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  • Two more days to enter the Secret Santa!

    Entries must be in by midnight on November 29th. We're kicking off the 2024 Secret Santa! Exchange gifts with other monkeys - from beer and snacks, to bike gear, to custom machined holiday decorations and tools by our more talented members, there's something for everyone.

    Click here for details and to learn how to participate.

Thiessen

Chimp
Oct 27, 2012
12
0
Van, BC
Finally got my first ride in on the undead. Sram power link blew off first run:rant: but the bike carries speed well, I'll get another go tomorrow with a chain. Feels pretty good definitely feels more playful than my V10c.

 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
Finally got my first ride in on the undead. Sram power link blew off first run:rant: but the bike carries speed well, I'll get another go tomorrow with a chain. Feels pretty good definitely feels more playful than my V10c.

Sick bike; my 2c on the powerlink - SRAM chains are good, but the PL's suck - use KMC links with any chain!

I'd love access to an Undead XL to do a comparison - but V10c is pretty poppy in 8.5, but def not in 10


nice rox!
 

Thiessen

Chimp
Oct 27, 2012
12
0
Van, BC
Sick bike; my 2c on the powerlink - SRAM chains are good, but the PL's suck - use KMC links with any chain!

I'd love access to an Undead XL to do a comparison - but V10c is pretty poppy in 8.5, but def not in 10


nice rox!
Thanks! I'll look into KMC the next time the sram link goes again, not if but when.

I've been riding my v10c in 8.5 and while it is quite "poppy" it still feels like it prefers to stay on the ground and just eat everything up. where as with the undead, it can plow but i've found myself jumping over must of the parts of the trail I normally plow with the v10c. In medium sizing they feel similar and very comfortable for my 6'2 frame.

I've left the undead in the stock settings low/steep so maybe thats the difference i'm feeling. Im pretty happy with the vivid air as well i'm using full travel w/ no bottoming or harshness just smooth and progressive. Also being a single pivot i was expecting brake jack but only noticed mininal if any.

Only thing i'm sort of disappointed with is the weight @ 39.0 lbs. I might go tubeless just to bring that number down a bit haha.

Gotta love those west coast Rox ;).
 

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
22,061
21,602
Canaderp
That was a good read!

I agree with the rear shock bolt. That was a tricky spot while helping my friend build his Undead. I let him take care of that bolt, there was no way I was going to risk fudging up the threads in the frame or the bolt itself.

The minimum insert length of the seatpost is also questionable. Perhaps that is a nod back to when the first Revolt's cracked around the seat post.

Either way, these are really nice frame and judging by the super indicative parking lot test, it will be a very nice bike on the trail.
 
Jul 25, 2012
50
0
please anyone riding Vivid Coil shock? the best way to go is A tune? i ride manitou Revox now and like a lot, i have only 80lbs on air chamber and the delta link works so well, i ride 450 apring and im 180lbs geared rider, anyone ride Vivid Coil to tell us if its work well
 

Raingauge

Monkey
Apr 3, 2008
692
0
Canadia
I run a Vivid. It was an A tune, but I had it re-valved by Vorsprung. The only reason I had it re-valved was because it was blown. It works great and I wouldn't hesitate to try a stock A tune.
 
Jul 25, 2012
50
0
I run a Vivid. It was an A tune, but I had it re-valved by Vorsprung. The only reason I had it re-valved was because it was blown. It works great and I wouldn't hesitate to try a stock A tune.
thanks for review, did you ride the frame with another shock to do a comparative
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,918
1,213
thanks again, like with SC v-10c rc4 gives more plow than pop, is it rigth? i will try vivid coil A tune
I've ridden a V10C with Vorsprung-tuned RC4 and it felt very good, nice pop. But the RC4 is more lively in the V10 anyway because of the higher leverage ratio. For the Evil I think the RC4 needs to be custom tuned to work its best.
 
Jul 25, 2012
50
0
I've ridden a V10C with Vorsprung-tuned RC4 and it felt very good, nice pop. But the RC4 is more lively in the V10 anyway because of the higher leverage ratio. For the Evil I think the RC4 needs to be custom tuned to work its best.

If you try vivid coil high tune on your v-10c you will feel more pop and lively than rc4, i dont know if Vorsprung-tuned RC4 is better but i prefer vivid C tune than stock rc4 on V-10c
 

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
I have a PUSH'd Vivid on my V10c, but then I'm not a jumpy superfast guy; kinda decent trailrider on a DH bike.

Poppy? That might cause me to leave the ground, and there could be stained pants as a result.
 

