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I've just finished building up a XL prophet which I'm intending to use for mainly trail riding and the odd uplift day. I originally put 140mm fox 32's on it but they made the front end feel really low, I've now got some Domains (160mm)on it which I got cheap and they feel about right in terms of height but weigh a ton and make the bike feel a bit sluggish! Anyone else with a prophet noticed this or is it because I've been riding more 'upright' bikes in the past like my coiler?
Have you changed the headset at all?
Are you running it in the XC or FR setting?
Yeh, the frame came without one but I got the Hope stepdown one which has about 15mm spacer on the bottom cup... I think the Cannondale one is about 20mm? Still rides really nice but just feels more xc'y with the 140's on if that makes sense. My coiler was like sitting at the dining table it was that upright though! Just looking at some 150mm Sektors as a half way between the 2 I've tried and I can sell some of my stockpile of forks to pay towards them. How did I manage to end up with 3 sets of spare forks? 😯
I have 140mm Thors, the standard reducer headset and run it in FR, feels just right to me.
No idea how you can feel the front end is low at 140mm, I run mine in FR setting with Rev 140's (it's used as my main bike - XC & whatever). Been riding my Superlight all winter (had a less worn chainset!), got on the prophet lately and can't believe how slack it feels, it's definitely not low.
Might have a fiddle with shorter stems to see if that helps before spending the money on new forks then. Just seen them cheap and I' a sucker for a bargain;
http://www.bike-components.de/products/info/p25676_Sektor-RL-Coil-Federgabel-Modell-2011-.html
Zippy, just how it feels to me, I'm riding a ti456 with the 140's on and that feels about right for me. I've got a bad back so am a bit sensitive to how upright / stretched I am on a bike! Like I say it still rides really nice but was wondering if this low front end 'feeling' may be down to the XL frame or the forks / headset cups and so on. Finally got a free weekend to have a tinker so will try it in FR and shorter stem etc.
Sorry, was meant to be an attack on how it feels to you.. though if you been running it in the XC setting, the FR one is a relevation IMO (of course).
I ran mine in the XC setting for one ride, it just felt like my previous XC bike (Marin MV, old style) just with longer travel, changed to the FR setting & haven't looked back. It's a completely different animal, still climbs as well but descends brilliantly.
I keep wondering about getting another frame as a spare, cause I love it so much (mmm another prophet or a NP mega...hmmm)
No worries, had it in FR mode for a ride but felt really sluggish although the 6.7lb 160mm forks may not have helped! Will try back with the 32's on and in FR. What forks to put on my 456 now... Somtimes choice is a bad thing 😀
Don't know if your bothered but warranty wise the normal Prophets were designed to take 140mm and the MX's 160mm as they had an extra gusset on the down tube. Though i've never heard of anyone breaking a Prophet front end.