|   Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | Richard
May 22, 2003 9:27 AM | | I have a '99 FSR-XC with the stock Manitou SX fork it came with. The travel of that fork is 70mm. I'm thinking about upgrading to a FOX fork. If I get the 100mm fork, how much will that change my bike's geometry and feel?
What fork are you currently running with your FSR-XC? |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | xl_cheese
May 22, 2003 10:43 AM | | I had an 00 fsr. I went from the 70mm manitou to an 80mm sid. I just took a facing tool to the bottom of the head tube to help compensate. I also wanted the bike at a more aggressive angle. You and prolly get it faced down at a lbs. I went right up to the weld. Prolly don't wanna go further than that. Maybe got 10mm shaved. |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | Jason in VT
May 22, 2003 10:52 AM | | BUMP...I have the same bike (2000) and would like to replace mine also. I was looking at the 100mm-120mm Manitou Black Super...
So same question...how will this affect the ride and geometry of the bike? |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | Griff
May 22, 2003 12:26 PM | | I have the same bike and am currently running an 80mm X-Fly. I noticed the bike was a little more slack with the new fork and BOMBING down hills. For that bike, I don't know if I'd recommend a 100mm fork for the bike. It's a cross country sled and only has 3" in the rear. The fork that I did add, while it handles better and is overall a better bike, makes the suspension feel a lot less balanced. I've had my Manitou on since and the bike feels a lot better with it over the Zoke.
Regardless, any new fork 80mm or 100mm will make your bike handle better down hills and through singletrack. Once I got my Zoke, I just let go of the brakes and let the bike fly down hills. It was pretty sweet . . .
If you don't have an X-Rated link (MRP) I'd highly recommend that suspension upgrade as well.
Good luck! |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | S-Works
May 22, 2003 9:10 PM | | I would recomend the BETD link over the X-rated link. I've had both, the BETD has more travel options. I run mine at 100mm.
I currently have an 01 Z3 100 coil on my bike. My vanilla 100R is being serviced by fox at the moment.
100mm no problem, if anything makes the handling less twitchy and more stable. I have no problems climbing with 100 mm up front, and downhill is a blast! Betd link and 100mm up front make the 99 FSR XC and awesome trailbike.
Good luck, hope this helps |
| '00 Marzocchi Bomber Atom 80mm on '99 FSRxc | PiroChu
May 23, 2003 2:04 PM | |
I have the same '99 FSRxc as well. The stock Manitou fork is mounted on my wife's bike. I really like my '00 Marzocchi Atom 80mm, and it's plenty for me.
For the rear linkage, I have X-Rated kit installed (at the smaller of the 2 travel options, by the way), too...
http://mountainspeed.com/fsr/
http://mountainspeed.com/fsr/fsrbearingkit/
I've not tried BETD...
http://www.betd.co.uk/website/specialised/FSR%20XClink.htm
The only thing I kinda wished that I had gone for BETD is that I seem to have to replace the DU bushing on my X-Rated about once a year. I'm still happy with it (& no $$$ for BETD), so I'm keeping it.
My rear-shock is still an original stock FOX Float (no leak's), so it's too bad that I don't have a rebound-adjuster on it.
S-Works:
By the way, what's your red seatstays from??? (Some '03 with disc tab?) I've read on Specialized's online FAQ area that '00 (& up) stuff can't be retro-fitted on '99 stuff, so I was giving up. I guess it works for you, eh? Cool. Let me know what it's from, pls.
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| Hey Pirochu | S-Works
May 23, 2003 6:01 PM | | I was one of the first to get the X-rated link when it came out. Completely transformed my ride (as you already know). Going from the X-rated link to BETD was another leap forward, it is so much better that the X-rated link. I also got mountainspeed's dropout bearing kit, which made a big difference too. It is my understanding that the X-rated link increases travel to 90mm. The two shock mounts on the link have to do with BB height.
To answer you questions, the seatstay is from an 01 Rockhopper FSR, it is identical in dimensions to the stock seatstay on our 99 FSR XC's. The lower pivots are different (I found out after the fact), but it was nothing that a drill press and the proper size drill bit could not solve. The mountainspeed bearings slid right in.
