[Glisseur]

Just pulled the plug and ordered a TR450, pretty stoked about that choice. I'm kinda tempted to swap the RC4 for a RS Vivid Air though. Anyone got a clue what tune to get? There are three basic tunes for the shock but I'm not too familiar with leverage ratios and stuff like that so I'm scratching my head here.

Mid tune: 2.3-2.8 : 1 Leverage Ratio
Low tune: 2.0-2.4 : 1 Leverage Ratio

Best thing would of course to get it custom tuned but the right base tune will have to do for a start.

 

[Zak]

I'd guess mid tune, the leverage ratio is 8.25":3" = 2.75:1.

 

[Transition Bikes]

Hey Zak, I just built up my 2011 TR450 for the season and I got a Vivid on there direct from SRAM and I got the "MM" or mid tune. That was there recommendation based on the leverage curve we sent them. I haven't gotten a ride on it yet due to a ton of snow on the trails but I had one on my TR250 last year testing it and I loved it. Had a "MH" Mid High tune on it. Once I get some time on it and can let you know more. - kevin

 

[JMH]

Eyeballing the Vivid Air for my wife's 250. The mid-tune looks like the way to go according to the maths. A buddy of mine (and Zak's for that matter) just bought that shock for his 250 and it's really tempting.

I just did a shakedown ride on my new 450 today though, that RC4 feels pretty awesome... since the bike is already pretty light I think I will keep that on my rig. So much better than the old DHX and with a Ti coil will get within a few hundred grams of a Vivid.

JMH

 

[Transition Bikes]

Eyeballing the Vivid Air for my wife's 250. The mid-tune looks like the way to go according to the maths. A buddy of mine (and Zak's for that matter) just bought that shock for his 250 and it's really tempting.

I just did a shakedown ride on my new 450 today though, that RC4 feels pretty awesome... since the bike is already pretty light I think I will keep that on my rig. So much better than the old DHX and with a Ti coil will get within a few hundred grams of a Vivid.

JMH

That would be my choice as well... ti spring. Coil just ALWAYS works and the RC4 is a very well proven shock. However, if you are going to run air the Vivid's do seem interesting.The mid tune would be "correct" for both the TR450 and T250.

 

[Glisseur]

I love coil as well but figured why not give the Air a shot? Super adjustable and lightweight without the need for expensive ti springs. Reviews have been positive so far so I'm pretty confident it will work fine for the TR450.

Bottom line, mid tune ordered.

 

[thrillseeker]

So how you liking the VA, man? I ordered my 450 with a Vivid Air and having not even had a coil on it to begin with I feel like they're soul mates!
I've always been a whore for air shocks for the same reason: Infinite spring rates. I can eat all the potato chips I want without having to drop another Buckfifty on a heavier spring...

But I will say that I would not reccomend one for a rider over 200 pounds... I weigh 170, I'm running 200psi and I'm still at 35-40 percent sag. Need to bump it up, but it's all squishy and fun right now...

 

[Glisseur]

So how you liking the VA, man? I ordered my 450 with a Vivid Air and having not even had a coil on it to begin with I feel like they're soul mates!
I've always been a whore for air shocks for the same reason: Infinite spring rates. I can eat all the potato chips I want without having to drop another Buckfifty on a heavier spring...

But I will say that I would not reccomend one for a rider over 200 pounds... I weigh 170, I'm running 200psi and I'm still at 35-40 percent sag. Need to bump it up, but it's all squishy and fun right now...

Still 5 ft of snow and full-on winter where I live so haven't gotten the chance to get out and ride a bike yet. And besides, I'm still waiting for my new TR450 frame to show up... But the Vivid Air looks wicked sexy though, I do know that

What compression/rebound settings are you using btw?

 

[Glisseur]

Right, finally got 15 days of lift access in on the TR450. Feels really good so far. Dialed geo, pretty lightweight (37 lbs) with a reliable setup and so much fun to ride in general.

Only problem though is that I only get about 6" of total travel out of the Vivid Air. I haven't ridden anything super hard and sustained gnarly at high speeds yet but still managed to bottom out my front end a couple of times. Trying to figure out where to start looking to get into the 8" range, where I should be.

I understand the TR450 is pretty progressive as far as the leverage curve goes. I guess the same goes for the Vivid Air. Don't know if this double progressiveness adds up and makes the shock settle at around 6". One solution would be to getting the shock tuned to make it a bit more linear, and get those full 8 inches.

The other option is that there's simply something wrong with my shock. Hope not as it's brand spanking new, which on the other hand hasn't stopped Rock Shox from not working correctly out of the box in the past. (Boxxer Team 2010 anyone?)

What do you think, people?

 

[thrillseeker]

Still 5 ft of snow and full-on winter where I live so haven't gotten the chance to get out and ride a bike yet. And besides, I'm still waiting for my new TR450 frame to show up... But the Vivid Air looks wicked sexy though, I do know that

What compression/rebound settings are you using btw?

You mean, THIS Vivid Air?
Fear not, positive this was an unusual occurance! Replacing it with another one!

Lets see.... I BELIEVE they were full-out on the End-stroke, 2-3 out on begining stroke, and I think I was 2 in from full-out on Compression.
I weigh 170, psi was #210.
I never really got a chance to REALLY beat on it though! First day I decided to get rowdy I wrecked the damn thing! And to make that worse I leave for Whistler(32 hour drive) in a week from tomorrow(wednesday) with the hope that I have a shock to put on the bike..or I'm running the current replacement!

 

[joelsman]

run more sag