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Ohlins it worth it?

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,346
1,587
Warsaw :/
A lot of the shocks you mention are inferior in durability to the DHX5 / RC4, my buddy snapped 1x CCDB spring retainer and 1x CCDB shaft (on two different bikes, trail and DH) this summer. I'd still consider getting your old shock tuned, or better yet, buy the last good version of your shock - no tuning needed:
www.ebay.com/itm/122441792507

It's one of the best shocks made from a durability and performance standpoint, and it's cheap. If you put a lot of miles on your gear or dislike failure / regular servicing then there are very few other good options. Make sure it's the 2015+ version with small shaft (the one linked is).
Are newer RC4s that much better vs the 2010 I had? Mine worked good but performance wise it was slightly worse than the DB Air I have (though It was so long ago I hardly remember the details.)
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
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Are newer RC4s that much better vs the 2010 I had? Mine worked good but performance wise it was slightly worse than the DB Air I have (though It was so long ago I hardly remember the details.)
Yeah the small shaft works much better (not what she said...) in modern frames.

It's a better performing shock than most current shocks (including its replacement the X2), but possibly more importantly it's a lot more reliable, and can be had quite cheap now. It's one of Fox's best products, nothing fancy, just the end result of a long development cycle that resulted in very polished final product.
 

S.K.C.

Turbo Monkey
Feb 28, 2005
4,096
25
Pa. / North Jersey
Indeed - the RC4 and the DHX5 are fairly reliable and robust designs given stock configuration. I've ridden FOX running gear exclusively for rear suspension and have owned both shocks stock and tuned (by PUSH) in various platforms (including a PUSH'ed RC4 on a Gen. 4 Demo 8, which is a leverage monster) and never had any issues.
 

konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
By get rid of, what do you mean? Replace and keep as spare, replace and sell, or replace and trash?
Change and sell the old ones, although thinking about going 27.5 front means that I need the specific fork so I pass on the dorados as they were 26.
 

konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
Heres a question Lahar currently has a 220 x 2.8 shock fitted, could I fit a 240 x 3 and just extend the plates at the front to accommodate the extra 20mm?
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
Probably not identical but you could certainly run a 27.5 wheel in a 26 fork.

The two 27.5 dh forks I've ridden (fox and rockshox) use too much offset IMO, the worst being fox. I don't know what Manitou does between the two models but you might actually like the 26 one better.
 

konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
Interesting, Im not set on the Dorado I just read some good things about the new one and that Ive kinda always wanted one since I started downhill all they years ago.

Missed the set I was talking about another option that could be good is the bos forks, heard a lot of good things about the newer models.
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
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FYI all Fox 40s fit 27.5" wheels too (with loads of clearance), you don't need to buy the 27.5-specific ones if you don't like the offset. The 2015+ version with lightened lowers comes in 26 (and clears 27.5).

I've found most of the current BOS forks to feel pretty good (ridden a fair few Idylle Rare FCVs now), so I think that's probably a solid choice. I prefer conventional forks because they are noticeably stiffer in torsion than inverts.

Heres a question Lahar currently has a 220 x 2.8 shock fitted, could I fit a 240 x 3 and just extend the plates at the front to accommodate the extra 20mm?
Is the current shock the original shock size?
Keep in mind the BB will get higher with a 650 front wheel, and it's already a touch on the high side on those bikes - so the last thing you want to do is raise it even more. The shock I mentioned is easy to find in the 222 size you're chasing (It's 8.75x2.75" - came on a lot of V10s and Treks):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/162557225313
 
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konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
I wasn't set on getting 27.5 specific forks but if the 26" 40's fit the wheel then I might just get a older set of them and get ohlins carts put in them thats another option. The original bos forks from what I heard years ago where up to much but they seem to have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years. Are the dos fork the same will the 26 take a 27.5 wheel with enough clearance?

I passed on the ohlins shock because of the piggyback on it was the side by side one and Im pretty sure after measure the space to wouldnt have fitted. So its still up in the air about what shock I'm gonna get, I'd like Ohlins front and back but its gonna have to be the standard one if I do and at £700 retail its not cheap, my mates got a Cane creek I could get cheap and then get it serviced and upgraded and then there the RC4 which you suggested.

To keep the bb lower Im gonna manufacture some new plates at the front, thats one of the upgrades in the plan to keep the BB the same or lower it slightly, gonna get offset bushing too to make it slacker also.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
I don't *think* the BOS 26 fits a 27.5 but I'm not sure. I'd buy the 27.5 version if you decide to go with the BOS - they're expensive so it may as well be somewhat futureproof. @Mo(n)arch might know the answer. If you go with the 40, there's no need to replace the stock RC2 damper (make sure you get the 2011+ one with the twin blue compression adjusters on top), it's great.

