Mountain Biking - BlackDiamond - Pic on ridemonkey with slider question

Hey, (coincidence you are online actually) you ran a slider on your bighit. How did you like it, how did it feel. I can get one for almost a 1/3 of the cost of the 888r and almost 500 bucks cheaper than anything else. I need a new fork and want to know if

a) good fork/ bad fork?
b) on trails?
c) laterally stiff
d) overall did you like it (pre 888 which we all know god made with his own hands :D)
e) how did it ride on the bighit

I am looking at 2004 slider+. I am pretty sure you switched to a 888 but I tend to mix up all those pics of red bighits I see floating around :D

Cheers

I actually liked the Slider a lot. It too was an '04 Slider + 7" travel. It is very linear in its travel (not progressive), if set up correctly it eliminated pedal bob, I did not like the limited turning radius (you'll notice this on tight trails). It was not stiff nor flexy; if that makes sense. It is a light fork, and is probably better suited for trail or free riding vs. straight downhill. I do mostly downhill and needed a stiffer fork that had better progression. Originally I was going to get a Dorado MRD X-Works but there were production delays and I ended up getting the 888R.

I can honestly say I’ve never ridden a better handling fork than the 888R. If you are looking into doing more downhill you might want to think about a 888R, sure it costs more but it really is the best fork I’ve ridden for out of the box performance. This for will be with me for a long time.

The 888 will have to wait till next year when I can buy used or on closeouts. Right now at 1600cdn I might as well spend 400$ more and buy a full Ironhorse SGS. Just doesn't work for my budget.

Currently I ride a jrT with standard dropouts (yep 9mm). It is even a 2002 jrT so it only has 30mm stanchions. The turning radius I am sure is similar.

Thank you, I am ordering it right now :) Cheap enough that I can resell in the fall and make my coin back :)

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/equip/BigHit8TravelUpgradeKit_d.jpg

or:

http://www.avalanchedownhillracing.com/staplinkcomp.jpg

or:

http://www.avalanchedownhillracing.com/bighitcomp.jpg

Why do you think I am trying to save on my fork ;)...

Do you have those pics saved just for me now. Post them every time I post about my bike. hahah

Ahhhhhhhh. I think you can actually get one of those linkages in 8" instead of 9" that way you can run an 8.75 x 2.75 shock. I'm going to wait until the Fox I'm riding on blows then I'll send it to Push ;)

Actually I have the shortcut saved, so as soon as you post I'm putting that pic up. I'm just trying to convert you to the darkside thats all.

Yeah I figured you would be doing that next. Good upgrade from what I read. When my shock blows...thats when I buy the upgrade kit.

Specialized doesn't seem to make them anymore though. They are always out of stock and didn't seem to make any for 2004.

I'm actually trying to locate you one through some contacts I have. Just hope if I find one you pony up with the $$ and do the upgrade ;)

http://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/mumble.gif

Theres that damn icon again haha. That thing kills me every time.

Well if you are going to all the trouble I might just need to borrow some coin from the little woman. She will understand :) And if you do, you gotta try and make it up for a trip. I can arrange a place to stay to save some cash ;) (I know a busy year but you keep offering the shock...I will keep offering 7 days of 4500 vertical ft :)