DIRTWRKS

Monkey
Aug 13, 2003
615
0
Canada EH !
Has anyone had an issue with removing the headset cups on their Undead I want to change mine for the Steep to Slack position and they are wedged in there pretty tight. I have tried using a Park tool headset removal tool for the upper cup and a wooden dowel with hammer for the lower but they are not moving. Maybe I just need to use more brute force ?? ,
 

Raingauge

Monkey
Apr 3, 2008
692
0
Canadia
I don't remember mine being hard to knock out. I switched mine to the Slack setting right away. I figured if i wanted steeper it would be easier to use the flip chips.
 

heikkihall

Monkey
Dec 14, 2001
882
0
Durango, CO
I rode my frame in the stock Low/Steep setting since I got it about a year ago. This spring I felt like a change so I popped the cups out. They came out no problem. When putting them back in just make sure that you are very careful that you are lining up the keyed sections properly.
 

fred.r

Dwangus Bogans
May 9, 2006
842
0
Mine came out fine with some carefully applied force. First time I used a dowel, second time I used the Park Tool, I'd recommend the dowel though.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
I went and pulled the trigger on one, yay!
y fork is straight steerer, I'm assuming that the headset provided is a reducer headset?

Also, for 30% sag and me being about 83 kilograms excluding gear... which spring should I go for?
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,918
1,213
400 would probably be a good starting point on the RC4 for 83kg.
Headset is a reducer for a straight steerer.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
400 would probably be a good starting point on the RC4 for 83kg.
Headset is a reducer for a straight steerer.
Cheers mate

What size you end up getting?
I went against Udi's recommendation and went for a large. I prefer my bikes on the bigger side, just like my women.

I have a CCDB that can be used ... wondering to give that a go first, or just to use the RC4 - I've never ridden any Fox shocks before
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,918
1,213
Haha, how are you finding the large? As long as you're happy it's all good.
The cockpit size probably fits you fine, it's just that the fork ends up further out due to the slack HA - but perhaps sometimes I forget that I run a 40 at a fairly tall height along with 800 bars, any other setup (including leaving the cups in their stock steep setting) would probably keep things more manageable.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
I used to run my Makulu on the 55mm stem setting and still felt a little cramped at times. For my 5.9 stature, I have really short legs, but with a disproportionately long torso - so I reckon now I'll just run my stem at 45mm.

I'm waiting for it to be delivered still so can;t say.

I must admit, I'm really nervous about it as:
1: I've been on a Makulu every year since they came out, just got a new colour / shape every year (since 09).
2: I've been on BOS since then
3: My BOS void is running better than any other shock I've had and I'm begrudged to see it go.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,918
1,213
The frame will accept BOS should you feel the need. I've found their coil shocks noticeably more sensitive than the Fox items, but I've found the Fox damping profiles allow me to ride faster, so I usually end up back on them.

I've just valved another Stoy to try in it at some point, and have plans to remove the BV from an RC4 and revalve to compensate, so will try those shocks back to back at some point soon.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
Try a VOID if you ever have the option, so so so good! It' so sensitive, but very linear like a coil shock, that I've found myself running a lot less sag with it, so it feel like the best of both worlds.

What do you reckon to CCDB coil vs RC4 on the undead?
 
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Err

Chimp
Aug 28, 2008
27
0
supercow - depending on your style, you might find a 450 spring on an RC4 to be the call. I'm around your stated weight ready to ride. I started with a 400 but bumped up to a 450. It's a bit unusual, a 450 is a heavy spring for an ~80kg rider on an 8" bike, but it works for me on the Undead. The 400 did lend to a plow feel and kind of gobbles things up, but felt a bit unbalanced towards the rear. I get full travel out of 450 with BO set to 0, 145 PSI in the boost, and a more centered/balanced feel. YMMV
 
Jul 25, 2012
50
0
I had an RC4 on it from July last year until this spring. The Vivid gives a better balance of plow and pop than the RC4 IMO.
im using 450 spring on revox, and Im 81kg rider, do you know if vivid needs lighter spring like 400? im thinking about those 250lbs gas on main chamberm, thanks!
 
Jul 25, 2012
50
0

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
supercow - depending on your style, you might find a 450 spring on an RC4 to be the call. I'm around your stated weight ready to ride. I started with a 400 but bumped up to a 450. It's a bit unusual, a 450 is a heavy spring for an ~80kg rider on an 8" bike, but it works for me on the Undead. The 400 did lend to a plow feel and kind of gobbles things up, but felt a bit unbalanced towards the rear. I get full travel out of 450 with BO set to 0, 145 PSI in the boost, and a more centered/balanced feel. YMMV
Thanks bud - to what % sag does that equate to?
I've changed up my sag an awful lot in the last couple years. From running 40%, I've gone all the way down to 30% on the same bike model (Makulu).