For shocks, if you actually want the best performance and reliability you won't do much better than those 2015 RC4s I linked - dead stock. The CCDB is prone to bushing wear and if the linkage isn't very stiff they can also snap shafts. It's probably fine if you aren't putting bulk lift miles on it. It's also a waste of money for an inferior shock IMO.

Anyway, there are plenty of reliable and excellent performing options, I have a feeling you want Ohlins more for the wank factor but in reality it's not actually proven to be an upgrade (or proven at all in the MTB world). By all means do it if it makes you happy, but just keep in mind it'll be more money for a gamble and not likely to be some huge performance advantage; "common" factory suspension has come a LONG way in the last few years.

Basically - just decide what you want - wank factor or the best performance, because that will give different answers for the best product choice. The best performing options are cheaper, as a bonus.

The linkage idea sounds cool. Can't you just position the holes in your new linkage such that it doesn't need offset bushings though?
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
I never tried 27,5 on my Tues, but I don't think it would be a good match - obviously depending on the Tire size and the weather you ride.
Personally I'd go with the 27,5" option if you wanna go futureproof. Used ones hover around 1.000€ in yurp.
The important thing though is that parts aswell as service partners are now available.:thumb:

I cannot say anything bad about my BOS fork, but I still think that my next DH bike will be entirely coil sprung.
Btw.: Did someone convert a Idylle air to coil?
 

konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
I totally get you the Ohlins is a bit of fashion I'm not gonna deny it and the only actual feedback I have is someone who is potential sponsored by them although he did say it was the best suspension he had ever rode.
Ive actually had a shock from Ohlins on my motocross bike before and it was good but tbh I wasn't that fast to properly take advantage of it in reality and maybe that would be the same the DH bike with it on it.

@Udi Do you know what size the slim shaft RC4 is is meant to be, might have found a 2014 one(is this the same as the 2015?) with a Ti spring so willing to give that a blast and take your opinion on board regarding how good they are. As much as you want the best looking thing its always better to have a little more in your pocket to go towards something else.

Interesting on that the 40's from 2011 are dead on and they fit the 27.5 too, where as the Bos might only take the the 26" if I went for them

Potentially I could and then avoid the offset bushings, I'll defo try a few different way to lower the BB and make it slacker and with the bushings being pretty cheap its not a hassle If I dont use them in the end.

Still gotta think about all the other stuff that i wanna change too but I'm starting on the main things first.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
@konastab01 The small shaft is 12.7mm diameter (1/2"), whereas the fat shaft one is 15.875mm. It's only the 2015 one that has the smaller shaft but you can usually tell by looking at it which year it is, the newer one says "air assist rate" on the piggy adjuster, whereas the old one says "bottom out adjust"


Not sure if I was clear, but the 40 is pretty much the same from 2011-2014 and then 2015-2017 are air sprung and have a lighter chassis. Anything with the kashima and blue comp adjusters on top is good (rest depends on preference). I found the newest Boxxer team/coil and newest BOS idylle are both very good too.

Will be rad to see when it's all finished anyway, I saw xy9ine's in Whistler, cool bikes.

Btw.: Did someone convert a Idylle air to coil?
I haven't seen it done, but just FYI definitely don't use the BOS coil internals because they suck (they use a really tiny spring that undergoes plastic deformation after some riding time and permanently shrinks). I've had to fix a couple. If I was coil converting one, I'd use a spring from something else. The BOS air spring on the other hand is pretty good in my book.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,032
5,924
borcester rhymes
I'm sure the BOS has its merits, but I must say, as a guy that usually complains about everything, I have very little to complain about with my fox 40. It's light, stiff, the adjustments work, the breakaway is slick, and the axle works. I don't really know what else you could want...!
 

Mo(n)arch

Turbo Monkey
Dec 27, 2010
4,441
1,422
Italy/south Tyrol
I'm sure the BOS has its merits, but I must say, as a guy that usually complains about everything, I have very little to complain about with my fox 40. It's light, stiff, the adjustments work, the breakaway is slick, and the axle works. I don't really know what else you could want...!
A hydraulik bottom out control and an open oil bath with a one year service interval and yet decent damping. That's what BOS offers.


@Udi : You mentioned above that the last gen RC4 was a better performer then the new DHX2 is. Can you explain this to me? I understand the reliability part, but what in general do you mean by this?
Isn't newer = better? Is the progression control important to you?

Reasons for my questions: First I am a guy around 90kg, so external HSR control looks very tempting to me. I suck at jumping and always had some kind of bucking sensation in the past, which leads me to the opinion that for people over lets say 80-85kg stock HSR settings are a little too light on most dampers.
And second: RC4s are bloody cheap right now and I think I could have one in my future (maybe with some special tune).
 
