Knolly V-Tach - previewed by Mark Steinebach

[cam@nsmb.com]

Looks like a sweet ride.

V-Tach. (http://www.nsmb.com/gear/knolVtach_09_06.php)

[ShoreIH]

Noel is a really really nice,friendly, stand up guy. His bikes are so well built, and just pieces of art. If I could ride any frame it would certainly be a knolly. Built locally too!

[connor]

$3600 MSRP for frame and shock :damn: Start making them offshore, then maybe more than a dozen people could afford them. I have heard that they are a pretty nice ride, but a little heavy, errr sturdy..

[Trini-dad72]

Cool article, I'll be interested in seeing the full review when he's done. Does anyone know if there were any Delerium T's out and about? Any word on them?

[KenN]

As an owner of one of the first V-tachs off the line, I'd have to say that the V-Tach is worth every penny of the price that seems to bother most people. And I'm not just saying that because Noel's been a friend and riding bud for years.

I've had mine for a little over a year and a half now and nothing feels as solid handling as the V-tach. I'd been riding shore trails for about 10 years before I got this bike and there wasn't much out there that scared me. On the first ride out I felt more confident on stuff that used to be a bit shaky. I pretty much felt my riding skills notch up 2 or 3 levels!

Noel puts nothing but quality into the build, so after 1 1/2 years of beating the crap out of the frame, not a single bearing in the pivots needs replacement. The rear end is a solid as the day it was new. Only the shock bushings needed to be replaced a few months ago.

As for the weight, well it's up there, but mine builds up to 45 pounds and there's a lot heavier bikes than that out there. The suspension is pretty efficient so climbing isn't as bad as you think. I survived last years Test on the thing!

Kn.

[KenN]

Cool article, I'll be interested in seeing the full review when he's done. Does anyone know if there were any Delerium T's out and about? Any word on them?

The DT's should be hitting shops any day now ...

Kn.

[Straw]

I preferred the first run stickers.

But, it's not about the stickers,I know!

[TheGiggler]

I preferred the first run stickers.

But, it's not about the stickers,I know!


you are not alone there actually.


--

the extra weight in the knolly is mostly in the rear end (or so it seems). but, what this means is that the Knolly is one of the stiffest 4bars out there for sure.

[Le Chat]

The V-Tach is the NUTS! I waited nearly 9 months for mine, I live in the UK, and it was worth the wait and every penny that I spent on it. Had the joy of riding and chatting with Noel when I was over on holiday a few weeks ago, what a nice chap he is! Stoked that he is getting some PR on NSMB for what is a super sweet product. Awesome attention to detail etc but best of all it inspires so much confidence!

100% top $$$ product!

:uk:

[JdanS]

As an owner of one of the first V-tachs off the line, I'd have to say that the V-Tach is worth every penny of the price that seems to bother most people. ................
Kn.

Why am I not surprised you have a V-Tach. :)

I am really happy to hear that you give it a thumbs up Ken, there aren't many people who's opinion I respect more than you and Noel when it comes to bikes.

It sure does look pretty too!

Cheers,
JdanS

[Rexthespeedster]

What can be said that hasn't been said already?

The V-tach is an amazing bike. It is so nimble and it feels like a lighter bike than it actually is when you're on the trail. The unconventionally angled seatpost is no joke, either...it works so well, you wonder why it wasn't done before. In my opinion the V-tach's price is fully justified.

-B

[synchro]

The unconventionally angled seatpost is no joke, either...it works so well, you wonder why it wasn't done before. -B

does it really work that great on steep techincal climbs where you need to have your weight more forward? at the bike swap earlier this year i recall a knolly rep explaining this feature to a potential customer and taling about the benefit of the angeled seattube.

prsonally i have never been a fan of a steeply angled seat tube. when the seat is down low for descending i basically never touch the thing so the forward angle position doesn't matter. but when it's extended it seems as if the seat would be too far back. i currently have an 03 team shore with an angled seat tube (although not as much as the knolly) and find the seat to be in an awkward position when the post is up. on many climbs i am off the seat or sitting on the front edge to be in a good position for climbing. i also find the same thing on my sx trail, although not quite to the same degree as the norco.

