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does anyone have any experience with RM Flatline?

droplover

Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
173
0
Colorado
My new rig is an '09 Flatline...and even though it's an '09, it looks like the "older" style frame (the one that most don't like). I'm asking if anyone has any experience with them because this is my first non-FSR DH bike. I've always had BigHits, Demos, and A-lines. What do you like about them? What DON'T you like? What is a good suspension set up to run to make them ride/handle "better"? I like the adjustable geometry but it sucks having to carry around an extra shock to adjust the travel. I feel like I've taken a big step backward as far as bike suspension design (I didn't realize that until after I bought the bike and started riding it) :(, and I'm hoping someone can convince me otherwise - that it's not a bad bike. Any and all input would be appreciated!
 

droplover

Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
173
0
Colorado
Well, that thread does answer some questions, but I my bike is not the "Pro" model..it's the "FR" model. I guess my biggest question is what size shock are people running on theirs. My OEM shock is 8.5x2.75, but I heard I can run up to a 9.5x3 to get more travel. I don't see how I can do that without seriously jacking up the geometry. Any input?

Oh...and Rocky Mountain dealers are no help to me...especially with this bike, they all seem to be clueless. That is why I'm posting on here.
 
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Tracer Tong

Chimp
Mar 21, 2009
77
0
PM me your email and I'll email you the shock length/hole/resulting geo chart.

As an owner I'm biased, but I think the suspension design is pretty good.
 

Uncle Cliffy

Turbo Monkey
Jan 28, 2008
4,490
42
Southern Oregon
Fwiw, I'm running a 9.5 x 3.0 shock on my bike in the forward hole. This gives me a 14 inch BB height and a 65 deg. head angle. I didn't even try the bike with the shock in the middle position after I measured a rental in Whistler... BB was something like 15.5!
 

BrayDownhill

Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
113
0
Bray, Ireland
I ride a Sunday, love it to bits, favourite bike ever. This year in while on holidays in france however my forks let me down so I rented a 2009 Flatline for the day and rode the Oz Avalanche Cup trail in alpe d'huez.

I wasnt exactly looking forward to it, having head nothing but negative things about them but after sticking on my own tyres and one run I was hooked, I loved it. The rear suspension tracked very well, it was really stiff and ploughed through the rough stuff very well (plenty of that with big g outs on the Oz track).

I was very surprised by it especially since the spring was actually a tad too heavy for me. It handled well, quite planted and comfortable. The only downside I noticed was that the front end seemed, quite weirdly, like it just wanted to wash away quite easily, almost like it was falling over on itself on the front without giving me any notice. In the end I put it down to the bike sitting ever so slightly higher than it should (due to too heavy a spring) and perhaps a shorter front axle to BB lenght although I never looked any further into the measurements. In the end having gone back to the sunday was a pleasure but I did miss the ploughing and popping style that the bike encouraged.

Anyway enjoy it, set the rear shock up as best as possible and play with fork and bar height to get it right for you and I'm sure it will be a sweet sweet fun bike.
 

droplover

Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
173
0
Colorado
Fwiw, I'm running a 9.5 x 3.0 shock on my bike in the forward hole. This gives me a 14 inch BB height and a 65 deg. head angle. I didn't even try the bike with the shock in the middle position after I measured a rental in Whistler... BB was something like 15.5!
What shock are you running?...and what fork? I just bought a 9.5x3 Marz Roco. I love that shock..had them on other bikes. I hope it works just as good on my Flatline.


At BrayDownhill, thanks so much for the input...makes me feel much better about owning this bike!
 

droplover

Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
173
0
Colorado
Just put a Roco WC on the bike...rear end feels sooooo much better! :weee: It raised the BB height from 12" to 13.6"...Now I need a new fork (maybe a 888)!