[punkassean]

Nice rig! But your comment about enough weight to dampen the bumps... Uh, isn't that what the shock and fork and for?

Yes, but the weight of the bike and rider help a lot as well. Anyone who has ridden down Tunnel can attest to the fact that a heavier bike will track better through rocks.

 

[punkassean]

update: there is a TINY amount of interference at full compression, the link barely nicks the frame. I'm talking about practically nothing, less than 1mm. Perhaps that's what others were referring to when they said you might need to dremel a tiny bit. Anyway I'll dremel the link ever so slightly and see if that takes care of it. I will also post some pics in the next few days.

 

[sbabuser]

update: there is a TINY amount of interference at full compression, the link barely nicks the frame. I'm talking about practically nothing, less than 1mm. Perhaps that's what others were referring to when they said you might need to dremel a tiny bit. Anyway I'll dremel the link ever so slightly and see if that takes care of it. I will also post some pics in the next few days.

Had to file just a little bit of the linkage to make a roco fit on my friend's Sunday. Wasn't too bad, but then it wasn't my bike.
I still say lighter is always better, but it's tough to make a direct comparison, as most bikes considerably lighter also do not have the same quality of travel and aren't as durable.

 

[punkassean]

Looking at the spot where there is contact again today I realize it's nothing. It has barely marked through the anodized finish, not even 1 mm. I don't even thing I'll have to do anything to it, just run it.

 

[Bicyclist]

How does the "feel" of your bike compare to an SX Trail? I rode an SXT at Firestone yesterday that felt dialed. I have an Enduro that felt nowhere near as good and I'm wondering if the DHX coil would help that much?

 

[Toshi]

nice ride, sean

 

[bondi5681]

Anyone thought about running a Double Barrel? Spoke to Cane Creek and they said it would take about 15 working days to build the shock for a 05 SXT

 

[punkassean]

How does the "feel" of your bike compare to an SX Trail? I rode an SXT at Firestone yesterday that felt dialed. I have an Enduro that felt nowhere near as good and I'm wondering if the DHX coil would help that much?

it feels exactly the same. I have ridden both.

 

[Bicyclist]

DHX, here I come!

Thanks Sean, and BTW nice job at Firestone. I saw you come down the hip and you looked nice and fast.

 

[crashing_sux]

What size shock are you using? Is it a standard DHX coil from Fox or is it off of an SX Trail? I am getting an 06 Enduro standard frame as a warranty replacement with no shock so I need to buy a shock. I figured I'd just go with the coil instead of the air so I called Fox and asked for an SX Trail sized shock but they told me that the SX Trail has a custom sized shock that they don't sell. Just trying to figure out if I need to buy the shock from Fox or Specialized, and what to ask for.

 

[punkassean]

You can run an 8.75x2.75 to keep stock geometry and bump up to '06 SX Trail travel, or you can get an 8.5x2.5 and keep 6" of travel while slackening the head angle and lowering the BB. Be warned though, you may have some frame interference with either of those shocks but it's nothing a little dremel action on the bottom middle of the link can't fix.

 

[crashing_sux]

Sounds good. I'll call Fox back up and order up an 8.75x2.75 DHX 5.0 coil, grab the spacers from my local specialized dealer and dremel my link. In all of the reading I've done here and on mtbr I'm still unclear on the shuttle, do I need to get a different shuttle off of the SX Trail or just run the stock shuttle in the slack position?

 

[Bicyclist]

Just run the slack stock shuttle. The SX Trail shuttle isn't compatible with the regular Enduros.

 

[bikerjustin]

I have on 05 enduro expert with-no surprise-a blown 5th air and I am definitley going to do the swap to a dhx coil. The only thing I don't see is what spring weight you are running.

 

[punkassean]

I'm running a 350 I believe but I'm only 150# so you might need a different weight. I ran a #450 for awhile and it felt good too.

