[Czubaka]

Does anyone know how/what parts are needed to convert a Pike Race from the coil spring to an air setup? One shop specializing in rock shox told me it is possible for about $100 in parts, but didn't mention which parts or if it's something I can attempt at home (no specialized tools/knowledge).

 

[MK_]

That sounds like a really good idea, considering that a spring is $40. You would need to replace the spring side (U-Turn side) assembly. Take out the coil spring and replace it with some pistons and what not. It shouldn't be too hard, it would require some parts from Rock Shox and some lube. I might try to do that myself!

_MK

 

[tscheezy]

Probably won't work. The inside of the stanchion on the air fork is probably machined and treated to interface with the air spring's piston and seals. The coil version does not need this extra treatment so won't have it. You would need to replace the stanchions, crown, and steerer assembly too.

I was chatting with someone from RS a while ago about this and he said it was a no-can-do if memory serves.

 

[MK_]

Bummer. That's just like Foxes with the Float and Talas stanchions being hard annodized on the inside vs Vanilla stanchions not. Ah well, that was a short lived excitement.

_MK

 

[pin-it]

It does work. All you do is swap out the guts of one leg. At a race with Lars T in Maryland, I asked him about the fork, which was a pike team, yet it had air. He said he just sent it to RS and asked them to swap the guts.

 

[tscheezy]

Interesting. I may ask my RS contact about this. I have a Pike Dual Air Team and used to have a coil Team, so the "Team" designation does not imply any specific spring medium. And there would be no need to send it to RS since all you need to do is swap the top cap and rod assembly. Working on the Pikes is unbelievably easy.

 

[MK_]

Interesting. I may ask my RS contact about this. I have a Pike Dual Air Team and used to have a coil Team, so the "Team" designation does not imply any specific spring medium. And there would be no need to send it to RS since all you need to do is swap the top cap and rod assembly. Working on the Pikes is unbelievably easy.

Let us know what you find out!

_MK

 

[pin-it]

Interesting. I may ask my RS contact about this. I have a Pike Dual Air Team and used to have a coil Team, so the "Team" designation does not imply any specific spring medium. And there would be no need to send it to RS since all you need to do is swap the top cap and rod assembly. Working on the Pikes is unbelievably easy.

From what Lars told me I believe that's correct, and you're right about the swap, it should be a simple job. The pike is such a great platform, I can't say enough about it.

 

[mtnfiend]

Air Advantages

I have a coil Pike Team and love it. Beyond the weight savings, what would be the advantages of converting to air?

I remember when I purchased my Pike the air model had several disadvantages, like it couldn't be lowered maybe, but I think they have changed that with newer models.

 

[MK_]

I have a coil Pike Team and love it. Beyond the weight savings, what would be the advantages of converting to air?

I remember when I purchased my Pike the air model had several disadvantages, like it couldn't be lowered maybe, but I think they have changed that with newer models.

The biggest advantage is the progressive nature of the air spring, which would offer bottomout resistance.

_MK

 

[tscheezy]

Ok, here is some more to chew on:

Unfortunately you can't switch from coil to air. The inside of the upper tube is honed on the air forks so it creates a clean interface with the air piston o-ring.

The upper tube on a coil fork isn't honed as it doesn't need to be a smooth interface.

 

[Czubaka]

Dang, that's too bad. I liked the idea of having much more adjustability for the spring rate.

 

[Tavinho]

This is what I call a LATE reply!

Looking at Pike exploded view, just found this out. Take a look at the note on the bottom right in first picture: "Pike coil U-Turn can be upgraded to Air U-Turn with the installation of all Air U-Turn spare kits listed on page 33 (items 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)" Page 33 reference is a typo, it refers to page 3. Then, you can take a look at page 3 (second picture) to see what's needed.

So, it seems that it's possible!

 

[fiddy_ryder]

now to figure a way to run the air at 80mm on my dj bike....

 

[scrublover]

yep, i thought about doing this a few moths ago on mine; the pdf makes it appear to be a very easy parts swap. cost wise seems anywhere from $120-150based on the prices i was given.

the one that appears to be a no-go is the coil----->solo air swap. swapping to air u-turn would rock. i may have to rethink doing it......

 

[mtnfiend]

Any idea what the weight savings would be?

 

[Czubaka]

Looking at Pike exploded view, just found this out. Take a look at the note on the bottom right in first picture: "Pike coil U-Turn can be upgraded to Air U-Turn with the installation of all Air U-Turn spare kits listed on page 33 (items 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)" Page 33 reference is a typo, it refers to page 3. Then, you can take a look at page 3 (second picture) to see what's needed.

So, it seems that it's possible!

You the man! Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for!

 

[fiddy_ryder]

Any idea what the weight savings would be?

according to RS website, the diff between the air and coil 426 is .3 lbs or 5oz.

 

[mtnfiend]

5oz.! That's it? So for $120-$150 I can save 5oz. and convert my coil fork to an air fork.

I'm not sure really what benefits I'm gaining going this route, other than saving 5oz. Can someone please clue me in? If there are other advantages to converting to air I'm all for it. The cost is not that much if the benefits justify the cost.

Will I be able to increase/decrease the travel quicker than screwing them down like on my coil? More like on a Marzocchi fork? If so that would get me to switch.

 

[airwreck]

good news, have an old team coil, want to replace it with the uturn air, can't sell the coil for much so it would be cool to convert.
keep the info coming!