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For a while I've been thinking about selling my Stumpy frame and buying a Hightower LT CC, but the harsh reality of 2nd hand prices has put me off what essentially was an 'upgrade' to something new and shiny.
So I've decided to hang onto the Stumpy and have just put on a DVO Topaz along with an offset bushing. The bushing has made a big difference, bigger than expected to how the riding position feels - without going into cliches, it definitely feels like I'm in the bike and not on it.
The Topaz appears a quality bit of kit and has a lot of adjustability - can put volume spacers in either positive or negative chamber pretty easily, and has a bladder in the piggyback rather than an IFP which again you can charge depending on rider weight.
So, question is has anyone else put an offset bushing in their Stumpy and how did you find it and has anyone got a DVO Topaz and want to talk about their settings?
Any update on your shock, as I’m thinking of doing the same?
Well the shock is in the classifieds...
I actually got a good deal on a Hightower LT just before Christmas so took the plunge and have now split the Stumpy hence the DVO being in the classifieds. It was an expensive few weeks use!
It transformed the bike - I found the Monarch that came with the Stumpy pretty terrible from the start - after repeated hits on a long downhill it heated up far too much and felt like I had a block of wood not a shock. I had to put high pressures in to hold the mid range up.
THe DVO, I could run with much lower pressures and after sticking in a couple of volume spacers it was bottomless. The bike actually felt like it had more travel. THe first thing you notice is just how smooth it is with barely any noticeable stiction. Has a big rebound range. Looking down whilst you're riding along in "trail" position it barely moves but you only have to roll over something small to see how it moves so smooth.
As I'm selling this you may think I'm talking it up - but I can promise you it's like night and day compared to the stock shock! I'd go so far to say it's easily the best upgrade you could make to a Stumpy!