Looking for input - I have a DHX5 on my session, not sure if dropping the coin on a Elka 5 would be worth it. Anyone out there have one? Have an opinion??
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
Elka 5 Suspension
- Thread starter Konabumm
- Start date
Been on one since mid May, for me it was a huge improvement over the Roco.
Run a quick search on here, there is a ton of info about them but to sum it up it has all been positive.
Here are two links to get you started but there is more info out there.
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224217&highlight=elka
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218699&highlight=elka
Here are two links to get you started but there is more info out there.
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224217&highlight=elka
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218699&highlight=elka
I have had the elka stage 5 for almost a year. It has been on my dh bike. I have ridden cane creeks, vivids, dhx 5.0's and rocos, all which were or close to my setup weight. I owned a DHX 5.0 for about half a year myself, rode the cane creek a whole entire day at diablo freeride park that was my weight, and rode a marzocchi roco for 2 days that was weight class to heavy. Vivid was a 2 run test with someone my weight. '
Basically, the elka blows them out of the water. Go for it.
Basically, the elka blows them out of the water. Go for it.
So, you are comparing a shock that you've tuned and adjusted for a year to a couple shocks you tired out for a couple days?
Spring weight is only part of the equation. Did you properly tune the rest of the adjustments?
Spring weight is only part of the equation. Did you properly tune the rest of the adjustments?
Doug, why bother?
I know, I thought that exactly.
Krispy is knowledgeable, owns both the CCDB and Roco with ideal tunes and he gave the Elka the nod in his Interbike Top 5 so I'd say the assessment isn't off:
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224032
Sad but funny
You know, its funny, I had a CCDB for a full year and hated it, it was ALWAYS overdamped for my bike, it would bring me to a dead halt in rock gardens, I tried 5 different springrates (starting with the recommended weights), and it just never felt good. I think I just needed the newest tune, but I was over dealing with Malcolm so I sold it. It had less stiction then any shock I've ever run (and I'm now on an elka), and I think with the proper tune it could have been absolute insanity, but I just didn't want to work with malcolm anymore.
That said, I agree with you (profro) 100%
You (iridemtb) rode an extremely tunable shock where small adjustments make a huge deal for ONE day not tuned specifically for you and you're trying to say the elka blows it out of the water?
I'm ON an elka now and despite hating my CCDB, I wouldn't say the elka blows it out of the water in any way shape or form.
That was a dumb statement.
Oh well, I guess it IS the internet.
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Thanks for the input guys -
Time bomb already summed it up.
At Go-ride.com we are adding Elka shocks to our demo program. They will be available in 4 weeks.
Were you by chance on a Sunday?
Those look very nice and the guys at X-Fusion are very cool. However, they are pricey, for that kind of money the RC4, CCDB and others are becoming viable options. I personally would rather spend less and get an Elka that is custom tuned for your bike and riding style. FWIW, I would take the Elka over an RC4 even if I could get the RC4 for the same price. The fact that you can get the Elka custom valved from the factory adds a lot of value in my opinion.Go with the X-Fusion Vector HLR!!!
I'm already sold on Elka and I don't have my shock yet.
Ordered a shock from them a month ago and hadn't got it yet.Called them up yesterday and asked what was going on.Rep explained to me they've been busy and my shock was done and set to be shipped off that day.He apoligized,and then said he'd rush ship it to me due to the unexpected wait time.
+1 for Elka.
Ordered a shock from them a month ago and hadn't got it yet.Called them up yesterday and asked what was going on.Rep explained to me they've been busy and my shock was done and set to be shipped off that day.He apoligized,and then said he'd rush ship it to me due to the unexpected wait time.
+1 for Elka.
Go with the Elka hands down! For me, it's the best shock out there at the moment. I've been riding it for some 5-6 months, it's been working flawlessly. I say it's the best for me looking at it from the value you get. 500$, compared to god knows how much the Bos Stoy and CCDB cost. In Europe its 650€ for the BOS and 900€ for the CCDB!!!
I have had the CCDB for the last year, and it was a very good shock. Although their new internals for low leverage bikes in my opinion, there was hardly any damping at all, it was insanely close to riding on a spring with no hydraulics... The High-speed compression also didnt give you much damping, basically the only regulations i felt really worked was the low speed c&r.
The Elka is a completely different story. There is quite a bit more damping, and most importantly every single click of all the regulations can be felt. It's got a really nice plushness to it and a nice transition from low-speed to high-speed. The thing I noticed most when switching to the Elka was that the bike doesnt lose speed when hitting bumps. I believe its due to their damping curve and the transition from LS to HS. Im very pleased with it.