Not knowing much about Fox, what does the boost valve do in laymen's terms?

Edit: nevermind, I gaggled it and saw a Fox video of it.
 
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Err

Chimp
Aug 28, 2008
27
0
Thanks bud - to what % sag does that equate to?
I've changed up my sag an awful lot in the last couple years. From running 40%, I've gone all the way down to 30% on the same bike model (Makulu).

Not knowing much about Fox, what does the boost valve do in laymen's terms?

Edit: nevermind, I gaggled it and saw a Fox video of it.
Ah, yeah, I recall the 40% days all to well and happy to be back to firmer numbers.

I'm running pretty much 0 preload, just barely snugging up the collar. That's resulting in about 21 to 22 mm of shock sag when measured from a standing position with hips just slightly behind the BB. Expressed as a percentage, that's around 28%. At 145 psi in the boost, there's wiggle room to drop it up to 20 psi which will soften it up a bit. I actually started at 150 and backed it down and like it better now for all-around riding.

The cool thing about the RC4 is it's so tuneable; the frustrating thing about the RC4 is it's so tuneable :D
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
Hmmm, that's the thing... not so keen about adjusting. I get all the compresison settings, but not too sure I dig the idea of boost valve... just sounds a faff.

Just so I'm a bit clearer, the BV pressure makes up for more LSC adjustability?
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,918
1,213
If you have access to steel springs to try, just try a 400 and 450 and see which you prefer. I too am running far less sag on this bike than I usually would, and have found it works well. I'm actually at ~26%, and suggested the same to Fred R who seems happy with the setup.

But if you're coming from a 40% to 30% background then maybe it's best to try the 400 as well as the 450 if possible.

The BV adds a third dimension of compression damping that is both position and speed sensitive - so as the shock gets deeper into the travel, compression damping increases (this is not the case on a normal shock). This was great on bikes that were more linear / slightly regressive but not really beneficial on bikes like the Undead. It still works fine.

Turning the bottom out adjuster all the way out, and then putting 145psi in the chamber is a pretty good starting point. There will be no need to turn the BO adjuster in on this frame. It's easiest to turn the BO adjuster with the pressure deflated, but don't compress the shock until pumped up again.
 

Err

Chimp
Aug 28, 2008
27
0
As usual, Udi is bang on. The Boost Valve is all about adding that position sensitive damping. I'

On the spring weight and sag topic, I see real potential for a 425# spring but they're not easy to come by and I've only seen them in Ti.
 

supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
So glad I went for the Large, the Medium would have felt much too small for me.
Not ridden yet, but car park bouncing certainly has me glad of my choice :)

http://www.ti-springs.com/ does the 425 so might try it once I've had a play about. Kev W said he prefers the RC4 to thew CCDBc, as its more lively - so I'll stick that for now.

The geo charts seem to recommend 30% sag - that's 25mm off the eye to eye length of the shock right?

Thanks for then info about the BV - though I'm still somewhat not getting it. Does it have anhy correlation with the bottom out / progressiveness of the shock?

Crappy night time phone pic for now:



36.5 exactly.

Yes, the chainguide will be changed.
 
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Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,918
1,213
Yeah the medium isn't the biggest bike which is why I wasn't sure you'd be happy with either, but in the steep setting with that fork, your bike doesn't look particularly big. As long as you're happy.

Yes the BV has every correlation with progression / bottom out. That is the 'position sensitive' component. The way it works (briefly) is that as chamber pressure increases (which happens as you move deeper into the stroke on any shock), a valve closes more, thus increasing damping as you get deeper in the travel. It's not like a bottom out cone which engages abruptly, as the valve is always operating, but obviously doing more as you get closer to end of stroke. However the Undead has strong EOS leverage progression in stock guise so I feel the BV component is not ideal or neccessary - however everything else about the shock works very well in the frame.

Edited out the bit about the 425 spring - that place might be fine, turns out my friend got his from a different place.
 
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supercow

Monkey
Feb 18, 2009
969
130
Running 140 of BV pressure then means that you've made it more progressive than the stock recommended 130 - is that correct, or does it not get "used" because you've not engaged the btm out knob at all?

ps: Thanks for all your help, much appreciated.
 
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tabletop84

Monkey
Nov 12, 2011
891
15
Yeah the medium isn't the biggest bike which is why I wasn't sure you'd be happy with either, but in the steep setting with that fork, your bike doesn't look particularly big. As long as you're happy.
Man that frame is small. The XL has a 0.5mm shorter reach than my M-bike.