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Kavenz VHP16

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#761 ·
kapolczer said:
If memory serves me right, the V7 frames come with the idler set at a 53.5mm, which is optimized for the 55mm chainline of T-Type Transmission, so taking out 1 spacer should bump your down to 52mm which is correct for all things not T-type, with the option to drop down to 50.5mm if you really want to optimize the chainline for climbing gears.

IME there’s also always a little added rumble/noise on the first few rides as the drivetrain and idler settles in, and it gets quieter and smoother after this.
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Sweet - good to know!
 
#765 ·
jalopyj said:
I'm about 165lb kitted. With a 375lb spring (as recommended by Kavenz) with +10 chainstays, I was getting ~35% sag. Went up a spring rate to 400lb and now getting closer to 30% sag, and the bike feels more energetic and requires less compression to get the support I need.
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I think being in the 28-30% range is ideal from my experience. Over 30% is very plush but feels quite slow and dead.

Are you using fox sls springs? I wonder if the actual values for both springs are a little lower than stated. As you increase chainstay length over 0mm, you gain ~2mm of travel per 10mm dropout, and this will increase the leverage ratio a bit too. I’m about 15lbs heavier than you geared up and run a 400 or 425lb to achieve 30 or 28% sag respectively. Sounds like you’ve landed in the right spot with your 400lb spring though, so doesn’t really matter what the stated springrate is.
 
#766 ·
kapolczer said:
I think being in the 28-30% range is ideal from my experience. Over 30% is very plush but feels quite slow and dead.

Are you using fox sls springs? I wonder if the actual values for both springs are a little lower than stated. As you increase chainstay length over 0mm, you gain ~2mm of travel per 10mm dropout, and this will increase the leverage ratio a bit too. I’m about 15lbs heavier than you geared up and run a 400 or 425lb to achieve 30 or 28% sag respectively. Sounds like you’ve landed in the right spot with your 400lb spring though, so doesn’t really matter what the stated springrate is.
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I should caveat that this is with the shock setup with a 60mm stroke, so perhaps more spring rate is needed to get to 30% sag. @kapolczer are you running 205x65?
 
#768 ·
jalopyj said:
I'm about 165lb kitted. With a 375lb spring (as recommended by Kavenz) with +10 chainstays, I was getting ~35% sag. Went up a spring rate to 400lb and now getting closer to 30% sag, and the bike feels more energetic and requires less compression to get the support I need.
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That's a faulty spring measurement I'd say. I'm 170 kitted and I'm at 32% with the 350 Ext spring, now running a 400.
You have a orange spring from fox I guess so I wouldn't trust that.
 
#771 ·
LDG said:
205x65
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Gotcha. As mentioned a few posts up, I need to run a slightly stiffer spring to get 30% sag since I'm running the shcok at 60mm (~150mm of travel).
If I ran my shock at 65mm, my 375lb spring would get to around 30% sag. I'll probably run this set-up if I end up with an enduro specific fork, but I currently have the bike set-up with 150mm travel out back with a Fox 36 @ 160mm out front.
 
#773 ·
  • Some more time on the bike - as I'm getting the suspension dialed, it's feeling great. Feels like it carries so much more speed than my previous bike through corners and berms. Really a great blend of agility and stability as the wheelbase seems to grow and shrink at moments you would want it.
  • I ended up taking all spacers behind the idler, so running it at the 50.5 chainline setting, which suits my winch and plummet riding. Lots of granny gear grinding.
  • Buddy will be lending a Zeb to try out. Currently running a 150/160 set-up with a Fox 36 out front, but will be trying a 160/160 setup with a Zeb. I think the 36 gets a bit overwhelmed at the rowdy end of the spectrum. I've never run a 38mm stanchion fork so keen to see how it compares.
 
#776 ·
kapolczer said:
Since there was some conversation around sag and spring rates for various shock strokes, Kavenz recently updated their user manual to include sag at the shock measurements, that equate to 30% sag at the wheel (27-28% at the shock). Here’s the link as well: V7 User Guide
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Thanks for sharing the updated manual! For some reason the link doesn’t work for me - where would I find that manual? I’ve looked around the Kavenz site and can only see the older version.
Much appreciated,
 
#779 ·
Anyone running a vivid air and recommend a tune to go for? I'm considering picking up a VHP16 v7 as my "big" bike (coming from a WR1 Arrival 140) and not sure what shock to go with. I have an X2 on my current bike and it's honestly been nothing but trouble so looking at RS options.
 
#780 ·
angerbot said:
Anyone running a vivid air and recommend a tune to go for? I'm considering picking up a VHP16 v7 as my "big" bike (coming from a WR1 Arrival 140) and not sure what shock to go with. I have an X2 on my current bike and it's honestly been nothing but trouble so looking at RS options.
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I was originally running an EXT Storia on my VHP16 and for context had been using the Storia on my previous bike and loved it. However, on my Kavenz it just didn’t suit my riding (it felt flat, if that makes sense…). I replaced it a Super Deluxe Ultimate and loved it. I’m now on my third season with the RS. For my riding style, at least with this bike, I prefer a more progressive shock whereas with others I’ve preferred a coil.
 
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