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X-Fusion Metric HLR -- tire clearance...etc

frorider

frorider

Monkey
Jul 21, 2004
971
20
cali
I've had good experiences w/ X Fusion stuff & I'm leaning toward the Metric HLR for whatever 170ish travel frame I end up getting. About the only negative things I've read about it are the limited arch clearance w/ a large 27.5 tire (and I'll be running something large...2.5 butcher on a 24 mm inner width rim I think), and the PIA aspect of needing two hex sizes to remove the front wheel (this is not an issue for me).

It seems like a pretty sweet fork...flex mount cartridge rods...equalization bleed ports (I regularly do 10,000 ft elevation rides one day, sea level the next)...a low A2C...
 
O

OffCamber

Monkey
May 27, 2005
405
6
Loxahatchee, Fl
Best I can do. That's with the stock 2.3 tire. I don't have it anymore, traded it out for a Pike but there was no issues with that size. Sorry, if it doesn't help.
 
frorider

frorider

Monkey
Jul 21, 2004
971
20
cali
Thanks for the pic. Xfusion told me the HLR upgrade is $300 retail. I assume you didn't like the R version damping? Any other feedback about the fork?
 
O

OffCamber

Monkey
May 27, 2005
405
6
Loxahatchee, Fl
frorider said:
Thanks for the pic. Xfusion told me the HLR upgrade is $300 retail. I assume you didn't like the R version damping? Any other feedback about the fork?
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I was gonna get the upgrade orginally and lower it to 160mm but I've never used their stuff. I run RS stuff on my other bike so just decided on the Pike. Can't speak much for a review because I only ride it twice on some basic pedally trails. The basic rebound damper felt a little harsh even at much lower PSI. I thought I read some where when they do the upgrade, they change the rebound also. I think that one reason you have to send it back to them. They seem like good people on the phone. I'd give them a shout take find out.
 
djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,109
1,799
Northern California
I'm selling a take off Metric R that's never seen dirt if you're looking for one. There's plenty of clearance for the 2.3 Butcher that came stock, a 2.5 wouldn't be an issue. The chassis feels solid, but I have no idea what the stock cart would feel like after break in. If I wanted a 160-180mm single crown I'd keep it, upgrade the cart and add the bleed adjusters (the bleeder valves are in the casting, but you have to buy the adjusters separately).
 
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frorider

frorider

Monkey
Jul 21, 2004
971
20
cali
Dock strikes screwed up availability. I'm seriously considering one but the lack of a sweet hookup deal is irritating. For me the 5+ lb weight is attractive. Shit is getting too light and thinwalled these days.
 
rollertoaster

rollertoaster

Monkey
Aug 7, 2007
730
179
Douglassville , PA
I put mine on my tr500. I've been loving it, everytime I ride it I'm blown away by the quality of the damper. FYI the 5lb weight is with the carbon guards installed, you can lose an additional 0.2lbs if you want to live dangerously.
 
djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,109
1,799
Northern California
It's not like the R is unrideable, from the reports I've heard the base tune is pretty good. Then again you could always open it up and add moar shimz.
 
mrgto

mrgto

Monkey
Aug 4, 2009
295
118
Digging this one up from the grave, but.... I have the chance to get a Metric hlr or a fox 36 for about the same coin. What say ye monkeys?
 
rollertoaster

rollertoaster

Monkey
Aug 7, 2007
730
179
Douglassville , PA
mrgto said:
Digging this one up from the grave, but.... I have the chance to get a Metric hlr or a fox 36 for about the same coin. What say ye monkeys?
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Good luck with x-fusion if you need anything warranteed. I had a nightmare of a time with them on several issues. Would not buy again.

As far as suspension performance, the x-fusion is pretty good, possibly better than a 36. I have both so I feel qualified to make that statement. The one thing that does bother me about the metric is how often the damper oil needs to be replaced to maintain performance. I'm guessing it's somewhere in the 25hr range (of lift service).
 
Metamorphic

Metamorphic

Monkey
May 12, 2015
274
177
Cackalack
rollertoaster said:
Good luck with x-fusion if you need anything warranteed. I had a nightmare of a time with them on several issues. Would not buy again....
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Interesting, I have two different buddies who have detonated their Slants and both had awesome warranty support and were up and running in a couple of days with new parts.
 
mrgto

mrgto

Monkey
Aug 4, 2009
295
118
rollertoaster said:
Good luck with x-fusion if you need anything warranteed. I had a nightmare of a time with them on several issues. Would not buy again.

As far as suspension performance, the x-fusion is pretty good, possibly better than a 36. I have both so I feel qualified to make that statement. The one thing that does bother me about the metric is how often the damper oil needs to be replaced to maintain performance. I'm guessing it's somewhere in the 25hr range (of lift service).
Click to expand...
Was it because of parts not being available or just them being assholes?

I have a Vengeance that I never had a problem with so I've never had to deal with them.
 
StiHacka

StiHacka

Compensating for something
Jan 4, 2013
21,560
12,508
In hell. Welcome!
rollertoaster said:
Good luck with x-fusion if you need anything warranteed. I had a nightmare of a time with them on several issues. Would not buy again.

As far as suspension performance, the x-fusion is pretty good, possibly better than a 36. I have both so I feel qualified to make that statement. The one thing that does bother me about the metric is how often the damper oil needs to be replaced to maintain performance. I'm guessing it's somewhere in the 25hr range (of lift service).
Click to expand...
Are you replacing the oil in the cartridge every 25 hrs? Wow. I only replaced it in the HLR cartridge once and although it did not look dirty, the new oil made a lot of difference. I find the Vengeance easy to service but mine developed a click in the CSU that eventually made me switch to MRP Stage (which is also significantly lighter without being significantly moar flexy).
 
boostindoubles

boostindoubles

Nacho Libre
Mar 16, 2004
8,371
6,891
Yakistan
rollertoaster said:
Good luck with x-fusion if you need anything warranteed. I had a nightmare of a time with them on several issues. Would not buy again.
Click to expand...
I have a Slant, Sweep, and two Hilo posts. Had to warranty both posts and John was on the spot super quick turn around. I was impressed with the communication and response times.
 
rollertoaster

rollertoaster

Monkey
Aug 7, 2007
730
179
Douglassville , PA
mrgto said:
Was it because of parts not being available or just them being assholes?

I have a Vengeance that I never had a problem with so I've never had to deal with them.
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First time they were assholes. (top out issue). The fork was clunking hard on top out. They told me to" learn to use the adjustments " after taking the fork apart about 5 times I found out they assembled the negative spring wrong and there was a missing o-ring.

Second time I had a creaking csu and they took my fork without sending me another, or parts. 2 months went by and they finally Sent me a fork, which happened to be their clapped out test fork with a short steerer, and it creaked after 2 weeks of use.
 
mrgto

mrgto

Monkey
Aug 4, 2009
295
118
Well I got the Fox. This will be my first Fox fork I've ever ridden. I hope it's shockingly good!
 
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