I have had the CCDB for the last year, and it was a very good shock. Although their new internals for low leverage bikes in my opinion, there was hardly any damping at all, it was insanely close to riding on a spring with no hydraulics... The High-speed compression also didnt give you much damping, basically the only regulations i felt really worked was the low speed c&r.
The Elka is a completely different story. There is quite a bit more damping, and most importantly every single click of all the regulations can be felt. It's got a really nice plushness to it and a nice transition from low-speed to high-speed. The thing I noticed most when switching to the Elka was that the bike doesnt lose speed when hitting bumps. I believe its due to their damping curve and the transition from LS to HS. Im very pleased with it.
Ill be putting one on my Socom. Ive been chatting back and forth with them for a while through email. I havent given them a dime yet and they have answered every one of my questions the same day. Thats more then I can say for other companies.
I know a few guys into quads who have purchased them and have nothing but good things to say about there overall customer service.
I know a few guys into quads who have purchased them and have nothing but good things to say about there overall customer service.
I've got the newest tune CCDB on my DH bike right now, and had the older tune on my previous bike. They both have really similar leverage curves, so it's not a real stretch to compare them, especially in the rebound. It's pretty much like they got an extra 3/4 turn to 1 full turn outwards on the high speed adjusters, and maybe an extra 6 clicks or so out on the low speed adjusters. I was running most of the adjusters full-out before, or very close to it, and with this setup I'm into the adjustment range enough to have some wiggle-room.
Malcolm can be a stubborn guy, but he knows his stuff. Just be cool with him and explain what you want the shock to do and what results you're looking for - plushness on slower terrain, high speed stability, controlled pops off of lips, etc etc. Tuning that shock is a PROCESS, and it can be set up very wrong, very easily.
For me personally, I'm not terribly concerned about comfort as much as stability, and being able to make the bike correct for my errors and maintain the attitude of the bike. I bought it to be able to push the bike harder and faster. To be honest, that's what I got. It likes going fast. It is no more comfortable than any other shock going slow. It might even feel harsh, but I am getting to the end of the runs faster.
If I were to sell it, I'd probably get an Elka or a Revox. The only things I didn't like about the Elka is that you can't service it (according to them), and it felt really rampy on the bikes I tried it out on. The adjusters all had really really nice range to them though.
Malcolm can be a stubborn guy, but he knows his stuff. Just be cool with him and explain what you want the shock to do and what results you're looking for - plushness on slower terrain, high speed stability, controlled pops off of lips, etc etc. Tuning that shock is a PROCESS, and it can be set up very wrong, very easily.
For me personally, I'm not terribly concerned about comfort as much as stability, and being able to make the bike correct for my errors and maintain the attitude of the bike. I bought it to be able to push the bike harder and faster. To be honest, that's what I got. It likes going fast. It is no more comfortable than any other shock going slow. It might even feel harsh, but I am getting to the end of the runs faster.
If I were to sell it, I'd probably get an Elka or a Revox. The only things I didn't like about the Elka is that you can't service it (according to them), and it felt really rampy on the bikes I tried it out on. The adjusters all had really really nice range to them though.
Did you have this on a low leveraged bike?
I love it. People bitched when damping curves for regular leverage bikes wasn't low enough for low leverage bikes and now people are bitching that damping curves for low leverage bikes feels funny on regular leverage curves.
Jeeze, just because the shock has adjust ranges for low leverage bikes doesn't mean you should run them there. I even bet a 200 lb spring would feel real weird on a bike requiring a 500 lb spring. Go figure.
I have had one ride on Elka equipped Maelstrom and it felt nice BUT the noise it gives out on rebound is so annoying it's not funny.
yeah the tolerances on the seal are really tight. it takes a while for the squeek to go away and the shock to break in... small price to pay IMO....
That goes away pretty quick actually. Seal issue on a new shock.
So what's the deal with the Revox? I had some ride time on one of my old bikes a year ago, but I sold the bike before I could really dial it in/test the reliability. I like the initial feel but worry it's gonna blow up on me. Anyone have an idea what the reliability is compared to say a roco?
Also, whats the improvement over the X6? On paper it just looks like a heavier chasis. Thoughts?
Also, whats the improvement over the X6? On paper it just looks like a heavier chasis. Thoughts?
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When we were testing Elka's we noticed the same thing. Didn't bother me on a DH bike but on a trail ride it was a bit loud. However, we have been told that the lastest version of the Elka has fixed the rebound squeak. I'll know soon we have 20 demo shocks coming in a few weeks.
That is the only thing I dont like about them , otherwise I would have bought one a long time ago.