I called this guy at Specialized in SLC about getting the seatstay,I didn't want to go with the Shark Fin. They were not selling them, saving what they had for warranty replacements, but he would check into it. Two days later he said go to my LBS and order one. If I had a problem, have LBS call him. I didn't, it cost $90.
This was a little over a year ago, check into it, you may still be able to get one, that way no shark fin adapter.
Good Luck |
| Hey S-Works | PiroChu
May 24, 2003 9:22 AM | | S-Works,
Great - thanks for the info on your chain-stay. I'll make some phone calls to Specialized some time...
As for BETD...
* Wow, that much difference from X-Rated, eh? Humm..., I may have to look into that more again... But would you mind elaborating further on all the differences you noticed in comparison, etc, please?
* Also, are you still using the same dropout bearing kit from MountainSpeed in conjunction with BETD link, or BETD has its won dropout kit, too, that you got?
* By the way, how much did it cost to obtain BETD linkage shipped from UK(?) to US (assuming that you're in the US)??? Looks expensive.
Thanx for the info again! |
| Hey Pirochu | S-Works
May 25, 2003 6:55 AM | | Hey Pirochu,
I spoke with Doug 801-886-2453 x4273. This was over a year ago, don't know if same guy is there, but worth a shot for you.
I found the BETD link to be alot smoother than the X-rated link. It moves on bearings like the X, but it just seemed to work better. I think the big difference with the BETD is the travel seems to be much more useable, meaning set at 100, use 100. With my X-rated link I don't think I ever consistently used all the travel there, plus you have three travel option with the BETD, one with X-rated link. Both have two BB height settings, stock and a bit higher. The bushings are much better, I haven't had to change mine yet, still very tight.
I am using the MS Dropout kit, I did not get BETD's. If you get the new seatstay, you will find a ridge in the middle of the bearing race that is not on your FSR XC's. Specialized changed the design of the bushings for the 01 Rockhopper FSR. I drilled the ridge out with a 5/8 inch drill bit on a drill press, the MS bearings slid right in. So Big S may say they are not compatable, but they are with this modification to the 01 Rockhpper FSR Seatstay.
BETD has a money conversion section, I think it was $160 delivered. I would also order an extra shock bushing, you'll need one sooner or later, (like I said, mine is holding up very well) and will just cost more to get shipped unless you order an extra one to begin with.
Hope this answers your questions.
Later,
S-Works |
| Thanks a lot for all the info, S-Works !! (NM) | PiroChu
May 27, 2003 9:33 AM | | |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | FIngerpicker
May 22, 2003 12:58 PM | | I changed mine out and I did not like it at all. I changed it back. Your mileage may very. If you do that I think you should add the link in the back and increase the travel there too. |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | BillyTK
May 22, 2003 1:12 PM | | I put a Marathon 100 on mine, and like it much more, the FSR has a two steep steering, it get's a little nervous on fast downhills, the 100mm fork worked that out, without hurting it's climbing ability. |
| it's all good. i ride a psylo sl on mine. | super uber stupid
May 22, 2003 6:10 PM | | , |
| 2001 S-Works FSR-xc with 2002 Duke 100 SL... | BowWow
May 23, 2003 2:15 AM | | The Duke has a low axle-to-crown height, so it doesn't affect the geometry as much. Here's a question though - the rear shock (Fox Float RL) is 6.0" eye-to-eye, with 1.25" travel. Will a 6.5" x 1.5" Float RL be an improvement? I'll get more travel, and it seems to be much more common. I realize it will jack the back end up a bit, steepening the steering angle. Anybody tried it?
Steve |
| re: Specialized FSR-XC Owners.... | MBA
May 23, 2003 9:07 AM | | I have an '02 FSR XC that came with an 80mm Duke XC. Just put a Talas R on for the adjustable travel, 80-125mm. Dialing in 100mm noticably changes the bike. Much more stable with slower handling, which I use for down hill.
Going from 70 to 100mm you will have a totally different bike, not sure you'll like it. Consider an adjustable, on-the-fly, travel fork. |
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