[KevinB]

See http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=146030. Apparently, some Cane Creek Cloud Nine shocks are available for $169.

After some poking around at http://www.ebikestop.com/ (and several other sites to figure out compatibility), it appears that several of the Cloud Nine shocks for sale at that site have the correct eye-to-eye measurement and stroke length for use with 2003 and 2004 Hollowpoints. I'm guessing that the mounting hardware (reducers) won't fit, though depending upon their size, it may be possible to adapt them. After looking at the reducers on my shocks, it appears that the reducers used by Fox and Cane Creek are compatible, but that those used by Answer/Manitou and Cane Creek are not. So, depending upon what type of shock you currently have on your bike, you might be able to use your current hardware.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass this on for those of you considering a Cloud Nine for your Hollowpoint...

 

[Mr.P]

Sweet deal! thanks!

Are you still enyoying the Cloud Nine? How well does it go with your Fox fork? Is it balanced?

Also as a side question, I am considering a Fox Vanilla RLC 130 fork, but I really like the consistency and efficiency from my current 120 Black w/SPV. I want to try another inch of A/C height to slack the HA by 1 degree. I like to stand and hammer, does the low speed comression setting filter stand and hammer bob? And how do you feel about running a 130mm fork on the HP. (This question isn't related to your post so feel free to respond via private message, if that works better.)

Mr. P

 

[KevinB]

Are you still enjoying the Cloud Nine? How well does it go with your Fox fork? Is it balanced?

I like the Cloud Nine, and still feel that it provides me with the best ride among all of the shocks that I've tried. Both the Cloud Nine and the Vanilla are very plush and balance each other nicely. That said, I must admit that balance between the front and rear suspension components is something that I don't really have a feel for yet. E.g. I know the ride characteristics that indicate I have either too much or too little rebound damping set for my rear shock. But I don't yet understand - at least at a level that I can articulate - what ride characteristics indicate a lack of balance between front and rear suspension.

One of the things I've noticed about the Cloud Nine is that small changes to the compression adjustment can translate into big changes in the quality of the ride, particularly with respect to amount of travel used. I noticed one day that the compression knob was a tad bit loose. After tightening the set screw that holds it in place, I didn't get the compression damping adjustment back to it's original position and noticed on the next several rides that I was not using as much travel as normal. I decreased the amount of compression damping by one click and noticed afterwards I was using nearly full travel again. (I'm considering decreasing it by one more click still...)

I'm currently running a recently retuned PUSHed RP3 as my rear shock. I had some problems with the RP3 which required sending it back to PUSH several times. (The guys at PUSH are great to deal with.) The (-) setting of the RP3 is now very close the the Cloud Nine in terms of plushness. I only have two rides on it in its retuned state; I'll try to post a comparative review at a later date.

Also as a side question, I am considering a Fox Vanilla RLC 130 fork, but I really like the consistency and efficiency from my current 120 Black w/SPV. I want to try another inch of A/C height to slack the HA by 1 degree. I like to stand and hammer, does the low speed comression setting filter stand and hammer bob? And how do you feel about running a 130mm fork on the HP.

Let me state at the outset that I don't do much standing and hammering. That said, there've been a few times that I've tried it to see what it's like. I have found that the Vanilla's low speed compression setting does a lot for controlling fork dive due to braking, but does not provide a lot of bob control when pedaling out of the saddle. If you really want to filter out the bob for out of saddle pedaling, you need to turn on the lockout. There is a blowoff adjustment on the lockout which allows you to decide how big a bump will cause the lockout to disengage.

As for the height of the fork, I like it. I'm running a healthy amount of sag though, so perhaps it's not really that much taller than the Manitou Black at 120mm. I remember the one ride I did with the green spring in the Vanilla. The green spring is firmer than the blue spring I have in the fork now and made the fork ride higher than I liked (in addition to making the ride harsher than I liked).

 

[BanzaiRider]

Looking forward to reading your comparative review between the Could9 and RP3... very interesting, soon I hope

 

[Mr.P]

Thanks KevinB, very insightful as usual. You are the rear shock man.

I completely understand what you are saying in regards to knowing a feel of balance, or stiffness, whatever. When riding my concentration is only on the trail. I only come to focus on functionality when something isn't working.

I originally bought the HP for it's toughness and efficiency, hoping to have a tough trail bike that I can also hammer on (pedals). Later I figured out that weight and geometry conspire against the hammering part, but I am finding my way back to some of that. Converting an MTB to a singlespeed is pushing me more in that direction.

