[Jou]

This is the 2nd part of this thread.

If i get the southbridge 9" linkage, that uses a 9.0 x 3.0 shock, what is going to be my best option. I understand i'll be somewhat limited due to the rarity of the shock.

 

[RaID]

from the praises that avalanche shocks get i dont think youll be disadvantaged by the
limited range of shocks

 

[dante]

from the praises that avalanche shocks get i dont think youll be disadvantaged by the
limited range of shocks

Avalanche if you've got the money, Romic if you don't. Both have 9.0 x 3.0 shocks. Don't think that Fox, Progressive and Manitou have that shock size.

hope this helps.

 

[Langer]

Avalanche if you've got the money, Romic if you don't. Both have 9.0 x 3.0 shocks. Don't think that Fox, Progressive and Manitou have that shock size.

hope this helps.

According to Romic's website they dont produce a 9 x 3 shock.

http://www.romicmfg.com/iexplore/index.php

Fit list is on the bottom of page.

 

[Langer]

Jou, I think I am looking for the same thing as you. So far researching this for the last couple of days I think I am going to get a Stapleton 8" link. This link, according to what I have read, uses 8.75 x 2.75 shock and fits piggyback type shocks. I am dicouraged by the 9" link due to low BB height and lack of shock options.

 

[Jou]

Jou, I think I am looking for the same thing as you. So far researching this for the last couple of days I think I am going to get a Stapleton 8" link. This link, according to what I have read, uses 8.75 x 2.75 shock and fits piggyback type shocks. I am dicouraged by the 9" link due to low BB height and lack of shock options.

This one? Listed as a 9" uses a 9x3, where'd you find your info? Theres a number on that link someone could call. Get accurate info and price.

oh, and not as strong as southbridge.

 

[BlackDiamond]

I was lucky enough to get the Specialized "BigLink" upgrade. I'm very happy with it. I think that I would contact Dan and see if he has any of the 8" versions left. I know he was supposed to make some. This will allow you to run an 8.75" x 2.75" shock. I tried a 9" upgrade and did not like the geometry change.

I do think that you should get some kind of upgrade. It was the biggest improvement made on my bike period; well next to the Stan's no-tubes, and I have made a lot of changes.

 

[MikeD]

I *really* think the 9" upgrade is kind of a dumb idea, too...simply getting the avalanche, even for a 6" shock, will be the biggest upgrade you can make, without the expense of that little linkage.

Alternatively, if you do have only the 6" link, buy the big link and have the stock Vanilla RC sent to PUSH for a custom overhaul (in the $150 range, I believe). Then you get 8" (which is really no different than 9", IMHO...an inch of travel only matters with the crappiest shocks) without the wonky ghetto-9" link geometry changes.

I had a big hit with 8" and an Avvy; it ruled.

 

[Curiouscaptian01]

My friend just got a big link for his bighit, and it rides great. Here is a picture of his bike with it on.

 

[Rabie]

I had a big hit with 8" and an Avvy; it ruled.

When you're talking BigHits, you gotta speak the language. The term is 'OWN3D.'

 

[MikeD]

When you're talking BigHits, you gotta speak the language. The term is 'OWN3D.'

I knew you'd show up as soon as I said "wonky." I aquired that bad word from you.

MD

 

[bighitfsr]

If your going to flame the 9 inch linkage you should have some idea of the actual geometery change

The beaudry linkage gives you a 66 deg HA and 14 inch BB height.
This is pretty normal for a DH bike.
With an 8 inch fork your BB height will be a little higher than this.

What are the normal specs for geometry of a DH bike?
Head Angle ranges from 64deg to 67deg.
BB height ranges from 14" - 14.5".
The Geometry is normal for a DH bike.
Just because the other 3rd party linkage has similar travel to the biglink doesnt mean the geo will be better than the southbridge.

I have this linkage and an avy on my bike.
If your technique is right the low BB is good.
IMO a low BB will make you a better rider (you'll learn to spin at the right speed 80RPM+ and keep you feet in the correct position when cornering, level or outside foot down depending on the corner).

 

[bighitfsr]

FYI I'm 180lbs with Full Face, Full Hydro Pack, Dainese ... etc.
I have the beaudry linkage and avalanche and run a 550lb spring.
I've treid the 450lb and it was too soft.
I've got a 500lb romic spring on order as Avalanche dont make a 500lb.

 

[Cave Dweller]

If your going to flame the 9 inch linkage you should have some idea of the actual geometery change

Have you actually measured it BigHitFSR or are you just going of what they say on their site :dancing:

I remeber you talking some time ago about getting an 8inch fork to get the geometry right........

I reckon you would be better of going for the specilaized linkage and then not be limited by shock choices. Don't get me wrong, the avys are really nice and im going to be getting one, but limiting you bike to only a 9x3 shock is not a good idea. If you ever decided to sell it or re-use it it would need to be resized, better of sticking with stock sizes. Getting the specilzed linkage means you can use any shock you want.

An inch of travel makes **** all differance when you are talking 8 or 9 inches, the specilazed linkage is going to be heaps heaps lighter and was actually DESIGNED for the bike, again i think the beaudry linkage is NOT engineered very well at all, there is so much excess material in there it is not funny.

Matt

 

[Cave Dweller]

you'll learn to spin at the right speed 80RPM+ and keep you feet in the correct position when cornering, level or outside foot down depending on the corner).