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konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
There isn't many 2015 RC4's going in the UK, but i'll be keeping a eye out. I think thats what Im gonna go for and get ti spring and get it tuned to my weight.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
I'm sure the BOS has its merits, but I must say, as a guy that usually complains about everything, I have very little to complain about with my fox 40. It's light, stiff, the adjustments work, the breakaway is slick, and the axle works. I don't really know what else you could want...!
Yeah I didn't want my stoke to generate bias, but really, the 40 is an awesome fork and it makes me happy to ride every time. I really rate the stiffness (over everything else, hands down) and the little touches that have been there since 2005 (like the axle that doesn't clamp the lower legs together) plus the damper being one of the best out of the box just makes it a class act. Like I said, most other forks on the market are really polished now too, but I've always had a choice and this is mine.

Full disclosure though, we are both running coil RC2 versions from memory (mine's a coil-converted new one) and to me that's the icing on the cake. I ran the Float on and off and ditched it after giving it a fair go, it wasn't bad, just wasn't perfect. BOS's air spring feels better to me than the Float.

Float 40 came out mid 2013 (2014 year model)
Thanks, you'd think I'd know that having owned each year but apparently not.
Maybe worth adding here the Float system changed for 2016-2017 year model as well, better for very light or very heavy riders with the air negative spring compared to the coil negative from 2014-2015.

Isn't newer = better?
The lizards would not approve of you even suggesting this isn't the case. Newer is always better and every possible upgrade should be purchased immediately!
 

Happymtb.fr

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2016
1,907
1,252
SWE
@Mo(n)arch
Both the CC and X2 have a bit too much damping at very low shaft speeds (a step backwards) and it was no coincidence as Fox hired an ex-CC engineer and inherited the same problems - albeit slightly improved. Twin tube dampers (in rebound) also have some disadvantages in offroad applications.
It would be nice if @Udi could explain a bit more of the rebound disadvantage. I have a hard time getting the rebound working completly to my likings on my X2 and I cannot pinpoint the source of my feeling... it is not very bad but I have to choose between a slight bucking when pumping rollers and some loss of traction when riding standing on the uphill. I have been quite methodical doing laps with A to B comparison but I might also have been slightly overwhelmed by the extent of tuning available compare to the previous shocks I had...

I will send it for a full service soon and will ask for a softer hsc tune since I run it full open. I might at the same time ask the tuner to do something on the rebound too, if it is fixable of course.
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
Can't I just stay out of trouble for once?

Anyway, basically, just because a shock has a HSR adjuster doesn't actually mean that you can add more rebound at higher shaft speeds. In fact, in the case of a twin-tube shock with a poppet valve controlling the damping, the opposite is almost always true. Think about it - the purpose of variable orifice damper was always to allow the damping curve to digress. A ported-only damper will follow a progressive curve w.r.t shaft speed. A poppet valve assembly by nature allows a large amount of flow through the spring loaded poppet in relation to the LS port.

Linear (i.e. removing the progression of a ported damper) or digressive compression damping is very useful in offroad applications because shaft speed in compression is essentially unrestricted: how hard can you hit something? Of course there are realistic peak values, but these values are much higher than in rebound - since rebound shaft speed is essentially restricted by the spring rate.

Digressive rebound is very useful in onroad applications, because there is a lot of steady state cornering and large amounts of LSR in relation to HSR tend to reduce normal force variation at the contact patch mid-corner. Compared to using primarily LSC for this purpose, LSR keeps the dynamic CoM lower (= less L/R load transfer = more traction, since rubber has a digressive coefficient of friction proportional to the normal force), and in most cases there are no jumps on road circuits so we aren't concerned about managing pitching moments.

This is not the case in off-road, specifically in a rear shock, because digressive rear rebound curves tend to result in forward pitching of the rider. Of course you can correct this by running more overall rebound damping, but then the ratio of LSR:HSR is suboptimal for best traction.

The CCDB shock is actually just a slightly modified version of the Ohlins TTX25 FSAE shock. This is an onroad shock for university students building small-scale road racing cars. Fox hired the CC guy, hence the X2, which is non-coincidentally very similar in function to the DB. When was the last time you saw a motocross bike with a dual-flow poppet valve rebound adjuster? Maybe they exist now for the same marketing reasons we have these shocks in MTB, but mostly they just use conventional shocks with a single rebound adjuster.

It wouldn't be impossible to correct the problems by designing an entirely new valve, possible because of the modular design, but difficult due to space constraints. It obviously just requires a different valve design on the rebound side, rather than using basically the same valve, as this "engineer" has done. I suspect Vorsprung may have something in the works to address this, but I can't say for sure. For me personally, they are the only company I'd trust to address the issue correctly.

