[kenbentit]

I'm very confused by this statement. The X2 is an air shock with full tuning capability and the bikes are designed around an air shock to begin with. If it were a coil then things would be different. I run the X2 on my Mach6 and it's phenomenal, great pedaling performance and no bottoming issues even on 6 foot drops.

i wouldn't. an open dh shock and pretty linear linkage is a nice recipe for poor pedaling and bottom out city

 

[Rom3n]

PERFECT!!! Thanks so much!! [emoji106]

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No problem

 

[Mingloid]

Would you trade the SW for the M6, in your opinion?
what do you mean, with C to T?

Csasb, Yes, I've booked a medium Switchblade to replace my small M6. The Center to Top (C to T) of the seat tube was too tall on the medium M6 for me to use a 5" dropper, so I bought a small M6 which I feel is a bit tight. I'm5'9". 125mm dropped works OK on the Switchblade.
I'm guessing the SB will weigh maybe a pound more than my M6 (28.2lbs with carbon rims, dropper & Spank pedals) because of the taller fork and larger 29er wheels/tires.
The demo XT/XTR 1x SB 27+ weighed 30.4 lbs with 125mm dropper and heavy flat demo pedals. Tires felt light, but that 40mm rim is almost 600g/pc. The weight difference is negligible when riding, as the 27+ bike is so confidence inspiring. I think I can ride it all way without feeling more tired.

 

[invol2ver]

I'm very confused by this statement. The X2 is an air shock with full tuning capability and the bikes are designed around an air shock to begin with. If it were a coil then things would be different. I run the X2 on my Mach6 and it's phenomenal, great pedaling performance and no bottoming issues even on 6 foot drops.

even though it is an air shock that is tunable the volume of the air spring makes it much more linear even with all the volume spacers in it. the x2 will not ramp up nearly as fast as say a float x or float shock which is needed with a fairly linear linkage design that requires an air shock. it basically makes the shock blow through it's travel easier and hit the bottom easier. larger shock doesn't always mean better performance. a lot of it depends on the design of the linkage

 

[R-M-R]

even though it is an air shock that is tunable the volume of the air spring makes it much more linear even with all the volume spacers in it. the x2 will not ramp up nearly as fast as say a float x or float shock which is needed with a fairly linear linkage design that requires an air shock. it basically makes the shock blow through it's travel easier and hit the bottom easier. larger shock doesn't always mean better performance. a lot of it depends on the design of the linkage

The variance in the progression of suspension linkages is greater than the variance in spring rate among shocks.

If we use andrextr's analyses, you'll see a range of (overall) linkage rate progressions from about zero to about 300%! Interestingly, both the Scott Genius and Blackmarket Roam ride quite nicely, albeit very differently.

If such different bikes can both ride well, we don't need to get stressed over a few percent more or less progresivity among shocks.

Also, Enduro World Series riders using the Giant Reign often run coil shocks, despite the Reign being one of the less progressive bikes (it appears they're using stock linkages), while Capra and Nomad riders often use air shocks (though the Vivid Air is popular for the Nomad).

I suspect the benefits of superior damping from the X2 would vastly outweigh any negative effects of a less progressive spring when it's set up with minimum volume.

 

[Mingloid]

The variance in the progression of suspension linkages is greater than the variance in spring rate among shocks.

If we use andrextr's analyses, you'll see a range of (overall) linkage rate progressions from about zero to about 300%! Interestingly, both the Scott Genius and Blackmarket Roam ride quite nicely, albeit very differently.

If such different bikes can both ride well, we don't need to get stressed over a few percent more or less progresivity among shocks.

Also, Enduro World Series riders using the Giant Reign often run coil shocks, despite the Reign being one of the less progressive bikes (it appears they're using stock linkages), while Capra and Nomad riders often use air shocks (though the Vivid Air is popular for the Nomad).

I suspect the benefits of superior damping from the X2 would vastly outweigh any negative effects of a less progressive spring when it's set up with minimum volume.

From Pivot's website :
"The eye-to- eye shock length is 7.875 inches and the stroke length is 2 inches. The frame is designed around a large volume air can. We run medium compression valving and medium rebound damping."

I's with R-M-R, as I can only see advantages using the X2 shock. You can adjust damping and progressiveness to suit the frame design, weight, and riding style.

 

[vikb]

Since the X2 is ordered and on its way just try it and let us know how it works. That way we aren't arm chair engineering it and have some bike specific feedback.

 

[vikb]

I got to do some experimenting with a steeper STA bike [Knolly Warden] to see how I'd feel about trying to ride a "modern" geo bike in terms of getting a pedalling position I was happy with.

Effective STA reported in geo chart = 75 deg
Actual angle of the seat tube in relation to the ground from geo chart = 68 deg

With a 1" seatback dropper extended to my 33" pants inseam the saddle to BB relationship felt pretty close to my Mach 6. I haven't had time to measure things up to see what the effective STA was at my saddle height, but I bet it's quite slack.

That makes me pretty confident I can setup a SB to work as long as I select the size to give me a reasonable effective TT with that saddle position.

 

[mtb gal]

Sounds great. Will give you a call.

 

[richde]

I'm very confused by this statement. The X2 is an air shock with full tuning capability and the bikes are designed around an air shock to begin with. If it were a coil then things would be different. I run the X2 on my Mach6 and it's phenomenal, great pedaling performance and no bottoming issues even on 6 foot drops.

