[craigyboy]

Just a few questions, I have had my Turner DHR for a year and half now and a few problems have crept up, that I would like some opinions on.

Worn Out Headset
1. Due to the 1.5 inch headtube I have been running an FSA Extreme Pro 1.5 since new (wouldnt be my favorite headset but it was all I could get), its wearing out the bottom race bearings about every 4 months and the top soon follow, and there about £15 a pop, I am looking to change the headset as I am sick of stripping the headset down to replace them, the headset is installed properly, faced and pressed with the proper tools so I know this isnt to blame, I have came to the conclusion that the bearings are just crappy. Anyone got a good recommendation on other appropriate headsets? I was thinking of reducing it down and fitting a Chris king as I know these are a good headset, but whats the point in the 1.5 headtube if your not gonna take advantage of it.

Sticky Fox Shock
2. The bike has a Fox DHX 5.0, which to be honest is also crap. From day one it hasnt felt right its been back for warranty twice and they say its fine (dont know what they are looking at), it is just so sticky feeling, its definately not the back end as it has been stripped and rebuilt loads and never felt any better but with the shock out the back end is lovely, after a hard run on a rocky course the shock works superbly and the bike feels great it just seems to need heating up, I cant tell you the amount of times I have stopped on a run thinking I have puncture because the shock has started to work so well. So I was thinking of having it rebuilt with the Push Race system its a bit pricey but if it sorts this thing out I will go for it, it seems the fox shock is just a bit complex I am simple man and like simple things. Your opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Curiosity
3. What tyre pressure is everyone running on ther Downhill bikes, at the moment on michelin comps 16/24 I am running 20-25 psi, just wonder what everyone else runs I like it this way just wondering what everyone else is doing.

 

[comtom1]

1. I have an 03 cdale gemini with the original fsa bigpig 1.5 headset and had no problems at all and i do abuse the the rig regulerly.
Stay with the 1.5 setup i might suggest calling the maunfacturer to see if they know of any reason this is happening.

2. I have a fox vannilla rc that i had pushed with the race system and the bumper setup. The shock is not a propedal setup but the valveing that push installed is far better than i could have expected go for the upgrade its well worth it and i gaurantee you will not be disappointed.
Or you might just want them to check it out for you they also do factory fresh rebuilds as well.

 

[Quo Fan]

Get the shock pushed. I rode Comtom's bike both before and after the shock was pushed, and the difference was like night and day. Made the bike ride soooooo much better.

 

[sanjuro]

I might also face the headtube. That could be the cause of your wear, misaligned cups...

 

[kidwoo]

I might also face the headtube. That could be the cause of your wear, misaligned cups...

Turner usually does a pretty good job of this before shipping but it's certainly worth a try. Similarly you could just make sure the cups are seated as tightly as possible.

FWIW, I've got 3 bike with 1.5 headtubes (one of them a DHR) and run either e.13 cups with fsa internal headset bearings or the FSA x-orbit flush headset. Both reduce down to a 1 1/8 steerer and while I use that setup to lower the front end, the bearings typically last me over a year.

Definitely sounds like your shock is messed up. Most dh shocks do feel better when warmed up but it's not really THAT big of a difference. I've never had them work on a dhx but the job push did with my vanilla rc (on an uzzi vpx) made it feel like a different shock. The open up the ports inside the shock for more fluid exchange and it makes the damper smoother on compression and more controlled feeling on rebound. I'm guessing you'd get a similar result with the dhx. Plus replacing the internals is likely to give you a better performing shock.

 

[sanjuro]

Turner usually does a pretty good job of this before shipping but it's certainly worth a try. Similarly you could just make sure the cups are seated as tightly as possible.

I thought about this, and it might be near impossible to find a shop with a onepointfive reamer, although Park does make one.

I am pretty skeptical about all mtn bike frame preps, particularily Santa Cruz and Intense. While Turner might be better, I think there is so much going on with a mtn bike that tapping threads and facing might be low priority.

BTW, I think most of the high end road companies tap everything for the shops because they have much less to be concerned about.

 

[kidwoo]

I am pretty skeptical about all mtn bike frame preps, particularily Santa Cruz and Intense. While Turner might be better, I think there is so much going on with a mtn bike that tapping threads and facing might be low priority.

Don't know if they're still as diligent but the two turner front triangles I've had were both reamed, faced and chased to the point that doing it again just relsulted in two free spinning tools.

Intense......not so much.