There is no way you spin that fast, your on drugs if you think you pedal 1.3 rotations in a second :nuts:

 

[Rik]

There is no way you spin that fast, your on drugs if you think you pedal 1.3 rotations in a second :nuts:

You make it sound like 80RPM is something fast... try being a singlespeeder and an ex-track rider, and you'll think 80rpm is rather slow

Anyway, long travel is not as good as well damped travel. It's about quality, not quantity. The idea of bumping a bike out to some rediculous number is a bit yeh... you'll be then pushing the bike alot harder, and pass its limits, and when that happens, it ain't cool I know it's easy to get greedy when it comes to travel upgrades, but 8" is more than enough for any man.

 

[Langer]

This one? Listed as a 9" uses a 9x3, where'd you find your info? Theres a number on that link someone could call. Get accurate info and price.

oh, and not as strong as southbridge.

Stapleton offers 7,8,9 inch links. I did a MTBR.com downhill/freeride message board search and there were several post on this subject. Someone called Stapleton, got the info and ordered the 8" link. The guy also put a 6way on it but it blew up, so sold the Stapleton link and got a 9" Southbridge with an Avy on it. The pics I posted in the first thread are of his bike. Red bighit with 2001 Monster T.

 

[Cave Dweller]

You make it sound like 80RPM is something fast... try being a singlespeeder and an ex-track rider, and you'll think 80rpm is rather slow

Hahahah... true, it's not that fast, im just paying out on him

 

[bighitfsr]

Thats why you were burned out/in pain after one race run.

There is actually an article in MTB action about this.
At race speed you should be pedaling at 80 - 100RPM.
Pedaling slower than 80 RPM will cause lactic acid to build up in your muscles causing pain. Your also going to stretch your chain and clip your pedals more.
You really need to work on you pedaling skillz CD
To be honest I dont know how fast I spin.
I spin a lot faster than you and clip my pedals way less (CD has bent 2 profile arms, a profile axle and killed countless sets of pedals).

I said an 8 inch fork would not screw my geo.
I never said I needed an 8 inch fork to correct the geo.
With more travel up front a slacker HA makes sense.
The geometry is great now, I commented in the other 9 inch BH linkage thread that It would have been good to have adjustments on the linkage though.

IMO the turners geo is too steep. Feels like an XC bike. Get some 8 inch 888Rs and it would be perfect

"Getting the specilzed linkage means you can use any shock you want"

Nope only the fox and 5th fit that linkage.
The 5th only fits in one position (the steep HA setting).
You can run any 9 X 2.75 shock in the beaudry link if you want (not 100% on this, should check with the manufacturer). But you will loose the last most progressive 1/2" of travel (not a big deal with a currnut valve shock as they are allready very progressive).

9 inches is pretty normal for a DH bike (v10's have over 10" and many bikes are 9" yeti, orange, M1/M3 ...).
Its less than 1 inch more than stock (2002 BH DH comes stock with 8.1")
Also in the other post it was mentioned that you cant get the biglink any more.

Anyway the reason I went with the beaudry was the biglink was as expensive as the beaudry and I wanted to run an Avalanche shock. The reason the biglink costs so much is it comes with a fox shock that the shop will have to sell seperately. People arent buying fox vannilla RCs aftermarket much these days so they need to sell the linkage for a lot for it to be worth while splitting the upgrade kit.

 

[MikeD]

14" BB height isn't outrageous until you subtract the proper sag for a 3" stroke shock.

I just don't see the point. I guarantee that with an Avalanche, you're not going to notice 1" of travel difference.

The best-value solution, though, is the Big Link and the PUSH upgrade, which a lot of people are happy with. It's not shock that's yet been proven in the long term, but I'd give it a shot for the cash if I had a Vanilla RC. If it doesn't work out, you can sell it for $75-150 and get an Avalanche or something later.

However, I seem to be reading that Speshy is no longer making the big link upgrade...? Maybe find an older DH model frame cheap, take the link, and have a spare frame on hand...

MD

 

[Jou]

Ya, from what iv'e heard there will be no more big links.

 

[MikeD]

Isn't 80-100 RPM a bit fast for anyone who's STANDING and pedalling? I mean, on a road, track, or XC bike is one thing, seated and spinning efficiently, but 80 RPM standing and cranking on a DH bike??? You'd need to be pedalling against so little resistance that it would be really difficult to stay in a standing position...

My RPMs drop significantly on my roadie when I gear up and stand for a section, anyhow.

 

[ioscope]

I have a Fox rc 8.75 by 2.75. I need a 650 or 600 lb spring of appropriate length. 2.7 or 2.75? Will a rockshox spring work on it??

 

[Kram]

Hi, not trying to spam but I am selling maybe exactly what you are after.
I am trying to sell it in NZ but no-one here takes much notice of anything exotic..... It's all fox and fox.

In NZ dollars which is $1NZ to US 65c making it a good price I think.

check here. If you are interested you would have to pay shipping but that wouldn't be much I don't think. This shock is absolutely mint condition and gives exactly the same geometry as the slack HA on the factory biglink. It's currently in 9 1/2 i2i but I can swap it back to 9" no problem.

check here for pics and details....

http://www.vorb.org.nz/ftopict-15424.html