Need a new shock

[jazclrint]

No prob man!  Just give me some time.  I don't have a lot of spare time these days.  And I have to find someone with a better camera than I have.  And measure the thing.
Later,
Jaz

[proflex252]

Just installed the new manitou swinger shock

Have a look!

[Simon]

Very nice looking bike,

that seatpost intriques me though,
is it supposed to be forward like that  

nice bike and spec from what I can see.

Simon.

[proflex252]

Unfortunately the travel decreased by swoping the NR2 with the swinger.

The NR2 has 52mm travel and the swinger has only 44 (while Manitou says it is 50!!)
So the travel is no some 100mm instead of 115mm.
F...!
I think I will have to optimize the swingarm/shock ratio.

[proflex252]

Any suggestions?

[Matno]

I would like to see a close up of your Swinger - particularly the part that inserts into your frame. There is NO way my Swinger would fit that way on my 5000 frame (see my gallery - it is "upside down" compared to yours). I needed at least another 10-15mm of clearance for the shock body with the frame plates. Yours must have a different "neck" (as Proflex calls that part).

As for the seatpost, clearly it was broken in that picture. Nobody in their right mind would have a saddle pointed at the ground like that! (Don't mind me - I'm a member of the self-appointed seat angle Polizei...)

(If I recall correctly, that's a homemade carbon seatpost - or at least partly homemade, right?)

And for the record...the stroke length on my Swinger is EXACTLY 2" (50.8mm). According to Trek, it should be 2.5" (63.5mm).

[Simon]

Unfortunately the travel decreased by swoping the NR2 with the swinger.

The NR2 has 52mm travel and the swinger has only 44 (while Manitou says it is 50!!)
So the travel is no some 100mm instead of 115mm.
F...!
I think I will have to optimize the swingarm/shock ratio.

Tricky one this,
you either have to move the bottom (s/arm)
mounting forward or the top shock mounting
down,
but this will raise the b/b height.

I'd try it as it is first you may find its slightly shorter
travel a but far superior shock performance may
totally out weigh this.

Simon.

[proflex252]

Matno: Well! I must be "left minded"!

There is no broken pic. My seat is nose down like that. I always go like this. And this for 5 hours tours. No prob for me.
Otherwise, if I ride a seat in normal position I have the certain feeling that I'm holding another mans wiener in my hands if going to the toilet.
So this IS the right seat position for me. Believe me. It's the only way.
And it is not dependent on carbon. I have the same prob with any other seat as well.
And yes! U remember right. It is a homemade seat/post combi.

I will take a close up pic of the shocks upper mount.
Hope this will help you.

Simon: I will try this setup on the next Marathon in 2 weeks. If it feels good I will  have to get used to less travel on the rear.
Otherwise I will have to do some more brain powering to change the geometry without rising the BB.
Fortunately I have a CATIA system. So I am able to do some pc based simulation.

[proflex252]

Here the promised pic of the adapter:



As it is just a attempt it is made of non corrosive steel. So way too heavy. I will let it machined in aluminum if it is ok tht way.

I laithed a steel round material to the rigth length (30.5mm) and drilled a 6mm drill-hole in it.
I bent a 2mm thick non corro sheet metal round the laithed part and welded it together.
A drill-hole through it so it can take up the shocks upper part which is turned by 90 degree.

[Matno]

Ah. Thanks. Now I get it. The adaptor is nice. I forgot your Swinger had the shorter eye to eye length. I wish I could mount mine that way - I think it looks weird the way I have it.

I know you're a lover of all things carbon, but have you ever considered a softer, more "ergonomic" saddle? I can't imagine that having your saddle angled down wouldn't WORK your shoulders big time. Then again, I've never experienced the peculiar sensation that you mention, which I'm sure would change my mind about a few things!

[proflex252]

I have tried various saddles but anytime the same result.
And as I shaped the carbon saddle exactly for my ass this really hard one is the best saddle I have ever ridden.
As I was saying I do tours with five hours and I have absolutely no prob with the hardness of the saddle nor with my shoulders. Maybe I got iron shoulders

Believe me! Holding another ones wiener in your hand is a dramatic feeling which changes your being!