Question for Grip and all you other technically inclined.

Ok as you all may know I ride a Da Bomb XLR8 with a HUGE slack ride situation going on. I'm rather tired of it. I was thinking last night, would it be possible to cut the seattube section out (which im guessing causes the slackness) and weld a straight tube into it. Of course I wouldnt be doing it myself it would be going to grip and if its too much work i understand if you decline the offer.

Another thing is how much would it cost? to put a straight 30.2 seatube in place of the bendy 30.2 seattube?

Is it possible?
from this
http://www.dabombbike.com/img/product/frames/xlr-8.jpg

to this
http://www.dabombbike.com/img/product/frames/xlr-8r.jpg

for a guideline

[Adi]

I think the bike just feels weird to you because of your massively large seat angle. Why not try out an adjustable seatpost like the PX Probe? On the next ride I can let you try mine. ;).

I don't think it would change the way your bike would feel if the curved tube was replaced by a astraight one, all the other angles remain the same. It would change your seat angle, but you can do that with a seatpost aswell.

[petri]

hey, considering how much welding there is between the top tube and the seat tube and also the fact that the top tube is pierced with the seat tube, it would be a huge job to cut out, clean up, pack and re-weld another tube into the frame. (also the down tube has a large weld on it). For what they cost, it's probably just not worth it! John from Grip Sport might think differently bit i'm pretty sure that it's too much work considering the quality of the frame and what would be the end result. It'll cost u hunderds. Better off selling your frame and buying another. If u want more advice, feel free to call me at pushi 9642 3733 or after hours on 0404 023 469.

Ps.. Sorry john if u recon this job is practical. Is so, go for it and i'll stand corrected!

Petri[/img]

thanks for you help petri, ill consider a new frame. Ive put too much effort into my whole bike to sell it as adin pointed out to me last night so im trying to find a way to make it more suitable.

[Cave Dweller]

Why don't you get a seatpost like a thompson lay back and run it back to front so it leans you more forward??

On the thompson website they say it is ok to run it like this.

http://www.farkin.net/forums/album_pic.php?pic_id=6589

[Grip]

Oh Fuzzy... I do love the tough questions, but this is tougher than usual. I reckon Bill from DHD would be squirming in his seat reading this and wondering what I'm going to say (though he may not care as much now that SCP are doing the DaBombs) and to be honest I agree wholeheartedly with Petri in that it just wouldn't be worth doing.

Bottom-line... yep everything is possible, but is it worth it? I don't think so.... mainly because I doubt the ANGLE of the seat tube is the problem anyway.

Now to be sure I'd have to measure up BOTH the frames in your sample pics, but the angle of BOTH the seat tubes (relative to head tube and chain stays) actually doesn't look that different (one to the other) and THAT'S what's going to effect the issue of frame geo that you're talking about... not whether or not the tube is straight.

The MAJOR difference between the two frames in your pics doesn't seem to be the ANGLE of the seat tube so much as its POSITION relative to the head tube AND relative to the rear axle (look at the distance along the length of the seat stays). In other words YOUR frame has the seat much closer to the head tube and further away from the axle (longer seat stays). It's probably not at a much different angle to the other (straight) seat tube... just in a different position sitting you closer to the front and giving you that very different "feel"

So I'd suggest trying to get that seat BACK as far as possible (offset post... seat with long rails etc) rather than trying to modify the frame, because that is a major, MAJOR job.

I'm no expert on the DaBomb geo though so other members might have a more specific reply for you. Hope this helps.

[creepyjoe]

Why don't you just bend your own seatpost.
We used bend our own "goosenecks" for our pit bikes. Filled em up with sand first of course.

Do you spend much time sitting down anyway? Tried shorter forks?

[petri]

yeah, using a $200 (titec do one for $175) seat post backwards-the offset on the clamp probably won't allow a correct seat angle- and making your bike look extremely gay, it could be a great idea! I'd check out what angle your seat wil end up on first.
Good luck
Petri

[creepyjoe]

making your bike look extremely gay, it could be a great idea!

*waits to see fuzzy's bike paradeing in the next sydney mardi-gra in hot pink oury grips, pink michenlin hot S tyres, and a studded leather seat with a zipper along the crotch.

[petri]

Sounds like there's more suited items than a seatpole needed for his bike.... :shock:

[MrPlow]

Why don't you just bend your own seatpost.
We used bend our own "goosenecks" for our pit bikes. Filled em up with sand first of course.

Do you spend much time sitting down anyway? Tried shorter forks?

Boy do not take this advice fuzzy. A lot of difference between the Mild steel used in pitty bikes and alloy quality seatpoles.

And filling anything up with sand is REALLY dangerous! Assuming youplug the ends of the tube, which you have to for it to work as intended. If there is any moisture in the sand it will explode under pressure :shock: