My mate is just on the verge of ordering one of the new El Guapo frames and has asked my opinion on colour. Have any of you lot got any of the new frames built up that you might be able to post a picture of?
Much Appreciated.
if in doubt, silver the way to go, will always look good, but they're all beautiful (i may be biased here).
finally started building mine yesterday, black hope headset and xtr bb, about to start pulling apart my old bike for more bits, slightly :/
Yeah I saw the readers rides, all raw though, not that it doesn't look great.
Chrome one looks cool.
I thought my 09 Enduro was an ugly frame (and thats polished alu) but my word [img] 
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haha. i think it's the nicest looking frame i've ever seen.. i've almost been happy just to look at it for 2 weeks 😉 why would you buy a bike you thought was ugly? not that it matters when you're on it. hora.. just wondering, are you one of those who thinks only steel singlespeeds look good? 🙂 each to his own but i honestly can't understand why that's ugly.. i guess it's a bit industrial or something? is it the combo of that linkage and shaped tubes that's too much?
i can sort of see why it's a statement.. esp. in Orange.
Not too fussed. I also dont like the swingarms on Marins - especially the freeride version etc.
Eeeeee
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Ooooo the black one looks very classy.
Hora, what are you riding nowadays?
I've been a bit disappointed with the finish on my raw one, could be a one off though. Awaiting on-one's view on it.
you weren't expecting brushed? yeah, there was a one someone did themselves by stripping an orange, it looked really nice, and that's not what you get. i personally like the "raw".
the marin above, i do find a bit ugly, too much metal in there, but it's nothing like the EG 🙂
Oh it's not the brushed effect, that's fine. Just quite a few fairly major imperfections. I won't go in to it too far while I'm awaiting on one's verdict. 😉 I'm glad to hear yours wasn't the same!
there were a few nicks around the headtube, but nothing to worry about. i'd like to know about yours in case i missed anything! maybe pm me please?
Sure thing mate, am I missing something on pm'ing here though?
I'd just like to say it's a bloody lovely frame in any case, can't wait to ride it.
Just quite a few fairly major imperfections.
It's a Super Raw finish, not a polished alloy one. I've seen the pictures (sent at 4pm this afternoon) and I'm sorry if you've not received what you were expecting.
Returns will be in touch to discuss this with you.
Thanks Brant, Light scratches to the frame are to be expected and are part of the reason for going super raw! I'll wait to see what the warranty guys sayabout the other issues.
Thanks Brant, it's only what looks like a tool mark on the rocker and the black paint like thing on the headtube I'm bothered by. Light scratches to the frame are to be expected and are part of the reason for going super raw!
The black paint is rather odd. I am puzzled.
The tool mark falls under "super raw" as far as I'm concerned.
I note that really we perhaps need to make more detailed pictures of the level of rawness to be expected.
Sorry Brant, I meant to edit those comments out so they weren't seen here! Thought it wasn't fair on you guys without having a chance to respond as I'm otherise a happy customer.
I've highlighted the rocker issue as to me what is a tool mark and is very noticeable doesn't really fall under what I expect with a raw finish.
I will upload them if you don't mind just so people can see what a raw finish is like, as they're really good examples of what I think is perfectly OK and what lots of people might not.
The tool mark is part of the raw finish. As the rocker is unfinished. Hence the tool mark.
oh right n/m, i'd only return for bad alignment (never heard of this on EG) or out of spec reaming etc (not a problem on v3). at the price this frame is i'm not picky about cosmetics, but yeah some close ups would be good brant. you've nothing to be embarrassed about with welds and such.
That's fine, I'm certainly not seeking to argue about it. If it gives people an idea of what to expect then that's great.
I'm a little disappointed particularly with the rocker but I'll happily live with it and get it built up ready for a trip to Morzine to put some all new scratches on it 🙂
If you have any suggestions on safe ways to try to to remove the paint I'd appreciate it though.
There was a guy in the USA who stripped an orange frame and left the rocker black. Which looked cool.
Maybe I should have done that!
Pics here - http://www.shedfire.com/2012/08/17/some-examples-of-superraw-finish-to-be-expected-not-a-fault/
A black rocker would look pretty tidy too!
Anyway I'll get on with my build and the serious business of riding it. Thanks for the feedback.
09 Enduro, 2xslack bushes, Fox shock and shim stacked 160 55 forks.
It feels very similar to a SX in slackness but is a wee bit lighter. Had it over a year now thanks to Renton. The offset bushes changed a tall frame into a sit in frame.
All of the marks on that raw finish frame look fine except that one on the rocker link, I don't think I'd be too happy with that on a brand new frame.
I'm afraid I agree with you robowns. I have some other things I'm not over happy with on a new frame but that really does stand out. Sadly I have a trip to the alps booked in just over a week so it's a bit of a catch 22.
Brant as you're on this thread I wanted to order a black, medium El Guapo with the CCDB shock, but it says 'preorder' on the button. Any idea when they are coming in? You have them with the monarch shock in medium, but not the CCDB.
Ask for a replacement rocker plate swap to be delivered post France?