 

[bikerjustin]

where did you get the thin-dhx specific-cone washers? how much thinner than the 5th washers are they?

 

[Bicyclist]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I'm wondering where I can get the front-side reducers for the DHX to mount on an Enduro? My buddy's doing this conversion, but we don't have any front mounting hardware.

The DHX washers come from Specialized, they're much thinner.

 

[Private_Donut]

Don't mean to bump an OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD thread but I just put a Roco TST-r on my S-Works 2005 Enduro and it is soooooooooooooooooo much better than the DHX-Air I had to post!!!!!

Probably similar to the feel you got from the DHX coil, but just wanted to say that the Roco fits perfectly. Also the TST switch makes is awesome! flip the switch and it is practically locked out! Even full off it feels much better pedal-bob-wise compared to the DHX Air with propedal full on. (Ignore the tires, I had to commute to work today!)

 

[punkassean]

I almost put a ROCO air TST on mine a few years ago. I bet it does feel reeeally good. Dude, with those slicks that thing would be a super fun campus bike!

 

[Private_Donut]

i know i know.... The slicks are a bit stupid, but I ride 30km a day commuting and the reduced weight and almost zero rolling resistance of the Xenith makes it great. Also, I don't want to wear down my DH and trail tires. It is fun to try to find things to launch off when commuting. I run them high pressure and I have had no problems with pinch flats or anything.

 

[Gelbwurstbrot]

That's mine
It has a PUSH tuned DHX 5.0 with about 0,1" reduced travel.
Travel is reduced because the shock link hits the frame on the last mm's if not
It is so much better with the coil shock
and still light enough for long trail tours

 

[djamgils]

ok so you are bottoming on your linkage? doesnt seem very smart.

 

[Private_Donut]

He said that he has reduced the travel of the shock to avoid the link hitting the frame.
I had to read it twice myself as he worded it a bit weird.

Notice the "if not" clause at the end of the sentence.

It's like saying, "I eat small dinners because I get fat easily if not."

It's either really poetic and well written, or just a gramatical error....

 

[Private_Donut]

That's mine
It has a PUSH tuned DHX 5.0 with about 0,1" reduced travel.
Travel is reduced because the shock link hits the frame on the last mm's if not
It is so much better with the coil shock
and still light enough for long trail tours

That's a really nice looking setup... Must weigh in pretty light.

I thought about getting a Float up front and having the DHX coil in the rear. But I wanted coil at the front and rear... Having Fox front and rear would be really nice though. I think maybe I will change to a 66ATA sometime in the future when I am sure Zoke has got their forks reliable again.

I would like to get a new UST wheelset as mine is a little heavy, but it's so tuff, that it'll last for a years (Hadleys laced to the old Deemax rims).

 

[djamgils]

I thought the travel was reduced because he hit the frame.
but yeah it also could be that he reduced the travel to prevent hitting the frame.

 

[Gelbwurstbrot]

Of course it is really poetic und well written
In German it sounds good :biggrin:

Before I send the shock to TF tuned to get it PUSH tuned I mounted the shock without the spring to measure if there is enough space.
The Link hit the frame when the bottom out bumper was completely compressed. It is just necessesary to reduce the shock stroke by ~ 2 mm.

I am not sure if it is still necessary to reduce the travel with the bigger PUSH bottom out bumper. Because it is nearly twice as big as the original.
But 2 mm on the shock are just approx. 5 mm travel.

 

[Private_Donut]

I thought as much, german grammar has the important bit of the sentence at the end doesn't it?

I will have to keep an eye out for frame/link touching, I heard you can just stick a bit of extra rubber washer from a hardware store along with the bottom out bumper to reduce the stroke a bit for a low cost fix. *phew* long sentence! breath!

 

[Gelbwurstbrot]

I thought as much, german grammar has the important bit of the sentence at the end doesn't it?

