K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Dennis on February 11, 2005, 11:03:15 am
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ok, now I am inviting suggestions from everyone. I would like a shock that is fairly light, air-sprung, and relatively maintenance free.
I do like the Astro5 I currently have, but as a modifier I would like to go with an spv shock. any votes for staying with the astro5 would be appreciated too. I mean, it works, and I haven't had to touch it since I got it setup right. so, time to get rid of it, right?
also, I have just been reading great things about the new Fox RP3, but the longest i2i they have is 7.875 with 2.00" stroke. is this okay for Oz? i know original shock was 8.25 i2i.
questions about spv shocks that I would like answered:
a. which one and why?
b. what i2i length and stroke?
thanks for your suggestions/comments.
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also, I have just been reading great things about the new Fox RP3, but the longest i2i they have is 7.875 with 2.00" stroke. is this okay for Oz? i know original shock was 8.25 i2i.
questions about spv shocks that I would like answered:
a. which one and why?
b. what i2i length and stroke?
My Stratos with 7.875 x 2.1 works just fine. A little slacker than my Astro 5, but hardly noticeable. What IS noticeable is the difference in ride between the shocks. (I like them both for different reasons).
As for SPV's, I've only ridden one a couple of times - a Swinger 3way on a 2004 Jekyll - but it was amazing. Like a hardtail on the way up (but a lot smoother) and tons of control on the way down (although not as plush as I'm used to). I'd say I'd probably want SPV for the rear more than the fork. I've never really noticed bob on a fork unless I'm standing up, leaning forward, and really cranking (which is rare).
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Picked up a 8.5" i2i and love it.
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Thanks for the responses so far.
5500C -
did the 8.5 i2i raise your bottom bracket at all?
I am at the limit with standover height with 8.25 i2i so I am concerned about that.
Matno- come to think of it, I agree with you about the fork not really bobbing much. Mostly from rear.
thanks for any more info you can give me.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
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I'd stay with the Astro5 for a bit longer and let Propedal develop further before making the switch, and I'd stay with the standard i2i as your at your standover limit,even running extra sag you could still get caught out :P
Simon.
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Thanks for the responses so far.
5500C -
did the 8.5 i2i raise your bottom bracket at all?
I am at the limit with standover height with 8.25 i2i so I am concerned about that.
Matno- come to think of it, I agree with you about the fork not really bobbing much. Mostly from rear.
thanks for any more info you can give me.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
I had the 7.7875 RC and felt that the bottom bracket height was too low. The 8.5" with more slack feels much better than before especially with the Manitou Black Elite 100/120 mm fork. The bb height does feel a bit taller, but I can't really remember what it felt like with 8.25".
I like it though.
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Dennis,
I have had my Coil Swinger 8.5 i2i x 2.5stroke for about a year now. I love it.
However it weighs in at over 900 grams. Manitou has come out with a Swinger air sprung at 8.5 i2i at 500 grams, but the cost is 350 to 400 dollars.
What I am after now is an air swinger 7.5 x 2.0 at 300 grams to 350 grams. I will machining a cross mount, adapter/extender to lengthen i2i to 8.25. The best thing is I am finding great deals on these shocks.
I have my eye on an ebay item right now listed at 175 dollars.
Food for thought?
By the way, my front disk brake is mounted, and will be riding today. The Julie brake was an early version without any lever adjustment. Had to add a set screw and grind the plunger post a little. I will let you know how I like it.
Terry
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Terry,
ahhh, an extender. now, that's an idea.
let me know if you get one worked out.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
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I remember photos of one once upon a time on the old forum (with a Cane Creek 6.5" shock). Never heard of any others (unless you count Simon's projects, which make me jealous...)
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Just thought you all would like to know that
http://www.beyondbikes.com
is showing Manitou swinger air 3 way and 4 way shocks that are 8.25 i2i with a 2.00 stroke.
seems like my search may be over. however, these things are pricey. and how about a Fox terralogic fork to match?
I have heard that ID forks and SPV rear shocks may not work that well together. Maybe the SPV rear is the way to go.
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Sure enough, 8.25 i2i.
Beyond bikes may have an exclusive. Yes the prices are outrageous. 200 bucks is most I would like to pay.
I don't know about Fox's ID fork, but the Stratos cartridge does not work for me. I have it pretty close to rideable but I am losing the stable platform. I will have to say that Stratos workmanship is impeccable, a work of art. And the dampening is very plush.
Terry
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Dennis,
Went for a ride today with my offspring. The ID cartridge is as close as I can make it to my liking without losing all of the lockout. Junior kicked my behind on the uphill but I smoked him on the way down [smiley=laughing.gif] [smiley=laughing.gif] [smiley=nod.gif].