Raw frames need tlc/polishing as they show imperefections etc so youll need to do this anyway IMO.
That "raw" looks like its been scotchbrighted to within an inch of its life. Super raw my arse.
as we're all being so picky, and brant actually appears to give a s**t here instead of telling us all go f selves.. like most bike companies might 😉 - the rocker imho should be painted black or white (as it doesn't match anyway). if i could have exactly what i wanted, like the kid in the chocolate factory, i'd have a painted rocker and white Monarch shock on my raw frame (and for the white frame i guess).
won't that mark buff right out?
I've had a go at polishing on the scratch, the paint and the water marks and those pictures are taken after having a good go at them, whilst being wary of doing anything too aggresive that may cause any damage.
I hope this doesn't seem like I'm criticising Brant or On-one, it does give a better idea of what super raw looks like as he intended.
Ask for a replacement rocker plate swap to be delivered post France?
Raw frames need tlc/polishing as they show imperefections etc so youll need to do this anyway IMO.
Frame is anodised.
Brant as you're on this thread I wanted to order a black, medium El Guapo with the CCDB shock, but it says 'preorder' on the button. Any idea when they are coming in? You have them with the monarch shock in medium, but not the CCDB.
Black medium CCDB says 48hrs - I guess that's as we have to swap the shocks over, rather than just a pick from stock. I am checking.
any of you guys er... fitted seatposts to your EGs? i seem to have a tolerance problem on seattube.. thought it was just the shim i was using, but just had a thomson 30.9 post delivered.. still a bit lose. i think the clamp will grip it, but it's not inspiring.. never had a bike where the post has some wiggle and just drops down unclamped. hmmm. are they all like this? it's reamed? is it even intended? worried about stress to the clamp area and slippage.
btw, thomson do a 30.8, but not a 31.0 (or 31.x, i need to get digital calipers), which is probably what this bike needs. the thing is, this was just temporary until getting a dropper. any advice please brant?
well.. it seems like it's going to hold the thomson seatpost, but that's cranking down real hard on the little bitty clamp bolt on this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8214
(it's what i had lying around).
to give an idea, i can get a wrap of clear tape around the thomson 30.9 and still stick it in the Guapo without it snagging. in engineering terms that's pretty bad right?
didn't someone else here say they kept returning frames and gave up on the EG because of this.. who was that and are you out there? 🙂
and Brant do you know of a problem with seattube size?
Thomson posts are always undersized. But that doesn't sound right.
I've not heard of any issues with seat post tolerance though.
Discuss with Alex and Jason on returns@planet-x-bikes.com
I am off in today so will have a chat with them on this.
For info - I've stuck a 30.9 Reverb in mine and it's a nice snug fit.
oh ffs i paid for thomson 'cos i thought they'd be 100% right! time to order some calipers this is silly. don't really want to return now headset, bb etc are nicely in. i assume On-One would warranty the frame if that area broke later anyway.
thanks, reverb may be what i get later not sure yet..
I've been reading this thread with interest. I also own an El Guapo and have had some "issues" with quality so I'm glad someone else is highlighting them too. I also have a Thompson seatpost and that is a little too slack in my frame too. I have just been out to measure it ( after Brant's comment that theyre always small!) and have found it to be 30.91mm measured in 3 places. The paint on the frame is extremely brittle and chips extremely easily, apart from where the shock mounts 'cos they didn't bother to spray any on there. Also before you ride the bike check the chainstay pivot bolts one of mine nearly fell out on my first ride.
Reading this thread is really not inspiring. So the raw one has loads of tooling marks from new, whilst the painted ones have paint that flakes off?
weak paint was well known on these, (partly why i went for raw), and a few tool marks i couldn't care less about.. but i expect headset/seattube/bb etc to be right sizes. for the price its still an amazing frame - weird the simplest tube on it would be wrong!
well done brant for being here and looking for users, and i'm sure they're selling boatloads. now will have to add seattube size to my wishlist over on mtbr :/
if someone else with reverb would confirm its snug that might tell us something? like whether there's a batch of oversize tubes. not sure if this one is reamed or just welded in at factory.
they got the headtube fit right now though! hope Pic n mix went in lovely. watch out lower D cup (ooh err) probably gives a steeper head angle, it goes right in. might post photo later.
hmmm maybe could all EG owners here say what seatpost you have and if it rattles about or falls down under its own weight without clamp? i'm guessing on-one's seatposts may be oversize 😉
edit: and when you bought the frame please.
Kore carbon seatpost fits perfectly, as does my Specialized command post
Easton seat post fits perfectly in mine. Frame is about 2 weeks old.
hi. first post btw 🙂
@ smiff
"hope Pic n mix went in lovely. watch out lower D cup (ooh err) probably gives a steeper head angle, it goes right in. might post photo later."
I'd be really interested in seeing this. Think I'm going to get this frame (in black) but I would be using a 180mm fork (Domain 318) so if I can lose anything off the a2c height that'll be good
Am prepared to whack a 160mm spring in it if I feel it's too much (or if I'll void my warranty! - Brant?)
Cheers
Warranty is for manufacturing defects.
