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Just wondering why most people that have done the push coil conversion have done it in the FOX 36 and not many seem to have done it in the Pike? is their a beneficial difference performance wise using the FOX over the ROCKSHOX?
Any info or experience appreciated! 😀
The Fox is a bit stiffer and both the RC2 damper and Grip damper are more tuneable. The new Grip damper has a tuneable ending stroke rebound which means you can make full use of the dual spring in the AC3 kit, eg run a main spring that is a little bit softer than what you'd need to get adequate midstroke support in an air fork, crank up the compression a bit and then run the secondary air spring really hard and control the rebound using the high speed rebound dial to slow any bucking down and run the low speed rebound as wide open as possible to keep the fork tracking in the softest part of its travel. This results in a fork that rides on its compression circuits, doesn't dive doo much because you still have more midstroke support than the equivalently sagged air fork, feels super comfortable, resists bottoming and doesn't buck.
It will still be a great upgrade to a Pike. But a 36 plus an ACS3 is the dogs bollocks of forks right now.
The only way it could be better is if Fox introduced a bypass valve like the new DT Swiss fork/Baja trucks.
I'd have to seriously desire the Push kit to pay their price (probably justified, it is nice kit) rather than go for the more simple/cheaper CR Conception or TF Tuned kits. And most people would probably not want to make such a drastic modification to their fork.
With the CR conception kit I had to run the high speed comp rock hard on my FAST Pike or run less sag than usual not to get scary bottom outs.
The ACS3 really is quite game changing .it's just a shame it doesn't come in a 180mm flavour.
It's the only fork that has allowed me to get a setup so I can do back to back full runs in the Alps without suffering arm pump
Im sure that the technical reasons are true, but I suspect the main reason is that most people get Pikes on a bike, or pay 400-600 for them if bought aftermarket. A far higher %age of 36s are aftermarket purchased and cost £900-1100 to buy. You're much more likely to spend an additional £400 on something that cost £1000+ than something that cost £400.
Also of note is Vorsprung's upcoming Smashpot coil conversion: https://bikerumor.com/2018/09/10/crankworx-2018-roundup-vorsprungs-smashpot-coil-conversion-kit-peatys-bike-care-products-and-yakimas-hangover-rack/
180mm! Shut up and take my money Vorsprung!
Having.
180mm coil front and rear, Whoooooo freeride is back.
thanks for the replies.
That Vorsprung Smashpot seems like it could be a nice contender! never heard of it till now so excited to see how they play out.
It will hopefully be about 100 quid cheaper based on the usual pricing conversions that bike companies do.
Might be worth holding off and sending vorsprung an email?
I was gagging for a coil fork a year or two ago, but the new Rock Shox Debonair air shaft is so good (way more supple & supportive) that I just don't feel the need anymore.
So do consider than for £40-odd instead!
I've spoken to numerous suspension tuners, including companies who don't offer coil kits and all of them told me to stick with the PUSH coil at 170mm as opposed to air 180mm, they all thought it would be a backwards move. I was even offering TF tuned good money for new stanchions and the work to to bump it up to 180mm for my new frame and they advised against it and advised against buying a new fork. This was after the release of debonair, it tells you something when loads of people in the industry are saying 170mm of coil travel is preferable to 180mm of air.
They all stated pretty much the same as Vorsprung states in this thread as well -
https://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/vorsprung-smashpot-coil-conversion-1090922.html
One thing I didn't like about air was adding bottom out tokens would actually effect the feel early on in the travel, meaning you have to drop PSI - meaning that you get less midstroke support.
I can compress my ACS-3 36 sprung for someone who is 180lb, with a light push on the bars with my pinky fingers - I've never done that with an air fork, ever and certainly not after a few months of use.
I actually just recently got the new debonair spring in my Pikes and what a difference that, and new SKF seals made to the fork. I'm only looking into coils out of interest but dont think ill be making a purchase anytime soon. Will see how the trends go for now.
Actually pretty interested in the Vorsprung upgrade for my Monarch that they do first, looks interesting but havent seen much reviews for it.