[ska todd]

8" frame uses a 3" stroke shock. Does the 7" use a 2.75" stroke shock or a 2.5"?

9x2.75"

-ska todd

 

[syadasti]

9x2.75"

-ska todd

Thats what I want to hear. Time for the DW-link to dominate :devil:

Seem like bikes are starting to settle on standard shock sizes - 9x2.75" for FR and 9.5x3.0" for DH - nice leverage ratios with those setups

 

[Shmoe]

Saw a couple of these bikes at the calgary WC today.. Look very sweet. All the riders on them seemed to be ripping pretty fast as well. Cant wait to test ride one.

 

[ska todd]

Saw a couple of these bikes at the calgary WC today.. Look very sweet. All the riders on them seemed to be ripping pretty fast as well. Cant wait to test ride one.

The riders ripping the bikes are Sam Hill (#2 World Cup Series, 02/03 Jr World Champion), Bryn Atkinson (#3 ranked Norba series), & Mathieu Laurin (03 Can Cup Series Champions).

-ska todd

 

[TWISTED]

New freeride oriented Hollow Point? neaky:
Comments?

 

[ska todd]

7POINT

:devil:

-ska todd

 

[neversummersnow]

I seriously hope I am on the DW link DH bike next year...

DW, I assume that its similar to FSR in the way that suspension action is neutral to drivetrain interacation/braking...or can you not say what the special points to it are yet...

I do know that when I took a spin on it it was ridiculous, I just don't know what the selling points are yet....

 

[thaflyinfatman]

I seriously hope I am on the DW link DH bike next year...

DW, I assume that its similar to FSR in the way that suspension action is neutral to drivetrain interacation/braking...or can you not say what the special points to it are yet...

I do know that when I took a spin on it it was ridiculous, I just don't know what the selling points are yet....

Well, if you actually rode it and it kicked arse... isn't that a bigger selling point than "our suspension system is totally neutral in every way in every single situation, no matter how it's configured and despite the fact that to do so would defy the laws of physics"?

Apparently the dw-link bike has a "tuned anti-squat profile" which also aims to minimise chain growth as the bike moves through the travel so you don't get pedal feedback... and stuff... yeah, you can tell I know my shït

 

[DHracer1067]

The Taiwan welded frame is made from high grade 6061 T6 tubing that was custom shaped and triple butted to our specification. All of the frame tubes are custom and proprietary.

The USA frame uses a proprietary aluminum alloy for the tubeset. This alloy has about 135% the strength of 6061 T6 aluminum. Using this material let us cut down on the wall thicknesses on the custom triple butted tubeset used on the taiwan bike. The end result is a a USA made frame that is both stronger and lighter than the already really strong and light 6061 T6 Taiwan frame.

dw

do you know what the complete model is gonna weigh. any chance it will be under 40 pounds.

 

[ska todd]

do you know what the complete model is gonna weigh. any chance it will be under 40 pounds.

There is a very good chance the World Cup model will since it is very similar to the the spec that Sam Hill is currently riding. Sam's bike is checking in sub 40.

-ska todd

 

[thaflyinfatman]

There is a very good chance the World Cup model will since it is very similar to the the spec that Sam Hill is currently riding. Sam's bike is checking in sub 40.

-ska todd

Oi Todd, what does the word "Yakuza" mean to you?

 

[ska todd]

Oi Todd, what does the word "Yakuza" mean to you?

The definition of Yakuza is...

ya·ku·za ( P ) (yäk-zä)
n. pl. yakuza
1. A loose alliance of Japanese criminal organizations and illegal enterprises.
2. A Japanese gangster.

But I Pilfered it from a song.

-ska todd

 

[dante]

The definition of Yakuza is...

ya·ku·za ( P ) (yäk-zä)
n. pl. yakuza
1. A loose alliance of Japanese criminal organizations and illegal enterprises.
2. A Japanese gangster.

But I Pilfered it from a song.

-ska todd

 

[thaflyinfatman]

But I Pilfered it from a song.

-ska todd

That's rather cheap of you... how much Evil (or associates) would a cheap Yakuza contain?

 

[ska todd]

That's rather cheap of you... how much Evil (or associates) would a cheap Yakuza contain?

Yes the bike will be rather inexpensive

There is nothing Evil about the bike other than an evil genious' guiding hand...

-ska todd

 

[-BB-]

Is the Freeride frame going to be offered in both Tiwan and US tubesets?