Exactly, after you ride one and tune it, which admittedly takes a while, you can't even compare an X2 (or probably any 4-way adjustable shock) with a normal Float.

It's on a completely different level, seriously. It's turned my M6 into a much smoother and more confidence inspiring bike.

 

[NoahColorado]

Trans BC

Here are some pics from the Trans BC, which wrapped up yesterday. It was the best week of my life, hands down. :thumbsup:

~140 miles. ~27k ascending. ~40k descending.

The Switchblade was incredible on some the hardest terrain I've ever ridden. I started the race with two broken ribs from a crash a month ago and finished with a few additional ones on the other side, so I couldn't quite ride to my upmost ability. The new breaks happened midway through the week in a crash where I caught my left pedal on a boulder at full speed. The impact was so intense it bent my pedal and crank and flexed my crank into my chainstay. :madman:

My fiancee raced her matching Switchblade and ended up 6th or 7th (still awaiting final results).

 

[dvXin]

First time I've ever wanted to say "Cool Story Bro" in a non-sarcastic way.

 

[5power]

Heck yeah I'm planning on doing this next year. I did the trans nz this past feb well organize and super fun.

SB looks dope .


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[kenbentit]

I found it even easier to dial in than the CCDB was, mainly due to the online chart with recommended settings for air pressure. I did make some adjustments from those settings as well as playing with volume spacers (ended up with 4 on my M6 vs the max of 5 & I'm within a couple of clicks of the recommended setup). On a side note, we just got in the latest, greatest version of that shock and Fox now has these cool volume spacers that are a 2 piece snap-together plastic design which allows you to install or remove without having to take the shock out!

Exactly, after you ride one and tune it, which admittedly takes a while, you can't even compare an X2 (or probably any 4-way adjustable shock) with a normal Float.

It's on a completely different level, seriously. It's turned my M6 into a much smoother and more confidence inspiring bike.

 

[N_E_X]

I found it even easier to dial in than the CCDB was, mainly due to the online chart with recommended settings for air pressure. I did make some adjustments from those settings as well as playing with volume spacers (ended up with 4 on my M6 vs the max of 5 & I'm within a couple of clicks of the recommended setup). On a side note, we just got in the latest, greatest version of that shock and Fox now has these cool volume spacers that are a 2 piece snap-together plastic design which allows you to install or remove without having to take the shock out!

Any pictures of the new volume spacers? I'm very curious of how the x2 works on this bike and that added ease of tunability seems like even more reason to try it out

 

[Mingloid]

Here are some pics from the Trans BC, which wrapped up yesterday. It was the best week of my life, hands down. :thumbsup:

~140 miles. ~27k ascending. ~40k descending.

The Switchblade was incredible on some the hardest terrain I've ever ridden. I started the race with two broken ribs from a crash a month ago and finished with a few additional ones on the other side, so I couldn't quite ride to my upmost ability. The new breaks happened midway through the week in a crash where I caught my left pedal on a boulder at full speed. The impact was so intense it bent my pedal and crank and flexed my crank into my chainstay. :madman:

My fiancee raced her matching Switchblade and ended up 6th or 7th (still awaiting final results).

]

She's got a matching Switchblade ! !

(How do I hide this story from the wife?)

 

[Dpca10]

Here are some pics from the Trans BC, which wrapped up yesterday. It was the best week of my life, hands down. :thumbsup:

~140 miles. ~27k ascending. ~40k descending.

The Switchblade was incredible on some the hardest terrain I've ever ridden. I started the race with two broken ribs from a crash a month ago and finished with a few additional ones on the other side, so I couldn't quite ride to my upmost ability. The new breaks happened midway through the week in a crash where I caught my left pedal on a boulder at full speed. The impact was so intense it bent my pedal and crank and flexed my crank into my chainstay. :madman:

My fiancee raced her matching Switchblade and ended up 6th or 7th (still awaiting final results).

Noah, can you comment on how the bike climbed compared to other 29ers you've ridden, perhaps compared to the Ripley. I am less worried about the DH capabilities of the bike.

 

[NoahColorado]

Noah, can you comment on how the bike climbed compared to other 29ers you've ridden, perhaps compared to the Ripley. I am less worried about the DH capabilities of the bike.

I found that it climbed great - apparently a lot better than most racer's bikes because I definitely did more passing on the ups than the downs last week.

This day was one of the biggest and I top-10ed the first prolonged climb. 2k' in 4 miles. I would have put in a better time had I not stopped for pictures and had to climb through snow up top.

It's not a XC rocket ship going up, but it's perfectly composed and efficient. It's very good at technical climbing.

I can't find a single fault with this bike. I love it.

 

[invol2ver]

I found that it climbed great - apparently a lot better than most racer's bikes because I definitely did more passing on the ups than the downs last week.

This day was one of the biggest and I top-10ed the first prolonged climb. 2k' in 4 miles. I would have put in a better time had I not stopped for pictures and had to climb through snow up top.

It's not a XC rocket ship going up, but it's perfectly composed and efficient. It's very good at technical climbing.

I can't find a single fault with this bike. I love it.

nice job noah. that is for sure a burly race to even just make it to the end of. photos are rad as well

 

[kenbentit]

New spacers

Here they are

Any pictures of the new volume spacers? I'm very curious of how the x2 works on this bike and that added ease of tunability seems like even more reason to try it out