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More Vorsprung inspired musings.
Everyone is aware of the LLS development direction that bikes have taken over the last 6 or 7 years. There's also increased interest in shorter cranks, possibly in response to the "lower" part of LLS.
However, it's possible that the longer and slacker parts are mostly responsible for the increased stability.
The Vorsprung videos make an interesting point about optimal travel and idea spring rates for the ride, rather than spring rates to make full use of available travel. With that in mind, I've been wondering if there is any wisdom in buying a 145 or even 160mm travel bike and running the spring rate so it runs like a 130mm. The thinking being that this might actually result in a slightly higher bottom bracket. The bike in question doesn't come with any weight penalty for going with the longer travel.
Anything I've missed that would stop it from working?
Anything I’ve missed that would stop it from working?
While I wouldn't go so far as to say it would stop it working, I'd anticipate that a manufacturer might work on the assumption that you will run the sag in a particular position which might optimise pedaling efficiency or some other attribute. Altering the spring rate would affect sag position. As to whether that would be noticeable, or negative, would depend on the bike and you.
That's a fair point. These are recommended to run 30% sag.
30% of the 55mm shock on the 130 is 16.5mm.
30% of the 65mm shock on the 260 is 19.5mm.
That 3mm is less than 5% of the shock stroke. I imagine the shock is very rarely within 5% of the sag position while riding off road.
<p style="text-align: left;">That's true, as I say it might not be anything you/ anyone could feel. The difference on the shock shaft will be multiplied a bit at the rear axle, but still sub 10mm difference... As you say, it will rarely actually sit at that level when riding, although it should represent the neutral / return point. Tbh I'm almost certainly overthinking it, maybe try it and see how it feels.</p>
Don't worry about overthinking it - that's my MO.
Bit if an expensive experiment if it doesn't work.
I'm fairly convinced that my fork (Fox 36, 160mm travel) feels better at a slightly higher pressure.
At a lower pressure it feels as if it rides lower in it's travel dynamically and feels harsh. Correcting the lower travel with damping makes it feel stiffer and harsher.
As my bike is set up currently neither the front nor rear gnarometers reach the end of the travel. Front there's always about 10mm, rear, it tends to hover at the end of the travel without falling off.
However I can run it downhill at a decent speed over a decent drop and not too much arm or leg pump.
There's a lot to be said for firmer suspension. Lots of folk find the mid stroke lacking but are actually getting deeper into the travel than that.
The problem with an air spring, especially if it's got significant ramp up, is that if you are too deep into the travel, then actually you're feeling the steep ramp up rather than the mid-stroke.
That's either due to too low a pressure, not enough compression damping, or too much rebound damping.