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Discussion starter · #41 ·
Following up on this:

How many hours do you have on the fork now? Are wipers/foam rings readily available for the fork?

My SID loses all sensitivity after about 15hrs of riding. I assume that's the foam rings and oil getting dirty. If I could get an actual month (50 hrs?) of riding out of a fork without a massive loss of sensitivity, I'd put in an order today.
I'd say 25-30 hours, maybe a bit more. Still feels like new, but I'd expect that. I've never had a Fox nor RS fork that ever felt this sensitive on small bumps, even new.
 
Just another data point I am also running the Rxc34 carbon fork, I probably have about 20 hours on the fork also and it still feels very smooth, with fantastic controlled damping in comparison to the Rockshox and Fox suspension I have used in the past. It's also a significantly stiffer chassis, I would compare it to a standard 34 or maybe even a Pike. The only downsides for me are the bolt holding the steerer tube expander has come loose twice now even with locktite and the damper is already slightly cavitated which is hopefully being resolved by Ohlins.
 
Discussion starter · #44 ·
You might've helped Ohlins sell another fork...
It's very impressive so far. I really can't vouch for durability yet but it gives every impression of being very well put together.

The "pedal" damping setting is like 2 forks in 1.
 
Discussion starter · #45 ·
Just another data point I am also running the Rxc34 carbon fork, I probably have about 20 hours on the fork also and it still feels very smooth, with fantastic controlled damping in comparison to the Rockshox and Fox suspension I have used in the past. It's also a significantly stiffer chassis, I would compare it to a standard 34 or maybe even a Pike. The only downsides for me are the bolt holding the steerer tube expander has come loose twice now even with locktite and the damper is already slightly cavitated which is hopefully being resolved by Ohlins.
What were the symptoms of the cavitation and how will Ohlins resolve it?
 
What were the symptoms of the cavitation and how will Ohlins resolve it?
The fork won't fully lockout anymore and has a slight slurping sound like most dampers do when they have some air in them. I have been talking with Jake at Ohlins and nothing has been resolved yet but I will do another post if and when something happens.
 
Discussion starter · #47 ·
The fork won't fully lockout anymore and has a slight slurping sound like most dampers do when they have some air in them. I have been talking with Jake at Ohlins and nothing has been resolved yet but I will do another post if and when something happens.
Dang. Hoping mine avoids that issue.

Another 2 x 20 trail workout this evening. A highly eroded, old race course that saw a ton of rain lately, but is sandy soil and dries fairly quickly. Hero dirt (unusual for this trail, it's so blown out) but slow rolling due to the soil moisture content. Still 2 fast laps and the fork and shock were great. Tons of big exposed roots you hit at speed, a very good place to test suspension setup.

One thing that stands out - I'm running the LSC at 50% and it's still not harsh at all. It noticeably cuts down on chassis wallow with weight shifts, but doesn't seem to negatively affect initial travel, unlike every other fork I've owned. Nice to be able to finally make use of that feature,
 
Anybody gotten their hands on new Fox SC 34 yet?

I am hearing mixed reviews from the WC racers. Apparently it is very supple in comparison to the previous versions. Some are liking, some are missing the firmer feel of the Fit4 forks.
 
Discussion starter · #50 ·
All air shocks (including Mercedes Airmatic) have high maintenance costs and low service intervals. Is what it is. Sounds like Ohlins is no exception.
Well, we have an N of 2 so far. Fingers crossed that the Ohlins stuff (and the new RS, and Fox) are a little more robust than in the past.
 
Discussion starter · #51 ·
Anybody gotten their hands on new Fox SC 34 yet?

I am hearing mixed reviews from the WC racers. Apparently it is very supple in comparison to the previous versions. Some are liking, some are missing the firmer feel of the Fit4 forks.
I'd be interested to hear about how they are setting these up. I'd think it matters less with a remote.
 
Well, we have an N of 2 so far. Fingers crossed that the Ohlins stuff (and the new RS, and Fox) are a little more robust than in the past.
What kind of durability issues were you having with Fox? Just had to send our Stepcast 34 out to get serviced because it no longer had full travel. Lockout lever wouldn't turn, and the compression knob didn't move either.

Trying the new place in Old Fort, he says he can have it back to us before the next race in 2 weeks.
 
Discussion starter · #53 · (Edited)
What kind of durability issues were you having with Fox? Just had to send our Stepcast 34 out to get serviced because it no longer had full travel. Lockout lever wouldn't turn, and the compression knob didn't move either.

Trying the new place in Old Fort, he says he can have it back to us before the next race in 2 weeks.
Damper issues - compression damping adjustments and lockout no longer functioning.

Edit: adding that the levers and dial all turned fine - they just no longer did anything. The DSD Runt airspring mitigated the lack of compression damping somewhat but it was an imperfect system.
 
Anybody gotten their hands on new Fox SC 34 yet?

I am hearing mixed reviews from the WC racers. Apparently it is very supple in comparison to the previous versions. Some are liking, some are missing the firmer feel of the Fit4 forks.
Incoming 34 SC Grip SL. Should have the bike built and on the trail next week, and will report back.

Softer off the top than Fit4 would suit me perfectly. I've been avoiding Fit4 for years now, due to more initial firmness than I like (and that miniscule lockout lever).
 
It's very impressive so far. I really can't vouch for durability yet but it gives every impression of being very well put together.

The "pedal" damping setting is like 2 forks in 1.
Have you taken it down anything rowdy yet? I mostly do XXC backcountry races, and my biggest complaint about the 34SC is how harsh it feels on the long descents. Think the Ohlins would be better?
 
Discussion starter · #56 ·
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Have you taken it down anything rowdy yet? I mostly do XXC backcountry races, and my biggest complaint about the 34SC is how harsh it feels on the long descents. Think the Ohlins would be better?
Fairly rowdy stuff yesterday, especially at the speeds I was hitting it. Less harsh by far than Fox, and also more controlled. Both front and rear are a huge step up from what I'm used to here.
 
I've got a 120mm first gen 34SC with fit4 on my race bike and a beat up Manitou Magnum Pro @110mm on my beater hardtail. I serviced both myself this winter and I will say I really like the Manitou. Enough so that I would consider picking up the r7 pro that is on sale for less than $600 now or the Mattoc Pro if it ever goes on sale. The Manitou just feels so good and I am convinced that the volume of oil has a lot to do with it. Maybe I am wrong.
 
Discussion starter · #58 ·
Got in a second race on the Ohlins setup last night, roughest course on our weeknight circuit. Lots of erosion, roots, rocks, and high-speed drops and berms.

Super pleased with the setup here. No bottoming (and I'm now considering removing tokens), excellent control and traction. Raced in open mode minus the long (1 minute plus) paved climb at the start of each lap - locked out there.

Pulled a solid 3rd in Cat 1 behind a 22 and 20 year old. At 50, I can live with that. Normalized at 5 watts over threshold for 56 minutes. The race was shortened by a lap (from 3 to 2) due to heat.

Really, really liking this setup. The fork saved me at least once when I didn't see a drop at speed and absolutely smashed the landing.
 
I am also running an Ohlins fork. The non-carbon steerer version ( wasn't in stock when I was buying).

I have been very happy with it. Most of the time I don't think about it. It just does solid fork things.

It breaks in though and gets smoother. I was in Sedona when suddenly it was too soft, I had to up spring pressure and compression damping.

I was talking to my motorcycle race mechanic friend and he mentioned that's just sort of the typical Ohlins thing. They have a break in period and become much smoother.

Overall very pleased with it.
 
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