We are all poets

The brace of the link touches the frame. See the marked area in the photo.
I also just use a strong rubber washer. You can also use the reducer from the Demo 7 and grind it down.

 

[CitizenLee]

Hello folks,

Been searching for info on shocks for my 05 SX Trail and came across this thread. You seem like a very knowledgable bunch so I thought I'd sign up and ask for some advice

This is my bike:

Ignore the fact it looks like I'm running 26/24 wheels, this is due to wide-angle lens. It has a black Spank seat on it now too, but anyway...

I got the bike 2nd hand at the end of last year (swapped it for a 05 Demo 8 actually) and it came with a Fox Van RC 8.75x2.75.

Now after inspecting the lower linkage plate and frame I notice there has been some contact.

I think these are my options to sort it:

1/ Bodge some kind of DIY bumper... by using what and how to fit without taking shock apart?

2/ Get stroke reduced to 2.5 at TF Tuned, like the original 5th Element that came as stock (could do with a service anyway).

3/ Just get a new shock, if so what will fit? The original 5th Element was 8.75x2.5 which seems a hard size to find other shocks in.

Any help would be much appreciated, and apologies for digging up such and old thread!

Cheers,

Lee

 

[4130biker]

If it's making contact with that length of shock, you probably have the slack/low shock shuttle in there. Run the other one, steep/high, and it should solve the problem. By doing this, you would have the stock slack/low geometry. The original shocks were 9x2.75, which is a specialized only type of size. I would avoid the fifth, since they really don't help that bike ride good. Either that or send it to Avalanche...The other thing that you could do is recuce your shock stroke by 1/4" by using some simple spacers under your bottom out bumper, but I'd try to do idea #1 first. It will restore the geometry of the bike. I know my enduro always rode better with stock geometry.
Good luck!

edit: got any close up pics of the shock shuttle area?

 

[CitizenLee]

If it's making contact with that length of shock, you probably have the slack/low shock shuttle in there. Run the other one, steep/high, and it should solve the problem. By doing this, you would have the stock slack/low geometry. The original shocks were 9x2.75, which is a specialized only type of size. I would avoid the fifth, since they really don't help that bike ride good. Either that or send it to Avalanche...The other thing that you could do is recuce your shock stroke by 1/4" by using some simple spacers under your bottom out bumper, but I'd try to do idea #1 first. It will restore the geometry of the bike. I know my enduro always rode better with stock geometry.
Good luck!

edit: got any close up pics of the shock shuttle area?

Thanks man, I'll give that a try when I get the bike back from LBS tomorrow. It's currently getting all pivot bolts and bearings replaced along with new shock bushings (both much needed!).

Actually, I might give them a call and ask them to swap the shuttle round as I'm sure it's in the low position at the moment. I am right in thinking it's a simple case of taking it out and flipping it over?

Sorry, no pic of that area right now due to the above

 

[Uruk-hai]

I thought it was the opposite...that you were limited to using the slack shuttle if you were putting that shock on.

What size frame do you have? I think there were clearance issues on Mediums and smaller.

I have a large '05 frame with a 8.75 x 2.75 DHX with the slack shuttle and have had no clearance issues. I believe the '05 Enduro and SXT shared the same frames.

And the Enduro's came with 2 separate shuttles...one for the slack setting, one for the steeper setting. You can't flip them around.

 

[CitizenLee]

I thought it was the opposite...that you were limited to using the slack shuttle if you were putting that shock on.

What size frame do you have? I think there were clearance issues on Mediums and smaller.

I have a large '05 frame with a 8.75 x 2.75 DHX with the slack shuttle and have had no clearance issues. I believe the '05 Enduro and SXT shared the same frames.

And the Enduro's came with 2 separate shuttles...one for the slack setting, one for the steeper setting. You can't flip them around.

It's a medium.

Looks like I'll have to modify the bumper then as I only have the shuttle that's fitted and trying to find them for sale anywhere is nigh on impossible and I believe Specialized no longer keep stock of them.

