|   Opinions: RockShox 2002 Psylo Race | Whistler
Jun 4, 2002 8:56 PM | | I'm considering installing one of this on my GF hardtail to replace my broken vintage Manitou. I like the relatively low weight, the lockout control for climbing and the supossedly great stiffness and adjustable travel for the downhills. Some questions:
(1) Does the adjustability (75/100/125) make sense for a hardtail? I did fine with 70mm for a long time but I didn't know better!
(2) Can the Psylo be run at 100/125mm on an older GF Genesis hardtail without damaging the headtube?
(2) The Psylo Race does not have the U-Turn control like Psylo SL. How does one adjust the travel on the Psylo Race?
Thanks in advance! |
| re: Opinions: RockShox 2002 Psylo Race | firecrotch
Jun 4, 2002 9:13 PM | | The Psylo Race is a good fork that I have been riding for about 8 months or so. First of all, it's not cheap, even through mail-order. Employee-purchasing it at the shop I work at didn't get me the best price either (though better than mail-order, ahhh...the joys of working at a bike shop...sorry)...anyways the Psylo weighs close to 3.5 lbs. (as weighed with an 8 inch steerer by me) and it is the lightest 5 in. travel fork out there. I love the range of both compression and rebound adjustment. The low-speed compression is very adjustable, but the high-speed is not really adjustable at all, so it's not a true big-hit fork. I have mine set up at 4 in. and I have tried both the 80mm setting and the 125mm setting. To change the travel, you have take out the air cartridge and either put in spacers (to reduce travel) or take them out (to increase travel). The fork is very stiff torsionally for me (but i only weigh 130 lbs.) and gives very presise steering. I also have the fork on a Klein Attitude Comp disc, so going with this fork on your GF hardtail will be no problem. The fork won't rip your head tube off if you set it to 5 in., thats just a myth. The only thing it will do is mess up your geometry and make your bike steer like a metro bus. The fork also has it's disadvantages. The pure damper is kind of a bit** to bleed when changing the oil. The fork is also made with more plastic and soft aluminum hardware than other forks out there, but this helps keep the weight down. The dual-air is initially a pain to setup, but is worth the time because you can make the air spring feel just like a coil. Even as an 80mm fork, the Psylo is an excellent, adjustable and stiff bump-eater. I say give it a try, I don't think you will be dissappointed.
-Ryan THUG #182 |
| re: Opinions: RockShox 2002 Psylo Race | Sunny
Jun 4, 2002 9:15 PM | | Don't have answers for the first 2 questions but, for your second #2 question ;-) the travel is adjusted via spacers in the air spring chamber. In other words, not a trail side adjustment...have to pick a setting and keep it there.
Going from 70 to 125mm on a HT would likely cause wonky handling but I personally have not tried it. |
| Hmmm... | pedalinbob
Jun 5, 2002 6:14 AM | | though i cannot answer your specific question, i would like to offer some advice/opinions.
first, i own 2 genesis hardtails, and i think the longer fork will really goof the handling (tried a 460mm, steered like a truck). i recommend sticking with a shorter axle-to-crown, such as the sxr, six deluxe, duke race, etc. genesis hardtails really like 430 to 440mm forks, and they are very inexpensive.
you can give longer forks a try, though...you might like it!
second, i am not yet convinced that a lockout would be very helpful. do you really want to be fiddling with your fork before climbs, and having to unlock it before the descent? if the fork is set up correctly, bobbing should be minimized.
yet, for some, it is a welcome option.
third, i am very interested in adjustable travel...but not sure about the true usefulness. again, will you really stop (or reach down to fiddle with a knob while riding--seems dangerous) to adjust the fork for climbs and downhills? of course, a remote lockout/travel adjuster would be easier/safer to use.
lastly, all the extra features create more possibilities for failure, are more expensive and often add weight. generally, simpler is better.
good luck, and keep us posted.
Bob |
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