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04-14-08, 11:09 PM
Hey all - I have a Downtube VIII with front suspension that's going on three years now, and I can no longer resist the call of the Sturmey-Archer. As much as it would cost to buy and retrofit one to my VIII, I'd rather just get a new / second Downtube and have a backup or matching buddy ride.
I still think my old VIII rides very nicely but it's always bugged me that I lose a bit of efficiency uphill with a front shock. This is really my only bike at present, though, so I have nothing to compare it to aside from the horrid Giant hybrid it replaced (which also had a front shock, and sucked much worse at hills). I also think maybe it's silly to worry about such things as efficiency and speed when I'm choosing to ride on 20" wheels in the first place.
I've been going back and forth between the 8HN and 8H for... longer than I'd like to admit, let's put it that way. It's gotten stupid. I'm concerned the 8HN might be a little too harsh for some of my riding conditions and, um, OK, vain though it might be I kinda worry about the robin's-egg color. It's not just that I'm not exactly crazy about it. Here in Oklahoma, a man could get shot just fer riding a bike in that color, ah reckon.
Actually, here there's a good chance of getting shot just for riding a bicycle to begin with, but I digress. Can someone with a 2008 8H, who's spent some time tweaking the shock, comment on the preload-ability? Can the front suspension get pretty close to locked out with adjustment? If so, that'll clinch my long-running, tortured decision and I will be very grateful.
BTW, heavyish rider here.
I still think my old VIII rides very nicely but it's always bugged me that I lose a bit of efficiency uphill with a front shock. This is really my only bike at present, though, so I have nothing to compare it to aside from the horrid Giant hybrid it replaced (which also had a front shock, and sucked much worse at hills). I also think maybe it's silly to worry about such things as efficiency and speed when I'm choosing to ride on 20" wheels in the first place.
I've been going back and forth between the 8HN and 8H for... longer than I'd like to admit, let's put it that way. It's gotten stupid. I'm concerned the 8HN might be a little too harsh for some of my riding conditions and, um, OK, vain though it might be I kinda worry about the robin's-egg color. It's not just that I'm not exactly crazy about it. Here in Oklahoma, a man could get shot just fer riding a bike in that color, ah reckon.
Actually, here there's a good chance of getting shot just for riding a bicycle to begin with, but I digress. Can someone with a 2008 8H, who's spent some time tweaking the shock, comment on the preload-ability? Can the front suspension get pretty close to locked out with adjustment? If so, that'll clinch my long-running, tortured decision and I will be very grateful.
BTW, heavyish rider here.