Delilah

Update time: Okay, so it took the WHOLE day on Sunday to apply the Frameskin decal kit. What a PITA! But, I have to say, it is well designed and is sure to protect the frame against minor mishaps. Having finished the job around midnight, I just did not have energy left to take pics. Sorry guys. We hit a major stumbling block in the build, as well as a minor one. First the really bad news: I ordered one of these to convert the QR rear Hope Pro II Evo to 12x142. It doesn't work The kit fits the DT Swiss thru-axle and TBc frame perfectly, but it does not fit the hub itself! There is a huge amount of play between the kit and the freehub LBS will try to source another conversion kit. Smaller prob: it seems there is not yet a Jagwire brake hose adapter kit available for new Shimano brakes. Will have to stick with the stock brake hose for now. This is trivial compared to the above issue - I'm not keen on learning to ride a unicycle...

It can be http://cdn.ubergizmo.com/photos/2009/9/go-girl.jpg Seriously though, we used the fascilities in that big empty building where the kiddies played with their bikes. Those toilets were squeeky clean and worked perfectly

We just drove back from Parys. What a storm! Rain, sleet, hail, low visibility, hazards on. Safe to say dust will not be an issue tomorrow...

Hey guys, sorry about neglecting this thread - things have been kinda hectic at work and at home The plan is to spend Sunday afternoon/evening applying the Frameskin kit. It's gonna take a while and I don't want to rush it. Then all the bike bits will be photographed for the "before" series. Dis fred needs mor pichas! The actual build starts Monday! Looks like we'll be building with the standard brake hose, because the Jagwire adapter kit has not yet arrived.

Goody bag is very disappointing We had four of those exact same USN bottles, but soon threw them away. They are rubbish and every single one of them leaked at the threads.

Great idea! I was thinking that one could take the "negative" sheet (decals removed) to any local place that does vinyl signs and stuff and have extra sets made. These things only last so long before looking manky, so it would be cool if one could replace them perhaps on a yearly basis.

I just collected the clear decals from the PO. The decals are cut out on sheets, with any leftover areas cut into cable-rub dots. This pic shows the Tallboy kit (biggest sheet), the Fox fork kit (on right), two sets for XTR cranks (on left), printed instructions for the Tallboy kit, a squeegee and Frameskin sticker. Application instructions are on the back of each decal sheet. I waited for these before starting the build because application will be a PITA, but it helps a lot if you don't have cables and stuff in the way. Now, the only missing piece to the puzzle is the Jagwire brake hose connector kit... Any word, TheV?

Well, I've had remote lockout forks before, but found that I very rarely use the function. It also adds weight and extra cable clutter. For the rare occasions that lockout is required, the manual option is fine Back to the frame: Just got a call back from Focus Auto Body and it seems I'm stuck with the matt black paint after all In order to get a good quality clear coat on the frame, it needs to be sanded lightly - something that could potentially damage the sharpness of the Santa Cruz name and logos painted on the frame. If they just spray over the (unsanded) matt paint, the gloss coat is likely to flake after 6 months or so. Damnit

Regarding the frame: the finish isn’t matt carbon, it is a very dark charcoal-coloured matt paint. Some people like to see signs of wear on their bikes, claiming it adds character. I like to have my frames properly protected and pristine for as long as possible. Therefore I’ve ordered a set of Frameskin clear (gloss) frame protection stickers – Link. As per Frameskin website: “Adhesion is optimal on gloss painted surfaces and bare metal frames (like titanium). Adhesion on anodised or matt finish frames is affected by the properties and texture of the surface finish, so results may vary.” At this stage I’ve pretty much made up my mind to have the frame clear coated – just waiting for the quote. No Not the final piece, but almost there. Just waiting for the brake hose connector kit (ordered last week when TheV effect recurred) and the Frameskin kit (ordered 3 weeks ago ). Oh, and the clearcoat process will take 2-3 days.