Of course, wanting the slacker head tube is a joy for downhill but less so for up.

Yep, I want it all. I guess I'm just a tweaker (better MTB than crack )

I think I have not ridden enough lately. I have a technical ride this Turkey Day, so I'll see if I am still craving more.

I look forward to your insight into a Pushed rear shock vs. a Cane Creek shock.

Thanks,

Mr. P

 

[Mr.P]

Because Kevin originally posted about a sweet deal on a Cloud Nine, and I brought up the Fox fork...

There is a sweet deal at pricepoint.com for a Fox Vanilla RLC 130 for $360:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylePkey=14042&offer=IN050MTN

Mr. P

 

[KevinB]

There is a sweet deal at pricepoint.com for a Fox Vanilla RLC 130 for $360:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylePkey=14042&offer=IN050MTN

That's an awesome deal for a Vanilla RLC.

 

[Mr.P]

That's an awesome deal for a Vanilla RLC.

I know, it's killin me. I didn't plan on throwing down for another fork.

Upgradeitis....

Mr. P

 

[Lucky]

See http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=146030. Apparently, some Cane Creek Cloud Nine shocks are available for $169.

After some poking around at http://www.ebikestop.com/ (and several other sites to figure out compatibility), it appears that several of the Cloud Nine shocks for sale at that site have the correct eye-to-eye measurement and stroke length for use with 2003 and 2004 Hollowpoints.

What is the correct eye-to-eye and stroke for an '03 Hollowpoint? Might be nice to try a different shock, and I've seen quite a few post praising the CC's.

Thanks!
Kathy :^)

 

[KevinB]

What is the correct eye-to-eye and stroke for an '03 Hollowpoint? Might be nice to try a different shock, and I've seen quite a few post praising the CC's.

i2i = 6.5 inches
stroke = 1.5 inches

 

[KevinB]

There is a sweet deal at pricepoint.com for a Fox Vanilla RLC 130 for $360:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylePkey=14042&offer=IN050MTN

FYI, I ended up ordering one of these for my wife's bike. It just arrived today. I had read elsewhere that Price Point is selling OEM forks. That may well be the case with the fork that I received because it did not come with a star nut or the extra springs that normally come with Fox aftermarket forks. It did come with an owner's manual though, and the steerer tube is uncut.

I'm still happy about the deal. If you do order one, be prepared to get springs, if you need them, from some other source.

 

[OldTeen]

See http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=146030. Apparently, some Cane Creek Cloud Nine shocks are available for $169.

After some poking around at http://www.ebikestop.com/ (and several other sites to figure out compatibility), it appears that several of the Cloud Nine shocks for sale at that site have the correct eye-to-eye measurement and stroke length for use with 2003 and 2004 Hollowpoints. I'm guessing that the mounting hardware (reducers) won't fit, though depending upon their size, it may be possible to adapt them. After looking at the reducers on my shocks, it appears that the reducers used by Fox and Cane Creek are compatible, but that those used by Answer/Manitou and Cane Creek are not. So, depending upon what type of shock you currently have on your bike, you might be able to use your current hardware.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass this on for those of you considering a Cloud Nine for your Hollowpoint...

Which appear to be the correct measurement for the HP? I'm wondering if its worth going this route or just trying Cane Creek's own trade-in program ($225 (+ $5 ground shipping) plus your old shock).

 

[Mr.P]

Which appear to be the correct measurement for the HP? I'm wondering if its worth going this route or just trying Cane Creek's own trade-in program ($225 (+ $5 ground shipping) plus your old shock).

Check Kevin B's post one above yours.
6.5 i to i
1.5 stroke

Mr. P

 

[Mr.P]

FYI, I ended up ordering one of these for my wife's bike. It just arrived today. I had read elsewhere that Price Point is selling OEM forks. That may well be the case with the fork that I received because it did not come with a star nut or the extra springs that normally come with Fox aftermarket forks. It did come with an owner's manual though, and the steerer tube is uncut.

I'm still happy about the deal. If you do order one, be prepared to get springs, if you need them, from some other source.

That is a ringing endorsement, buying another one. Thanks for the spring tip.

I finally figured out that going from 120 to 130 in fork travel would only net me .5 inches in A/C height. I don't need the extra travel, I was more interested in slacking the HT angle and .5 inch will only net me about .5 degrees. Probably hardly noticable on the trail.

Mr. P