moved it out to aisia..

    i always liked the endorphin yours looks awesome,,

    i just hope knolly can get there act togeather they still having problems with there new bikes now.. be a shame to see a quality brand fall by the wayside...
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    delcol wrote:
    knolly bikes are based in vancouver but there frames were actually built in america (portland or) by sapa.. before they started to have problems with them and shelved production.. then moved it out to aisia..

    i always liked the endorphin yours looks awesome,,

    i just hope knolly can get there act togeather they still having problems with there new bikes now.. be a shame to see a quality brand fall by the wayside...

    Sounds much like evil, I waited over 2 years for news on their FS trail bike, now 4 years later and the carbon uprising is in testing. If the likes of the new endorphin and uprising can live upto the hype, they will be seriously good bikes.
  • Ghostt
    Ghostt Posts: 192
    Finally finished after much waiting for a chainring. Very frustrating waiting around with a 95% completed bike..

    Initial impressions are very good. It's my first full sus and I'm already loving the extra confidence and ability to soak up hits - barely noticed a 3ft drop to flat on my local route, which usually has me reeling on the hardtail.

    First off, very much liking the coil fork, just the right amount of plushness and the small bump sensitivity is great. Travel adjust is very useful for climbing, didn't think I'd bother with it but find I prefer it to just locking out the forks.

    Still need to fettle the shock pressure and rebound settings but so far so good. Knolly recommend 25-30% sag, so it intially 'sits down' into it's travel a bit but is very stable after that. All that shock linkage seems to do it's job too. Noticed no pedal bob even when sprinting and it doesn't spring up under hard braking.

    It's very much an 'aggro' bike, has me hopping off any lump/root/rock I can find. Often found myself pointing it at stuff I would give a wide berth on the hardtail. One thing I really noticed though was it's also the quietest bike I've ever ridden (well, apart from the buzz from the rear hub!). It's even quieter than some road bikes I've ridden! Combination of the short cage mech/chainguide and ample frame clearance means I've not heard any chain slaps, even when pointing it down and the frame is silent, no weird creaks or suspension noise. It's eerily quiet.

    All in all, can't wait to get out on it over the summer (if we have one!) I think I'm going to need a few sets of tires...

    And yes, pics will be up soon
    Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot
  • Ghostt
    Ghostt Posts: 192
    Pics as promised:

    2012-06-04_20-47-24_210.jpg

    2012-06-09_21-00-16_769.jpg

    2012-06-09_20-58-39_257.jpg

    2012-06-09_20-58-08_226.jpg

    Final spec is:

    Frame: 2010 Knolly Endorphin w/Fox RP23, 140mm travel
    Fork: RS Sektor DP Coil, 150/120mm
    Bars/Stem: Easton Haven Alloy
    Headset: Cane Creek 40
    Wheelset: Mavic XM719/Superstar Switch Hubs/Sapim DB Spokes/Bontrager XR4 Team Issue
    Brakes: Formula RX, 160/160mm rotors
    Crankset: RaceFace Turbine, RF Turbine BB
    Chainring: E*Thirteen Guidering, 37t
    Mech/Shifter: SRAM XO/SRAM X9
    Chain/Cassette: SRAM PG1091/SRAM PG1050, 11-36t
    Chainguide: Superstar XCR
    Pedals: NS Aerial
    Weight: 11.8kgs
    Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot
  • Ghostt
    Ghostt Posts: 192
    Four months, over 1000 miles and all's good in Endo world!

    Treated the old girl to a few bits for our trip to the Alps:

    CIMG1830.jpg

    Still loving the Bontrager XR4 TLR 2.2", they come up big mind! Definitely better the harder they're ridden, once you get the tyre over onto the side knobs they grip forever, and when they do let go it's pretty gradual.

    CIMG1831.jpg

    CIMG1836.jpg

    Main changes were to the cockpit and drivetrain. The 711mm Haven bars and 70mm Haven stem were swapped for 750mm Havoc bars and 60mm Havoc stem, in a rather tasteful orange. The difference in control and handling is amazing, much more stable but still very responsive. Took me a few rides and a couple of trips over them to get used to the new combination. Trouble is, everything feels like a shopping bike now!

    The Turbine cranks were swapped for a Zee set, mainly so I could run a proper bash and guide and not have to modify chainrings to fit it. The Zee/Blackspire combo is probably a little overkill, but I haven't dropped the chain once since fitting and the gouges on the bash show it's been doing it's work. Haven't noticed any chain drag either.

    CIMG1839.jpg

    POV...

    CIMG1840.jpg

    CIMG1844.jpg

    CIMG1845.jpg

    It has put a bit of weight on mind, now tipping the scales at just over 13kgs, still not bad for a 140/150mm fully. The fact it pedals so well hides a lot of that weight, and it feels solid coming back down again so can't complain.
    Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go - T.S. Eliot