[Udi]

Well i'm about two months away from being able to get my own, and I think a couple of you may have owned them for around a year now. How have they been going - any issues or complaints at all?

Talking to kyle, there's a few small changes for 07 - the main one being that it fits a regular DHX, which i'm stoked about, and it's also gone to regular cartridge bearings instead of the needles in order to handle thrust/sideloading. Finally, it's now coming in S/M/L now rather than the one size.

Apart from that it's the same to my knowledge. So vitox, xy9ine, flyinwinn, moominator, and anyone else.. spill!

 

[Sandwich]

does PDC still exist? I heard they went gubye.

What happened to the solaris?

 

[jvnixon]

Na they're still around

 

[Sandwich]

their website isn't....

http://www.pdc-racing.net/

(the real pdcracing.com doesn't)

 

[jvnixon]

it was working a few days ago when i looked and I talked to kyle a week ago and he didn't mention anything about shutting down

 

[Sandwich]

since you've talked with him, do you know anything about the solaris? they never answer my emails.

 

[jvnixon]

what do you want to know, i'll ask him next time

 

[Udi]

Still very much alive and kicking...internet rumours rock. I only spoke to kyle yesterday and he mentioned a large order from a euro distributor. Not sure why the site is down though, maybe changing for 07.

He did mention some changes on the solaris for 07 production but I didn't ask since i'm more interested in the 825.

 

[jvnixon]

website is back up now fyi

 

[toodles]

weird.. the website claims a 14.4" BB height with a 7" fork yet oweners claim a sub-14" BB with 8" forks...

 

[xy9ine]

Still very much alive and kicking...internet rumours rock. I only spoke to kyle yesterday and he mentioned a large order from a euro distributor.

good to hear. kyle's been pretty much nonexistant this season. back to the bike - i've been on the 825 for over a year now, and it's been great. light, compact, great pedaling, short stays, low bb, and a slightly steeper ha = fun & versatile. my only gripes seem to be addressed in the new model; those being: 1). lack of shock reservoir clearance with the seattube limiting shock fitment (dhx won't fit for example) and 2). the needle bearing pivot assembly, though durable, is a bit finicky to set up (you have to load the o-rings between the links & frame tight enough to eliminate lateral flex, but this adds stiction to the swingarm movement). i'm pondering doing the short-travel dh'er thing next - ie, shorter shock & sc fork (maybe a travis); could be a fun little bike. not unlike this (inspiration c/o vitox):

 

[xy9ine]

weird.. the website claims a 14.4" BB height with a 7" fork yet oweners claim a sub-14" BB with 8" forks...

yeah. i'm at 13.75ish with an 8" boxxer & flush reducer hs. i suppose 14.4 may be possible with a reg hs, fat tires & a tall fork (ie, 888).

 

[Udi]

Cheers xy, sounds good to me.
I've probably asked before, but have you figured out what your HA is?

I'm curious what it'd be at (along with the BB height) with BWC, flat crowns, flush headset, but with the stanchions dropped all the way in the crowns (highest A-C)... and also what it'd be with it at its lowest.

Also - are you running 165 cranks? i'm guessing 170's may clip a bit if the BB is lower than a sunday. And finally - what size tyres are you running? maxxis 2.5's are the tyre of choice here, are you running anything smaller?

weird.. the website claims a 14.4" BB height with a 7" fork yet oweners claim a sub-14" BB with 8" forks...

The website figures are pretty far off (in a good way); the actual figures are something like below. Most of these figures are from xy (so medium, boxxer wc, flush headset), with a few bits and pieces from vitox and kyle.

Head Angle: 66.35*
BB Height: 13.75"
Chainstays: 16.77"
Wheelbase: 45.75"
Front Centre: 28.98"

Weights:
8.59lbs with 12mm axle, no shock or shock hardware (vitox)
10.5lbs with 12mm axle (?), swinger 6way, ti spring (xy9ine)
10.74lbs with 12mm axle, swinger 6way, 450lbs steel spring (kyle)

 

[toodles]

flush headset? so it's a 1.5" HT? whats the BB and rear hub width?

