Fox Vanilla R Question???

[izzle]

I just bought a Kona Stinky with a Fox Vanilla R rear shock which has 6" of travel. If I wanted a rear shock with 8" of travel, could I just get a longer spring for that shock, or do I need to get a different shock? Like a Fox Vanilla RC.

Thanks.

[Team2K]

u'd need to get a new shock and custom linkage, if they even make it... the linkage on a stinky deeluxe or primo is setup for only 7"

keep the 6" and enjoy it... its enough :)

[izzle]

Cool...thanks alot. Maybe I'll get a stonger spring at some point.

[izzle]

I have Marzocchi Drop Off Triple's. I'm thinking of getting different shocks in the next 8 to 10 months. Does anyone have shocks they like that they would recommend.

Thanks.

[Dimes]

You have a whole bunch of terms and applications mixed up, so you might want to use the search function to try and read up on some of the questions you have.
Your shock spring only affects sag...the amount of travel you use when you sit on your bike. It does not affect travel.
A Vanilla RC will only give you compression control on your bike. It will not change your travel unless you get a shock with a longer stroke ration..which usually requires link plates, etc. Stinky shocks are usually 7.78 inches long and have a 2 inch stroke.
A Marzocchi Drop Off Triple is a fork. Lots of threads that discuss the pro's and con's of various forks.
Use the seach and have fun.

[izzle]

I wasn't clear about what I was talking about. I wanted to get a stronger spring to help from bottoming out, since TeamK2 pointed out that I can't get more travel with the setup I have. Sorry...I should have specified.

As for the fork...It's the same situation. I want something with a little more travel. Basically I have 6" of travel all around, but I want to upgrade in the future. I just want to see what my options are.

Thanks for your help guys.

[Fat Whacker]

Other than having cool parts on your bike, are you actually riding past your abilities of your current parts? If your not, then why upgrade? If you just bought the bike, why not ride the hell out of it until the bike is the only thing holding you back and not your riding skills. I see so many people rocking the biggest baddest bikes, but can't seem to ride them worth a damn.

Save the cash from the parts and take a nice biking holiday or somthing. For the price of a new front fork, you can spend a week in Whistler...maybe more.

[switch]

The rea shock is the Vanilla R Propedal, and it is pretty good. When properly set up, it can take quite a large hit. It also makes for good pedaling, and is good at handling bumps.

The front fork is fine too. 6" of travel of fairly plush travel, and it's pretty stiff. It has air preload, which you can use to stiffen it up a bit more. You can always upgrade to a better fork, but it will cost a fair bit to get something that is better.

Make sure you have the correct spring rate for thye rear shock. A bike shop can help you with that if you do not know what to do. They can also help with setting up the fork.

I just noticed that you're in North Van. Go to Cove Bikes. They sell a lot of Stinkys, and they'll help you out with your questions.

[izzle]

I bought the bike at the Cove bike shop...they've been great. I like to consider myself a good rider (not great). I'm always trying to improve, but I'm uncertain of my bikes limits. I like to ride CBC, Neds etc. I finding some of the stuff on CBC might be to much for my bike. This is the reason I'm asking all these questions. As I improve, I want a bike that can handle it. Don't get me wrong, I love my bike. I thinking of the future...what are my option for upgrading.

Thanks for everyones imput.

[eeyun]

Originally posted by izzle
I bought the bike at the Cove bike shop...they've been great. I like to consider myself a good rider (not great). I'm always trying to improve, but I'm uncertain of my bikes limits. I like to ride CBC, Neds etc. I finding some of the stuff on CBC might be to much for my bike. This is the reason I'm asking all these questions. As I improve, I want a bike that can handle it. Don't get me wrong, I love my bike. I thinking of the future...what are my option for upgrading.

Thanks for everyones imput.

Nothing on CBC is even close to being too much for your bike :)

Ride hard, have fun!

If you're really keen on a fork upgrade, you'll need a new front wheel, as if I remember correctly, you've got one with a regular QR right? Pretty much every 6"+ fork will be 20mm front axle.

That said, I'd look into a 7" Sherman Slider, or a Marzocchi Super T.

[Team2K]

the only thing "big" on CBC is the rock drop... none of the Neds drops are bigger than 6ft. 6inches is more than sufficient :)

It wouldn't hurt to play around with the rebound on the Vanilla and set it up to match your riding style... i always just use trial and error :)

[Damage Inc.]

While 6/6 is 'enough' travel for anything on CBC or Neds so is less than 6 inches, so is more than 6 inches.

How fast you want to go and how much abuse you want to put your body through should also factored in to the equation. While I have more than enough fun and speed riding my HT I sure did go alot faster on my old Team DH. My body felt a lot better after a ride on the big bike as well.

Owning a bike with lots of ability doesn't mean that you need have lots of riding ability. There are other benifits to a high end bike than being able to go bigger or faster.

[switch]

Originally posted by izzle
I like to ride CBC, Neds etc. I finding some of the stuff on CBC might be to much for my bike.
I find that a little hard to believe that anything on CBC or Ned's would be too much for the bike.

My brother bought the same bike. He upgraded to a 5th Element, and a Super T fork. The 5th helps, but not a lot. The Super T is definitely a nice upgrade as it has an inch more travel, has better valving, and has a 20mm axle. If you're bottoming out the rear a lot, then get a spring with a rate that's 50lbs higher.

The only thing you need to watch out for with your current setup is the front wheel. Make sure before every ride, and even during a ride, that it's sitting properly in the dropouts. The axle can break (I've seen it); not a good idea to put an 8" rotor on the front of the bike.

[publicenemy]

you can buy custom linkage for konas that give you up to 8 inches...its mostly replacing the rocker plates..i cant recall that companys name though

[izzle]

Thanks everyone. I've been moutain biking for about 13 years, but I didn't get serious about it until 3 years ago. This is my first dual suspension bike. I thought this bike could handle alot, but I wasn't sure how much. The only thing that I'm worried about are the rims. I rode CBC and Neds on Monday, and when I got home, I noticed the rear rim was bent. Which was wierd, because the biggest drop I did was about 4'. I took to the Cove shop and they straightend it out.

[switch]

Originally posted by izzle The only thing that I'm worried about are the rims.
And so you should be. Those rims are more suited to XC riding.

I found that the seat rails aren't that strong, and the seatpost adjustment bolt/screw thing is really really weak (I got an Axiom and it works; the stock Kore post blew apart in a couple rides). Freehub isn't the best, so if/when it goes, replace it with an XT version. Last thing is the BB. It's a Truvative ISIS DH, and it won't be lasting long either.

These are mostly parts that wear anyway. A new seat and seatpost cost me $70; same price for the BB. Everything is now plenty strong and reliable.

[izzle]

Thanks for the heads up. Like I said before, I love the bike. I will probally upgrade a few things, but other than that I'm good. Now I just need the balls to do some of the harder things on the trails.