What a shock! It finally arrived AND it is the new CTD version, not the RP23

Well, maybe it is a good thing the shock wasn't delivered today?

Exactly! I can tell you have experience of this!

Hehe! No, not a guesthouse. Just family

LOL!!! Yes, entertaining Aardklop houseguests!

Turns out the strikes can even affect the ever-punctual Sun Uti: Full history Timestamp Tracked at Description 05 Oct 2012 05:34 SUN (Johannesburg) WeighStation Auto 05 Oct 2012 05:31 SUN (Johannesburg) Received at Branch 05 Oct 2012 02:39 AUT (Johannesburg) Forwarded by Road to Branch 05 Oct 2012 02:39 AUT (Johannesburg) Received at Branch 04 Oct 2012 17:05 SUN (Cape Town) Forwarded by Air to Branch 04 Oct 2012 17:05 SUN (Cape Town) WeighStation Manual 04 Oct 2012 17:02 SUN (Cape Town) Received at Branch 04 Oct 2012 16:22 SUN (Cape Town) Collected No delivery in Potch today

Are there any tricks to taking the frame apart or can I just jump to it with some allen keys?

For those of you who missed it earlier, I asked Dragons Sports about warranty and clear-coating: I thought this to be rather extreme, so e-mailed the warranty department of Santa Cruz in the USA. Their warranty department manager's reply: "That should be fine. Clear coat away. Enjoy the bike."

The long awaited replacement frame:

WOW That is SO kind of you. Thank you for the generous offer! I just checked my e-mail and found a tracking number sent by CWC. The shock left CT today. Should be here tomorrow or Monday Now the only outstanding items are the Jagwire brake fitting kit and the Frameskin sticker set. The fork is not a 2013 model and therefore not CTD unfortunately. It is RLC Fit. If I followed all the e-mails from CWC correctly the shock is an RP23.

Hey V, thanks! Well, actually the shockless frame arrived at noon today. I didn't have time to take a picture, because we came home at lunchtime and my camera is at work. I'm now convinced the previous frame was old stock and on display in the shop or something. It wasn't damaged, but looked like it had been handled. The previous frame shipped in a random box, was poorly packed (rear derailleur mount actually punched through the box!), arrived with frame stickers, grease gun and chainstay protector. The new frame arrived in a Santa Cruz box, beautifully packed. It is pristine. It arrived with the same goodies as the first PLUS a SC seatpost clamp, a protective insert in the seat tube, a DT Swiss 12x142 thru-axle, a grease cartridge for the grease gun. Finally, in a cruel twist, there was a Fox owner's manual in the box EDIT: Oops forgot to say, yes I have a headset for the frame - Hope pick 'n mix

Linky They're out-of-stock now... Not really surprising at that price

Aluminium oxide reacts with both acids and bases, so dilute solutions (for safety) of either should remove the deposit given a bit of time. Coke works, because the dissolved CO2 turns it into carbonic acid. However, the solubility of CO2 (or any gas) in water (Coke) is inversely related to temperature - as the Coke heats up to room temperature the CO2 will go out of solution and dissipate. After a bit of time the remaining sugary water will no longer be effective. A more effective household option would be a solution of citric acid in water. Be sure to rinse the frame and seatpost very well afterwards and dry them too. And yes, I work in a lab PS: IIRC Coke also contains a small amount of citric acid, but rather make your own (more concentrated) solution as it will be more effective.

I'm not arguing, but even if Lefties are now easy to service, my LBS will not touch them. I wash my own bikes, including chain scrub, but draw the line at trying to service an oily fork (prong?). Regardless of the cost of Lefty vs. Fox, it would still have been a lot more expensive if I had to also replace hubs. See, I ordered the hubs and rims long before any of the other components... Maybe the next build

Lefties are awesome except for price and when you need to have them serviced. With Fox or Rock Shox my LBS can service the fork, a Lefty has to be sent away. Oh, and of course limited (and heavier) hub options...