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New Toy

Old 02-24-07, 08:52 AM
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New Toy

Just recieved my new shock!





I will do a full Float R vs. Van R comparison when i've had some time on it, but here's a prelim:

When I ordered the Van R, I spoke with them about the "factory set" propedal settings. They said it was a "middle-of-the-road" setting. I thought about going with a DHX coil, but it is quite a bit heavier than the Van R and I this was for an "all around / do everything" bike. I thought about the DHX air, but I hate air shocks. I don't like to check the psi before every ride. Basically what I wanted was a good coil shock with decent platform. I had never owned a shock with platform (or so I thought). A couple days before I recieved the Van R, I looked at the under side of my Float R and it had a Propedal sticker on it. I was shocked! (pun) I had always noticed pedal bob with it and complained about the energy loss. I started to worry that the Van R would be the same with the same setting.

I got the Van R and was instantly at ease. The platform is set perfectly for what I do at a mid range factory setting. There is no pedal bob anymore yet it's super plush! I am very happy with it. The shock is progressive and feels pretty "bottomless" on big hits yet still supple on the small stuff. With my old Float R, I could set it to a fairly plush setting but it would bottom out excessively. If I set it for bigger hits, it was harsh. Not so with the Van R.

The only downside is that the bike gained 14 ounces. I'm okay with that because I was planning on at least a pound. My bike is 14oz heavier, yet the propedal settings make it feel lighter, more nimble, and much faster.

Propedal works. Coils are the bomb!
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Old 02-24-07, 09:01 AM
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Nice, Now Let's get it out to Perry! With Suspension like that you won't have to worry about staying on the trail! Congrat's
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Old 02-24-07, 09:05 AM
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Agree'd. I've still never been there. I hear it's full'o'baby head kinda stuff. You'll kill me out there with you're roadie stamina and fancy-schmancy 10lb dually.

You don't scare me though. (just stay outta range of my projectile vomit)
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Old 02-24-07, 10:28 AM
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Wanna sell your Float R?
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Old 02-24-07, 10:38 AM
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Yup, PM me and we may be able to work something out.
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Old 02-24-07, 03:40 PM
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is that float R strapped on to the top like that in case you blow out your other one? hmm, maybe i oughta start strapping down my old rigid fork, in case my reba blows out.... good thinking!
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Old 02-24-07, 03:58 PM
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Throw some Monster Ts on there and you will be set.
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Old 02-24-07, 06:44 PM
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Looks very nice!
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Old 02-24-07, 09:07 PM
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Your bike looks great stealth, the coil is very cool.
I kind of hate jumping on my bike & damm it feels a bit flat go home grab the pump fill it with some air then on my way. But it’s not that big of a deal.
I need to shop for a coil!
Cheers
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Old 02-24-07, 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Freeridin'
Throw some Monster Ts on there and you will be set.
Hee haw...I'm waiting for the MiniMonster T to come out next year. It's a quad crown 5" super fork with ETA, TST, Terralogic, and a little micro-sensor in it that faces the ground and senses the stutter bumps. It has elliptical stanchions that break over for the biggest hits. It's a Mutt. Cost is $7000 b/c of all the patents from other fork manufacturers that must be purchsed by each individual consumer.

Worth every penny though.

Last edited by ed; 02-24-07 at 09:14 PM.
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Old 02-24-07, 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by sweep242
I need to shop for a coil!
Cheers
Shop no more. The Van is the dealio!

If you really want more adjustment, then there are so dadgum many shocks out there. The Swinger is pretty sweet, though so is the Roco TST R. I really hate the fact that the DHX coil has an air chamber for bottom-out resistance. One more seal to blow, IMO. It's a killer shock too though.

I thought I'd hate the restrictions of a "rebound only" shock because I'm such a tech geek, but the less there is to dink with the less I worry about it and the more I enjoy my ride.

Fox really does have it spot on. Compression is just right so far. I have plenty of rebound. The thing really does feel pretty bottomless. It does have a bottom-out MCU just in case. Such an improvement.

And at $225 (UniversalCycles), it's a great deal.

Originally Posted by sweep242
Your bike looks great stealth, the coil is very cool.
Thanks...soon I will have pretty little red hubs peeking out of the darkness like red eyes of a sinister animal!
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Old 02-24-07, 10:18 PM
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i have the DHX on my dakar XAM and love it. But ive only had the chance to ride my bike once while i was home on R&R from iraq but i could tell a big differance from some of the other bikes i tryed before i bought this one.
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Old 02-24-07, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by chelboed
I really hate the fact that the DHX coil has an air chamber for bottom-out resistance. One more seal to blow, IMO.
Your opinion is amuising, in a Chicken Little kind of way.

I have never heard of(and I know/ride with many riders using DHX-C shocks) any or experienced any(running a DHX-C since it first came out) problems with the seal blowing.
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Old 02-24-07, 11:29 PM
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Yeah, my "sky is falling" when it comes to air.

I had two air forks that both leaked. (Rockshox) My Fox Float R leaked on medium drops. It wasn't much, but it was enough to notice that it felt squishier and sagged a little more.

I guess a leaky end-of-stroke chamber is a little hyper paranoia on my part.

Oh well, I'm a happy camper. It leaves a little extra cash for drivetrain maintenance and diapers. (not for me, hehe)
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Old 02-24-07, 11:34 PM
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Hope you get to ride more soon and thanks for what you're doing in Iraq.
Congrat's on the XAM, man. I would like to test one of those. (closest Jamis dealer is 6hr drive)
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Old 02-24-07, 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by R. Danneskjöld
(running a DHX-C since it first came out)
I have read so many bad reviews on MTBR about them. I'm not referring to reviews leading me to believe the product is bad, but worthless reviews that are meaningless babble. I wish they could devote some time to screening reviews for complete and thorough content.

Given that you have had a DHX-C for so long...do you find that you adjust it often to suit different trails or set-it-and-forget-it?
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Old 02-24-07, 11:49 PM
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Originally Posted by chelboed
Given that you have had a DHX-C for so long...do you find that you adjust it often to suit different trails or set-it-and-forget-it?
The only thing that I change (infrequently at that) is the Propedal adjustment.
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Old 02-25-07, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by chelboed
I have read so many bad reviews on MTBR about them.
The majority of reviews on MTBR are when people experience something bad about the product. If EVERYONE running the DHX coil HAD to write a review, i'm 100%, without a doubt, sure that there would be more positive reviews than negative reviews on it.
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Old 02-25-07, 02:48 PM
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That is a sexy, sexy bike. And what Matt says about MTBR reviews is true--people are more apt to share experiences of being let down than positive experience. You have to remember with a shock like that, people are going to be abusing the heck out of them so yes, they will fail more.
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Old 02-25-07, 03:23 PM
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I'm being misunderstood.

I said: "I'm not referring to reviews leading me to believe the product is bad, but worthless reviews that are meaningless babble."

So...the reviews on the DHX are not terribly negative. The quality of reviews suck rocks. Most reviews on that site are not detailed enough to know what the shock has gone through, what type of rider (weight, hack vs. smooth). It's like a bunch of 13 year-olds write them.

I can't trust them.

Thanks seely, I'll tell her you said that. She's alot o' fun.

As soon as I get my new wheels this wk., I'll try to post some "Glamour Shots".
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