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Real-World feedback on the Hopey dampers..?

DirtEveryDay

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
OK, I fully understand the ABC's of it, I know HOW it works. What I want to know is how it feels? I can easily see how it helps performance and maintaining line, but what would it be like on a bike used 90% of the time for trail/jump/urban?
Our little training grounds here is steep and extremely rough, so there's a bonus. I realize that it can also be turned off, but are there any other benefits or disadvantages to it while just cruising trails, riding the streets? Like, would it cause MORE arm fatigue while just cruising the local paved bike trails? And being hydraulic, I assume it resists more the faster force is applied to it? If so, how would/does cold weather affect it? Do you retain full steering?
I ask because I run an as-X that is just a fun machine until I feel like racing. After slapping some flat crowns on the 888 a few weeks ago I've been a little scared to see what it's going to feel like at high speeds, as it's already a bit twitchy on our run-ups to big boosts...
 
Duzitall

Duzitall

Monkey
Jun 20, 2004
452
0
San Diego
I have one on my v-10 with a Shiver. I like it. It slows down side impacts from rocks and roots reducing the effort expended in rough sections. Also reduces twitchy feeling at speed. It's fully adjustable with the knob on the steerer so you adjust it for terrain (on the fly if need be) and I'm sure if you have extremes in temprerature you could adjust it for that too.

Pretty much the only drawback besides the price is that it reduces your lock to lock steering a little on a dual crown and acts as a steering stop on a single crown.

Chris
 
wydopen

wydopen

Turbo Monkey
Jan 16, 2005
1,229
60
805
iv been contemplating one as well...ive heard once you run one you will never be able to ride w/o one...im not into the extra weight
 
Duzitall

Duzitall

Monkey
Jun 20, 2004
452
0
San Diego
Turn the knob clockwise and it'll be as signifigant as you want. Anti-clockwise and it's like it's not even there. They cost about $275 usd, ebay cheaper sometimes. Speedgoat.com $250+-. I got mine from JimmyPop, thanks Joel:thumb:

http://www.hopey.org/

Tim Hopey answers email promptly.
 
Duzitall

Duzitall

Monkey
Jun 20, 2004
452
0
San Diego
It weighs almost nothing and you won't be ruined forever if you try one but you might want one on your downhill bike forever more.
 
Duzitall

Duzitall

Monkey
Jun 20, 2004
452
0
San Diego
yup, it's the post that's attached under the top headset directly over the top tube of the frame. On my Shiver it hits the top crown before the rubber bumpers hit the frame. Kinda bothered me while I was installing it but it's no big deal. When you crash it just moves over a little and you can whack it back into position with your hand and your good to go again.
 
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patineto

The RM Mad Scientist
Feb 19, 2002
935
0
berkeley, ca
I being "racing" really big Motorbikes in the dirt for a long time and the scott's damper save my butt more than ones.

for that same reason i decide to make a mount for my Nicolai M-pire to mount one of my Gold Scott's dampers,,, what is to say about this little magic gold box is the best damper of the motorcycle industry, maybe a little to much for a bicycle, even as heavy and fast as a downhill bike can be they still light and slow compare with a big A^^motorbike, the only thing i did was to use a thinner density fluid (2.5 redline) to make it a little less "opinionated", so far I like it a lot when i was running it, but i change forks and now i'm waiting to find some flat clamps (for cheaper) for my 888's to install the damper again.

my solution is a little of topic, but i think it helps in the over all picture,,, oh with the scotts you can control pretty much anything, just check their site for info they being around for about 15 years already (developed by Ohlins in europe)
 
Incubus

Incubus

Monkey
Oct 17, 2001
562
0
Boston, MA
The steering radius should be unaffected.

One thing to consider in this day of near solid steerer tubes (at the crown end), is whether or not you'll be able to install it. You have get a socket on an extension upwards through the bottom of the steerer. Shouldn't be a problem with a DC though.

Edit: didn't think of it hitting a crown first. Steering radius wasn't affected on my boxxer.
 
Duzitall

Duzitall

Monkey
Jun 20, 2004
452
0
San Diego
Incubus said:
The steering radius should be unaffected.

One thing to consider in this day of near solid steerer tubes (at the crown end), is whether or not you'll be able to install it. You have get a socket on an extension upwards through the bottom of the steerer. Shouldn't be a problem with a DC though.

