Smart Shocks

[Mr752]

How good are Smart Shocks?
Just been looking at this one,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K2-PROFLEX-NOLEEN-CROSSLINK-SUSPENSION-REAR-SMART-SHOCK_W0QQitemZ320218724428QQihZ011QQcategoryZ36135QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122

Looks kind of like the same guy who was selling the Crosslinks/Smartshocks at "sky high" prices a few weeks ago.
Not the same username, same location though.

Anyway how do they ride? does the smart brain make a difference?
How easy would it be to adapt it to the 856/XP-8 rear end? Its about the same length.

How about fitting one to the 752 or 862 Purple Gerbil

Mr752

[purple gerbil]

the problem with 862 is ive only got about 70mm to play with unless i fabb new s/stays which is almost certain and then i can prob stretch to about 130mm
with a bit of sag keeping same geometry and allowing mud clearence.

[Lysander]

Same seller, if ye ask me- nobody bought the things first round, still wouldnae at that price....................neither would I waste my time bidding on stuff that's 'advertised elsewhere'!!

[orange]

How easy would it be to adapt it to the 856/XP-8 rear end? Its about the same length.

my next door neighbour made an adapter for me to use a Risse Astro 5 of a similar length on my 857 - worked fine.

[Colin]

I've got a NR-5 Smart shock on the Crosslink on my 4000se.
To be perfectly honest, I cannot tell the difference between Soft/Hard or even ON/OFF !
Most of the time I leave the battery compartment empty!
I believe that a NR-2 on the front would also give slightly more travel to the Crosslink than a NR-5?

But just look at the pretty lights! <GRIN>

Col.

[shovelon]

I've got a NR-5 Smart shock on the Crosslink on my 4000se.
To be perfectly honest, I cannot tell the difference between Soft/Hard or even ON/OFF !
Most of the time I leave the battery compartment empty!
I believe that a NR-2 on the front would also give slightly more travel to the Crosslink than a NR-5?

But just look at the pretty lights! <GRIN>

Col.

my NR5 on my crosslink was slightly more forgiving than in standard mode or even off, but not enough to satisfy me. Ok, I have said it before, it worked really smooth when I lost all the oil. In fact, all I had to do was stiffen up the spring preload, and i hammered it with joy for allmost a year.

From what I learned, the shock would stay soft until a rapid movement was sensed, then it went harsh to prevent bottoming out. So in a sense, it really never felt right, bobing on climbs, and harsh on descents. So when I was able to preload to top out on climbs, and have supple travel on descents after the oil departed, I was happy. The NR5 was designed quite opposite of SPV valving of today, where SPV resists bobbing, then breaks free into smooth travel. The key to me is more supple travel.

Whatever, the reason I changed the blown NR5 out was because it was too heavy. 

Terry

[Mr752]

All good points!

Ed, what fixing is on the bottom of the adaptor to bolt it to the seat stay?
Are the seat stays the same on the 856 and 857?

Think I'll shelf that idea and keep a lookout for an Astro or a rear NR-2.

Risse Astro, bit pricey or worth every penny?
If I buy new from Risse at least it will come with all the relevant bits to fix it.

Mrs752 has put the "skids" on my plan to get the Oz frame so my time and energy has to be channelled elsewhere!

[orange]

Ed, what fixing is on the bottom of the adaptor to bolt it to the seat stay?

it's a cnc'd cone shape which is integral to the bit you can see (i.e. all one piece)

Are the seat stays the same on the 856 and 857?

erm. not sure. Think they're longer on 857 as the swingarm is longer.

Think I'll shelf that idea and keep a lookout for an Astro or a rear NR-2.

Risse Astro, bit pricey or worth every penny?
If I buy new from Risse at least it will come with all the relevant bits to fix it.

Well, the Astro is a nice shock and light too. Mine weighed 316g. Just sold it sadly on my 857 frame. Previously owned by both Jeffhop and Shovelon! I still have a Genesis (currently on Ebay) but that doesn't have the conical end either (open to offers on it mind  )

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190201507960&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123

[Colin]

Mrs752 has put the "skids" on my plan to get the Oz frame so my time and energy has to be channelled elsewhere!

What? you mean you tell your wife things like that...............?

sigh...............modern men....................

<GRIN> only joking!
Right, I better get off and cuddle up with the missus on the sofa and spend some "quality" time with her and hope she hasn't noticed the Maverick forks in my study.....!

p.s. I wouldn't even consider buying that NR-5 at the price he's trying to get for it!
I think too much of the write up is BS, like who the hell are "Noleen J-6"....? They're certainly not doing shock services anymore! and "THE LAST TEST WAS ON A 05 SPECIALIZED 'BIG HIT' "  yeah right!

Col.

[Ade]

I'm not saying that the write up isn't Bs, but it is researched BS - check here

http://www.noleenj6.com/parts-store/mountain-bike-suspension-services_122/

this is the legitimate noleen website

cheers
Ade

[shovelon]

I'm not saying that the write up isn't Bs, but it is researched BS - check here

http://www.noleenj6.com/parts-store/mountain-bike-suspension-services_122/

this is the legitimate noleen website

cheers
Ade

Holy Crap, Noleen is selling brand spankin' new shocks! Don't know if they have the cone type, but is nice to know another resource has opened up. I wonder if the K2 abandonment has anything to do with it.

Last time I spoke to them, they sounded accomodating, but was not offering new shocks yet. $198 for a new Nr1 is not too bad.

[Mr752]

Ah Colin you know the score
In my house "I WEAR THE TROUSERS"
HOWEVER
It does so happen that Mrs752 tells me which ones to put on

LONG LIVE STEALTH AND CUNNING

Shovelon,
If it were a choice,
1/ Risse Genisis  $198
2/ Noleen Nr-?   $198

Which would come out on top?

[shovelon]

Ah Colin you know the score
In my house "I WEAR THE TROUSERS"
HOWEVER
It does so happen that Mrs752 tells me which ones to put on

LONG LIVE STEALTH AND CUNNING

Shovelon,
If it were a choice,
1/ Risse Genisis  $198
2/ Noleen Nr-?   $198

Which would come out on top?

Risse genesis for the rear because it is light, and you can get the cone. Noleen NR1 for the front because of lack of stiction.

Terry