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Hi
I'm looking at getting a new rear shock and would like to know how critical the i2i length is? What would the effect be if I put one of a longer length on?
I have a Marzo roco air R at the mo and I am not sure of the exact length, I think it may be 200mm. I want to go for a Fox shock that is 240mm. I have a Mountain Cycle Battery with 5" travel.
Very critical. You need to fit the length the frame was designed for. Putting the 240mm shock on your frame would upset the geometry and could take the frame past its limits causing a failure.
240mm quite likely won't fit at all. Not impossible, but unlikely. (you could pre-compress the shock if it's too long but that would, frankly, be retarded)
You can often use a shorter length shock (although you still have to watch out if the stroke is the same as everything (frame wise) will end up more compressed before the shock bottoms out).
That would slacken the geometry of the bike.
A longer shock will steepen the geometry, but on most frames is unlikely to fit, especially one that is 40mm longer!
Most bikes have roughly a 2.5:1 ratio where if the stroke of the shock is 1" you will get 2.5" travel at the wheel. Transferring this logic to the longer shock you want would raise the back of your bike by 100mm. Thats alot. I would say you could get away with 5mm in either direction at most.
Ahh, sorted! I totally get what you're saying guys, I think I'll take my old shock off, get the exact measurement and go from there. I understand the importance of getting the right match now. I shall hold on (and save!!) to get the correct fitting shock rather than just a bargain.
Thanks everyone