[RippinAndTearin]

What are peoples thoughts on the rear shock options from Ibis? A LBS told me he preferred the DPX2 to the X2. Has anyone tried both? Thoughts? Any killer aftermarket options?

 

[rynomx785]

What are peoples thoughts on the rear shock options from Ibis? A LBS told me he preferred the DPX2 to the X2. Has anyone tried both? Thoughts? Any killer aftermarket options?

From what I have been told and read/seen, the DPX2 makes for a more poppy playful ride while the X2 makes the bike feel softer and more supple which makes it better suited for someone who primarily uses the bike in a DH setting. No first hand experience though. I would be interested in hearing more from people who have ridden both.

 

[Creg]

I can't speak to the DPX2, but you can set the X2 up to be plenty poppy if that's what you're after. You can also set it up to be planted.

 

[big_slacker]

The UPS man showed up yesterday to deliver my new toy! I went with the 'cheap' build. The new NX Eagle, fox 36 performance, DPX2, SRAM level brakes, 738 wheels and 2.6" DHFs. I did use the Ibis carbon riser bar.

I took a run up/down the lower part of Raging River here in Western WA. This is a 1000 foot singletrack non-tech climb followed by a jump line, then a flow trail at the bottom. That might not sound like a good test bed for an enduro sled, but the trail was already pretty blown out from a long dry summer and that was BEFORE the enduro races a few weeks ago. It's braking craters simulating gnar, haha!

Initial impressions:

Climbing: So many people say they prefer just to leave it full open on climbs. Maybe that works for more technical stuff, there are like 2 roots and 5 rocks on the way up this trail and there was definitely climbing efficiency to be found by putting both front and rear in full firm settings. I did the upper portion of the climb standing (I'm a part time singlespeeder) in a tougher gear and it felt pretty good. Nice break from the sit 'n spin. That said having the Eagle granny is a nice luxury on a bike this big/heavy. I didn't feel any front end wandering and definitely didn't have any issues on switchbacks. Will test some tech climbs later. Worth noting that I was within 2 minutes of the same climb on my carbon hardtail.

Downhill. Both shocks full open and let her rip! Oh yeah, haven't bedded the brakes yet, DH trail is a good place for that right?

Holy crap, this bike is a game changer for me. I've ridden this same trail on the Santa Cruz 5010 V1 it's replacing. On the 5010 I was hovering off the seat and weight back to make up for the steeper head angle. I was spending a lot more energy and attention picking lines and using my body as suspension.

The HD4 by comparison just makes everything smoother. Completely planted over the rough stuff, I was actually laughing as I rode because it was like taking a video game and putting it in easy mode. Stable and predictable in the air as well. It's not quite as playful as the 5010 (it is way longer and slacker after all) but still pops off jumps, and lands SMOOTH. On the blown out flow trail it was AWESOME. With my quads not burning nearly as much and way less arm pump I felt a lot more confident carrying speed through the braking bumps and into the berms.

I read some of the reviews on this bike, specifically about the 2.6" DHFs slowing things down and being unnecessary. I have to say at least with some limited ride time I LOVE the traction. Traction for days!

I'm super stoked to have this bike as we move into fall here in the PacNW. Can't wait to take it to Tiger mountain to test on some of the black trails there. I have a feeling there are many downhill PRs in my future.

 

[rynomx785]

Question for everyone..... How much air pressure are you guys running in your shock?

I weigh 185 lbs and it took 245 PSI to get me to 14 mm of sag which seemed like a lot of pressure to me. This is assuming the gauge on my shock pump is correct. I don't have another one to compare it to.

Edit: Just found the setup guide on Ibis' site and I am right where I should be.

 

[big_slacker]

Question for everyone..... How much air pressure are you guys running in your shock?

I weigh 185 lbs and it took 245 PSI to get me to 14 mm of sag which seemed like a lot of pressure to me. This is assuming the gauge on my shock pump is correct. I don't have another one to compare it to.

Edit: Just found the setup guide on Ibis' site and I am right where I should be.

Yeah. I initially thought the shock was not holding air or my shock pump gauge was broken. I'm 180 all geared up and had to do 240 psi!

 

[rynomx785]

Yeah. I initially thought the shock was not holding air or my shock pump gauge was broken. I'm 180 all geared up and had to do 240 psi!

Any idea if Fox air springs take more pressure that Rockshox do to achieve the same rate or does the HD4 linkage just have a lot of leverage on the shock? My old Canyon with a RS Deluxe shock only took like 160 PSI.

 

[big_slacker]

Any idea if Fox air springs take more pressure that Rockshox do to achieve the same rate or does the HD4 linkage just have a lot of leverage on the shock? My old Canyon with a RS Deluxe shock only took like 160 PSI.

Not sure on what the reason is, but it's definitely needing way higher pressure than any other shocks I've run. I've also had to set the rebound fairly slow. I'm going to order the volume spacer kit for it so I can run a bit lower PSI but still avoid bottoming.

 

[jacksonlui]

Im 190 geared up and i need 215psi to get 14.5mm sag. 240 sounds too high. When pumping up the shock make sure you're equalizing by cycling the shock at every 50 psi. Jump on the bike and try to cycle the shock 15 times.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[rynomx785]

Im 190 geared up and i need 215psi to get 14.5mm sag. 240 sounds too high. When pumping up the shock make sure you're equalizing by cycling the shock at every 50 psi. Jump on the bike and try to cycle the shock 15 times.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Not equalizing the chambers during inflations would make you end up with a lower pressure than you should. Like I said though, per Ibis' setup guide, I am right where I should be at 185 lbs.

 

[GChuckyB]

...

 

[rynomx785]

Which shock is on your bike? The recommended pressure for the DPX2 is higher than the X2.

It is the DPX2. I just went back and looked at their charts. That is interesting.

 

[jacksonlui]

Oh right about lower pressure if not equalized. It happened to me the first time i messed with the shock.

I have the x2.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Creg]

Don't be afraid to run more sag than 14mm also. I'm running more like 18mm and don't have issues with pedal strike

 

[rynomx785]

Don't be afraid to run more sag than 14mm also. I'm running more like 18mm and don't have issues with pedal strike

I was going to try 30% (17mm) but it doesn't feel feel harsh at all at 25% and I am still able to use all the travel so I'm not sure I want to run any more sag.

 

[big_slacker]

Im 190 geared up and i need 215psi to get 14.5mm sag. 240 sounds too high. When pumping up the shock make sure you're equalizing by cycling the shock at every 50 psi. Jump on the bike and try to cycle the shock 15 times.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I cycled the shock every 50 PSI per the guide. I bottomed the shock at the PSI the shop I bought from had it set at so I went a little more conservative considering the epic I had coming up. Even after quite a few fast rooty sections and some decent drops I have about 6-8mm of travel left so yes I could probably go a little lower, but not much.

 

[Penny]

I’m getting a weird pop/feedback that feels similar to how it feels when you compress suspension with a chain that is too short. The chain length is fine. It isn’t really noticeable on descents, but is noticeable when I’ve been pedaling upshill or on a flat and quickly load and unload the suspension. It doesn’t happen every time.

 

[mderosas]

Newbikeday!

 

[SaintJV]

One of best looking HD4 i have ever seen!

 

[rynomx785]

Back in black with the full Kashima treatment is definitely sexy.