The Julie disk brake squeeled like diaper dan on the way up with rotor rubbing. I guess it needed a breakin period as the noise went away on the way down and it is powerful. I almost lost it a couple of times when the wheel locked up when I hit patches of mud. The disk wheel felt rock solid, but it will still need a few more rides before I am fully confident.
Terry
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follow up question:
if you had a choice between a 7.785" i2i or 8.5" i2i rear shock for an Oz, which one would you get and why?
thanks for your input. I need an answer within 2 days (today in Monday, Feb. 14)
[smiley=groucho.gif]
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I would get 8.5 i2i. The reason is that 7 7/8 is too short for all but a 3 inch stroke fork, you would have to ride with virtually no sag.
The 8.5 on the other hand has 2.5 inches of travel, meaning that it tops out slightly above the stock shock, and bottoms out slightly below the stock shock. So the travel blows right through the stock shock's range. Set at 1 inch of sag and you are riding at the same height as stock. The only down side is some added brake jacking, but oh the ride is so smooth.
On the other hand if standover is considered, try a 7.5x2 and extend it to 8.2 i2i.
Terry
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I don't think so... I haven't tried an 8.5, but my 7.825 Stratos works really well. Matches my 4 inch X-vert perfectly. I never notice a slack feel, and I certainly don't notice a difference in handling (I sometimes swap with my wife's 8.25" Astro5). I run a lot of sag (about 1/3 of the shock stroke) and the BB height has never been a problem. Certainly higher than a 4" Jekyll in the slack setting. (I wacked my pedals/cranks/chainrings about every 30 seconds on those - literally. I almost NEVER touch ground with my pedals on my 5000...)
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I have the 8.5" I2I 5th Element Coil - since late summer last year and it is awesome.
Whilst I haven't measured the travel of the Oz I can feel it has increased SUBSTANTIALLY and it is so smooth.
I am 5ft 11" with short legs - a 30" - 31" inside leg (trouser measurement). I have the large Oz and the stand over is no problem.
I a static mode the bike sits higher but as soon as you sit on it and set the correct amount of sag up (for weight and riding style) the BB height is no different to std.
I paired it with a 120mm Marzocchi Marathon up front. Marzocchis are traditionally a tall fork with long axle to crownheight compared to some others. The 8.5" rear balances it beautifully. I use a 100mm stem.
The only problem I have is the weight of the coil 5th Element. It is heavy but the increased performance, even up hill does go a long way to counteract that.
If I was to do it all again i would choose the 8.5" I2I Manitou Swinger air (or 5th Element air/Freeride Gravity if they bring one out)
I have ridden the bike on soft trails on the South Downs in southern England, purpose made knarly trails in South wales and also in the French Alps so it's done quite a lot.
Sprucey
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There we have it. With standover height in question, the 7 7/8 is worth a shot.
Maybe if someone has an extra 7 7/8 shock, maybe it could be lent to you to try. I will know tomarrow if the 7 1/2 shock is mine and I could lend you my 8.5 to try.
My fork is a Psylo SL. I wind the height down 2 inches for climbing and is perfect angle. Then raise 2 inches for 5 inches of travel for downhill. Like Sprucey I would get an air version.
Terry
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I have a 7 7/8" Fox on my Disco Monkey and 8 1/4" Stratos on my 5000. I've played around with swapping them and the difference is noticable, but minor in my opinion. What I noticed with the Fox was the slightly lower BB height resulted in more pedal contact. The slacker head angle did not seem to have a negative effect on steering, but lifting the front to go over obstacles seems to require slightly more effort with the short shock.
I prefer the longer shock but the Monkey is still a great handler with the Fox. Both bikes are outstanding climbers. I've never tried an SPV system. For my style of XC riding, the high cost of those shocks is hard to justify.
I've had my eyes peeled for a good deal on an 8 1/4" or 8 1/2" shock but haven't had any luck yet.
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I am also 5'11". My inseam is 34". I still have some standover with the 8.5 i2i shock and 120 mm fork.
However, the 7.5 i2i Swinger 3 option is now under way. A payment of $182.50 has been sent to the seller and the shock should arrive in a couple of weeks. I will be working on the adapter in the mean time. If all goes as planned I should be testing at end of the month. This setup will be swappable to the Evo as well.
Well it's back to work.
Terry
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so here is the end of this story:
I just snagged an 8.25" i2i fox talas rl. can't wait to get it and mount it on the Oz. now I should have a do-all Oz with a talas fork and shock.
will report.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
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The 7.5 inch Swinger is on! [smiley=laughing.gif](http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-10/850560/swingershock.JPG)
Did a test ride tonight with air spring at 110lbs, and SPV at 70 lbs. Ride was pretty stiff with no bobbing, am going to reset at 120 spring and 60 SPV for more compliance. Length measures at 8.3 inches. Adapt er adds about 40 grams to the shock.
Terry