[Couch_Surfer]

I'll echo the other V-Tach owners with my high praise for the bike. Been running it for 2 years and it is as solid as day 1 - lateral stiffness is unreal.

does it really work that great on steep techincal climbs where you need to have your weight more forward? at the bike swap earlier this year i recall a knolly rep explaining this feature to a potential customer and taling about the benefit of the angeled seattube.


I guess that depends on what climbs you are asking about. The seat tube angle works great for Fromme switchbacks and even Old Buck (Basically at it's sitting position the seat is positioned where a 'normal' angle seatposted bike would place the saddle).
Throw more steep and some tech into it and I think I'd be looking at the DT as an option (due to the weight - not due to the saddle position).

We did do a roadtrip to Moab / Fruita last year and one of the v-tach owners (I brought a lighter bike) was outclimbing his fair share of other riders with the V-Tach on more techy sections.

[TheGiggler]

Knolly owners are so passionate and stoked on the rides that most people don't really believe it all ... but i would say it's all true.

and splinky, the seat post works really well for sure. the v-tach can climb anything if you've got the legs. loose babyhead rocks it laughs at ... it just floats over them where a smaller dually would dislodge them ...

[KenN]

Knolly owners are so passionate and stoked on the rides that most people don't really believe it all ... but i would say it's all true.

Yeah I know. It's hard to avoid sounding like we've joined some kind of cult. Most of the time, I just tell people "Don't listen to me, just ride one. But don't try it if you don't have the cash to buy one cause you'll just end up all frustrated!"

Kn.

[KenN]

does it really work that great on steep techincal climbs where you need to have your weight more forward? at the bike swap earlier this year i recall a knolly rep explaining this feature to a potential customer and taling about the benefit of the angeled seattube.

prsonally i have never been a fan of a steeply angled seat tube. when the seat is down low for descending i basically never touch the thing so the forward angle position doesn't matter. but when it's extended it seems as if the seat would be too far back. i currently have an 03 team shore with an angled seat tube (although not as much as the knolly) and find the seat to be in an awkward position when the post is up. on many climbs i am off the seat or sitting on the front edge to be in a good position for climbing. i also find the same thing on my sx trail, although not quite to the same degree as the norco.

Bottom line, if the seat is too far back when extended for climbing, then you're on too small of a frame. Try the next larger size. Either that or you have the body of a garden gnome ... :agree:

Kn.

[synchro]

Bottom line, if the seat is too far back when extended for climbing, then you're on too small of a frame. Try the next larger size. Either that or you have the body of a garden gnome ... :agree:

Kn.

wouldn't a larger frame actually push the seat back even further?

[TheGiggler]

wouldn't a larger frame actually push the seat back even further?


nope.

if the frame is too small, you will raise the seat more than the frame is designed for, and due to the slack angle, this will result in the seat being further back than desired.

the Knolly frames are each designed for a specific range of seat height while climbing. if the frame is too big you will be too far forward due to low seat height.

hope this makes sense, i am confusing myself ...

[parts]

Yeah I know. It's hard to avoid sounding like we've joined some kind of cult. Most of the time, I just tell people "Don't listen to me, just ride one. But don't try it if you don't have the cash to buy one cause you'll just end up all frustrated!"

Kn.

I have no doubt they are superb bikes of the highest quality but $3600 for just the frame? Yikes, that ends up being a $7k+ BUILD.

Kinda like Scientology I guess- makes sense if you can afford to get on the program.

[TheGiggler]

I have no doubt they are superb bikes of the highest quality but $3600 for just the frame? Yikes, that ends up being a $7k+ BUILD.

Kinda like Scientology I guess- makes sense if you can afford to get on the program.


most local hand built duallies are in this ball park...

it's not for everyone, that is for sure.

[Silk]

But don't try it if you don't have the cash to buy one cause you'll just end up all frustrated!"

Kn.


HaHa that is me for sure. I want one so bad myself and it will be my next bike for sure but in the meantime I do not even want to see one because I want it so bad :)

[KenN]

Why am I not surprised you have a V-Tach. :)

I am really happy to hear that you give it a thumbs up Ken, there aren't many people who's opinion I respect more than you and Noel when it comes to bikes.