Edit: didn't think of it hitting a crown first. Steering radius wasn't affected on my boxxer.
Click to expand...
Good point about the hole in the bottom of steering tubes. I would have to drill out the bottom of my 03.5 Z150 to install a hopey on it. It takes a 10mm socket to tighten the bottom nut.

Patino: I started running a Scotts on my YZ400F in 1999 after nearly breaking my wrist on a rock I couldn't see in the tall grass. Didn't even crash, just whacked my wrist with the handlebar. I have run one ever since.
 
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patineto

The RM Mad Scientist
Feb 19, 2002
935
0
berkeley, ca
Duzitall said:
Patino: I started running a Scotts on my YZ400F in 1999 after nearly breaking my wrist on a rock I couldn't see in the tall grass. Didn't even crash, just whacked my wrist with the handlebar. I have run one ever since.
Click to expand...
tell me about it...
you are totally right,,, ones does not even need to crash to generate a big bubbu, just a big jolt can take the bars from your hands or transmit so much force for you to break something, so far nobody that i know makes a proper "Exosqueleton wrist guard" (one of my many unfinish projects) that is natural enogh to let you ride a bike like you are on bare hands (so you will wear it all the time) but still protect you from hard impacts that can affect your bonne structure, muscles or cartilage, in my concept current glove technology (even road track motogloves, pretty much as good as it gets) only serves as a "paleative" for rash and slides but they are no protection for hard impacts to your equeleton..

I view Dampers as cheap insurance for those "Oh Sh^t moments"
 
wydopen

wydopen

Turbo Monkey
Jan 16, 2005
1,229
60
805
patineto said:
tell me about it...
you are totally right,,, ones does not even need to crash to generate a big bubbu, just a big jolt can take the bars from your hands or transmit so much force for you to break something, so far nobody that i know makes a proper "Exosqueleton wrist guard" (one of my many unfinish projects) that is natural enogh to let you ride a bike like you are on bare hands (so you will wear it all the time) but still protect you from hard impacts that can affect your bonne structure, muscles or cartilage, in my concept current glove technology (even road track motogloves, pretty much as good as it gets) only serves as a "paleative" for rash and slides but they are no protection for hard impacts to your equeleton..

I view Dampers as cheap insurance for those "Oh Sh^t moments"
Click to expand...
my buddies dad owns a ducati dealership and he was pinning it at the track with some alpinstar road racing boots that were totally flexable..
i was suprised theyeven offer anything like that...if u highsided and stuffed an ankle into the pavement u would be in big trouble...hes sporting the higherend one that have minimal protection but i cant believe we was riding in those going 120 on the streets of willow track!!!!
 
Sherpa

Sherpa

Basking in fail.
Jan 28, 2004
2,240
0
Arkansaw
wydopen said:
iv been contemplating one as well...ive heard once you run one you will never be able to ride w/o one...im not into the extra weight
Click to expand...
I rode with one for a few months, and didn't like it. Made the steering feel too "muted" and i hated it in the tight, twisty stuff.
 
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StaceyO

Chimp
Feb 9, 2004
6
0
Michigan
I'm a pretty little person w/constant problems with arm pump and upper body fatigue. I was fortunate enough to get mine installed on my V10 before a recent Windrock (rocky rocky rocky) trip and I can't say anything bad.

On the first day, I had it turned way down because I was nervous, but as the day went on I found myself turning it up more and more. On day two, my arms (which usually are blown at that point) were much less sore and fatigued. Down the famous "Southern Rocks" I noticed my front wheel being "deflected" (I guess that's the appropriate description) a lot less, I was definitely able to hold a line much better, and as the trip wore on my speed was gradually increasing. I really can't wait to try it at somewhere I've ridden before just as a comparison, but so far I'M SOLD!!

Stacey
 
dhkid

dhkid

Turbo Monkey
Mar 10, 2005
3,358
0
Malaysia
wow..its been two pages and nobody has come saying: i dont need that, i got strong arms and thats all you guys need to do, strenghten your arms!!! :nuts:
 
BigMike

BigMike

BrokenbikeMike
Jul 29, 2003
8,931
0
Montgomery county MD
One of my buddies has one on his Rocky Mountain RMX and it got screwed up during practice right before a race. He told me it was like learning to ride a bike all over again in two practice runs before a race.
 
