[Jerk_Chicken]

Looking for a new RFX. Riding style: heavy duty trail, rocks, Bikezilla territory.

As far as brakes go, Hope Mono Mini 180 or the M4?

For the rear shock, I'm reading limitations on both DHX's. I'm looking to keep it on the lighter side, but is the DXH-A that bad with the leverage ratio of the RFX, or does it inherently have some troubles with tuning? Anyone have any good experiences with the DHX-A, as well as a good comparison between both versions?

I checked out the Avalanche site and they don't make a shock with the dimensions the RFX needs. Other alternatives?

 

[Lucky7]

Avalanche makes a DHS 2.25 that will fit and a Chubie reduced to 2.0 that will work. Just so you know. With the high leverage ratio of the RFX, it they work great! Just be aware that Avalanche says their new Chubies won't fit in 2.25" stroke with stock rocker plates because of clearance issues, you need to run the standard 7.5x2.00"

Bryan

 

[HollywoodUK]

M4

As far as brakes go, Hope Mono Mini 180 or the M4?

I'd definitely go M4. Really minimal weight difference for a given rotor size, and in my experience MUCH more reliable performance. Plus you can go 200 at the front if you need more power.

 

[incubus]

Like Bryan mentioned, Avy definately has the size you need.

So far as brakes go, I've tried just about every brand (Avid, Hayes, Hope, Shimano) and have settled on my Saint (XT) brakes. I wouldn't mind taking a run at the El-Caminos from Hayes, but I'm in no rush to replace my Shimanos.

The fact that they use mineral oil (instead of DOT fluid) is a bonus.

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

Like Bryan mentioned, Avy definately has the size you need.

So far as brakes go, I've tried just about every brand (Avid, Hayes, Hope, Shimano) and have settled on my Saint (XT) brakes. I wouldn't mind taking a run at the El-Caminos from Hayes, but I'm in no rush to replace my Shimanos.

The fact that they use mineral oil (instead of DOT fluid) is a bonus.

There is no bonus for me to use mineral oil. I would not use a brake that doesn't use DOT.

As far as the shock goes, the Avy route is if Fox isn't the best tool for the job here, so I'm looking to learn about how to tune, the problems in tuning, and limitations of both shocks. Am I reading right that these shocks are somewhat limiting factors for the RFX?

 

[Renegade]

JC, two things to think about in regards to your shock choice.
1] push industries will eventually release their upgrade for the dhx-coil. The upgrade will eliminate many peoples complaints about the shock. I had the opportunity to parking-lot test Darren's six pack with a pushed DHX-coil on it. It was very sweet.
2] Pick up a used fox vanilla rc shock, and send it to push industries. Many of us "old-school RFX" owners are riding them. Mine is quite fabulous.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

Pick up a used fox vanilla rc shock, and send it to push industries. Many of us "old-school RFX" owners are riding them. Mine is quite fabulous.

Vanilla RC not recommended for new RFX/Pack. Too linear. The newer chasis needs the bit of end stroke progressiveness that the DHX coil provides.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

1] How so, what changed?
2] I have a hard time believing Darren couldn't do something about that.

You know how to get hold of him. He'll give you the details.

Suffice it to say that we tried the Vanillas on our Packs back in April and it didn't work out. Too linear & bottoms too easily.

 

[Renegade]

Vanilla RC not recommended for new RFX/Pack. Too linear. The newer chasis needs the bit of end stroke progressiveness that the DHX coil provides.

1] How so, what changed?
2] I have a hard time believing Darren couldn't do something about that.

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

Is the DHX A that bad? I'm looking to keep weight down, tunability up, and minimize expense on top of buying a bike and shock.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

Is the DHX A that bad? I'm looking to keep weight down, tunability up, and minimize expense on top of buying a bike and shock.

Depends who you ask.
I'm not a fan.

 

[SSINGA]

Is the DHX A that bad? I'm looking to keep weight down, tunability up, and minimize expense on top of buying a bike and shock.

No, the DHX-A is not bad. Mine works quite well.

A PUSH DHX-C sounds very tempting however.

