[NineFingers]

So I took out my "score of a deal" trail bike that I got at "this one place" today and I'm way under sprung front and back.

I scored a Giant AC1 '03 brand new for $1199. I sold my frame and fork and was going to save for a new dh bike but saw this sale and couldn't pass it up...especially because these make great "trail" bikes for heavy guys like myself. I'm pretty stoked on teh deal, being that it was a $3k bike back in '03 and all but the firefly up front and the swinger 4 way in the rear are a bit too soft. I was thinking about selling the firefly to get a different fork but what would be a good exchange??? I ordered up the stiffest spring kit and its on the way, so I just might keep the fork as I really don't need more than 5 inches of travel for trail riding, well 6 would be nice . Is there an upgrade kit to make the firefly an spv setup like the '04's?

My second problem is, the rear shock... I've got a 500lb coil on the swinger but it seems too soft still. I don't think the chamber is holding air at all so this could be big solving point but I'm also thinking about canning the swinger all together for a new fox rear shock. Anyone ridden one yet? How does it compare to the swinger? I like fox for the simple fact that they make heavier springs for big guys like myself. I was running an 800lb coil on my dh bike and loved it!

Open for advice, and remember, this is for a Giant AC1 that was bought for trail use and light freeride stuff, I've got a big bike already.

 

[SirChomps-a-Lot]

800lb coil

wow...

Ti springs can be made stiffer because they need less coils per weight than steel.

 

[me89]

the new dhx is supposed to be as good or better than the 5th element depending on who your talkin too. or its supposed to be a downgrade from the 5th element depending on who your talking too ( i assumed dhx because you used the word new). even if its not the dhx i would still get a fox over that damn swinger i hate those things. bad cs and they just arent reliable like there supposed too. friend has had 3 blow out on him. (well maybee its the bike but i dont think so). and hes had a fox propedal in it for 3 months and it feels better and it has lasted he just needs a heavier spring like you. so i say go for the fox in the rear.

now for the fork. if the stiffer spring kit aint enough then change the oil hight and weight. getting a new fork should be your last resort those things are expensive expecially one that can compete with the firefly. and i dont think that there is an 04' spv kit to put in the 03' or atleast not to my knowledge. but there might be some other monkeys can help you with that one.

an 800 lb spring man where did you get that thing i got a friend who needs one that size.

 

[NineFingers]

the new dhx is supposed to be as good or better than the 5th element depending on who your talkin too. or its supposed to be a downgrade from the 5th element depending on who your talking too ( i assumed dhx because you used the word new). even if its not the dhx i would still get a fox over that damn swinger i hate those things. bad cs and they just arent reliable like there supposed too. friend has had 3 blow out on him. (well maybee its the bike but i dont think so). and hes had a fox propedal in it for 3 months and it feels better and it has lasted he just needs a heavier spring like you. so i say go for the fox in the rear.

now for the fork. if the stiffer spring kit aint enough then change the oil hight and weight. getting a new fork should be your last resort those things are expensive expecially one that can compete with the firefly. and i dont think that there is an 04' spv kit to put in the 03' or atleast not to my knowledge. but there might be some other monkeys can help you with that one.

an 800 lb spring man where did you get that thing i got a friend who needs one that size.

Yep, the dhx. I was thinking sell the fork then have a friend who works at a shop get me the hook up on a fork but I'll try the stiffer spring first. I just don't like the idea of only having one spring to support me vs other companies which have one in each leg.

The springs made that large are for certain size shocks only. With all the 7.5x2.0 or, 2.25, or 2.5, or 2.75, or 8x the same, they only made certain size's for each shock, some have larger spring availabilities, while others don't. I could be wrong, it might of been a 750lb spring and I was wanting the 800lb, can't remember.

I too have had troubles with my swinger that I had on my Giant DH. I didn't like it on that frame, and I'm not liking it on this one. I think I might get a fox and fo-get-about-it.

Curious on those dhx's though, but I might just save the cash and go with a propedal.

 

[stratguy1618]

I've got a used mountainspeed spring thats 7.5x2 and 800 lb that I can sell you

 

[AA_Freeze]

You should be able th upgrade to the new SPV Evolve on your Firefly, PM me if you need some help, I have upgraded the 04s but not 03s yet, but theres only one extra step involve so it should be strait forward. a 500 lb spring is definately too soft for a big guy on a 4 way Swinger, a 550 should be good for you, arent you around 220? If the rebound can be adjusted and you can feel a change in the shock it is holding air, the air chambers are very small and if you try to measure it with a gauge it will not read correctly. I would try the 600 spring and 100psi air and go from there. BTW , I know some that have downgraded the SPV fork to TPC , so its just a personal preference and you might just keep the fork like it is. I like the 05 Flick Plus, it is TPC and works like butter.

 

[NineFingers]

You should be able th upgrade to the new SPV Evolve on your Firefly, PM me if you need some help, I have upgraded the 04s but not 03s yet, but theres only one extra step involve so it should be strait forward. a 500 lb spring is definately too soft for a big guy on a 4 way Swinger, a 550 should be good for you, arent you around 220? If the rebound can be adjusted and you can feel a change in the shock it is holding air, the air chambers are very small and if you try to measure it with a gauge it will not read correctly. I would try the 600 spring and 100psi air and go from there. BTW , I know some that have downgraded the SPV fork to TPC , so its just a personal preference and you might just keep the fork like it is. I like the 05 Flick Plus, it is TPC and works like butter.

Thanks man,

Yeah I think I'm going to give the stiffer spring a try and if that's not good enough then well I have to suffer a bit until I loose weight which is why I bought a trail bike in the first place. I'm shooting for riding it everyday out at victor falls... will see how that goes. I wasn't too impressed with the swinger on my DH so I might just pull it off, sell it for cheap and get a pro pedal through the shop. I've always liked fox shocks, they feel a bit springy from time to time but that's fine with me, especially on a trail bike.

 

[Zark]

I've got a 500lb coil on the swinger but it seems too soft still. I don't think the chamber is holding air at all so this could be big solving point but I'm also thinking about canning the swinger all together for a new fox rear shock.

First off you shouldn't need an 800 pound spring for a swinger, and you said it yourself, its not holding air. Swingers and 5th's tune off of that air pressure. Send the shock in for service before you just off it. They feel pretty good when tuned right.

Enjoy the AC, they are fun bikes for sure.