DirtEveryDay

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Sherpa said:
I rode with one for a few months, and didn't like it. Made the steering feel too "muted" and i hated it in the tight, twisty stuff.
Click to expand...
It's stuff like this that I am wondering about... It's where my as-X truly shines. And possibly the steep angles and short WB would make up for the loss with the damper on. But if it is FULLY omittable with the turn of a knob, then I can't see why it wouldn't be great to have one.
 
SkullCrack

SkullCrack

Monkey
Sep 3, 2004
705
127
PNW
Duzitall said:
Good point about the hole in the bottom of steering tubes. I would have to drill out the bottom of my 03.5 Z150 to install a hopey on it. It takes a 10mm socket to tighten the bottom nut.
Click to expand...
Before you do any drilling on your fork, check out this thread:


http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?postid=1206496#poststop

I've also heard that Hopey made some bottom nuts with a 5mm allen head to get around this problem.
 
DirtEveryDay

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
I guess I'm not even concerned about that kind of stuff, I build 4x4's/rockcrawlers and run a little fab shop...my tool dealer has really cool toys! If not, I'll just MAKE one...in theory!

OK, just so I can clear this in my own mind....
Damper turned on=reduced steering radius
Damper turned off=normal steering radius
?
 
BigMike

BigMike

BrokenbikeMike
Jul 29, 2003
8,931
0
Montgomery county MD
THRILLSEEKA said:
I guess I'm not even concerned about that kind of stuff, I build 4x4's/rockcrawlers and run a little fab shop...my tool dealer has really cool toys! If not, I'll just MAKE one...in theory!

OK, just so I can clear this in my own mind....
Damper turned on=reduced steering radius
Damper turned off=normal steering radius
?
Click to expand...
I believe that is incorrect. The Damper is one piece that is always there, regardless of if it is on or off. The steering is hampered if the damper is on or off, it doesnt matter. I don't think its a significant amount though, and if you have your bars all the way to one side, I think you probably have more important things to worry about ;)
 
DirtEveryDay

DirtEveryDay

Turbo Monkey
Nov 24, 2003
2,692
4
Pacific North Wet
Thank you, that's a great pic!
Uh-oh.. Is that shaft adjustable, or available in different lengths? I'm assuming I would somehow still be able to run my integrated stem, right? Or do I just get something new to worry about smacking my face on? AND...actually, losing a bit of steering might be a good thing for me as my new Risse crowns actually hit my frame now!

SO, here's the 250 dollar question: Would you put it on a freeride/DJ bike? I mean, that IS basically what I do 90% of the time, with maybe 3-4 DH races in the summer, just to get my speed up and my mind in check.
 
Duzitall

Duzitall

Monkey
Jun 20, 2004
452
0
San Diego
THRILLSEEKA said:
... as my new Risse crowns actually hit my frame now! Would you put it on a freeride/DJ bike?
Click to expand...
Sure, it's worth a try. If you don't like it you can always get a good resale price.

The post is really long and you cut it to fit your install. hopey can send you another post if you change your set up or install it on another bike.
 
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Dufault01

Chimp
Nov 10, 2005
36
0
Well I have used one for probably 3 years now. For real word experience I got to say that I love the damn thing. For the choppy courses and offcamber stuff it just rocks the hut. Its helped my riding alot and especially when I was just starting out. Now I dont feel as though I need it so much because I have more upper body strength but its still nice on the rocky muddy course like bromont.
 
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Dufault01

Chimp
Nov 10, 2005
36
0
Wow, just read most of the posts and there are alot of misconceptions about this thing. Do some reading people, I love when people think its the same as a tight starnut. Its a nice feature on the bike, totally adjustable, if they were cheap I would recomend that they be on every bike going.
 
ohio

ohio

The Fresno Kid
Nov 26, 2001
6,649
24
SF, CA
I ran one on my turner DHR... loved it. Especially because those 1st gen DHRs had a steep HA, it reduced the twitchiness but left all the quickness.

If you have it set right, you don't feel any difference when actively turning in situations like tight woods or balancing at low speeds, but at high speeds the front is much more planted and less likely to be deflected. I never thought it felt "muted."

Highly recommended, just make sure you run a deep cup headset.
 
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