|   Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | keen
Mar 19, 2003 8:23 PM | | I ride aggressive XC and wonder if the Stratos Helix Pro would be a wise choice. I ride a K2 EVO w/ a 5" single pivot rear supension. What do you think? or is this shock better suited for freeride/ DH use? Thank you |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | BryanW
Mar 20, 2003 7:32 AM | | I have a San Andreas that I had set up with a Helix Pro with 4.5" in the rear and an 80mm fork for about 3 years. I just upgraded to a Helix Expert (downgraded actually. Its the exact same shock without the lockout. Never used it and saved myself $100) to increase travel to 6" in rear with a 125mm fork up front. I never felt as if I got great travel or sensitivity from the old fork but I finally realized that it was because the spring was way to heavy for my weight. The new one I got has a much lighter spring and I LOVE it! These shocks have an air spring that assists the shock from bottoming out and gives you a huge range of compression by adjusting the air pressure. The coil spring however is the main element of the suspension and it feels more like a coil shock than air. Overall, since you have the air assist, you can go with a lighter coil for more small hit sensitivity for a great feel. I think they can be set up for a full range of XC, FR, and even light DH. Keep in mind however, that the lighter the spring/overall compression, the more bob you will get when pedaling. It is not designed to eleminate it like a Romic or 5th. However, I have mine set pretty plush and am not really bothered by some bob. It more than makes up for it in feel in my opinion and if you learn how to pedal efficiently even when hammering out of the saddle, you can cancel some of the unwanted movement. Hope this helps. |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | BryanW
Mar 20, 2003 7:34 AM | | Sorry, near the begining of previous post, I meant "never felt as though I got good feel from the shock" not fork.
By the way, my current set up for the shock is:
7.5" eye to eye, 2" stroke, 400 lb progressive coil spring, about 130psi air pressure. |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | keen
Mar 20, 2003 6:34 PM | | I weigh 200# and tried the shock w/ a 500# progressive coil and 200 psi air- way too soft. I don't know if I should go one step up w/ a progressive 600# or try a 550 linear. Was the shock designed around a prog. coil? Thanx |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | anand
Mar 20, 2003 7:48 PM | | I have a expert on my 1998 FSR and I also weight 200 lbs. I use a straight 700 lbs spring and about 160 PSI. I had the 500 progressive (it was fine when I weighed 170 lbs) and it was too light. The air pressure should not really be used above 160 lbs. It does not seem to do much except make the back end harsher.
I should also mention that you will need a special pump for the shock. I have one and find it to be diffcult to use with a habit of leaking air badly. |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | BryanW
Mar 21, 2003 7:08 AM | | I weight 130 and use a 400# progressive spring with about 130psi of air. I like things really plush.
As for the pump, some shockk pumps are better than others and have a funky adapter thing that screws onto the valve first for a better seal. Mine leaks air when I take it off also but it is always the same amount (25psi) so I can still fill it to where I want it. Try another pump. |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | skywaybuzz
Mar 21, 2003 7:10 AM | | Keen I have a Stratos progressive 600x2.4 spring if you want to try it.Too stiff for me even with 105psi 160lbs |
| re: Ne1 w/ Stratotos experience... | gmini
Mar 21, 2003 11:14 AM | | I have helix pro on my UZZI SL and worked perfectly for XC/DH. I use the lock out just for climbing . I save a lot of my energy climbing compare to fox RC. I'm about 155 lbs and use #500 spring. This what stratos recommended for the weight. |
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