I serviced my shocks regularly as it makes a big difference for me.Like many other monkeys here, I ride my bike pretty much 350 days a years and loosing my bike for more than just a week seems an eternity to my ears.
As far as Im concern, until Elka provide a tutorial how to service and make their shock more users serviceable ( I mean does nitrogen makes THAT much of a difference???) I'll probably stay away from it... unfortunately ;-(
The elka's aren't serviceable because the are 1) nitrogen charged, and then 2) are actually bled in a decompression chamber for 4 hours post build.
The nitrogen CAN be replaced with air if need be, with a regular schrader valve in case the TSA screws with it or something.
For what's it's worth, I have ridden and flown with mine weekly all summer long, and it's still in perfect working order. Their quad shocks have legendary reliability, fyi.
The nitrogen CAN be replaced with air if need be, with a regular schrader valve in case the TSA screws with it or something.
For what's it's worth, I have ridden and flown with mine weekly all summer long, and it's still in perfect working order. Their quad shocks have legendary reliability, fyi.
I contacted Elka about this issue and they mentioned that the new design changes eliminated the noise and offered to take my shock back for the parts swap. I elected to keep it until it needs service. Luckily, the noise did go away after a few rides and always performed as expected.
Elka's explanation was that it was the shims vibrating as a result of the "massive oil flow". It's more likely that it was a seal issue as Transcend says since it went away with break-in.
FYI, all Elka shocks produced since October 27th are a new generation that got rid of the "squeaking" sound upon the beginning of the rebound stroke.
Also, the sound was generated by turbulence in the oil flow upon the rebound stroke. Such a sound could not have been caused by the seals, otherwise the shock wouldn't have been able to move properly if there had been such friction.
The sound goes away on earlier generations mainly because the shims gets broken-in and allow slightly more oil flow, thus creating less turbulence.
The new generation has a completely redesigned rebound jet, needle shape and Fuji-lock system. This improvement also makes the rebound adjuster more efficient towards the fully closed position, so users can set a much slower rebound if they want (i.e. for slopestyle).
We also recently switched to exclusive polymer DU bushings, which lasts much longer than regular teflon-coated bushings. The pair of those bushings we tested are still on my bike after a complete season of riding/racing in the crappiest conditions we've seen in a long time (Bromont and Quebec Cup = mud this year).
I'll be the first one to admit that any new product can't be perfect the first time it comes out BUT we are getting damn close now with all the improvements we've made through this first season. Thanks to all riders that helped us improve the Stage 5 shock and MAJOR THANKS to all those that put their hard-earned money into it.
Finally, as bcblur mentioned above, any Elka customer sending a shock for servicing at our Factory will benefit from an update to the latest parts and components at no extra charge.
Also, the sound was generated by turbulence in the oil flow upon the rebound stroke. Such a sound could not have been caused by the seals, otherwise the shock wouldn't have been able to move properly if there had been such friction.
The sound goes away on earlier generations mainly because the shims gets broken-in and allow slightly more oil flow, thus creating less turbulence.
The new generation has a completely redesigned rebound jet, needle shape and Fuji-lock system. This improvement also makes the rebound adjuster more efficient towards the fully closed position, so users can set a much slower rebound if they want (i.e. for slopestyle).
We also recently switched to exclusive polymer DU bushings, which lasts much longer than regular teflon-coated bushings. The pair of those bushings we tested are still on my bike after a complete season of riding/racing in the crappiest conditions we've seen in a long time (Bromont and Quebec Cup = mud this year).
I'll be the first one to admit that any new product can't be perfect the first time it comes out BUT we are getting damn close now with all the improvements we've made through this first season. Thanks to all riders that helped us improve the Stage 5 shock and MAJOR THANKS to all those that put their hard-earned money into it.
Finally, as bcblur mentioned above, any Elka customer sending a shock for servicing at our Factory will benefit from an update to the latest parts and components at no extra charge.
where do i sign?
This company is so rad!!
Can not wait to get my Elka fitted!
my shock
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This explains why I noticed the sound again last night on a ride. Good stuff though. I'm not sending it in until it needs service.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
my shock is on the way for the update
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sorry for digging this old thread out but Im interested to buy one of these and Im wondering if the Session with an already custom tuned DHX would really benefit having an Elka Stage 5 ?
i dont see why it wouldnt benefit. the Stage 5 is a much better shock than the DHX.
call them up and see if they have a tune for it...which im sure they do.
Pat, how much does a service cost and where would I send the shock? I'd like to have mine done as it was one of the first that shipped, and can't hurt to have everything freshened up before the new race season starts.
-Kurt
-Kurt