It sure does look pretty too!

Cheers,
JdanS

Aw geeze, now I'm all embarrassed and shit!

Kn.

[KenN]

I have no doubt they are superb bikes of the highest quality but $3600 for just the frame? Yikes, that ends up being a $7k+ BUILD.

Kinda like Scientology I guess- makes sense if you can afford to get on the program.

Well, look at it this way. I saw a Norco Team DH and a V-Tach side-by-side at Fanatyk co in whiz. Almost exact same build on each. In fact, I'd say someone bought a Team DH frame only so they put the build kit on a V-Tach.

Price for the Norco was $5999, the Knolly was $6999. Now, I'm not putting Norco down or anything, but if you're dropping that much on a new bike anyway, which would you rather have? A frame that's mass-produced by the hundreds offshore, with limited control of weld quality, brought over and inspected in large lots, then sent out to shops ... or a frame that's all built locally, with the owner of the company meticulously following the assembly of every frame through the process, with his own personal pride in workmanship applied to every weld, every bearing, every bolt, even every sticker that's applied to the final product?

Kn.

[baloom]

[QUOTE= ...prsonally i have never been a fan of a steeply angled seat tube. when the seat is down low for descending i basically never touch the thing so the forward angle position doesn't matter. but when it's extended it seems as if the seat would be too far back. i currently have an 03 team shore with an angled seat tube (although not as much as the knolly) and find the seat to be in an awkward position when the post is up. on many climbs i am off the seat or sitting on the front edge to be in a good position for climbing. i also find the same thing on my sx trail, although not quite to the same degree as the norco.[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure that you can compare other 4bars and the vtach with respect to seat position and seat tube angle. The difference with the vtach that prevents the rider from being positioned too far behind the bottom bracket for efficient peddling is the dramatic forward position of the junction of the seat tube and the down tube. The junction is well in front of the bottom bracket thus when the seat is extended optimally (if the frame is sized right for the rider) your feet will be optimally positioned for efficient pedalling. If the frame is too small and you have to really max out seat post height, you will be sitting well back of this optimal position (the more you extend the seatpost the more aft you will be positioned....thus you will lose the peddling advantage and efficiency). This is not true of the Norcos nor any of the Specialized 4bars. Though these 4bars don't have the uninterrupted seat tube of the vtach, a virtual junction for a vps would be closer to the the bb. Even though the seat tube angle of a vps would be somewhat less steep (ie 62degrees vs. 69degrees) the closer proximity of this "virtual" junction ensures that when the seat post is elevated, the rider will sit too far behind the bb for maximally efficient pedalling.

How's that for long-winded....

[parts]

most local hand built duallies are in this ball park...

it's not for everyone, that is for sure.


I'm always a big fan of supporting local (insert product here) vs overseas but sometimes price gets in the way.


Well, look at it this way. I saw a Norco Team DH and a V-Tach side-by-side at Fanatyk co in whiz. Almost exact same build on each. In fact, I'd say someone bought a Team DH frame only so they put the build kit on a V-Tach.

Price for the Norco was $5999, the Knolly was $6999. Now, I'm not putting Norco down or anything, but if you're dropping that much on a new bike anyway, which would you rather have? A frame that's mass-produced by the hundreds offshore, with limited control of weld quality, brought over and inspected in large lots, then sent out to shops ... or a frame that's all built locally, with the owner of the company meticulously following the assembly of every frame through the process, with his own personal pride in workmanship applied to every weld, every bearing, every bolt, even every sticker that's applied to the final product?

Kn.

You're absolutely right, and from the Knolly owners I've talked to...well you have a hard time shutting them up about how great the bike is.

It's all about $$$ & priorities. I'd rather spend 1/2 that price on a good quality bike & spend the other 1/2 on a surf vacation. That month on the beach would make up for the slight difference in bike quality! Just like XTR vs XT: sure one is better quality but does the price jump justify the performance? Or is it just a bling-bling thing? You have to be a pretty high performer to notice the differenecs when you get to the top price points.

Props to any company that can make small quantities of a top notch product & market it effectively. After a little bit of momentum with efficiences and scales gained, then a few more buyers will hop on board.

