Nice ride and Vector work

[DugB]

Went out for a ride with a friend today despite the near freezing temps, mainly to test the Risses. Though bouncing on them in the shop didn't impress me, I did like the way they rode outside. I pumped up the rear once because I guess the temp. difference between my house and the outdoors caused a slight pressure drop in the shocks. I find that having the rear at around 220lbs gives me maybe 10% sag. Less for the front, of course. I think I'll keep these on for a bit at least!

Also tore apart a Vector II with Speed Spring conversion that I picked up a while ago...mainly to check the softer front spring to see if it would be a better ride on the rear of my 856 than the stiff-ish RDS rear COR spring...but alas, it was just plain too soft, and now I'm thinking the RDS unit is good for me. Of course it took me a while to dismantle/reassemble, and I sadly had to Helicoil one of the holes on the bottom of the steerer because the PO must've overtorqued it. Works well now. This fork will make for a nice ride someday.

I also have a Vector 1 hanging in the shop, still with the elastomers in decent shape. Anyone have a spare steerer for one of these? The deal I got was for 2 forks but only 1 steerer. Would just be nice to make it complete.

- Doug :-)

[rapiddescent]

I'd be interested in what sort of weight you are as a rider.  I make these for an average of an 85kg rider.   guess what weight I am!!

The front spring will be  just over half as stiff as the rear.

[DugB]

Hey!

I'm around 160lbs, probably closer to 170lbs, though, with gear. I've actually noticed that the spring, unpreloaded, seems to initially give right when I'd expect it to, but doesn't give much travel...the rate seems to increase quickly with compression...I've probably only ever seen the sprung shock compress an inch, meaning like 2 inches at the wheel?

- Doug :-)

[rapiddescent]

changing the damping oil to 10wt helps as well.  The spring will loosen after a few long rides as well.  I'd expect it to get about 2.75" of travel.   

[Colin]

Front ODS shocks only have about 1.6 to 1.8" of stroke, and there could also be a small diameter MCU bottom out bumper on the shaft which would limit the stroke a bit more.
So.....you're probably getting nearly all of the travel short of bottoming it out that you can expect!

Enjoy the wonders of early 90's Full Suspension!

Col

[shovelon]

Don't forget there is a eliptical shaft at one of the pivots(Top?) that adjusts the rake on the Vectors. Rotate one way and you have a better big hit stroke. Rotate the other way and you have better small bump sensitivity.

Can't remember which is which, but I ended up increasing my rake to limit dive, which I guess also limits small bump sensitivity? (That Bob Girvin, what a prankster)

[rapiddescent]

use a small screw driver and turn the eccentric cams so that the big holes face forward on the lower and upper cam - this is a straighter less-J-path setting.

callum

[shovelon]

use a small screw driver and turn the eccentric cams so that the big holes face forward on the lower and upper cam - this is a straighter less-J-path setting.

callum

Holy Molly, I did not know there was a cam on the lower pivot also.
I am going to check where that one is set.

Terry

[orange]

ditto

[Colin]

use a small screw driver and turn the eccentric cams so that the big holes face forward on the lower and upper cam - this is a straighter less-J-path setting.

callum

Only the top pivot rod is mentioned in the instructions.

Factory default is "Sensitive Mode" - chamfered end of hole pointing up and back. Minimal preload on the spring will provide maximum sensitivity.
OR: "Anti-Pogo Mode" - chamfered end of hole pointing forward and down. The more "J-shaped" axle path, more in line with large bump forces, combined with substantial pre-load on the spring, will give a fork that is stiff for climbing, but accomodates medium and large bumps without limiting wheel travel.

Col.

[rapiddescent]

yeah - much discussed many many years ago on the 855-Heads mailling list.   The problem with the J-path setting is that it shortened the wheelbase of the bike making the bike unstable in downhill sections.  Indeed, I broke my vector2's because I was attempting a steep slight-drop-off downhill turn and they buckled under me sending me over the bars!