Oh gawd... what I wouldn't give for a 17in US built DW Freeride frame.

 

[ska todd]

Is the Freeride frame going to be offered in both Tiwan and US tubesets?

Let's walk before we run. Slated for 05 US production are the Sunday and Azure Factory models only. 7POINTs and Hollowpoint Mk IIIs will be from Taiwan.

-ska todd

 

[Tenacious Doug]

Why Sunday?

Surely you should call it Sundae..........mmmmmm, yummy!

 

[-BB-]

Let's walk before we run. Slated for 05 US production are the Sunday and Azure Factory models only. 7POINTs and Hollowpoint Mk IIIs will be from Taiwan.

-ska todd

Huh? Azure? Sunday? MkIII?



I think I know what you mean here. The Azure and Sunday are the DH frames. One from Taiwan, one from US. I'm not usre which is which though.
The 7point is the FR frame, and MKIII is the regular old hollowpoint?

What about MtnX ones. Were they a one time deal?

 

[ska todd]

Sunday = dwDH, 8" travel DH race, US (Factory) & Taiwan (World Cup & Team) production
7POINT = 7" travel FR, Taiwan production (7POINT3, 7POINT5, 7POINT7)
Mk III = 5" travel trail, Taiwan production (Comp, Expert, Team)
Azure = 3" travel XC race, US (Factory) & Taiwan (Comp, Expert, Team) production

-ska todd

 

[Tenacious Doug]

I am so excited about mine

Just need to decide on colour now!!

 

[OGRipper]

Quote "Sunday = dwDH, 8" travel DH race, US (Factory) & Taiwan (World Cup & Team) production
7POINT = 7" travel FR, Taiwan production (7POINT3, 7POINT5, 7POINT7)
Mk III = 5" travel trail, Taiwan production (Comp, Expert, Team)
Azure = 3" travel XC race, US (Factory) & Taiwan (Comp, Expert, Team) production"

Damn, I'll take one of each please. Full pimp, of course.

 

[davod]

Just out of interest, why Sunday? When I thing Sunday, I think cheap road bikes adjusted to feel as much like cheap mountain bikes as possible. (Sunday ride - Sunday bikes)

 

[thaflyinfatman]

Yes the bike will be rather inexpensive

There is nothing Evil about the bike other than an evil genious' guiding hand...

-ska todd

Sick... got specs or is it still under wraps?

 

[davod]

Also, why 3" for the Azure? For weight reasons maybe?
I've ridden a hollowpoint, and I can't see a reason to go below 4-5"

 

[binary visions]

Also, why 3" for the Azure? For weight reasons maybe?
I've ridden a hollowpoint, and I can't see a reason to go below 4-5"

I don't think most people who are racing competitive XC would agree... 3" is still pretty normal for a real "race" bike.

 

[dw]

Just out of interest, why Sunday? When I thing Sunday, I think cheap road bikes adjusted to feel as much like cheap mountain bikes as possible. (Sunday ride - Sunday bikes)

For most downhillers, Sunday = Race Day. Iron Horse wanted to build a top of the line, industry defining, no holds barred race bike. I think the name fits great!

dw

 

[dw]

Also, why 3" for the Azure? For weight reasons maybe?
I've ridden a hollowpoint, and I can't see a reason to go below 4-5"

I hear you, but for World Cup level XC race performance, riders demand a short travel, super lightweight XC race bike.

The Azure frame features a triple butted tubeset, and 3.5 inches of dw-link efficeint travel. Its a ripper for sure.

dw

 

[CBJ]

DW what are the braking characteristics of the DH bike ie how does the braking influence the suspension action?

Thanks,

Orange 222 rider you met on No Joke in Whistler

 

[davod]

I hear you, but for World Cup level XC race performance, riders demand a short travel, super lightweight XC race bike.

The Azure frame features a triple butted tubeset, and 3.5 inches of dw-link efficeint travel. Its a ripper for sure.

dw

Fair enough, but I'll be a bit more specific with my question:
Will increasing the travel mean you need to make heavier frame, or otherwise end up with with a bike that tries to be too many things and breaks all the time
or
Is it for pedalling efficiency etc. purposes
or
both.

