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RFX/66 pic

mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
For those who were interested in a 66 to slacken out your RFX...
Frame = medium RFX
Fork = 66rc 150mm

No ride time on the fork at all, I did fool with the compression and rebound settings a little. Each adjustment has a 30 click dial, and you can actually feel a difference from click to click. This fork is the beefiest damn single crown I've ever layed eyes on. Check out the comparison between the Z150 and 66 side by side. In this pic the axles of both forks are very close to being in line with each other (so you can get an idea of how much taller the 66150 is compared to the Z150). I'm using my RFX for Northstar, so keep in mind this is not meant to be a trail bike set up. Sorry for the lack of a ride report, I thought some of you would like to see the fork on the bike to get a visual on the head angle. I'd be happy to post the correct head angle with this fork if someone would explain how to go about measuring it. This fork weighed in at over 7 pounds with uncut steer tube, including axle. 3324g. (7.32lbs). It's not as bad as it sounds, it doesn't feel any heavier than my Z150. I'll post more after I get some ride time.
 
Incubus

Incubus

Monkey
Oct 17, 2001
562
0
Boston, MA
Holy cr@p is that thing HUGE. Doesn't look too bad [slack that is] on the RFX. What's the bb height?

Fox 36 for me and my RFX.
 
D

DH Dad

Monkey
Jun 12, 2002
436
30
MA
mike67 said:
Here's another shot
Click to expand...
You might want to consider cutting down your steered to avoid impaling yourself! :thumb:

That's downhill slack! I considered the 66 for my RFX but got an '05 Firefly + instead since I do way too much trail riding and 7+ mile treks so the shorter height and SPV won out.
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
Incubus said:
Holy cr@p is that thing HUGE. Doesn't look too bad [slack that is] on the RFX. What's the bb height?

Fox 36 for me and my RFX.
Click to expand...
I'll measure it tonight for ya.
The 36 should be a great fork, but a long wait for it?

Yeah, not too slack at all. Looks like it will work out fine for me.
Completely dwarfs the Z150, it's one big mofo
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
DH Dad said:
You might want to consider cutting down your steered to avoid impaling yourself! :thumb:

That's downhill slack! I considered the 66 for my RFX but got an '05 Firefly + instead since I do way too much trail riding and 7+ mile treks so the shorter height and SPV won out.
Click to expand...
Nothing but lift runs with this bike, so the 66 fit the bill. So, you think I should trim that steer tube down ha? :eviltongu I just threw it together last night to check out the geometry. That thing would definitly add an extra hole to your head :dead:
 
Kornphlake

Kornphlake

Turbo Monkey
Oct 8, 2002
2,632
1
Portland, OR
be happy to post the correct head angle with this fork if someone would explain how to go about measuring it.
Click to expand...
It's pretty complicated without an angle finder. You'll have to drop a plumb bob from the bottom of the crown and then from the center of the axle, measure the distance between the two plumb bobs and call it A, then measure the distance from the center of the axle to the bottom of the crown and call that C, now take the Arccos of A/C and that's the angle.
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
Kornphlake said:
It's pretty complicated without an angle finder. You'll have to drop a plumb bob from the bottom of the crown and then from the center of the axle, measure the distance between the two plumb bobs and call it A, then measure the distance from the center of the axle to the bottom of the crown and call that C, now take the Arccos of A/C and that's the angle.
Click to expand...
Yeah that sounds complicated enough, (in my best Homer Simpson voice) what the hell is a plumb bob? I'm guessing you want me to tie a plumb to a string and hang it from.....never mind. Maybe the angle finder is the tool for me. Any easy way to make a home made angle finder? All techi numbers aside, the head angle looks good, I was shooting for taller...but not too tall, mission accomplished.
 
OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,761
1,282
NORCAL is the hizzle
You should be able to buy an analog angle finder for about $5 at a hardware store, it's pretty handy thing to have around. There are some pimp digi models out there too but they're more $.
 
Kornphlake

Kornphlake

Turbo Monkey
Oct 8, 2002
2,632
1
Portland, OR
Yeah just get an angle finder, no you can't make one any easier than you could measure it with a plumb bob. In my best Ned Flanders' voice "a plumb bob is a hunkadoodalie of brass you hang on a stringeroony so you know where perfectadiddly vertacle is."
 
Bulldog

Bulldog

Turbo Monkey
Sep 11, 2001
1,009
0
Wisconsin
dante said:
ahhh,the 66, for when you want a fork that's as tall as an 8" travel one, but without those annoying 2" extra inches of travel. :thumb:
Click to expand...
Some people buy 24" rear wheels to slacken a bike out, some people buy tall forks. Something for everyone.
 
Jm_

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
20,516
11,001
AK
Bulldog said:
Some people buy 24" rear wheels to slacken a bike out, some people buy tall forks. Something for everyone.
Click to expand...
Doublewides, 3.0s, lions and tigers!! Oh my!
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
dante said:
ahhh,the 66, for when you want a fork that's as tall as an 8" travel one, but without those annoying 2" extra inches of travel. :thumb:
Click to expand...
Well, the two extra inches of travel would be nice to have, but my frame is old, and has 6 inch rockers, so 6 up front is just right for this bike. It did need to be slackened out for lift runs. I rode it with the Z150 this last season, and I felt it would handle better if it were a bit taller up front. Not to mention the added stiffness of the 66. BB height was also a concern. Last summer riding northstar, there was a lot of pedal smacking going on, and I even bottomed out the bb shell on a rock. The fork I have is the 66rc 150mm travel, the one that's as tall as the 888 is the 7" travel 66, and it's quite a bit taller than my fork.

