[fumehood]

I picked up a used ’02 Giant AC Air Lite (same frame as all the other ACs) and it came w/ the BETD linkage plates. Now that I am stepping it up a few notches, I have discovered that there is frame/frame contact of the rear triangle and the top of the seat tube. At first I thought it was just hitting the seat clamp collar, but I can still get contact when I remove the collar. I am using a Romic shock. I have been in contact w/ BETD, but of course they say that there is not supposed to be any frame/frame contact, and they have never heard of anyone having any problems, other than people having to flip their QR for the seat clamp to the front. So, I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem, or is there just something out of whack on my frame?

 

[manhattanprjkt83]

 

[Jayridesacove]

Just save your money for a burlier frame.

My friend used to own one of those frames and did some "freeriding" and general burly riding on it, he ended up ovalizing the bb pivot.

 

[The Rose]

I was lookiing into the BETD linkage for my AC but I have heard a few people at the trails and read some reviews that mention the metal to metal contact. So I doubt it's your frame thats screwed up, I'ts probably just the way the linkage is. I would get some stock plates and ride with those. If you set your shock up right you wont have a problem with bottoming.

 

[oly]

could the shock stroke be too long?

 

[The Rose]

you should have a 7.5 inch i2i with a 2 inch stroke.

 

[blt2ride]

I would not suggest using BETD links. I recently saw a cracked AC1 that had the BETD links on it, and have heard nothing but bad things about those links...

 

[Rik]

The AC has enough problems handling hard riding by itself, no need to add the BETD links to hasten the inevitable.

(ps, it's fun bagging out bikes for the sake of it :eviltongu )

 

[bballe336]

if your shock isnt a 7.75x2.25 then its the wrong length and that could cause problems. also i have one and the rear end is pretty flexy. your rear triangle could very possibly be bent. they are 60 dollars to replace directly from giant.

 

[Zark]

BETD usually makes some well engineered stuff, all this is rather suprising to me.

 

[scottishmark]

the problem never seems to be with the links themselves, rather that the extra loads they put on frames can be too much

 

[blt2ride]

I'm not too sure how well designed some of their products are. I had some links for a Kona that were way off the stock ones; in terms of bends...

 

[binary visions]

if your shock isnt a 7.75x2.25 then its the wrong length and that could cause problems. also i have one and the rear end is pretty flexy. your rear triangle could very possibly be bent. they are 60 dollars to replace directly from giant.

The stock length on the 2002 ACs were not 7.75x2.25. They were 7.5x2.

 

[aidanwray]

BETD are a very good company and are well respected over here in the UK.

however, their longer travel plates for Kona's and AC's etc. are still known to blow shocks and break frames.....
theyre not very good and itd be worth running the standard plates

 

[GiantRider]

So first of all ,have you moved up to a heavier spring on your shock? I have an AC( which is a great bike by the way,no matter what some may say) and ran the linkage upgrade for awhile but decided that yes the frame is a little flexy and the linkage just made it worse. Also my buddys both have the BETD on thier Konas and and they had no problems at all after getting heaiver springs.And last the i2i should be 7.5 to 2 on all years.

 

[fumehood]

I have the correct size shock, my frame is not bent, and I have the stongest Romic spring installed. I only weigh 140#, and it only bottoms out on the biggest drops or when I get squirly, just like it should...but I would really like to hear from some people that actually use the product. GiantRider, did yo have any frame contact issues? Rose, do you know where you read those reviews, I looked a little while ago, and couldn't come up w/ anything.

 

[EL-Jefe]

I rode a guys bike with those plates and was not impressed. I didnt feel confident when It was in the 7.5 travel position. I suggest dropping the position to the seven or 6.5 And get a stiffer spring. I feel the only benifit from these is the overall increase in durability of the plate itself. The stock ones on 2003 and 2004 models ovalize around the bushings and bend because of the tension screw. I ride my2004 AC with stock 2002 plates. 6 inches is plenty for this bike to handle. Most of the time i run it in the 5 or 4 inch position.

 

[Bacardi]

You should consider riding a frame that is Dual-Crown compatible if you are doing drops. Ebay that sucker and get a stronger frame.

Doesn't the leverage rate change depending on what mode of travel you are in? Seems like you might need a couple of springs: 1 for trail riding, 1 for jumps/drops.

 

[GiantRider]

No frame contact here. Where is the seatstay hitting the seatube? Is it right in the middle or is it off to the side where the bushings are?

 

[fumehood]

It hits in the middle...even w/ the seat collar removed

 

[vtrider]

You should consider riding a frame that is Dual-Crown compatible if you are doing drops. Ebay that sucker and get a stronger frame.

An Ac is dual crown compadable. infact it came stock with a slider in 2003/2004, and i believe it still does. plenty strong for me anyway, and im a big guy (6'0 190 lbs) lil on the flexy side, but thats fine

 

[The Rose]

I believe i read them on MTBR. And the AC is compatible with the DC forks

 

[dropmachine]

the AC is NOT triple compatible, unless you got the 03/04. ANything earlier was double butted tubing, and while it may hold up for a while, eventaully it will go.

Why can't people get around the fact that the AC is a bloody trailbike, and isn't made for DH? Its like the tards adding parts to a stock Civic and calling it a racer.

USE THE BIKE FOR WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED FOR.

 

[The Rose]

I talked directly to a giant rep and he said that giant would warranty any AC regardless of year if it was equiped with a dual crown fork.They recieved so many questions about running the forks , they tested it out and realized that they would hold up fine. And it seems to me that regardless of what the masses might think, the AC is ridden DH by alot of folks, and judging by some of the posts here they are quite happy with them. So slap the boxxer on your 2001 ac and ride without fear. ANd hey if the bike cracks in half in three years I'll either get it replaced under warranty or I'll spend a third to a quarter less and get a new frame compared to a "real" DH frame. :evil: And chill out bro it's just a bike and you don't have to ride it.

 

[bballe336]

The stock length on the 2002 ACs were not 7.75x2.25. They were 7.5x2.

didnt know that. i have an 03/04 one and its 7.75x2.25.