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Just about to change my airshaft on my 2017 pike forks to the more plush debonair shaft , but I've just watched a video on u tube where the guy said a neat trick is to remove the rubber stop which gives better progression, anyone else tried this and wot are the benefits
Do you mean the top out bumper between the grey and red parts on the top of the air shaft?
Yes that's the 1
Its a top out bumper, stops the forks clunking when you pull up on the bars. I'd like to see some testing, results and graphs from said youtuber before modifying forks and making them clunk.
Was on a gmbn lower leg service video so not an amateur attempt
Its in effect doing what the luftkappe was doing, relying on the negative volume to stop the fork topping out. I had issues with a luftkappe clonking when pulling up on the bars to hop over obstacles, personally, I'd be leaving the top out bumper in. The new debonair shaft doesn't need any messing about.
Well.... Taking out the bumper will reduce the negative and increase the positive air volumes if the bumper is in play when at idle, both of which will reduce the progression not increase it. So I would say if you want to increase the progression this is exactly the way not to do it. Better progression of course... that could be the case depending on what you think is better. I guess it also depends on what air shaft you're putting in, where it balances etc.
Not saying I'm doing it they just said it was a nice little trick , just want to know peoples opinion on it is ,swapping old 1 for the new debonair air shaft
I would suggest it's not a good idea to totally remove the bump stop. It's acting as an shock absorber for the lower circlip and they will soon bend out of shape when being constantly struck.
Replacing it with some O rings could be a compromise to try.
Dr J MTB (on YouTube) also did this. Although I read in a comment that he ended up putting the top out bumper back in on the new C1 air spring. From the video comments it looks like he prefers the previous debonair spring without the top out bumper. But the new one with the bumper. Some decent videos. CHeck them out.
Also, FYI, I (like many others) am not a fan of the new C1 debonair spring. Seems a Little harsher for small bump sensitivity. Definitely rides higher though, which is nice. I’ll be putting the old one back in as soon as I get the time. Will also consider removing the top out bumper when I put the old spring back in.