REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

asylum or duo lux?

908 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Soupboy, Dec 21, 2005

clunkin

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2005

has anyone ridden both an asylum and a duo lux? i realize the lux would have been a 26er but i would like to hear a comparison of the rear suspensions.i am getting ready to buy either an asylum or a duo lux 29er for cc racing. any advice?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Endomaniac

· #2 · Dec 18, 2005

I have ridden a Seven Duo and owned a Racer X (both 26”). I preferred the Racer X hands down. When I heard the Duo was going to be available in 29” I checked with my LBS to get an idea of cost. According to what they quoted me, the Asylum should cost almost half as much as the Duo (and the asylum aint cheep). I also find it interesting that Maverick doesn’t think their suspension design is currently adaptable to 29” but Seven does. I say go ahead and get the proprietary shock totally unproven Duo and be the guinea pig for the rest of us.

mcd

· #3 · Dec 18, 2005

i rode a palomino(the klein version of the maverick) for a year, traded it for a fully rigid 29er and never got back on the klein, so i would imagine that if my rigid 29er was a better ride than a 4x4 palomino, the asylum should have a distinct edge...however, i've only entered one race in my life.

noslogan

· #4 · Dec 19, 2005

Gettin a 2 9

I ride a Palomino (Duo) and I am tired of the suspension. I haven't ridden the asylum.

I am looking for a better suspension.

~martini~

· #5 · Dec 19, 2005

I remember seeing the posts about the Duo being 29"able, but someone else posted that Seven claims that was an error. Is ther new information on this?

clunkin

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 19, 2005

~martini~ said:
I remember seeing the posts about the Duo being 29"able, but someone else posted that Seven claims that was an error. Is ther new information on this?

i have not talked to seven directly but both the website and the 06 brochure list 29" wheels as an option for all their bikes except the duo 6.5

~martini~

· #7 · Dec 19, 2005

Cool. In that case, I'd go the Duo. My expereinces with the Maverick design were good. I'd never ridden a FS untill I rode the Mav, and man did it feel good. I've always thought it would suit the properties of the 29" wheel well.

clunkin

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 19, 2005

Endomaniac said:
I have ridden a Seven Duo and owned a Racer X (both 26"). I preferred the Racer X hands down. When I heard the Duo was going to be available in 29" I checked with my LBS to get an idea of cost. According to what they quoted me, the Asylum should cost almost half as much as the Duo (and the asylum aint cheep). I also find it interesting that Maverick doesn't think their suspension design is currently adaptable to 29" but Seven does. I say go ahead and get the proprietary shock totally unproven Duo and be the guinea pig for the rest of us.

could you elaborate on what aspects of the duo you did not like? i have read all the reveiws i could find on the mav suspension and most were favorable but i am still a little skeptical of bb to seat relationship changing and front driveline problems. my concern with the racer-x design is pedal bob,can you give me some feedback on that? thanks

AOK

· #9 · Dec 19, 2005

clunkin said:
my concern with the racer-x design is pedal bob,can you give me some feedback on that? thanks

The Racer-X suspension has very little if any pedal bob.

It is a very efficient design and pedals very much like a hardtail compared to other FS designs I have owned (i.e. Turner, Ventana, Kona). The tradeoff is that it is not as plush as these designs.

I currently own an Asylum, and previously owned a 26" Racer-X, FWIW.

29inch

· #10 · Dec 19, 2005

I beleive another forum member has a Ti RX in stock, check this thread, his contact info is in one of his auto-sig's:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=151570

Soupboy

· #11 · Dec 20, 2005

It comes down to this. The Asylum is a private label Racer X which is perhaps the best, longest standing XC race bike ever [and no, I've never owned a Titus]. It employs a HL rear suspension and off the shelf dampers. No funky parts required.

The Klein bike is funky. Odd suspension design. Proprietary parts (kills it right there for me). No clear dedication to 29erism.

Get the Asylum or custom Racer X. You will not be dissatisfied. I can almost guarantee you that the Klein will let you down for some reason.

~martini~

· #12 · Dec 20, 2005

Um Sean, he's talking about a Seven duo(same design as the Klein, but 29" wheels). Reading comperhension go down with the purchase of that hot assed minivan?

The Beekeeper

· #13 · Dec 20, 2005

I have owned a duo-lux for several years, and have ridden a titus racer x.
For me, the duo-lux is a great all-around bike. The suspension works great on technical climbs, and is as plush on descents as anything in the same travel range. The negatives are somewhat fussy front shifting, and some bob. The much-maligned seat post angle issue is irrelevant for me. The fit is perfect at full extension, and the seat is forward and out of the way when dropped.
My titus experience is very limited, but it seemed like a much less plush design. I would likely choose it for pure cc racing, while choosing a duo-lux for all around riding with some racing.

benwitt11

· #14 · Dec 20, 2005

Asylum. You just can't beat it for pedalling efficiency. And They're so pretty.

https://usera.imagecave.com/benwitt11/DSCF1958.JPG

https://usera.imagecave.com/benwitt11/DSCF1961.JPG

clunkin

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 20, 2005

The Beekeeper said:
I have owned a duo-lux for several years, and have ridden a titus racer x.
For me, the duo-lux is a great all-around bike. The suspension works great on technical climbs, and is as plush on descents as anything in the same travel range. The negatives are somewhat fussy front shifting, and some bob. The much-maligned seat post angle issue is irrelevant for me. The fit is perfect at full extension, and the seat is forward and out of the way when dropped.
My titus experience is very limited, but it seemed like a much less plush design. I would likely choose it for pure cc racing, while choosing a duo-lux for all around riding with some racing.

thanks, thats the feedback i was looking for,someone who has ridden both.i am coming off three seasons on a 26" trek fuel rear end stiction machine, so a harsh ride is not an issue but pedal bob sure is. i am going to go with the asylum because it sounds like its much more suited for racing. one thing is for sure, i am really looking foward to 29" wheels. thanks to everone for the help!!

ozlongboarder

· #16 · Dec 20, 2005

benwitt11 said:
Asylum. You just can't beat it for pedalling efficiency. And They're so pretty.

https://usera.imagecave.com/benwitt11/DSCF1958.JPG

https://usera.imagecave.com/benwitt11/DSCF1961.JPG

Damn those Industry 9 wheels are hot!

Soupboy

· #17 · Dec 21, 2005

Whatever dude. You know you have secret van envy. I'll be rocking through 'Sconi tomorrow if you want to meet at Tomah and soak up the luxury

. Regardless, who ever said I could read or think rationally? Do you think I even read the original question? Hells no. I just blather on re whatever pops into my cranium.

Klein, Seven - whatever. Just substitute Duo for Klein in my prior post and GET SOME!

Funky can be good but to me funky is bad in the context of high priced FS. Why lock yourself into something a bit odd when you can get something battle tested and accomodating of different dampers, etc.?

~martini~ said:
Um Sean, he's talking about a Seven duo(same design as the Klein, but 29" wheels). Reading comperhension go down with the purchase of that hot assed minivan?

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