 

[Renegade]

Well I guess I stand corrected. I guess I'll have to talk to the man soon. He actually took alot of progressiveness out of the beginning stroke of my RC to compensate for my rockers; that's why I stated I have a hard time believeing he can't build it back in.
The DHX-air has what has been coined as a "lack of mid-range support". It can use most of it's travel fairly easily. This attribute provides an extremely plush ride. Some riders love it, others don't. I liked mine.I would still be riding it if I hadn't been provided with something better. I recently sold my dhx-air after push industries rebuilt my RC to match my rockers, and I'm buying a dhx-coil in anticipation, if he EVER gets around to it, of push industries releasing his upgrade for that shock.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

Well I guess I stand corrected. I guess I'll have to talk to the man soon. He actually took alot of progressiveness out of the beginning stroke of my RC to compensate for my rockers; that's why I stated I have a hard time believeing he can't build it back in.
The DHX-air has what has been coined as a "lack of mid-range support". It can use most of it's travel fairly easily. This attribute provides an extremely plush ride. Some riders love it, others don't. I liked mine.I would still be riding it if I hadn't been provided with something better. I recently sold my dhx-air after push industries rebuilt my RC to match my rockers, and I'm buying a dhx-coil in anticipation, if he EVER gets around to it, of push industries releasing his upgrade for that shock.

DHX parts are being manufactured as I type this. Look for a Jan 06 roll-out.

 

[Bikezilla]

JC I've been pretty happy with the DHXc(no on a Pack). What tuning issues are you concerned with?

The DHXa as I understand it has a limitation of a max 300psi main spring chamber. On the 3:1 pack, a few of the heavier riders (180+?) were getting pretty close to that. As I understand it tuning it at near max pressures gets to be somewhat of an art...not that I have any personal experience with it.

I've been on the DHX-C for a year I strongly prefer it to the RP3(soon to sell) Romic (sold).
While the -C is a bit more complex to tune it leaves a lot of flexibility to get just the kind of ride you want. I personally found my PP knob to be very effective (2-3 click resolution), however some others have not. This might be a shock to shock thing or early production issue IDK.

A Pushed DHXc sounds interesting, I'll be looking forward to some reviews on that, as well as the Avy and whateve they have coming out. Then there's the Rocco air with platform, and the CCDB, but I played lab rat on two shocks last year...this time around I'll wait for some consensus.

 

[Renegade]

A Pushed DHXc sounds interesting, I'll be looking forward to some reviews on that.

I'll be one of the early lab rats lining up for that job.

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

My riding weight is around 200. The concerns I have are the either blowing through travel and bottoming or the harsh limited travel thing. I have a leaning to the Air because it's a bit lighter, more tunable for weight (long rides I have more equipment on me). I am a bit confused on how the boost valve works, however. I'm planning to pedal this bike uphill...a lot.

The reason I ask about this is because it seems people seem to be quite polarized against one of the choices, instead of preferring one over the other. Additionally, it doesn't seem to make sense if I have to PUSH a shock right away to get it to ride right, so I'm trying to guage the necessity.

 

[tscheezy]

I just ran the DHX coil again the other day and have decided I really do not like that shock. If you get the Air and decide you would rather have the coil, I will trade with you. Otherwise my coil is for sale.

Get some Magura Louise or Louise FR brakes and skip the squeal.

 

[The Squeaky Wheel]

Additionally, it doesn't seem to make sense if I have to PUSH a shock right away to get it to ride right, so I'm trying to guage the necessity.

That's where you're wrong.
Shocks come from the factory generically tuned because they have to feel OK on a variety of bikes, rider weights, conditions, etc. If you fit the optimal profile (and I can't tell you what that is), then the shock may feel great stock.
Most suspension products I've tried don't feel great stock at my weight & style. That's where custom tuning comes into play.

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

I just ran the DHX coil again the other day and have decided I really do not like that shock. If you get the Air and decide you would rather have the coil, I will trade with you. Otherwise my coil is for sale.

Get some Magura Louise or Louise FR brakes and skip the squeal.

Thanks, Tscheezy, but I don't think I'll ever use a brake that uses mineral oil. Getting rid of use brake fluid isn't a problem for me and it's cheap and available anywhere. I go out of town to ride a lot, so it's piece of mind. I don't worry about wasting expensive mineral oil when completely flushing my braking system, or if there are some bubbles left behind, I can start over.

Unfortunately, I'll be buying on faith, so to speak, as there aren't any Turners around here, especially the RFX. I want to get it right the first time.