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You can do it with 2 crescent wrenches and some patience.
the tool helps but not 100% required
The new vivid has the option to upgrade the reservoir to go from a select or select+ to ultimate version. I am curious if the same is possible for the Superdeluxe ? I know the ultimate version of the SD reservoir are available as separate purchase but nowhere it says if it's possible and compatible. -A select+ SD air owner that would love to upgrade to ultimate without having to buy a new tuned shock.
In this case I think it might have to do with manufacturability too. Machining a square tube and slapping some hard steel on it is easy compared to machining grooves for balls and needle bearings also give torsional support so you can actually steer with the single stanchion fork.
And it's also smooth as hell compared to bushings (apparently).
For the 65mm stroke vivid, claimed weight is 670 grams. I just weighed my Cane Creek IL with a 450-550# coil on it, 63mm stroke. It is 720 grams. The EXT Storia is lighter for this size, but I don't remember off the top of my head the exact weight. Kinda kills the point of an air shock for me if I'm only saving 50 grams.
Blister claims 703g for an 8.5 x 2.5" Storia V3 with a 375# spring, so I'd assume the EXT with a spring that would fit you would still be a fair bit heavier than the Vivid. It still isn't terribly far off if you have a light spring weight, though, which is interesting.
I'm just happy he walked away from that. I've got one of those bikes and am not too worried about it. Though I am wondering if the green ones may be cursed. Wyn was on a green one when he crashed and broke his hand, Roger was on a green one. None of the other riders have had any issues (none others are on green ones) things that make you go hmm
Are you seriously worried about 50g difference in shock weight on a 63mm stroke shock? I could cut my hair and lose 50g 😂
In my case where in the total system, the bike is maybe 20% of the weight, 50g especially on a performance suspension component is a trade off I’m willing to take.
We Are One on the Inside Line is up - Dustin discusses racing and life and the second half is about the company, non-overseas production, products, future etc. on youtube (slideshow, not video of interview) or podcast channels too.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/we-are-one-inside-line-mountain-bike-…
The 205 mm 2021 X2 I have here weighs 663 g with hardware and one spacer. The 2021 Super Deluxe Coil that replaced it on my bike is somewhere around 900 g, give or take, with a standard Rockshox 79 N/mm spring.
Im probably going to get ripped apart for this, but it really surprises me that we do not have more forks like the Lefty or the Intend Bandit. It was not perfect, but given the more recent capabilities in manufacturing, we could probably make it a lot better these days. Ive heard from many (at the time) that when it was working normally, the last iteration of the Lefty was awesome.
I know some hate the look of them, but we for some reason we have accepted massive pregnant downtube bikes to be a thing, kind of. Maybe Im not disturbed by lefty because I have not very symmetric body so its okay with me. I dont know just has me wondering.
Bikers: We want innovation!
Also bikers: Not THAT much innovation!
Really bugs me that aesthetics dictate so much with mountain biking.
I snagged photos of a few slalom bikes from the Strait Acres Slalom Invitational happening today/tomorrow for those who also love seeing how people mod bikes for such a specialized form of racing.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/slalom-bikes-2023-strait-acres…
Personal fav - Mitch Ropelato's custom Cannondale / Kyle Strait's custom Vitus / Cody Kelley's Spesh Stumpjumper
WR1 cranks and hubs?! Take my money now!
If my vest had sleeves, it would be a jacket….
you’re comparing a coil in-line shock designed for a Spur, with an air shock (with piggyback) designed for a Spire or TR-11, and are surprised that they are in fact close on weight?
See Also: Linkage forks.
Dustin seemed pretty solid that they were NOT going to be making hubs iirc...
Can confirm my 210x55 Vivid with Levo mounting hardware weighed in at 674.4 grams. Supr Deluxe Air weighed in at 478 grams for the same length.
My 230x65 Super Deluxe Coil with RS coil (500 pound) came in at 1,040 grams
Blimey, I got off lightly...
...
Sorry. Does anyone have any news on a new Scott Ransom?
I think the main drawback with the lefty is that damper and airspring have to be on the same side in the same tube. That puts a lot of limitations on the designs and sizing of both, I believe. Might also complicate servicing. Some people swear by them, I've never ridden one so have no idea? Why do normal two legged forks not use needle bearings instead of bushings? Achieving the tight tolerances and near mirror finish required is easier on a shaft and bushing than three (or four) flats and corresponding housing. Two legs would have to be aligned and clocked instead of just aligned. Thus more chances for binding or added friction, the tolerancing would be a nightmare. Also needle bearings would have to run on hardended and polished steel inserts, aluminum just can't take the surface pressure from them. So weight and even more complicated manufacturing. That's why bushings are the norm.
Edit: lefty size limitations are worsened as fork travel increases as well. Probably why lefty stayed in the xc to trail realm. Out of curiosity anyone know what the longest travel lefty was?
I think the Lefty Max went to 140mm...
Supermax was at 160 for the Jekyll. All that makes sense. But I know with mordern manufacturing it is doable. Hell, they could add a Vorsprung secus like, negative chamber. Just seems like a good way to go when you want to make a very precise feeling fork, keeping weight down, and making it strong. Or even then, intend bandit. That one definitely surprises me that we do not utilize that sort of design more often. Having a Zeb lower with an air shaft side Boxxer stanchion. Id buy that for rough trail riding.
A lot of things are "easily" doable, modern capabilities or not. The limiting factor more often than not becomes the price.
$2500 “transmissions” would lead me to believe that price isn’t actually the limiting factor, marketability, aesthetics, and what they think will sell likely has more to do with it.
How many people do we see riding around on factory level suspension that don’t actually know how to, or ever bother to check suspension sag. Price can’t be the issue
I'm guessing 'bzt bzt' sounds are much more easily sold than buttery smooth suspension. Can't see/hear the buttery smooth suspension. And your factory level suspension comment confirms it even more
New Lapierre Spicy incoming. 29 or MX, 180 front and rear and suspension layout à la new Mondraker Summum. Price will be high and no pros ridden it yet...
Specialized does own the Trust design now. Though my guess is we will see that on gravel bikes from them.
Clearly the next big innovation in forks from rockshox will be a stanchion coating you can ice skate over ;p
pit bits andorra
Ergon grips on TB bikes look like something new