carbon vs alum swingarm

[numbnuts]

I am still trying to figure out wot to do about my debond and will probably use the warranty if i can find a way to get my bike to the US cheaply and quickly, maybe I'll ask some ganja smuggler friends to help me out



If not I'll get the glue out, should be OK, I once built a windsurf out of epoxy so gluing something should be easy.



BUT worst case scenario, I have to by a new swing arm, wot should I get, the same evo4, or should I use a alum one, which I assume can be done.



any know what swingarms cost , or better still has anyone got one they don't need

[joshua]

I would try to get a aluminum one.  I feel that they are stronger and stiffer.  And you won't have to worry about the epoxy coming undone.  I had a 5000 with a carbon and now I have a disco monkey and I can really tell the diff..

[epac]

there isn't any weight difference between the 2. we've had them on scales at the same time and they are exact. i really couldn't feel the diff between the from my 1000 to my oz but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

also if you could get your hands on an alum you wouldn't have to worry about it happening again.



                       ........peace [smiley=nod.gif]

[Vitaliy]

Isn't carbon fiber should be stronger? it might be not as stiff as Alu, but it's more flexible so it can absorb smaller bumps better than aluminum.

[IFO]

i have more faith in teh Easton carbon rear swing arm then the offshore Alumnim version...

my old proflex 4000with carbon swingarm, is still going strong... and its been ridden hard/dropped/jumped, and had tons of crashs...

i have no worries about it, but keep in mind the EVO frame is no Santa cruz Super-8... [smiley=evil.gif]

[GrimJack]

I honestly think the easton carbon swingarm is the toughest part of the bike.  I've never heard of one breaking.

[Matno]

On the other hand, I recall a post from Peter Stuart on the old forum saying that he wouldn't ride a carbon swingarm...

Personally, I think they are super strong. I took a good sized gouge out of mine a couple of years ago on a sharp rock, and it hasn't affected it at all. However, I would have to agree with those who think the aluminum swingarm is stiffer. I've never ridden on personally, but I doubt anything could be LESS stiff than these carbon swingarms. We've had three of them in my family and all three have had a decent amount of perceived side to side "bend." (i.e. hold the rear wheel in one hand and the saddle in the other and you can move them about 1 inch relative to each other). I'm not sure how reliable that is since the one time I clamped my frame in a vise I couldn't seem to duplicate the effect, but it's definitely noticeable when you're riding.  I'm used to it now and actually like it (a little extra sideways shock absorption for those off-center landings!   ), but it was VERY disconcerting at first.

[numbnuts]

I have little experience with FS so it is good to hear other opinions. I sometimes feel that the swing arm is flexing, but I'm not sure if that is just the rear suspension working. Anyway the bike is smooth and tracks like it's on rails so i ain't complaining. I like the carbon but am a bit disappointed that it unbonded so quickly. Like IFO says the EVO ain't no super8, maybe I have been abusing her a little. I am not doing enormous drops but most of our trails would be considered a bit more than regular XC. I haven't heard any others complain who bought the same batch of supergo evo's so it is obviously not a design flaw. The carbon fibre has that hi tech appeal also, and looks sweet, if the DIY bond becomes unbonded i will get whatever is available and cheaper but think i'd prefer carbon.

[bikendan]

 ::)i remember when k2 went to the alum swingarms for the evos and still had some models with carbon. at first, the arms weren't interchangable. but the later models might be. i thought all carbons had the teflon bushings and the alum had needle or roller bearings. but you may want to ask k2 if your frame can be switched from the carbon to the alum., especially if you want discs.
k2 stated that the alum were just as stiff with very little weight added. the costs of the carbons were no longer affordable.

[numbnuts]

great point regarding the aluminium swingarm, if I can get one that is disc ready I won't have to bother with an adaptor. K2 informed me that there is no problem using alum on a Evo 4. Their customer service dept has been very helpful, as has Supergo who have offered to extend my warranty by a couple of weeks to give me time to return the swingarm. [smiley=nod.gif]