All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

nice! 1000 miles in one year is harder than it sounds.

i ambitiously wanted to do 2k miles, but multiple falls, broken bikes, and travel plans cut that in half. managed to get the last bit of miles after christmas to break 1k.

(i'm also still catching up on this thread, will probably take a day or two)

 

Twas a solid season, did some things, no big injuries. Unfortunately my result is a bit skewed because I didn't start recording until I got my Garmin watch in late spring. I'll shoot for 200k u/d for 2023 I guess.

 

My Santa Cruz 5010 v came with a Fox Float DPS that is now in need of service. To send the shock to Fox for a full service is $160 plus shipping both ways, a new DPS performance is just over $300 or I could upgrade. I like the upgrade route. Also, if I upgrade then I can take the old one apart to see how it works and rebuild on my own time.

I reached out to SC to see confirm the Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate would fit on my v4 frame and if they had a tune for it. That is what SC is putting on the higher end V5 5010s and it has gotten some good press recently (PB suspension product of the year for one). SC confirmed it would fit but because that shock wasn't available for my model year, they do not have a tune available and the v5 tune wouldn't work for my frame. SC recommended if I buy the SDU to send it off for a tune.

My riding style is pretty much dictated by where I live in Florida so mostly flat sandy single track. There are a few places with punchy climbs. I prefer flow over jumps or technical downhill (probably because I don't have any to ride). I did do some riding in VA and NC last time I visited my parents but still no black or double black diamonds.

Now for the questions:
1. Does getting the shock tuned do much other that setup the pressure, compression and rebound? Is it worth paying to have it tuned? I have read through the manuals and think I have a pretty good handle on how to set the shock up based on the recommended settings and then adjust for riding style/comfort. One thing I am not sure on would be spacers.
2. I have only really looked at Rockshox and Fox. I know there are several other options but are there any real improvements? Cane Creek? Ohlins? Others?
3. Anything else I should be considering?

 

I’ll attempt to answer your questions with more questions.

1. Is a custom tune worth the money?
Maybe, probably, nope. Honestly I don’t know if more is done aside from tweaks you could do yourself to rebound/compression. If it’s just rebound/compression, skip. If they change valving or shims, maybe.
Do you find yourself to be a knob turner or a set it and forget it rider? If you don’t tinker now, would you even notice a different between an off the shelf tune vs a custom frame specific job? Please don’t take that as an insult. It isn’t meant to be.

2. I make no attempts to hide I’m a Cane Creek suspension fanboy. Look into their shocks. Top quality, great customer service, and the in-line series is at 40% right now.

3. If it were me I’d opt for a slight-mild upgrade in the shock dept, with intentions to rebuild the old one myself. I too would like to gain more hands on knowledge and experience with the guts of my suspension components. There’s less on the line if it isn’t your primary squishy doodad.

 

No offense taken, that is why I am asking the questions. This is my first full suspension bike and first new MTB since my red white and blue Cannondale model unknown (F something?) that had a HeadShok. I think the paint scheme on that bike was to celebrate the inclusion of MTB in the ‘96 Olympics so it was a 97 or 98 model year.

I am more of a set it and forget it type. Could be partially related to the riding I typically do. Not a lot of need to make adjustments when going from sand and leaves to just sand. LOL

The DB Air IL models that are the ones on sale direct from CC? That is a way more reasonable price than what I was looking at through Fox/Rockshox. That is about the same price as I was looking at for just a new Fox DPS.

I always like to learn and am not afraid to wrench on my own bike but sometimes the internet has too much information.

 

If the shock seals are weeping oil but there is no cavitation, you can overhaul (fresh seals/wipers and new fluid inside the air can) a shock in about 15 minutes with mostly basic tools you already probably have laying around the garage.

 

It doesn’t seem to be holding air pressure and is making gurgling noises when compressed, no oil leakage. I am not 100% positive on losing air, it was low, I pumped it up (did the whole pump, cycle, pump process), went for a ride and it was low again the next day. Not sure if the truck ride in the low 60s would cause it to lose 75#s but that seems a bit excessive to me. Was going to confirm Monday if it lost pressure again since temps have been pretty steady in the mid 70s but thought it was a better idea to catch COVID so I am in isolation jail for a few more days. Also per Fox, I am beyond the service interval.

