Get rid of Karp, find 204?

[Darren]

The Karpiel Disco itself is a long story. And no, this isn't another bash Jan thread, there's plenty of those anyway. I've gotten to the point where I could ghostride it off into the Grand Canyon and laugh at it, but I ain't tried so hard to just give up. But I think I've learnt my lesson on dealin with these types of companies, sometimes it just isn't worth it. I love this bike to death, when it works correctly that is. Saw it in 99 at Carlmont, and said one day I will have myself that bike. And here I am, but I'm pooped. Long story short, I have the wrong linkage plates on my Disco, which is over-leveraging the shock. I've blown out my Fox at least 3 times in less than one year.

I do have a hookup now for the right plates. I'm hoping to get them soon, and find out if I can put that beautiful Avalanche shock on my bike. Thought I might add, Avy has some awesome CS. Helped me grind down the metal bushings to make it fit with my frame, I think my frame got pushed in as the fox bushings wore in. Craig has been extremely helpful in trying to assist in getting everything to work correctly.

I'm at a point where I have no idea what to do. I'm determined to wait until I get the linkage plates and see if I can make my bike run the way it's supposed to, but I'm beginning to take a pessimistic attitude towards it. This bike seems perfect for me, at one point I had it to 42 pounds which isn't very heavy in my eyes. And that's with a Monster T and a DeeMax wheelset, doesn't strike me as that light of a build.

I guess what I want to ask is, what should I do? I've spent so much time and money on this project that it's almost stupid to just sell it the way it is right now. But I'm at a point where I haven't ridden the bike much, and it's been messed up for over a month. And in the past month, my friends have ridden the bike more than I have. I've gone through chainguide after chainguide to find out what's worked and what hasn't, spent enough money on that Fox where I could nearly have paid off an Avy if I had just done it initially, and spent countless nights throwing wrenches and cussing out of frustration. Or should I bite the bullet, finish off the job, and keep it? From different posts here and there, I'm getting a bit skeptical about the future of Karpiel itself.. I don't want to break something some day and then have nobody to goto.

I've done alot of research on the 204, the other frame that I've always had my eyes on. Seems like everybody thinks it's burly, weight is low, pedals on average, and is heavy. Couldn't seem to find weight specs on the frame though. And yes, I'm a weight weenie in this aspect because I'm a weakling. How I ride: I've used my Karpiel for everything after not having the funds to build a hardtail. Some short XC rides, had some fun at a local DS course, urban, road, everything. I've also read that the Tomac won't take anything lower than a 40T chainring, which kind of strikes me as a problem - I usually ride up most of the up to get to the down. I've got a 38T on the Karpiel right now, and it's not too bad.

So, what do you boys think I should do? Thanks for readin. It's been a long day :damnit: Would appreciate your opinions, so voice them! :)

[Lil' Nick]

I think you have had enough problems with the Karp and if you arent happy how it rides, maybe you should switch over.
Then what do you do with the AVY? I doubt you could get it to fit the 204 and that would be a waste of money if you try to sell it (it wont sell for what ya got it for).

204 would be great to have.... make sure you do a ton of research before though so that nothing takes you by surprize and you are ready for it all.
Problem about 38t and 40t... if you switch over to 9 speed, you'd have a lower gear with the 40t and 9 speed than your 38t and 8 speed....

Karpiel :rocketwho

[FRManDan]

Keep it Darren, you and the Karp go together like white on rice (asian joke, BOO YAH!) Maintainence is always a problem with bikes, and like you said, you have put in soo much time and effort on this bike to let it go right now. Once you get those linkage plates and get that avy on there, all of your problems will be solved, and you will be in bicycle bliss.

[svfreerider87]

well there are a couple ways to look at it to make your decision, you seem to be more on the love/attachment to the bike, but i look at it as a rideability factor, the rideability factor on your bike is not very well, for the last month at least your bike has been expense after expense and unrideable! , since you say your not the richest rider, (very much like myself) i say sell it and get a nice bike that rides well, cause what good is a bike you can't ride? once again, if you look at it like me I'd just sell it, you may not have everything you want for it or exactly what you want, but you will have a functioning bike that you can ride, that's my two cents. later.