If I could justify a DHR w/888...that's what I'd be on, but considering I only DH a few times a year, this bike works very well.
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
Incubus said:
Holy cr@p is that thing HUGE. Doesn't look too bad [slack that is] on the RFX. What's the bb height?

Fox 36 for me and my RFX.
Click to expand...
BB height came out to 14 3/4" I used a tape measure, and tried to keep it as vertical as possible. I measured from the ground to center of the bb shell.
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
TYM said:
Mike,

When you get a chance can you measure the axle to crown length (bottom of race).

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
When I ordered it, the 150mm 66 was listed at 555 axle to crown. I'll try to measure it tonight to compare. The 170mm 66 was listed at 575
 
MikeD

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,737
1,820
chez moi
mike67 said:
BB height came out to 14 3/4" I used a tape measure, and tried to keep it as vertical as possible. I measured from the ground to center of the bb shell.
Click to expand...
Hm, my BB height is 14.75", too, and the HA looks a LOT steeper on my bike with the 6" Slider I have on there (very low axle-crown on it). Probably just me not measuring very carefully...but then again, the bb height won't change THAT much with a longer fork, will it? I'd think we would be talking just a few mm of difference...

Anyhow, cool rig! Enjoy!

MD
 
punkassean

punkassean

Turbo Monkey
Feb 3, 2002
4,561
0
SC, CA
Aside from the other suggestions about measuring the head angle, a protractor and a level should give a fairly good number if you measure carefully. Most likely you already have those two items laying around the house. If not I do concur that a cheapo angle finder is a handy thing to have.
 
Jm_

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
20,516
11,001
AK
azonicbruce said:
Not mounted on a bike, YET.



Summary

A2C - 21.25"
Weight - 5.5lbs w/ uncut steerer, UPS Digital scale
Click to expand...
Nice. Marzocchi's doing a good job this year. Forks that aren't boat anchors comparitively, and still keeping that supple marzocchi travel.
 
Bulldog

Bulldog

Turbo Monkey
Sep 11, 2001
1,009
0
Wisconsin
mike67 said:
When I ordered it, the 150mm 66 was listed at 555 axle to crown. I'll try to measure it tonight to compare. The 170mm 66 was listed at 575
Click to expand...
I think BTI listed the wrong (Marzocchi preliminary aka optimistic) numbers at 555 and 575. I think actual is what the protos were running, 575 and 595. At 555 I'd be in heaven as that's perfection for my needs/wants!

Any pics directly from the side, showing headangle? And did you measure it yet? I'd love to compare that to Jorgen's '05 Z.1 pics, as these are the only two forks I'm considering right now for my RFX.
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
Bulldog said:
I think BTI listed the wrong (Marzocchi preliminary aka optimistic) numbers at 555 and 575. I think actual is what the protos were running, 575 and 595. At 555 I'd be in heaven as that's perfection for my needs/wants!

Any pics directly from the side, showing headangle? And did you measure it yet? I'd love to compare that to Jorgen's '05 Z.1 pics, as these are the only two forks I'm considering right now for my RFX.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I roughly measured the A to C with a tape measure, and eyeballed it. Not exact measurement but very close A to C = 22 1/4" I'll try to get an accurate measurement tonight. I'll shoot more pics showing head angle, and better detail, have them up for you tomorrow.

Either fork you decide on, I'm sure you'll be happy. My vote is obviously the 66. The weight is not an issue in my mind, may be for others though. I held my z150 in one hand, and the 66 in the other, and couldn't feel a difference. After reading the weight that Larry M. posted on mtbr. I was a bit worried. When I pulled the fork out of the box I was expecting a boat anchor, but was very suprised how light it felt. Jorgen's RFX does looks very nice with that fork! Hard decision...
 
J

Jorgen

Monkey
Oct 3, 2003
255
0
Oslo, Norway
The main reason I went for the Z1 is that I use this bike for "xc"-riding. I need and use the ETA-thingy quite a bit.
If I was to shuttle the bike only and have a chaindevice on there I would seriusly consider the 66.
 
Bulldog

Bulldog

Turbo Monkey
Sep 11, 2001
1,009
0
Wisconsin
mike67 said:
side pic for Bulldog...
Didn't get to measure the A to C, I'll try and get to it this weekend.
Click to expand...
Thanks dude. I don't know, to me that fork looks right at home on an RFX. :thumb:

So do the adjuster knobs clear the downtube easily? I myself might honestly go as far as to ream the top and bottom of my headtube down as much as it will allow, both to steepen the bike a smidge and most importantly keep my bar low. Time will tell.
 
mike67

mike67

Monkey
Nov 15, 2001
201
5
California
Bulldog said:
Thanks dude. I don't know, to me that fork looks right at home on an RFX. :thumb:

So do the adjuster knobs clear the downtube easily? I myself might honestly go as far as to ream the top and bottom of my headtube down as much as it will allow, both to steepen the bike a smidge and most importantly keep my bar low. Time will tell.
Click to expand...
The adjuster knobs have plenty of room, and clear the downtube with no problem. I took it for a spin yesterday, just around the block :( The comp and rebound adjustments are amazingly tunable, you can change the whole characteristics of the fork on the go. Doesn't feel a bit heavier than the Z150 it replaced. It's super stiff, and does a great impression of a dual crown. If your using your bike mostly for DH, this fork is the correct tool for the job.
 
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