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RockShox Solo Air
I am planning on buying a new Trek fuel bike which will either have a Rockshox tora 318 solo air or recon 351 solo air. I am a 240lb rider and my son is a bit lighter who may be an occasional rider. I like the idea of adjusting the fork using only air since I am told to really setup many of the rockshox forks right for a 240lb rider you would have to tear down the fork and build it with a heavier spring, so the adjustability of the solo air forks without new springs for different riders seems good. So my question ... is a 240lb rider too heavy for the solo air forks? The manuals list air pressures for 220lb. (of course as I keep riding I seem to be getting lighter). So people think it's fine, others tell me the seals will not be reliable but there experience seems to be on forks a couple of years old, feedback appreciated, particulay if you have real experience with these fork, thx. |
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RockShox Solo Air
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#3
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RockShox Solo Air
On Jun 9, 2:05 pm, wrote:
I am planning on buying a new Trek fuel bike which will either have a Rockshox tora 318 solo air or recon 351 solo air. I am a 240lb rider and my son is a bit lighter who may be an occasional rider. I like the idea of adjusting the fork using only air since I am told to really setup many of the rockshox forks right for a 240lb rider you would have to tear down the fork and build it with a heavier spring, so the adjustability of the solo air forks without new springs for different riders seems good. So my question ... is a 240lb rider too heavy for the solo air forks? The manuals list air pressures for 220lb. (of course as I keep riding I seem to be getting lighter). So people think it's fine, others tell me the seals will not be reliable but there experience seems to be on forks a couple of years old, feedback appreciated, particulay if you have real experience with these fork, thx. You might want to take a look at the Remedy instead of the Fuel. It may be overkill on travel, but an all around beefier bike. The seals are not the only thing that can blow. Chris |
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RockShox Solo Air
I have last year's 29er version of that fork,
====== What is the advantage of a 29er? It would seem to me it would put your center of gravity higher, and be a big disadvantage in mountain biking. I'm a complete newbie to mtb, if this seems like a stupid question. Is it for tall guys? |
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RockShox Solo Air
On 2007-06-09, Callistus Valerius wrote:
I have last year's 29er version of that fork, ====== What is the advantage of a 29er? It would seem to me it would put your center of gravity higher, and be a big disadvantage in mountain biking. I'm a complete newbie to mtb, if this seems like a stupid question. Your center of gravity is determined by the placement of the bottom bracket, saddle, and handlebars. None of those are necessarily raised by going to larger wheels. One of the claimed advantages of 29ers is that your center of gravity ends up lower relative to the axles, which is supposed to help stability. Whatever the cause, I do find the bike to be more stable. Increased low speed stability and a lower stall speed sold me on it, since I usually crash due to losing control at low speed while picking my way through sections that intimidate me. Since then, I've found that the stability difference is even more dramatic at higher speeds. The larger tire volume allows you to run lower pressures without getting pinch flats, which makes for better grip and provides a measure of extra suspension. It's also possible to ride over somewhat bigger obstacles without lifting the front wheel. Disadvantages: 29ers tend to have shorter travel forks. The front end is tall despite that, which makes it difficult to design frames for shorter riders. The smaller frame sizes can end up looking pretty odd. I find that my 29er is a little harder to ride through switchbacks, although there may be other factors than wheel size at play there. At a given price point, you'll typically get better components and lighter wheels on a 26" wheeled bike. Is it for tall guys? Not necessarily, although I understand that taller riders benefit more. I'm 5'6 and ride the smallest Gary Fisher 29er hardtail frame. Some of the boutique builders (of which there are many in the 29er world) go a bit smaller. Wheel size is becoming a contentious issue in mountain biking, and there are plenty who disagree with me. More than you ever wanted to know: http://www.mtbr.com/29er/ |
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RockShox Solo Air
What is the advantage of a 29er? It would seem to me it would put your
center of gravity higher, and be a big disadvantage in mountain biking. I'm a complete newbie to mtb, if this seems like a stupid question. Your center of gravity is determined by the placement of the bottom bracket, saddle, and handlebars. None of those are necessarily raised by going to larger wheels. One of the claimed advantages of 29ers is that your center of gravity ends up lower relative to the axles, which is supposed to help stability. Whatever the cause, I do find the bike to be more stable. Increased low speed stability and a lower stall speed sold me on it, since I usually crash due to losing control at low speed while picking my way through sections that intimidate me. Since then, I've found that the stability difference is even more dramatic at higher speeds. The larger tire volume allows you to run lower pressures without getting pinch flats, which makes for better grip and provides a measure of extra suspension. It's also possible to ride over somewhat bigger obstacles without lifting the front wheel. Disadvantages: 29ers tend to have shorter travel forks. The front end is tall despite that, which makes it difficult to design frames for shorter riders. The smaller frame sizes can end up looking pretty odd. I find that my 29er is a little harder to ride through switchbacks, although there may be other factors than wheel size at play there. At a given price point, you'll typically get better components and lighter wheels on a 26" wheeled bike. Is it for tall guys? Not necessarily, although I understand that taller riders benefit more. I'm 5'6 and ride the smallest Gary Fisher 29er hardtail frame. Some of the boutique builders (of which there are many in the 29er world) go a bit smaller. Wheel size is becoming a contentious issue in mountain biking, and there are plenty who disagree with me. More than you ever wanted to know: http://www.mtbr.com/29er/ --------- hey, thanks -- learn something new everyday. They look good. |
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