[Darren]

Nick, I'm unhappy with the way it rides, because of that BLOWN SHOCK. Now we both know how an Avy feels. If I manage to get that Avy under my frame, it'll be buttah. I know it, I can see it, I can feel it, I can hear it, I can smell it, and I can taste it. Thanks for the comments guys, keep em comin.

[Lil' Nick]

Originally Posted by Darren

I know it, I can see it, I can feel it, I can hear it, I can smell it, and I can taste it.

"I can feel it" - You pet your AVY?
"I can smell it" - You smell it too? :06:
"I can taste it" - Wow, now you starting to scare me.... You lick/make out with your AVY also!? :11:

Well fine, if I'm not enough for you then our relationship is over :28:

[Darren]

I never said we were together in the first place. The only person who completes me around here is Warren. Well, I guess Johnny is a good candidate too. He had me at hello.

[mudanoman]

Darren,

It seems like you are on the last leg of the race in terms of getting your karp back in action. If I were you, I would finish it up and hope for the best. You're too far in to just give up imo. You have sounded so dedicated from the start with your avy shock and besides the 40t min on the 204 is going to kill ya 'weakling' legs.

Cheers,

Ivan

[BiKe4EvEr9489]

Originally Posted by Lil' Nick

I think you have had enough problems with the Karp and if you arent happy how it rides, maybe you should switch over.

just had to say something about this post-this is coming from somebody who switches bikes ALL the time. you've gone trhough at least 10 bikes in the past year and 1/2. im not slaggin on ya nick! but i just had to say that note the point of view this is coming from.
now for my point of view (NOTE-i've owned three bikes, all of which i've kept and fixed up when needed, even if teims were tough :11: however, im selling my bullit, but nothing will be replacing it.) achem-i think taht you should stick it through and keep your karp. that is one VERy nice bike, and i think it's definately worth the trouble. the way it's set up is schwank, and the way it will be with that avy will be uber schwank, there is no denying it.
if you have your heart set on another frame, i guess you could go for thaat. but at the very least, try and sort out this frame first. if you're not happy with it, then you can go ahaed and sell it and get your dream frame. however, if you're content with it for a while, might as well keep it. if it doesn't:get yourself something nice bro, you deserve it.
just another point of view to help you decidE!

[gborden]

hey Darren, umm, I don't really know anything about either frame...except that there are two 204s for sale here in my LBS in Santa Barbara. One is just a frame (no shock. nothing) the other has an RC, custom hadley, bb, and custom chainguide (mr dirt I think). they are selling the one with all the **** for 1600 I think, I can't remember the price on the other one. if you want me to go in check for you then pm me.

[Nemesis Gnat]

keep the karp, its the only bike ive ever know you to have...and if you dont have it... :17: :17: :17:
PLus, everyone goes through bike troubles at one point or another. Just stay cool, kkep your head, dobnt panic, and dont do anyting rash. Remeber, the beter yo deal with it know, the less itll come back to bite you in the ass. M brother is teh extreme example of this (dropitjohn).

[Darren]

Originally Posted by gborden

hey Darren, umm, I don't really know anything about either frame...except that there are two 204s for sale here in my LBS in Santa Barbara. One is just a frame (no shock. nothing) the other has an RC, custom hadley, bb, and custom chainguide (mr dirt I think). they are selling the one with all the **** for 1600 I think, I can't remember the price on the other one. if you want me to go in check for you then pm me.

Hey, I spoke with one of the guys from ridemonkey. I think the other tomac is gone or something, the one with all of the stuff. I think it was selling for $1400. Didn't sound like a bad deal considering all that I'd get for it, and the frame isn't cheap either. But I thought they all came with the rear hub and bb if I'm not mistaken. Thanks for the heads up though.

[East Bay Rich]

quick note: I think I saw a '03 or '04 204 frame on Craigslist for $900.

-R

[Lil' Nick]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rich

quick note: I think I saw a '03 or '04 204 frame on Craigslist for $900.

-R

Yep, ya did.

"Brand new tomac 204 magnum frame, full suspension extreme downhill bike, 8" of plush rear travel with progressive rear shock. comes with race face bottom bracket. must sell"

http://www.craigslist.org/nby/bik/29842939.html

[Darren]

Ohhhhhhshhhhhh*********************