The 5-Spot rebuild is done. The Z1 light is excellent as is the DHX 5 coil. The best part of the rebuild is the Hopey steering damper. Takes a couple of minutes to get used to, but one of the best upgrades I ever put on a bike. I thought that it might be a problem on uphill switchbacks...wrong...it holds a line makes tech uphills easier. The AJ frame protector also is nice, before I had to remember to stay in the middle chainring on rock gardens, sometimes chain drop to granny and once in awhile all the way to the frame. Problem solved. Bike did gain some weight and now is 32 lbs. That is not a problem, it is not my everyday bike. I am ready for Mammoth and Kernville are you?
Where are the pics of the new shocks Dean? I've been seeing more people using those Hope steering dampers. Perhaps you can elaborate on how they work exactly for those who are not familiar with their purpose :-k Also how much does one of those weigh? As far as the frame protector I think I'd rather go with a Heim 3 guide arm/MRP LRP roller set up....that will prevent the chain drop in both rings and also prevent a lot of chain slap at the same time. I'm running that set up on both my 5 Spot and 6 Pack and love it Edit: PS, you don't really use that big ring do you? And yes, as soon as my 888RC comes in for my AS-X I'll be ready for Mammoth!
Info on Hopey. http://www.hopey.org/ Weight 125 grams, lighter than allot of tubes. It uses hydraulics to keep the wheel straight. It is adjustable and can be turned off with a twist of a dial. There is resistance tuning the handlebars away from center but none returning, also once you turn the handles pretty far from center it turns off, so no problem going around tight corners. You would think that you would not be able to ride without hands that is not the case due to the small amount of play at center. Also helps when you are tried or going slow uphill, keeps the front tire from wandering. The Hopey shines in rock gardens: no defection, the Z1 through axle and the Mavic 721 makes the stiffest combo I have ever rode. The DHX 5 Coil seems invisable, it just does its job and you really don't notice how plush it is unless you pay attention. It is kinda like "did I run over that kind of thing". My first thought was to go with the Heim. Bike shop suggested I try AJ first, I was told, less drag and no noise...not that I have any experience with the Heim. Either one would have fixed my complaint. And yes lets keep talking about Mammoth, due to the snow it will not happen until August so a Cannell Plunge ride is calling us first. Sherman Pass opening second week of June.
I'll take the plunge with you Dean:bang: The hopey is very interesting... I'll have try it out sometime... The Spot looks greats, glad you put some more life into her.
Yeah that Hopey thing does sound very interesting. I checked their website and it's over 200 bucks though! Hmm . . .
Y'know, my first reaction is, "Bah, I don't need that! What for?" Then, I remember that I used to feel that way about shocks. Hmmm. $200 is a pretty expensive price for that, though. I dunno. Seems like a real nice upgrade.
Matt K. started a new thread about this ride. Does it need much time to dry out after the melt? I can do it anytime in June. http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2374