 

[Udi]

yep, same as your dhr
1.5", 135x12 rear, 73mm bb shell

 

[eddiegold]

i've had mine for about a year now, i love it. Pedals great even tho i've changed to a rocco rear shock with with no pedal platform. Handles nice in the air, corners like its on rails.
The issues i've had are,
not that much tyre clearance a 2.5 minion will fit but theres not that much room, i run a 2.3 high roller now with no probs.
seat post fits kinda of loose as well as the seat clamp, can never seem to get it tight enough to stop the post slipping around, i've never heard anyone else complain of this so maybe i was just unlucky.
The bottom bracket is quite low but not a problem if you think about where you pedal, i'd go 165mm cranks if i get some new cranks instead of the 170mm i've got, the upside of that is obviously the cornering.
The british importer sent me a upgraded lower linkage which is supposed to improve the suspension action i've fitted it but not had a chance to properly test this out.
When fitting it i got a good chance to see how well the seals and bearings were holding up, they all looked fine and the grease was looking pretty fresh considering they are a year old.

There are some pics of mine here http://edward782.fotopic.net/

 

[dump]

Good to hear.
You guys should consider geting some more pics like that up on the home page - it currently looks pretty static/generic & kinda dead as is.

 

[jvnixon]

Since everyone loves pictures, here's a pic of one I've found that i haven't seen on RM

 

[Udi]

eddiegold -
That's sweet dude, how's the 888SL treating ya?
What travel are you running them at?

Makes sense that a 2.5" minion just fits, given the chainstay length. I might be keen to run a 2.35" minion on the back at some stage (slacker HA too), but given that mud races aren't too common here I think the 2.5 will be fine.

Any idea what got changed on the lower linkage - or if it was just the dimensions, what effect it was supposed to have? Just curious. As for the seatpost thing, that's the first i've heard - you're running a 30.0 right? My only idea would be to try running a different brand post.

jvn -
It's been posted on here, that's TheFlyingWinn's

 

[eddiegold]

i was going to be giving the 888's their first go this weekend but when getting the bike ready i noticed oil around the ata cap, apparently the first few had some dodgy seal that lets oil out when stored upside down, so they have gone off to be repaired
They felt alright having a quick spin out on the street, alot lighter than the shivers anyway.
I think the linkage plate makes the suspension more progressive and gives a bit more travel if i remember correctly. Again i was hoping to try that out this weekend.
I've tried lots of different seat posts out they have all been the same.

 

[SPDR]

eddiegold -
Any idea what got changed on the lower linkage - or if it was just the dimensions, what effect it was supposed to have?

It's an errrrrm travel adjustment.

 

[mattmatt86]

I might be making this up, but I thought i remember seeing a PDC 29inch DH bike in a mag.

 

[RJM]

PDC's look nice, too bad they copied Knolly bikes frame design.

Its a shame they are still making them. Sure the shock placement is different but damn, no respect for PDC here.

Why cant you see the front triangles are similiar?

sorry for h8ting...moving on....




l8r

 

[FarkinRyan]

PDC's look nice, too bad they copied Knolly bikes frame design.

Its a shame they are still making them. Sure the shock placement is different but damn, no respect for PDC here.

I am stupider for having read that last post.

Care to explain how there are any similarities at all between a Knolly and a PDC 825, other than a few tubes in the mainframe being in similar positions? They are completely different suspension designs, do you think that everyone who makes a dirt jumping frame is ripping off the manufacturer of the first road bike just because they both use twin-triangle mainframes? You sir, are an arseclown.

 

[RJM]

.......

 

[jvnixon]

Humm never heard that one but from what you've described I don't know that i'd place the kona/turner issue in the same boat by any means.

 

[Udi]

You are sad, the truth is all it takes to freak some people out. look closely at a Knolly Vtach and the 825 and you will see many many similarities.

Heres some truth Donkey. PDC called Knolly bikes and asked,"where do you get your tubing? what about extrusion methods,etc...." Knolly, being the genuine, extremly helpful MTB ambassador/legend he is, was kind enough to answer some questions.

1. The PDC uses Easton RAD tubing - the same as many other highend bikes.
2. The bikes are NOTHING alike. The suspension designs are completely different, with the knolly using an FSR design with a modified shock linkage; while the PDC uses a karpiel-esque arrangement that gives a slightly rearwards axle path and good pedalling characteristics (unlike the majority of FSR's).
3. The PDC has more travel, entirely different and IMO far better geometry. Much lower BB, shorter chainstays, longer front-centre, lower standover... got racebike? The 825 is also significantly lighter.

