[dpdsurf]

Well I was waiting for someone to put a DHX-A on their Heckler and post it here. But I haven't seen it. So I bit the bullit and got one. I had heard others mention a fit problem on some frames. Scott at SC told me they were aware of the problem and will redisign the frame soon. He said go for it as long as I could return the shock if it didn't fit. Well I went for it and it fits with absolutely no room to spare. I let all the air out of main chamber so I could see how the shock moves all the way through the travel. It moves away from the top tube when compressed. So it should be fine. I haven't had a chance for a real test ride yet. I will report back as soon as I do. Riding around my house it feels pretty plush. There a little pedal bob even with the Pro Pedal turnes all the way clockwise. But I'm still playing with the boost valve.

I also took the lighter front end from my XC bike on. It's been great for longer rides.

 

[ronny]

That is a tight fit. I hope it works out for you. Give some ride impressions when you get a chance.

 

[Guest]

That is a tight fit. I hope it works out for you. Give some ride impressions when you get a chance.

Nothing 30 seconds with the dremel tool couldn't fix..

 

[EliG]

and the setup ?

I've also got my DHX-A yesterday (after a looooooong waiting), also wondered about the tight fit (Medium 2005 frame) but there is no real contact.
The one thing i couldn't find is setup guide (serched in SC web site).
I'm about 170 lb and like it to be plush - any suggestions on setup ?
Eli

 

[SuperKat]

Wow

Are you sure that's okay? Just knowing how tight that is would disturb me and destroy my mental edge.

 

[roentgenranger]

I have the DHXA on my XL and have about 1mm clearance as well, but no contact issues. As far as setup is concerned, I'm 6'6" and about 208 w/gear. I run 185-190 psi in the main chamber w/160 psi in the BV and have the BO cranked all the way in, PP 5 out. I have found the DHXA is very linear compared to most air shocks and was having it bottom out with anything less than 1/2 turn out from full in on the BO. Same with the DHXC. 500# spring, 160 psi BV, BO max, PP 5 out.

 

[dpdsurf]

It doesn't bother me

Are you sure that's okay? Just knowing how tight that is would disturb me and destroy my mental edge.

I'm not worried. The shock moves completely free. I had the lower mounts off and was able to swing ot upwards further so it is not restricted. As soon as I sit on it the sag brings it completely away from the TT.

roentgenranger nailed the setup pretty close to where I ended up last night as far as the 160 psi in the boost. I'm going to try turning the BO in further. I'm 230lbs. I have 200lbs in the main chamber and getting just over a 1/2" of sag. I have the pro pedal all the way on. These are just starting points for my first ride this weekend.

 

[indyfab25]

Why not simply reverse the shock?

Or is that not possible? Granted, it would not look as cool, but...

 

[roentgenranger]

Or is that not possible? Granted, it would not look as cool, but...

Nope, not enough clearance at the swingarm...

 

[stiingya]

Well I was waiting for someone to put a DHX-A on their Heckler and post it here. But I haven't seen it. So I bit the bullit and got one. I had heard others mention a fit problem on some frames. Scott at SC told me they were aware of the problem and will redisign the frame soon. He said go for it as long as I could return the shock if it didn't fit. Well I went for it and it fits with absolutely no room to spare. I let all the air out of main chamber so I could see how the shock moves all the way through the travel. It moves away from the top tube when compressed. So it should be fine. I haven't had a chance for a real test ride yet. I will report back as soon as I do. Riding around my house it feels pretty plush. There a little pedal bob even with the Pro Pedal turnes all the way clockwise. But I'm still playing with the boost valve.

I also took the lighter front end from my XC bike on. It's been great for longer rides.

Nothing but speculation, but If SC is redesigning the frame I wonder if they'll put a toptube on it like the Nomad. Not sure if I like that idea or not...?

 

[dpdsurf]

Nothing but speculation, but If SC is redesigning the frame I wonder if they'll put a toptube on it like the Nomad. Not sure if I like that idea or not...?

I'm pretty sure it will be something more simple like a slight depression in the existing top tube.

 

[stiingya]

I'm pretty sure it will be something more simple like a slight depression in the existing top tube.

Maybe, but I wouldn't think just putting a dent in the top tube would be the best solution since that would effect the overall structural integrity of the tube itself. I would think it would be better to lessen the "stand-over" bend in the top tube and then use a slightly longer/lower shock mounting plate. This would put the upper mount in the same place as it was but allow more room between the top of the mount/shock and the bottom of the frame tube...? That would raise the stand-over by as much breathing room they plan on giving the shock. But I doubt it would need to be much more than 1/8th of an inch? maybe a 1/4"?

But at the same time I would think the head tube junction of the Nomad has to be both lighter and stronger than just welding on gussets. And even the new Blur LT has some newer thinking on those same gussets. So it would be cool if they added in any innovation's to the heckler frame that increase it's performance and or strength. Aesthetically I'm unsure, but technically I would like to see it happen.

Course then I would want to replace my frame...and that would suck!

 

[dpdsurf]

Maybe, but I wouldn't think just putting a dent in the top tube would be the best solution since that would effect the overall structural integrity of the tube itself. I would think it would be better to lessen the "stand-over" bend in the top tube and then use a slightly longer/lower shock mounting plate. This would put the upper mount in the same place as it was but allow more room between the top of the mount/shock and the bottom of the frame tube...? That would raise the stand-over by as much breathing room they plan on giving the shock. But I doubt it would need to be much more than 1/8th of an inch? maybe a 1/4"?

