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I've been loving mine. Slight tweak to the derailleur as cables settled, and I have swapped out the seatpost for a Oneup V2. The V3 would have given me even more length, but the for an extra £80. The V2 is just long enough to get the minimum insertion line back in the frame, and give me an additional 20mm or so of height for my silly legs.
Any recommendations for servicing? I'm not sure my lbs is up to one of these - they are awesome, super helpful, but spend most of their time on bromptons and bikes with a shopping basket on the front. Bold only have a few registered service spots in the South, so it's a 90 minute drive, but feeling it's probably worth it. I've got a bit of frame creak and click, especially at the start of the ride.
As for the riding, I'm still learning to push it. Previous bike was a fully rigid steel/carbon combo - fine for the South Downs generally, but had to pick my way across some bits of trail, especially close, repetitive ridges and bumps. I'd be fine until I went too quick and the timing started to get out of sync, then I'd end up playing buckaroo. This beastie just glides across the top, smoother the faster I go. I've having to learn my local trails again as there are features that I would previously necessarily approach much slower, and I now come flying in with a load more speed and what was a roller into a turn becomes a jump that launches me off the trail. Great fun!
My third replacement rear end this year is already at the bike shop waiting to be fitted. Front triangle or lower linkage appears to me to have a width tolerance issue when compared to the rear end causing issues such as rear triangle lower pivot bearings trying to shear through the back of their seats. However the warranty practice is apparently only to replace the individual broken part and not the whole frame. So unfortunately it's possible I'll be popping to the shop again in another 180km which seems about my standard distance between visits.
@wibble89 - do you have the Bold Technical Bulletin Dated 11/3/22? Have you/your shop had the other SB/Mod done to add in the small spacers between lower rear triangle mount and the linkage? Without it, that will cause the exact issue you mention - mine came with the frame (to be applied retrospectively) along with the other updated parts you mention, the red knurled pre-load ring etc.
Mines been absolutely faultless whilst in use, remained smooth and play free. Its currently in bits as I stripped it when I bought my e-bike, but had an inkling that I'd still want a 'regular' suspension bike. Its going to be re-built up with the parts from my hardtail at some point in the coming months.
Shocks away for a full service at the moment. Air can service has been done a couple of times myself but it needs the full damper recharge now.
FYI - the air can seals are not the usual Fox Float seals which fit everything else, you need kit 803-01-987
Any recommendations for servicing? I'm not sure my lbs is up to one of these - they are awesome, super helpful, but spend most of their time on bromptons and bikes with a shopping basket on the front. Bold only have a few registered service spots in the South, so it's a 90 minute drive, but feeling it's probably worth it. I've got a bit of frame creak and click, especially at the start of the ride.
@BigSouthernJess I'd suggest findng a Scott dealer with a good MTB mechanic, someone who has worked on the current gen Spark. You can see they even use the same website but theres waaay more Scott dealers. They will still have access to the same knowledge and parts, they just dont have Bold's hanging up in the shock. They come from the same factory, via the same distributors, using the same portals/software/part number formats etc.
Also @wibble89 - as my frame is currently in bits, if you want me to measure anything shout up - I've got some calipers. Could be useful for you to compare.
i can recommend MB Cyclery in Haslmere. Scott dealer I believe, but they know their stuff.
Thank you @snotrag and @specialisthoprocker, great call on the Scott dealer vs Bold, and thanks for the personal recommendation too. Haslemere is not too far!
Cheers @snotrag - Thanks for the kind offer, I may PM you asking after some dimensions. Are the spacers you mention the ones shown as Item B on page 1 of the 11/03/22 service bulletin and again shown on page 4 after Step 11? I interpret that item as a washer that sits between the bolt head and the bearing as some frames had bearings that were too narrow fitted (a single bearing number reportedly has two width options) meaning the bolt bottoms out on its thread rather than the shoulder of the bolt against the inner bearing race. The shop mentioned installing a bearing kit the last time and have one to fit again this time so I assume it is a 297152 kit which says to use without the washers...
Also good info on the shock seals!
Struggling to picture what the service bulletin affects. Is there details available online somewhere?
Cheers Wibble for sending that over much appreciated. Interesting reading indeed and almost looks more complex than belies its elegant clean simplicity. Where do they tuck it all away.
Mines only a couple of rides old as I broke my ankle this summer annoyingly. Its was fine so far but hopefully give it a proper run or two soon now its had its rebuild.
Sounds like you've been very patient with yours to date. Hopefully it gets resolved and the discrepancy gets figured out soon.
There must be a point when its more reasonable to swap the whole thing rather than have a completely dissolussioned customer.
As this seems to be the centre of Linkin knowledge and ownership experience:
What rear mudguards are people using?
I had a seatpost mounted guard that parted ways somewhere on the trails back in the Spring, and with the dry summer I've not got round to replacing it. I'd prefer something mounted closer to the wheel, but the rear triangle is so tight and shallow an angle.
Any recommendations? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Jess.
I have one of these. Doesn't stop your bum getting wet but protects the povots a bit.