On the other hand, it's very easy to control the linearity or progression of the rebound damping curve in a conventional shock (rebound controlled entirely though main piston), often the port size in the rebound direction is miniscule compared to compression for precisely this reason. It's also very easy to tune the relationship internally to perfection if needed.

Anyway to add insult to injury, under heavy use conditions both of those shocks have some durability issues (the CCDB is definitely worse, but the DHX2 has carried on some flaws also). While CCDB shafts break completely on some frames, sideloading causes accelerated sealhead bushing wear in other frames on both shocks. Obviously the air versions (of both) are a little better supported, hence less problems. Just as obviously, this means more friction.

Unfortunately, companies have to release new products to maintain sales. The small-shaft RC4 is a humble (and excellent performing as stock) shock which most people wouldn't even consider because there's nothing "cool", "custom", or "exclusive" about it. Thanks to the X2, Fox sales and market acceptance has skyrocketed. One must appreciate that sales and marketing are necessary for these companies to exist and thrive, it just means that not every new design is actually the best. Many people blindly consider *all* new products to be the work of the marketing devil, others consider *all* the latest to be the greatest. I think a wise guy once said the path in the middle is often the right one, and this case is no exception.
 

Happymtb.fr

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2016
1,907
1,252
SWE
Can't I just stay out of trouble for once?
Sorry Udi! :D
Sadly there are not so many people with your level of knowledge on the technical side and with feedback from the fields willing to share...
If we do meet in person one day, remind me of buying you a beer! :cheers:
This is not the case in off-road, specifically in a rear shock, because digressive rear rebound curves tend to result in forward pitching of the rider. Of course you can correct this by running more overall rebound damping, but then the ratio of LSR:HSR is suboptimal for best traction.
At least I am glad that the theory and my observations go in the same direction!

Thanks for the link to the Öhlins damper with a lot of Dyno curves! I will into that when I get some time off.
 

konastab01

Turbo Monkey
Dec 7, 2004
1,204
220
Next thing to discuss since we have covered suspension.
Brakes, now it has old saints right now, new saints or magura m7 or the new 6 pot hopes that are dropping later this year?!
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
If you want a (relatively) safe and trouble-free option just get Hope V4s. I think they're priced well on CRC atm (altho may be out of stock in some colors / options).

I wouldn't bother with the 6-pots personally, I reckon it's a wank + they'll be heavy. Magura have horrible levers and unfortunately Shimanos aren't nearly as reliable/consistent as those lovely M800s were (though the new ones are winners for sheer stopping power).

If you want to check out something super wanky (of course you do) which actually has performance to back up the ludicrous pricing - unlike what's available in suspension - check out the trickstuff direttissima. Best brake I've ridden, both for outright power and power:weight ratio. I have no idea on long term reliability, and pricing is as they say "if you have to ask".
 

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,855
9,560
AK
Come on, the slx calipers and metal pads are $25/ea. Just buy like 6 and you are set for the next 12 years.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
I think you mean buy 12 and you're set for the next 6 months.
 

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,648
3,089
If you want to check out something super wanky (of course you do) which actually has performance to back up the ludicrous pricing - unlike what's available in suspension - check out the trickstuff direttissima. Best brake I've ridden, both for outright power and power:weight ratio. I have no idea on long term reliability, and pricing is as they say "if you have to ask".
But then you have to RUX the bike as well. Hannah Bro-Sis approved!
Seriously, if I was willing to spend the money their Piccola and Direttissima would be on top of my list for brakes. Only thing I don't like is the use of mineral oil instead of DOT.
 

fwp

Monkey
Jun 5, 2013
410
400
I am curious about ohlins suspension after watching Bruni and his demo on track last week. His run wasn't the fastest but it definitely looked the smoothest almost unreal smooth. The bike looked so composed under him and his upper body looked so steady Like a top mogul skier through a mogul field. I was saying to myself that he made the course look so smooth.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
I've seen Gwin do exactly that (except running Fox) on countless occasions, and IMO it's got little to do with the suspension and almost everything to do with the rider. Keep in mind that the human body has substantially more travel than the 8" available on a DH bike, and this coupled with line choice will have a far bigger impact on what you describe.

Just one example (this track looked quite rough under everyone else that day):
In this case his run was the fastest too.
 

fwp

Monkey
Jun 5, 2013
410
400
I hear you. These guys could ride any off the shelf suspension fast. But when it comes to winning races at the wc level to say suspension has little to do with it. That's like saying Eli tomac could win monster supercross on stock suspension.