But at the same time I would think the head tube junction of the Nomad has to be both lighter and stronger than just welding on gussets. And even the new Blur LT has some newer thinking on those same gussets. So it would be cool if they added in any innovation's to the heckler frame that increase it's performance and or strength. Aesthetically I'm unsure, but technically I would like to see it happen.

Course then I would want to replace my frame...and that would suck!

Yeah I just don't believe they would do such a drastic redesign for the sole purpose of accommodating 1 shock when there are already several options that work. It would not be very cost effective. Plenty of bikes use depressions on the tubing for clearance reasons. Like the Bullit's swingarm for example. But hey, I have no say in what they do so we'll just have to wait and see what SC comes up with.

 

[stiingya]

Yeah I just don't believe they would do such a drastic redesign for the sole purpose of accommodating 1 shock when there are already several options that work. It would not be very cost effective. Plenty of bikes use depressions on the tubing for clearance reasons. Like the Bullit's swingarm for example. But hey, I have no say in what they do so we'll just have to wait and see what SC comes up with.

I guess it just depends on how a person defines "drastic". To me, denting the top tube seems more drastic than changing the curve of the top tube a degree or so and adding a few millimeters to the height of the front shock mounts. As far as using the nomad top tube, or gussets like the blur XC(I mean blur LT). I don't think they would commit to those changes "just" to acomodate one shock. But I could see the logic that if the frame/top tube was going to be modified anyway. It would be a good time to integrate any advancements that are being used throughout the line. Being that the Heckler is designed to handle much more abuse than most all mountain or trail bikes could ever hope to. I wouldn't think it would be a good idea to possibly weaken the top tube by denting it. But I'm not an engineer so maybe I don't know what the F I'm talking about...

To me, the dent in the bullit's swingarm is not nearly as much of a strength risk since it's 90 degree's offset to the direction of the majority of force is aplied to it. Yes there is sideload to a swingarm and the stay. But the majority of force is vertica along the angles of suspension movementl. Wherease to dent the Hecklers top tube would be similar to how many top tubes fail and either bend, crack, or break already. Though it would be on the oposite side that it usually happens. So maybe it's not that much of a strength risk either? Guess that's what all that computer modeling is for...

But as you said, we'll just have to wait and see...

 

[stiingya]

Well I was waiting for someone to put a DHX-A on their Heckler and post it here. But I haven't seen it. So I bit the bullit and got one. I had heard others mention a fit problem on some frames. Scott at SC told me they were aware of the problem and will redisign the frame soon. He said go for it as long as I could return the shock if it didn't fit. Well I went for it and it fits with absolutely no room to spare. I let all the air out of main chamber so I could see how the shock moves all the way through the travel. It moves away from the top tube when compressed. So it should be fine. I haven't had a chance for a real test ride yet. I will report back as soon as I do. Riding around my house it feels pretty plush. There a little pedal bob even with the Pro Pedal turnes all the way clockwise. But I'm still playing with the boost valve.

I also took the lighter front end from my XC bike on. It's been great for longer rides.

So what are you weighing in at with the bike set up right now? And, sweet bike!!! How do you like the seat height adjustment on the fly like that? How much does that weight? I have been thinking about looking into the new adjustable seatpost from Maverick. What brand is the one on your bike?

Thanks!!!

 

[ronny]

I certainly hope not.

Nothing but speculation, but If SC is redesigning the frame I wonder if they'll put a toptube on it like the Nomad. Not sure if I like that idea or not...?

Now that the Nomad has been out for a while, I don't mind the look of it as much, but it is still not appealing to look at imo. It looks like a beach cruiser and mountainbikes are not beach cruisers.

The Heckler is a better looking bike, and like many have already said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Okay, maybe tweak it, so the DHX air fits a little better.

 

[MRC]

I reckon Fox should change the DHX-A to fit the Heckler ;-)

 

[texheckler]

2nd vote!

I second the vote for turning the shock around the other way and run it. The shock has no idea which way is up. It will not look as "cool" but why spend all that money for a non-existant problem with the bike design.

What was the pressure you wound up running?

Nice looking rig!

I just put a 4 way on mine and am liking it a great deal.

 

[dpdsurf]

So what are you weighing in at with the bike set up right now? And, sweet bike!!! How do you like the seat height adjustment on the fly like that? How much does that weight? I have been thinking about looking into the new adjustable seatpost from Maverick. What brand is the one on your bike?

Thanks!!!

It's around 30 lbs down from 35 lbs in it's previous config.

The Gravity Dropper kicks butt! All in including switch and cable is 450 grams per their website. For me, being able to lower the seat before descents and technical sections has changed my riding. I ride dirt bikes and am not used to having a seat in the way so I was never comfortable. To me, disc brakes, full suspension and this seatpost completes the triad of the modern mountain bike. The maverick looks nice. I believe theirs works like an office chairs height adjustment. Sizes are limited but I believe ok for SC bikes. But I have to say that the remote on the handlebar adjust is key. There's an 8.5 mile rolling singltrack loop I do where I probably use the GD 30 times. I know I wouldn't be able to use it as often if I had to take my hand off the bar to drop or raise it. If you drop your seat before descending, you will absolutely never regret spending the lofty amount for this post!

 

[dpdsurf]

I second the vote for turning the shock around the other way and run it. The shock has no idea which way is up. It will not look as "cool" but why spend all that money for a non-existant problem with the bike design.

What was the pressure you wound up running?

Nice looking rig!

I just put a 4 way on mine and am liking it a great deal.

I'm still waiting for a chance to take it on my well known local loop with some nice fast rutted descents and jumps. My starting point will be 200psi in the main, 110psi in the boost. It seams really harsh with 160 in the boost but I'll bring the pump on my first ride just in case it needs mroe bottom resistance.