[sivante]

So I bought a Norco Fluid FS4, and am looking to upgrade the suspension...

Been checking out a bunch of options, though curious about some different perspectives on how important it is to choose components EXACTLY the same size.

A Norco rep adviser to stick with a 130mm fork - though I've read elsewhere that it wouldn't be a huge variance if went up/down 10mm. Was thinking about potentially going for 140mm, though wondering if anyone might be able to clarify exactly what difference that'd make to the geometry and how it'd ride differently.

(Thinking about something like a RockShox Pike or Revelation, Fox 34, or Marzocchi Z1.)

He ALSO said that it's essential to keep the same dimensions on the rear shock. (190x45mm). HOWEVER, I found a RockShox Monarch RT3 at a good price - which is 190x51mm...

Curious on perspectives whether the 5mm would really make that much of a difference or would be a safe bet?

(Also considering a Fox Float Factory DPS, so open to any input that may help the decision between that and the Monarch - or between any of the forks.)

 

[kerpoise]

First things first - don't use anything other than the correct shock length and stroke. You absolutely can in some frames, but it can toast a frame with things like the back wheel ramming into the seat tube. Don't do it.

Fork... It depends on the bike. Increasing the travel will affect a few important things:

- increase bottom bracket height
- slacken the seat tube angle
- slacken the head tube angle
- reduce reach
- reduce effective toptube (it kind of doesn't in theory, but in practice with a saddle on, it does)

Bottom bracket height - low makes a low center of gravity = better cornering, a bigger fork will raise it, so less good cornering - but more ground clearance if you live somewhere rocky.

Seat tube, slack angles can put your weight too far back when seated, so climbing can feel more difficult and wandery

Head angle, slacker can mean more confidence descending, but can make the front end more difficult to weight

Reach, 10mm fork height can mean 10mm +/- reach.

In short..... Find a forum that'll have people who have your exact bike, and ask them.


Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

 

[sivante]

awesome. that's quite helpful.

sounds like definitely best to just stick with the same specs for sure! 🍻

 

[Mac1987]

Shock size should be the same (190mm). Stroke length might differ slightly, but it depends on your frame. If at full travel things are almost hitting each other, you don't have room for more stroke.
10mm more fork travel only slightly alters the mentioned geometry characteristics and usually isn't much of a problem. Sometimes it even improves your ride. Taking sag into account and the fact that most of the time you are deeper into travel, going from 130 to 140mm shouldn't be a problem (just sag alone means that the real difference in fork height is probably only 7 to 8mm, not taking headtube angle into account, which will further lower this number).
Regarding the DPS, I'm not a fan personally (and most people that have ridden competitors' shocks agree). My 2010 X-Fusion O2 PVA was better and the Manitou McLeod that replaced the Fox is miles better in every way (small bump, square edge hit, repeated hit, midstroke support, bottom-out resistance, overheating resistance). Most seem to also prefer a decent Monarch to the DPS. Some seem to like the DPS just fine, but I don't know whether they actually tried anything recent on the same bike. For the price, there are both better and cheaper options and some (like the McLeod) are both.

 

[sivante]

Regarding the DPS, I'm not a fan personally (and most people that have ridden competitors' shocks agree). My 2010 X-Fusion O2 PVA was better and the Manitou McLeod that replaced the Fox is miles better in every way (small bump, square edge hit, repeated hit, midstroke support, bottom-out resistance, overheating resistance). Most seem to also prefer a decent Monarch to the DPS. Some seem to like the DPS just fine, but I don't know whether they actually tried anything recent on the same bike. For the price, there are both better and cheaper options and some (like the McLeod) are both.

Cool. I'd encounter the McLeod, shall have to take another look at some more reviews...

 

[DHRracer]

So I bought a Norco Fluid FS4, and am looking to upgrade the suspension...

Been checking out a bunch of options, though curious about some different perspectives on how important it is to choose components EXACTLY the same size.

A Norco rep adviser to stick with a 130mm fork - though I've read elsewhere that it wouldn't be a huge variance if went up/down 10mm. Was thinking about potentially going for 140mm, though wondering if anyone might be able to clarify exactly what difference that'd make to the geometry and how it'd ride differently.

(Thinking about something like a RockShox Pike or Revelation, Fox 34, or Marzocchi Z1.)

He ALSO said that it's essential to keep the same dimensions on the rear shock. (190x45mm). HOWEVER, I found a RockShox Monarch RT3 at a good price - which is 190x51mm...

Curious on perspectives whether the 5mm would really make that much of a difference or would be a safe bet?

(Also considering a Fox Float Factory DPS, so open to any input that may help the decision between that and the Monarch - or between any of the forks.)

You should share what the bike is currently equipped with for both the shock and fork. Then what it is you don't like and what you are hoping to gain. There may be other options. Does the fork and shock need to be serviced? Could you just have them tuned for you? Share more details to get better feedback.

 

[sivante]

You should share what the bike is currently equipped with for both the shock and fork. Then what it is you don't like and what you are hoping to gain. There may be other options. Does the fork and shock need to be serviced? Could you just have them tuned for you? Share more details to get better feedback.

The stuff on there now is entry-level that really doesn't perform the best. Bought brand new. Just want higher quality components.

I was riding a used bike last year with higher quality components, and the difference is fairly obvious. Looking to get back up to the same level or better.