[Couch_Surfer]

You're absolutely right, and from the Knolly owners I've talked to...well you have a hard time shutting them up about how great the bike is.


:lol:


It's all about $$$ & priorities. I'd rather spend 1/2 that price on a good quality bike & spend the other 1/2 on a surf vacation. That month on the beach would make up for the slight difference in bike quality! Just like XTR vs XT: sure one is better quality but does the price jump justify the performance? Or is it just a bling-bling thing? You have to be a pretty high performer to notice the differenecs when you get to the top price points.

Totally agree that it's about priorities. But that cuts both ways, the surf vacation is over at the end of the trip, the bike sits waiting for its next ride. Both ways of thinking are valid, and I don't think either is better then the other. Whether the performance of the v-tach specifically warrants the cost, that's definately an individual cost/benefit decision.

[schoenrock]

great bike but imo its too much $$ for 7.5"......they should at least put the cool sticker back on.

[TrevorJ]

As another V-tach owner for @ last 2 years, I too rant and rave about what a great product it is. Yes, it is pricey. But from the moment I demo'd one of the prototypes I knew I needed that bike. Noel has put a huge amount of thought into every aspect of the design, and managed to come up with a product that dealt with the majority of the issues I had in a new bike.

The new Delirium T's are going to have many of the features of the V-tach, and from the brief time I have spent on one I can say a lot of the handling characteristics of its big brother are transferred down.

My advice to anyone is do not try one unless you have the spare cash around. You will like it so much you are liable to do whatever it takes (legal or otherwise) to put a deposit down on one.

[NV73]

Just an observation....I understand that suspension designs are often interpretations of one another however, the V-Tach linkage looks eerily similar to that of the old Brodie 8-ball. Instead of running through the seat tube, the V-Tach linkage runs around the seat tube.

http://www.nsmb.com/images/gear/vtach/IMG_4077.jpg

http://www.avalanchedownhillracing.com/brodie-8-ball.jpg

[TheGiggler]

NV73,

the brodie is a single pivot vs. the 4bar/FSR linkage of the Knolly.

other than the shock-driving linkage there is no similarities ...

[Splan]

most local hand built duallies are in this ball park...

it's not for everyone, that is for sure.

I beleive the Dark Cycles Scarab is $2500.

http://www.darkcycles.com/scarab.htm

[Splan]

Has anyone seen this red paint in person? How does it look?

http://www.nsmb.com/images/gear/vtach/IMG_4077.jpg

[Couch_Surfer]

There is a red frame in Fanatyco (whistler) bike shop. It's gorgeous.

[mattdh]

Went with the On Top shop ride up Cypress on Sat and Dan was riding his new V-Tach. Sweet frikin bike and Dan claimed that it was his new "super bike". I wish I could have seen him ride it but I would have needed binoculars as Dan was rippin' and I had the suck cranked way up. If you want to have a look at one I believe On Top is carrying them now.

[ShoreIH]

Has anyone seen this red paint in person? How does it look?

http://www.nsmb.com/images/gear/vtach/IMG_4077.jpg


absolutely awesome. The bikes are pretty much perfect.

[Hack On Wheels]

Yes, OnTop is most definitely carrying them. Although I believe they only have V-Tachs at the moment. Not light, but they look great!

[Rexthespeedster]

Different Bikes in West Vancouver also carries Knolly. They have at least one V-tach in stock (as of the last week of August).

[004135]

Has anyone seen this red paint in person? How does it look?

http://www.nsmb.com/images/gear/vtach/IMG_4077.jpg


she be powdercoat, not paint......it looks positively scrumtrulescent!!

[baloom]

Has anyone seen this red paint in person? How does it look?

http://www.nsmb.com/images/gear/vtach/IMG_4077.jpg

...this red powdercoat is positively scrumtrulescent!!

[Psyops]

Does anyone know any technical specifications of the V-Tach (travel...)?

Thanks for the help and ride on!

[*Dima]

http://www.knollybikes.com/

[Couch_Surfer]

Does anyone know any technical specifications of the V-Tach (travel...)?

http://www.knollybikes.com/vtach_geometry.html