 

[toodles]

Anyone know when the 07 models will be available?

 

[Ozzer]

One RM member (Rabie) in SOCal has had one for a while. He likes enough that he has used it exclusively for slopestyle. It rode like a DV, I like it..

 

[Fulton]

PDC's look nice, too bad they copied Knolly bikes frame design.

Its a shame they are still making them. Sure the shock placement is different but damn, no respect for PDC here.

Why cant you see the front triangles are similiar?

sorry for h8ting...moving on....




l8r

KILL. YOUR. SELF.

 

[Rabie]

One RM member (Rabie) in SOCal has had one for a while. He likes enough that he has used it exclusively for slopestyle. It rode like a DV, I like it..

Actually, it spends most of its time these days as a coat rack. Which makes me sad. And fat. I've got the next two weeks off. You should come up and ride in the OC.

 

[RJM]

If you cant see PDC's 825 FRONT Triangle is basically a Vtach ripoff you are BLIND! The Tubesets, geometry and even the seat angle were exactly the same back in 2004. Thats all I am saying.

Anyway, just had to set it straight.

They look like Nice bikes, please continue on & enjoy the ride.

 

[.Pit Steelers.]

Im not sure but i bealive that the 825 was made prior to the v-tach...so not sure how they whould have gone about copying it with the frame already in production but again im not sure.

 

[thaflyinfatman]

If you cant see PDC's 825 FRONT Triangle is basically a Vtach ripoff you are BLIND! The Tubesets, geometry and even the seat angle were exactly the same back in 2004. Thats all I am saying.

Anyway, just had to set it straight.

They look like Nice bikes, please continue on & enjoy the ride.

Yeah because there's just so much variation in front triangles in general, and the overall look of them is so relevant to how a bike rides. It's not like changes in the geometry make massive differences or anything anyway. Oh and who would have ever predicted that off-the-shelf Easton RAD tubesets would look similar on two different bikes! And slack seat tube angles - well that's definitely on Knolly's patented innovations list, because nobody else has ever put slack seat tubes on a DH/FR frame. PDC just ripped that idea straight off Knolly.

lthumbsdown:

 

[Sandwich]

I thought Knolly's claim to fame was the near vertical seat tube, so you could adjust the seat up and down. They don't even do that anymore, now it's super slack, and that sucks.

If anything, it's the other way around, but I think you're making it up.

 

[Sandwich]

oops, I'm wrong, the vtach never had a straight seat tube. Why does anybody care about that bike, again?

The closest thing the PDC comes to ripping off is the karpiel, and that's a really, really, really good design to "take influence" from. The psuedo-karpiel link pedals really well, I will say from experience.

 

[Ozzer]

Actually, it spends most of its time these days as a coat rack. Which makes me sad. And fat. I've got the next two weeks off. You should come up and ride in the OC.

HAHAHAHAHA! You're riding a ripoff design. It's been researched extensively on this thread. I bet your shock bolts were copied too. I saw two unnecessary holes on your PDC and that a Nicolai ripoff you hack. Mountain Cycle came up with Slopestyle before you called your bike slopestye so you can't call it that. YOU ARE A TOOL!

hey, we are riding Bootleg on the 23rd. should be availble to ride new year's weekend..pm me your cell

 

[coma13]

Actually, it spends most of its time these days as a coat rack. Which makes me sad. And fat. I've got the next two weeks off. You should come up and ride in the OC.

Did I see you in Laguna a month or so ago? Do you have a singlecrown Travis on yours?

 

[Rabie]

HAHAHAHAHA! You're riding a ripoff design. It's been researched extensively on this thread. I bet your shock bolts were copied too. I saw two unnecessary holes on your PDC and that a Nicolai ripoff you hack. Mountain Cycle came up with Slopestyle before you called your bike slopestye so you can't call it that. YOU ARE A TOOL!

hey, we are riding Bootleg on the 23rd. should be availble to ride new year's weekend..pm me your cell

Everything these days is so complicated. I remember a simpler time when I was a freerider and everything was gay. Where does the time go?

 

[Rabie]

Did I see you in Laguna a month or so ago? Do you have a singlecrown Travis on yours?

Yeah, sounds like me. Gotta have the single crown for slopestyling.