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

This is the correct way to determine proper chain length.

 

Never saw that as the 'actual' way to size a chain. I figured there must be an official way, who knew?. I always just put it on the smallest cog, through the derailleur, then added some slight tension. Then run it up through the gears and make sure it all works on the largest cog.

 

I actually really like the mullet with slightly longer CS. You get all the stability of the longer CS, but the the nibleness and clearance of the smaller rear wheel.
I rode bikes with chain stay lengths around 435 most of my time, then switched over to 447 on my newer ride. Took a minute of getting used to, but I like it. All the usual apply here; better stability at speed, locks into turns, more predictable and controllable break-away. Less maneuverability in tight tech, harder to throw the rear around (especially noticeable in steep and tight). All the other stuff can be negated with a small change to how your ride your bike. It's still playful (more of a suspension tune thing), flickable, and can manual. You just put a little more into the bike.
I think ideal for me would be in the middle, somewhere near 440.
One odd thing I noticed that I didn't expect was that with the longer CS I buzz my rear less. Maybe the wheel is farther away and gives me some clearance?

That's what I've always used. I start with 6, and see if I get correct b-tension. If too loose I can always take one out.

 

Not sure what's going on with your setup but I never had an issue with the derailleur hanger or Dpx2 bottom out on my Rallon. I'm a big guy (210lbs) and definitely rough on my bikes too. I broke wheels, hubs, cassettes, seatposts, and even the frame itself but never the derailleur/hanger.

 

With sram they recommend actually compressing the suspension (taking the air out) and adding 2 or 3 links, I forget which. It works pretty well.

 

When all else fails, I suppose I should actually read the instructions one of these days... So far, I've built 2 bikes frame up and rebuilt another, all using YouTube University. YouTube is all just 'tips and tricks' but only as credible as the source, good to know the correct way to do things.

 

Yea I’m wondering if somethings wrong with this dpx2. I’m running it at 230 psi and my riding weight is 165/70 and i bottom out basically every time I hit any of the black trails at the park. Even on the jump lines when I land cleanly every jump. Which really shouldn’t happen unless im hucking to flat or casing the jump.

 

I don’t ride a Rallon but do ride an Occam I’ve had since 2020 with a DPX2 that is pretty dialed. Orbea does use a high leverage rear linkage design so I’m not surprised at your weight to air pressure ratio one bit. I’m 165-170 geared up and was running 250psi initially. Getting good sag measurements and no bottom out issues.

Last shock service at my LBS the mechanic stiffened up the compression valve a bit and put 7.5 wt oil instead of the stock 5 wt. He asked me to try lowering the pressure incrementally to see if I liked it and if not he’d put it back like it was no problem. Said the lower pressures would make the shock happier. Makes sense.

I wouldn’t say it’s a big improvement but I’m running 225psi currently with one volume spacer tho don’t recall the size. Def more active, still pedals well, and not bottoming out harshly.

How long since last shock service?

 

Picked up a Forerunner 255 today to try the Garmin thang out. I’m looking forward to leaving the hrm/edge at home for short rides.

 

probably about 3-400 miles. About 100 of it being DH park. Im running the largest volume spacer they make for the DPX2 1.02 i think it is? Mines only got the 3 position compression. But Imma throw a coil on soon anyway

edit: I have considered the x2 for better pedal feel but I’m not fast in climbs regardless and if I do signup for a big pedal climb I just embrace the fact it’ll suck

 

Yeah YouTube is good for a lot but honestly SRAMs instructions are pretty solid in my opinion. A little hard to navigate since there are like 10 languages and 20 warnings on each page but once you get used to it it’s helpful.

 

I guess I won’t be buying a coil shock since every 230x60 dhx2 or super deluxe coil is out of stock. Makes me wonder the x2 vs dhx2 even more. As long as I could get high speed compression adjustment to fix my bottom out I’m fine. But I really like the idea of coil since park/shuttles is what I emphasize since pedaling is actively doing damage to my knee

 

SRAM's video guides on YT are also surprisingly good!

 

Check Cane Creek or DVO also.

 

Check PB used section?

 

Wish Yeti's werent so expensive - i'd love to try out a 115 or 120.

 

It's only money, NBD!

 

You could always take the SexyTacoma route

 

120 fo sho. Know a guy that has one he built up recently and loves it.

Faceless reviews from some fools on the interwebs are useless and subjective, but I personally didn’t care for the SB115. The geo was just confused per sizing, and was too pointed for my taste.

 

$32 all in. Zero bro points, and I’m good with that