With the Sunday question: Downhill? What's that? All our downhill races are just parts of our xc trails. It still beats me why so many people blow $3500+(Aussie$) on a squishy DH bike when you'd probably get down faster on a hardtail because they pedal better

 

[Pip3r]

It still beats me why so many people blow $3500+(Aussie$) on a squishy DH bike when you'd probably get down faster on a hardtail because they pedal better

because riding a short travel bike just isnt the same! Nothing beats blasting down a hill on a big bike and feeling all that travel work for you
I also wouldnt be too concerned about what your fellow aussies are riding, they seem to be doing quite well for themselfes with what their doing already :dancing:

 

[wirly]

All our downhill races are just parts of our xc trails.

That blows. Are you in a crap aprt of Oz for riding cuz I've seen some video of fun looking trails. Granted, not much elevation loss per run, but still pretty technical. That and aussie riders are tearin' it up as we all know.

 

[dw]

Fair enough, but I'll be a bit more specific with my question:
Will increasing the travel mean you need to make heavier frame, or otherwise end up with with a bike that tries to be too many things and breaks all the time
or
Is it for pedalling efficiency etc. purposes
or
both.

With the Sunday question: Downhill? What's that? All our downhill races are just parts of our xc trails. It still beats me why so many people blow $3500+(Aussie$) on a squishy DH bike when you'd probably get down faster on a hardtail because they pedal better

With the dw-link system, amount of travel is not really going to impact suspension performance in relation to efficiency. In fact, a lot of the 7POINT test riders swear that the bikes climb and accelerate more efficiently and faster than their current 4 inch XC bikes.

The thing is that if we build an XC frame with 7" of travel, we need a longer shock in back to retain the desired leverage ratios, and with that shock comes higher weight. In addition, the unbalanced travel, 80-100mm in front and 180mm in back will cause for a bike that really wont handle as well.

The fact remains that competitive XC riders dont need 7" of travel, we shoot for exactly what the riders need and ask for. No more, no less.

Same goes for the DH riders, a 5" travel bike or a hardtail isnt going to cut it at World Cup speeds on most courses. (obviously there are exceptions like Sea Otter or your XC trails at home ) These guys need big travel bikes to go fast.

Its a lot different than racing at home in your local series, where some riders are vastly more capable than others.

dw

 

[klunky]

if you look at what people race xc on (and win) most people use a 3" bike like trek and specalised etc

 

[TWISTED]

if you look at what people race xc on (and win) most people use a 3" bike like trek and specalised etc

How could anyone complain? For '05 Iron Horse will have dw-link bikes available in 3",5", 7", and 8".
Hey Dave when's the IH dw-link hardtail coming out?

 

[oldpueblorider]

Looking at HA, BB height etc. Do all the 7points come with the BOXXER Uturn?
Thanks

 

[MichaelT]

With the dw-link system, amount of travel is not really going to impact suspension performance in relation to efficiency. In fact, a lot of the 7POINT test riders swear that the bikes climb and accelerate more efficiently and faster than their current 4 inch XC bikes.

dw

I am one of those test riders who said that. But it was on the DH bike. I jumped on one of the protos and was skeptical about that travel. I was like 'there is no way this thing has this much travel'. That is until I did a few drop offs and blasted through some rock chutes at Plattekill. Awe Caramba!!!!!

P-I-M-P!

Michael
e.13 / Evil

 

[davod]

Alright- I'm interested. Can I ask a price for the Azure frame kit?(I doubt it- that's probably a jail sentence.......or something...........just ignore that...)
If the Sunday is US$2200 then the Azure is...US$1600? (comparing to Turner prices for a guess)
Also are the frames 'special order' items like last year's HP MTX?

 

[TWISTED]

That Azure sounds like a serious xc race bike. Is anyone going to be racing one in any BIG races in the near future?

 

[ska todd]

Alright- I'm interested. Can I ask a price for the Azure frame kit?(I doubt it- that's probably a jail sentence.......or something...........just ignore that...)
If the Sunday is US$2200 then the Azure is...US$1600? (comparing to Turner prices for a guess)
Also are the frames 'special order' items like last year's HP MTX?

The Azure will be an in-line item and available for order starting at Interbike. The pricing will be approx $1500-1600. It will be announced at Interbike. Colors for the bike will be ano black, pearl white, or pastel purple. The frame will include a Progressive 5th air shock.

That Azure sounds like a serious xc race bike. Is anyone going to be racing one in any BIG races in the near future?

I can't predict the future but who knows...

-ska todd