|   So I gots me a Cloud 9 on my El Fuego.. | ohpossum
Mar 17, 2003 1:47 PM | | ..and heres what I think about it:
Pros:
* Light as all getout
* Just as plush as all the other CC shocks I've had/tried (AD10/AD12)
* The rebound and compression dampening adjustments are more pronouced than in the AD series. For example, I felt the AD's compression dampening wasn't felt until quite far into its adjustment range. The Cloud 9 has more noticable dampening sooner in the range, and much more pronounced (as in "unusable") dampening at the end of the adjustment range. Same goes for the rebound. The extreme settings of rebound on the Cloud 9 caused it to pack up big-time...see Cons
* The user servicable bits are just as easy to service as in the ADs
Cons:
* I think the d@mn thing had a leak right out of the box! It would lose pressure from the main chamber over a few hours. 20 lbs in 2-3 hours..After inspecting/relubing the seals, all seems to be well now. But sheesh!
* I didn't read the online intstructions at CC's site well enough before I ordered it. Unlike the AD series, the Cloud 9's rebound and compression mechanics are not user servicable. The only thing an average Joe can do is replace/lube the o-rings that seal the main chamber. Like they say in the manual, if your shock develops a leak in the piston, it has to go back to CC. I can't complain too much b/c I didn't read close enough, but its still a bummer
* I find that I have to run lower pressure than what CC recomends for my riding weight. I think this is prob due to the rising rate of the linkage + the progresiveness of the shock. I could very well be wrong (I'm no suspension expert by any means), but the standard -5/-10 lbs less than weight is too stiff for the Fuego. Its not a big deal, but it makes dialing it in take all the longer
* Carefull with the rebound settings. You can get in a vicious cycle with too much rebound starving the main chamber. Thinking back to the AD series, I initially dialed in waaay to much rebound dampening and the shock began to pack-up as it was rebounding so slowly. I thought the main chamber was leaking and when I measured the pressure, sure enough it was less than I had filled it (only b/c the rest of the air was stuck in the compression chamber due to slooooow rebound). So, I charged it back it, rode some more, and thought it was leaking again (b/c now the compression chamber is chock full o' air not getting back to the main chamber)....so on and so on. Finally I realized what was going on and dialed all that rebound out. I could actually hear the compression chamber dumping into the main chamber as I turned the knob..
After all the rebound mess I discovered the real leak that the rebuild seems to have fixed. I'm not sure if the leak was caused by my ignorance of the rebound dampening. I don't think it could be but ya never know..
To wrap it up: Plush, Light, good rebound and compression adjustments (once you figgurout how they work). Easy work on the parts that a user can work on. CC's recomended pressure is too high for this type of bike. Once you've got it dialed in, its a pretty good ride.
I would love to hear comments from anyone with the stock Fox shock on an El Fuego..
op
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| hmmm.... so how do you like the bike? | Shylock
Mar 17, 2003 1:58 PM | | ...I responded to ya over in bikes, by the way
Feel the gin |
| how do I like the bike? | ohpossum
Mar 17, 2003 2:20 PM | | In short: It rocks!
I'm a bit biased b/c I'm coming off of a URT, so perhaps I'm just marveling in the effect of always active suspension. Nevertheless, the bike is everything I wanted it to be when I ordered it. I was initially worried about the inch higher BB, but once I got used to the cornering differences my worries were gone. The 15" bike is a perfect fit for me (5'5"/~30" inseam). If I had it to do over again, I would go with exactly what I've got now.
The C9 was(is) tricky to set up, but I'm getting very close to optimal pressures and dampening. The cockpit took some work to get just right, mostly on the saddle side of things. I like the taller headtube on the Fuego. It brings flat bars up a bit, simulating a riser somewhat.
I do feel some pedal kickback from the suspension in some situations. Its been rare, like only twice in 15+ hours of riding so far. In my opinion, its not detrimental to the overall ride at all.
Overall, I'm a happy camper with it..
op |
| Hey, how long is that electrical cord? | Smytty
Mar 18, 2003 5:17 PM | | I don't think I've ever seen a cord plugged into a BB before. Why don't you just get a battery powered computer? That way you won't have to worry about the cord getting snagged on something. Just kidding.
Sweet looking ride. |
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