TLDR: Old shock might be shot, I am looking for a reason to upgrade.

 

Oh yeah, you have cavitation if your shock is making gurgling noises during compression/rebound as well as needing new seals (the reason that you're losing air). You don't have to necessarily send it to Fox. There are other companies performing rebuilds. I use these guys: https://www.thebumpstop.com

 

Just thought I’d share this, Craigslist find for free as the owner was cleaning out his barn to move. It was covered in raccoon poop and urine but cleaned up well. Rebuilding the wheels for the trainer and have to swap in an old front derailleur (original had a broken spring) but looking forward to taking it for a rip on these CX wheels tomorrow. N+1 (especially free!)

 

My Fox Float X crapped the bed on me and was sent out to Fox for a warranty repair. Needed more than basic seals and was making the gurgling/squelching sound. The local bike shop said the typical turnaround time from Fox at the moment is a few weeks - they are running reduced staff and reduced hours.

I could of had a local guy rebuild it for me and have it back in hand in about a week, but would rather have Fox do it as it was warrantied and will only cost me shipping. The bike shop that sent it into Fox was working on selling me a coil instead of the air shock and I was close to pulling the trigger, but decided to wait it out. I fully get the 'upgrade vs. repair' debate.

 

That's an awesome free find! I've had a couple R400s.

Slap some carbon wheels and a modern groupset on it and you'd have a ripper that's as good as most modern bikes.

 

Yeah, pretty stoked! Sold my road bike last summer to buy another WW Boat, have missed boogie bike rides more than I expected. NICA was offered an awesome deal on Sram electronic group but only for flat bar shifters, etc…I’ll find someone looking to upgrade and thinking about trying a set of Amazon carbon rims. Nothing to loose…

 

My original goal for this year was 300k of vert - I don't care too much about mileage personally. I coincidentally happened to hit that goal on the 300th day of the year after a slow start to 2022 and decided to up it to 365k so I could say I averaged 1k of vert per day for a year. Well, I just hit it before going out of town for the holidays!

 

That elevation is no joke - well done! Here in New England my typical ride consists of anywhere between 1,000-1,600' of climbing. It is a lot of quick technical punch climbs that add up over the course of a ride (death by a thousand cuts), no real mountains to climb up. Went up to Vermont this season and was able to do some extended +/-800' climbs and it was a whole different animal. I enjoy the climb (for the most part), but when it is a solid 35 minutes of climbing it starts to hurt.

 

Maybe you know this but Sram all communicates with each other. I use an Eagle derailleur with Force shifters.

You need to be a bit careful with chains, cassettes and chainrings but you can have a mish-mash of road and mountain parts.

E-tap is the easiest way to upgrade a bike.

 

Thank you! The more you climb, the more you build climbing "fitness" and find a rhythm. That said, I'm not a small guy at 6'1" and 225lbs so I'm hauling some decent meat up the hill haha.

 

Everything Jonathan said below is accurate. At your riding level a fancy shock and/or tune won't be noticeable. Even the entry level shocks work pretty good now. Set the sag, recommended sag/rebound, and let it rip - they work pretty good out of the box

And like @flipnidaho said, just ask around and I'm sure you'll find someone locally that rebuilds suspension quicker and cheaper

I like your style. agreed

 

Agreed with above.
Custom tunes are really for those who find optimal setting outside of the OE setting parameters (ver light or heavier riders, pros). Otherwise, learning how to tune your shock properly is your best bet. I mentioned it earlier, but learn how to bracket your suspension and it'll pay off.

 

Anyone here using Berd spokes? I'm thinking of changing up wheelsets this year and been tossing around the idea of trying them out. Looks kinda cool w/ the Onyx Flange/Hook hubs, although that means no other spokes so if the tech fails to stay relevant, or ever change...the hubs are useless. I know they're not required, but ....

 

What do you need to know about Berds?