Atlantis repaint & update

[René Sterental]

It's been several long months since I updated the group on my fork update for my Atlantis and my Hunqapillar. I sent the Atlantis to be repainted (with its new fork) in August, and it was around October when I was finally able to get it back. I decided to wait the recommended 30 days before waxing the paint, but with a very hectic travel and work schedule, it wasn't until now that I was able to rebuild it.

 

While I still need to put the Berthoud steel fenders back on, the basic build is finished. Rear rack needs to be installed as well, but rack decisions are always hard...

 

I have always liked the original Atlantis color so much, that I decided to go with it again, but add a distinguishing touch to the paint scheme to make it a bit unique. You can see it on the 3 photos I've posted: http://tinyurl.com/ae3gj5q

 

Since I still have the original fork, I compared colors and as expected (I wouldn't have thought so before) the colors are similar but not quite identical. The new pain is brighter and more vivid, which I actually like a lot.

 

Aside form a couple of rides in my patio to make sure everything is working OK, I still haven't taken a rear ride on the new configuration (low trail fork) to be able to report anything. So far, I've kept riding my Hunqapillar with its low trail fork and keep loving it. In the coming weeks I will report on my impressions with the low trail fork on the Atlantis, as well as whether the annoying shimmy it always had when loaded has dissappeared or not.

 

René

[dougP]

The white panels are a nice touch.  Hopefully the head badge is still around somewhere? 

dougP

[dougP]

Rene:

I had Tom build a fork for my 58 cm Atlantis, 40 mm trail.  The reason was a vague wandering of the front end while climbing at low speed & this seems a common complaint.  I always have an Acorn Boxy Rando bag on the front, with at least a few pounds of maps, pump, misc junk, etc.  Was this wandering sensation your reason for changing forks?

Also, it's been suggested that lower trail may contribute to shimmy.  Even with the stock fork, my Atlantis has always had a shimmy when rear loaded.  For instance, even with the front bag and only 2 panniers in back (nothing on the top of the rack) I've experienced shimmy.  I cannot be sure but it may happen more frequently now that I've changed forks.  Have you noticed any shimmy problems?  With either bike? 

Note the shimmy has never happened with either a front only load (2 panniers on low riders) or a balanced, 4 bag load.  I have one of IRD's roller bearing headsets on its way.  Jan Heine suggests roller bearing headsets have more friction and have been helpful in reducing shimmy.  I figure it's worth a shot. 

Look forward to hearing your thoughts. 

Doug Peterson

On Sunday, December 9, 2012 8:38:28 PM UTC-8, René wrote:

[René Sterental]

Thanks Doug,

 

I had lots of uncomfortable and annoying shimmy with rear loads on my Atlantis and didn't like the handling with front loads, although as stated elsewhere, you do get used to what you are riding. Since my current use for the Atlantis is mostly for commuting and other road rides, I also like having a front bag and won't mind if with the low trail fork, I only front load it to avoid the shimmy.

 

I did try an original Stronglight needle headset for the same reason, but it didn't really reduce the shimmy significantly. To avoid confusion, I put the original Chris King headset back on (some say it's very prone to shimmy) to isolate the fork geometry change/shimmy issue.

 

I'll be experimenting on some different configurations and see what works best for me. Toe overlap, for those who are concerned about it, also dissapeared. Not a real issue for me with the stock fork, but a nice result.

 

A surprising effect of the new fork is that the distance from the tire to the bottom of the fork crown is significantly larger than on the original stock fork. As I'm in the process of mounting the fenders, I'm assessing what the best/most elegant way to address this will be: a longer wine cork or just a bunch of spacers?

 

Will be reporting and posting photos when I get it done.

 

René

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[Joe Broach]

Rene,

Here's one solution to the fender/fork gap issue a friend and I came up with for her Rawland rSogn:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclerslife/4017341414/

Another solution I've seen posted (sorry, can't find to credit) and plan to try is something like:

tire -> recessed brake nut -> fender -> rubber washer -> bushing sleeved over brake nut -> daruma/eyebolt -> bolt through fork crown brake hole

This assumes you're using the french-style daruma/eyebolt mount and don't mind enlarging crown mounting hole in the fender for the recessed brake nut. As I said, I haven't tried it, but it sounds nifty.

Best,

joe broach

portland, or

[René Sterental]

Thanks for the ideas! That bracket solution is pretty ingenious.

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[Ryan Ray]

That is a 1st world problem for sure. I really wish I had TOO much clearance!

- Ryan