[freeridekid]

Just wondering whether it really would increase the travel and if it would mess up the geometry (my biggest worry is steepening the head angle). its on a diamondback xts moto and it has 6.5 inches of travel right now w/ a 2.0 inch stroke swinger 4-way

 

[Bulldog]

It's quite simple really:

1- IFF it fits at all,
2- It will steepen the head angle, and
3- It will raise the BB height, and
4- Both make your bike more sketchy, so almost always
5- It's not worth it.

*One exception is if the extra stroke comes from the same eye-to-eye shock, which is very very rare. In that case you need to make sure the frame or tire doesn't contact anything at bottom out. Also, with more travel you run more sag, so in this case it will lower the BB and slacken the angles.

 

[freeridekid]

It's quite simple really:

1- IFF it fits at all,
2- It will steepen the head angle, and
3- It will raise the BB height, and
4- Both make your bike more sketchy, so almost always
5- It's not worth it.

*One exception is if the extra stroke comes from the same eye-to-eye shock, which is very very rare. In that case you need to make sure the frame or tire doesn't contact anything at bottom out. Also, with more travel you run more sag, so in this case it will lower the BB and slacken the angles.

alright, i figured it wouldn't be worth it

 

[Rik]

You could probably fit a 2.25" stroke shock if it's an 8" eye-eye... but as mentioned, you really have to be wary about tyre/frame contact, and if it was easy enough to fit such a shock, I'd almost guess they would've come stock with it.

 

[Lumpy_Gravy]

What is the length of the shock eye-eye?

 

[vitox]

how long is the current shock?

2" stroke shocks are normally 7,5" i2i

 

[MikeD]

Only changing the i-i length of the shock will change your static geometry. However, the longer stroke shock might allow the frame to contact itself or other parts (seat, post, front derailleur cages, etc.) under full compression, might lead to oddball suspension performance at the extreme ends (progression rate might change), and you could get some really funky geometry (I'm assuming super-low and slack) when the suspension gets past where it was designed to go.

 

[freeridekid]

i asked cuz this guy on mtbr said he upgraded it to 8inches of travel by putting a longer stroke shock on

 

[RhinofromWA]

i asked cuz this guy on mtbr said he upgraded it to 8inches of travel by putting a longer stroke shock on

OK and if you do that you have to change some things.....the longer shock will raise the BB and steepen the head angle.

If you use a different linkage plate to do it you are changing the leverage ratio and quite possibly still raising your BB and steepening your head angle.

or you will be running your cranks into the ground

Your choice.

 

[Tully]

In my opinion, it's only a good idea if you can get a shock that is no more than about a 1/4" longer i-i. What's the i-i length of your current shock?

 

[Slugman]

I did this and had the actually shock crack. I think it probably put too much stress on it in a direction that it was not designed for... so I wouldn't suggest it unless you are using new plates or linkages.

 

[freeridekid]

i think i'll just play it safe and except my subseven inches of travel