As a temp fix I think I have an old bumper from a 4 Way swinger somewhere. I might be able to cut a 2mm slice of it and then slit it so I can pop it over without removing the shock from the frame and taking it apart. Or does that just sound stupid? My thinking is that if I have to take it apart I may as well send it off to TF Tuned for a service and stroke reduction... which I can't afford to do at the moment.

As I said, I'm 99.9% sure it's the slack one that's fitted, but will confirm when I pick the bike up tomorrow.

Cheers

 

[CitizenLee]

I found a High BB shuttle (for testing purposes + good to have both) for sale but it's in the US and the seller point blank refuses to ship overseas.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120630962627&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_1382wt_677

Annoying, as I'd pay what they're asking for it and also and pay the same amount for shipping, which would be more than reasonable

Managed to find another for sale in the UK on STW forum but my registration is pending so I can't check if they guy still has it (post is 5 months old).

Fingers crossed they still have it!

 

[Uruk-hai]

That sounds like it's worth a try. Nothing to lose, really. Eventually, though, I think the best bet would be to send it in to TF like you said.

Enjoy the bike. For all the improvements on the Enduro over the years I still enjoy my 2005.

 

[Uruk-hai]

I found a High BB shuttle (for testing purposes + good to have both) for sale but it's in the US and the seller point blank refuses to ship overseas.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120630962627&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_1382wt_677

Annoying, as I'd pay what they're asking for it and also and pay the same amount for shipping, which would be more than reasonable

Managed to find another for sale in the UK on STW forum but my registration is pending so I can't check if they guy still has it (post is 5 months old).

Fingers crossed they still have it!

If you do find one on Ebay or the like make sure you are getting the 2005 one...they changed the bolt pattern slightly on the 2006's when they came spec'd with the Fox DHX Air and they will not be interchangable with the 2005 frame.

 

[CitizenLee]

That sounds like it's worth a try. Nothing to lose, really. Eventually, though, I think the best bet would be to send it in to TF like you said.

Enjoy the bike. For all the improvements on the Enduro over the years I still enjoy my 2005.

Thanks!

I've ridden a fair few newer bikes but I do still love getting back on the old SX!

I'm a BMXer at heart though so maintenance has never been my strong point, whereas thrashing bikes has... hence it needing quite a fair bit done. It will all come good in the end though

EDIT: Didn't spot this reply...

If you do find one on Ebay or the like make sure you are getting the 2005 one...they changed the bolt pattern slightly on the 2006's when they came spec'd with the Fox DHX Air and they will not be interchangable with the 2005 frame.

Yup, that was one of the 1st things I checked in the owners manuals on the Specialized site.

 

[Prettym1k3]

Just sold my '05 SX Trail that had an X-Fusion H3LT on it. One of the best and smoothest DH air shocks on the market, if you ask me. VERY close to a coil shock and light years ahead of a standard air shock.

 

[CitizenLee]

Just sold my '05 SX Trail that had an X-Fusion H3LT on it. One of the best and smoothest DH air shocks on the market, if you ask me. VERY close to a coil shock and light years ahead of a standard air shock.

I had a look into those and they do look awesome, and I read your review on MTBR which was really good.

Unfortunately there appears to be no service centre in the UK for X-Fusion and I can't seem to find that model available to buy here anyway

Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

[CitizenLee]

Needs moar questions...

Just spoke to my LBS and the guy has fitted new bushings, new bearings and new bolts, however he says there is still a tiny bit of vertical play in the shock. Like a tiny click. He wants to keep it over weekend to see if he can determine where it's coming from... which I'm cool with.

For my own curiosity, does anyone have any ideas what might be causing it? I know the rear shock mount assembly is a total ball-ache to put back together, any chance it could be that? Just seems weird as everything is now new. Sideways shock play had been totally eliminated now though, so at least that's something.

Cheers