I've got the hope pick n mix with a 160mm fork on mine, doesn't feel steep at all. It may help to raise the BB though.
Also I bought mine at the same time as smiff and my seatposts (Giant Connect and Answer Hyperlite) fit fine without slipping.
Brant - understood but is the frame covered if I'm using a 180mm fork (with internal bottom cup HS) ?
I watched the video review on the On-One site and the beardy chap is running a 170mm fork. So if I'm using the Hope P n M 'D' cup which apparently "goes right in" and a 180mm Domain the actual change in geo should be minimal, right?
Stack height for the lower hope cup for 1.1/8 forks is only a couple of mm at most so 180 with that should be similar axle to crown as a 170 fork and normal headset.
Yeah - figured. Think it should be fun with the extra travel too! Good news re seatpost - have an Easton EC70 Zero Carbon on order. Then again I presume my Reverb will be the post of choice eventually
Cheers.
It would fly for sure! It climbs so well with the 160 I don't imagine you'll lose too much in that respect and you'll have a beast going down and the benefit of a slightly higher bottom bracket.
sorry posted this to wrong thread. here's my EG with Hope D and 1-1/8 revs
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should taken photo level but its about 5mm vertical from frame edge to crown race. "right in" was exaggeration then :p
so yeah i'd recommend this headset for 160-170mm forks (you want tapered steerer i think at those lengths though?). for 150m revelation i'm looking for a taller lower cup, thinking maybe a Cane Creek 40, unless anyone knows taller that fits (not a King, too expensive!).
the bike climbs amaaaazing btw, and i don't mean just "for a 150mm AM bike" i mean really better than my Top Fuel did. if you can keep pedals off the ground.. which is another thing taller front might help.
and this is what i probably should have bought (anyone with a 150mm fork who wants to ride this bike downhill :p):
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might put this on top as well, not sure it achieves much though, just looks stupid?
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lol at CC 40/110 year warranties. love the bike but don' think i'll be riding it in 10..
OK - looks good. Nice one. Cheers for that.
So the low BB can cause issues hey? So maybe go for some 165mm cranks?
chillidave - The On-One Smoothie has a 15mm bottom stack so the a2C height should be the same as with a 170mm fork indeed and like you say, I should get a [i]slightly[/i] higher BB...win, win 😀
on-one smoothie would work and cheaper, but i'm a headset snob :p
i wouldn't have a 170-180mm fork AND the tall headset, i'm only guessing, but you'd probably slacken too much and hurt the lovely climbing. on-one spec a 160 lyric + tallish headset lower stack (someone check this?) on their built EG and this should be good all round.
btw i think they should make clear that a 150mm fork is on the short side for this frame so don't do what i did :p
yes short cranks, but that's another can of worms. 170mm here, have thought about 165mm too.. i prefer them anyway for knee reasons but yes would suit the low bb sure. + thin pedals of course 🙂
if this all sounds very anal (5mm here and there) that's because it is.. also the bike feels so good right away you may find yourself making fine adjustments right away.
No - sorry, didn't make myself clear; Was just pointing out that the angles with the 5mm bottom stack Hope and 180mm fork should be pretty much the same as the recommended (by On-One) 15mm bottom stack Smoothie and 170mm fork (as pointed out by chillidave).
Just looked at the crankset that will probably be going on and they're 170mm..better than 175 I guess
Well it was pretty much down to the NP Mega and the EG but have made up my mind now. El Guapo it is!
ok cool, so you'll end up with about 20mm higher front than me, i can't do the trig but maybe around 8mm higher BB also.. should be good downhill and still climb nice i think 🙂
Would love to compare actually i can't afford longer fork right now, but nice to know it's a frame that can do anything really.
Not sure if you've pulled trigger already, check my complains/ideas over here
http://forums.mtbr.com/titus/guapo-v4-wishlist-ideas-805110.html
that there's no showstoppers for you.
No - haven't pulled the trigger yet. Got the fork and wheels should be next week
Then hopefully frame next month. But what's the chances of them not having my size/colour when I'm ready to order...
Just got a [i]Hone[/i] Crankset with 175mm cranks...lets hope that 180mm fork does lift the BB a bit then...
Bumpy Posty..
Am eyeing up a 2013 El Guapo.. From what I've looked at on the Geometry the BB heigh is only 2mm lower than my 2011 REmedy. Are they causing people problems being low??
I'm looking at running a 150mm fork too.. (tapered) any ideas on headset choice? Understand the frame is a 1.5" top and bottom?
Anyone running a 150mm fork? thoughts, feedback?
Also Sizing: I'm 5ft9 and leg 31".. Medium frame??
Cheers
S
Are you a blind rider or planning on only riding at night?
Eh?
wait i get it, he's saying they're ugly. give it a break hora. at least i have a real complaint, which (early niggles with seattube etc aside) is that the bike does not seem to match the geo spec. chart (if there even is a 2013 chart?) at all. the bb of at least early 2013 models is coming out at 12.6-12.8 ish inches and that's not changing much with a 160mm fork.. no comments from On-one on whether this is fixed, it's supposed to be like that, or we're all somehow measuring them wrong!
