[dRjOn]

anybody any thoughts on using a f29 talas rlc in short travel 95mm mode primarily, and upping travel to the 120 if needed?

the idea would be to use the fork on a hardtail and only up the travel in super rough dh type trail. obviously the angles will shift and the bb will raise, and this may be an issue or it may not...but what i am interested in is whether the fork will mind being in the short travel mode *most* of the time?

from what i can garner there is a dial that rotates a hex rod in the fork that sets it in one setting or the other independent of air pressure etc? as in its a mechanical 'switch' not a hydraulic or air pressure system.

any thoughts or insight on this would be appreciated.

 

[smudge]

I had a couple of comments here.

I designed my own bike to sit well into the travel when set at 120mm knowing that I prefer a soft fork as long as I don't plow through the travel. I tend to attempt to pick a clean line rather than blast through sections so this setup suits me. I DEFINITELY prefer to set the TALAS adjust down to the 95mm setting for longer climbs. When left at 120mm, the fork unweights, everything slackens up when pointed uphill and the bike wanders enough to be annoying on long, steep climbs.

I often forgot to set the fork back to full travel after some long climbs and other than a more aggressive turn-in feel on tight turns, I didn't notice any nasty handling traits. If your frame were designed around the short travel mode, your experience would likely be similar to mine (wandering up steep climbs when you forget to flip it back.)

Here's the caveat: I ASSUME your riding style is different from my own because of all the years you spent on a single speed. I ASSUME that you're standing most of the time when the trail points up. If those assumptions are true, you may not like an overly soft fork (it's never bothered me personally) and the TerraLogic feature might be a good thing for you. I highly suggest you try to get some time on one before commit to it as I find the TL feature to be extremely annoying. It takes me back to squishy forks from the early to mid '90's. Specifically, it feels like a Manitou II in need of servicing. The good news is that you can fully turn it off.

I don't know how the TALAS feature works other than to say that it has a lever on the upper left stanchion and the fork either drops or extends by an inch when I flip it. I'm not sure how it changes the air pressure (of if it does) and I can't even test it because the valve recedes into the top assembly when flipped to one position and my pump won't fit in it. The action feels very progressive to me (a good thing) even though I'm using every mm of travel. Initial bump reaction feels firmer at 95mm than at 120mm. I don't know if that's the way it's designed or just what I'm picking up.

FWIW, my fork choice was based partially on what I had on my bikes in years past (Fox) but mostly on what hubs I had on hand when I built my bike (King ISO discs with the small front hubshell that wouldn't take a 20mm axle) I didn't want to buy another hub and it ruled out the Reba Maxle.

P.S. I responded here in case it might help other folks out.

 

[steevo]

anybody any thoughts on using a f29 talas rlc in short travel 95mm mode primarily, and upping travel to the 120 if needed? .

Should be no problem leaving it in one setting more than another.

Form the tech manual:
Note: When changing travel, the TALAS system automatically adjusts to provide you with the appropriate linear air spring rate for each travel setting. There is no need to change the air pressure in the TALAS air chamber after adjusting travel.

I have the terralogic version on my V1 sultan and got my first few rides on it this weekend. It is an awesome fork. I changed from 95mm to 120mm throughout the ride. I could feel the bike position shift subtly under me, but it handled well in either setting. I had the terralogic set about midway, and I noticed no hesitation or noise or anything unusual. It felt every bit as plush as my PUSH'd F29 100mm.

 

[dsamsonite]

only if

damn i hoped this thread would take off. Hopefully you will reply after extended use on this fork. maybe im in the situation you were? On a vassago bandersnatch designed for 80mm (100 doable - per website). I have a buddy riding a karate monkey with 120mm and digs it. Very hilly technical climbs and tech rocky downhill. thinkin abou the terralogic since I can get it for $80 more and not put a spacer on a 120mm to drop to 100mm if needed. Having the adjustability between 95-120 on the quick is great.

I am aware of what will happen to the geometry....but just want to hear real world experience.

 

[Walt]

It's great.

I honestly only got the TALAS because that was the only OEM version of the 120mm tapered steerer fork that Fox would sell me. I figured I'd never use it, but I love it.

I crank it down for climbs and smooth/mellow stuff, flip it up for rougher stuff. This is on a 6" travel FS bike, though, so if I forget to flip the fork back to 120mm, it's immediately obvious on the rough stuff.

I can't speak to how the system works, but I don't bottom the fork at 95mm too easily, so I think the answer is that it's nice and rideable (and equally difficult to bottom) at both travel settings. The lower travel is not purely a climbing setting, it's fine for normal riding.

-Walt

damn i hoped this thread would take off. Hopefully you will reply after extended use on this fork. maybe im in the situation you were? On a vassago bandersnatch designed for 80mm (100 doable - per website). I have a buddy riding a karate monkey with 120mm and digs it. Very hilly technical climbs and tech rocky downhill. thinkin abou the terralogic since I can get it for $80 more and not put a spacer on a 120mm to drop to 100mm if needed. Having the adjustability between 95-120 on the quick is great.

I am aware of what will happen to the geometry....but just want to hear real world experience.