|   Any difference in '02 Switchblades compared to '03/4? | Hecubus
Jan 9, 2004 10:23 AM | | I can get a really good deal on a new 2002 switchblade frame and want to know if there is any difference between the 2002 and 2003/2004 frames besides the option to get the 5" link (which I assume will work fine on 02's). |
| Yes... | Homebrew
Jan 9, 2004 12:01 PM | | The frame was slightly modified to accomdate the TALAS rear shock which isn't backward compatable. I think the headtube angle is bit steeper on the new frames as well. Also, the medium frame TT was lengthened from 23" to 23.25".
Call Titus for a complete rundown though...
(800) 85TITUS
The 2002 are very nice frames but I think they could benefit from the newer SPV shock technology like the Float ProPedal or Swinger 3-Way. |
| '02 upgrades | FM or MF
Jan 9, 2004 2:33 PM | | a few other things changed between '02 and '03.. the seatpost size changed from 27.2 to 30.0, and the location of the linkage holes on the front triangle changed as well. The current 5th element linkage will not retro-fit to a '02 frame. However Titus says that their will eventually be a separate linkage that will allow the 5th on an '02 frame. ALso the swing-arm changed mid 2002; my 2002.5 came with a newer, closed-yoke quasi-moto style swingarm
Now, for what used switchblades are costing, plus the price of the new 5th shock and linkage, you could just buy an '04. So if you are hell-bent on having talus or SPV you might as well buy your frame made that way.
Personally I don't think SPV is really required unless you are running more than 5" of travel(unless you are a serious masher), especially with air shocks that already have a sort of platform by nature of being so progressive; so not much need for it on 2002 frames. Bob certianly has never bothered me with the 4.5" setting.
The 5.7" linkage could really benefit from it, but I don't see that happening... |
| '02 upgrades | Hecubus
Jan 9, 2004 2:51 PM | | Thanks for all the info. I emailed titus about this and they said that in about 6 to 8 weeks they will be releasing a link plate for the older models that will allow for 5.25" of travel using a 7.875" i2i 5th element (or any other shock of that size I would imagine). |
| Thanks for the info | FM or MF
Jan 9, 2004 2:55 PM | | Thats really good to know! I have mine set up at 5.7" right now. It's pretty cool, but I'd gladly trade 1/2" for some better pedalling, especially while climbing.
I actually bought an turner RFX which is on the way. I'm going to try that for a while... I'll have to sell either the turner, titus or my hardtail once I decide which one gets ridden the least. |
| weight of medium 02 frame? | dan K
Jan 9, 2004 3:37 PM | | i wouldn't want to run more than 4.5" so I guess it'd be a waste to get the frame, right? |
| Another question | Hecubus
Jan 9, 2004 2:57 PM | | What is the largest tire your swingarm can clear? I've heard anything bigger than 2.1 is difficult. Also, how can I tell if the swingarm is the newer 2002.5 version. Thanks! |
| Answers..... | FM or MF
Jan 9, 2004 4:11 PM | | My med. '02 switchblade was much lighter than I had expected- 6lbs for the frame. Less than a pound heavier than my previous bike, (SC Superlight), climbs better, stiffer, and a world better on descents and technical stuff. Not to mention I broke 2 superlight frames, yet I have gone much bigger on the switchblade than I could have ever imagined on the titus, and it shows no signs of it.
Chainstay pivot: check out the picture. Older frames (and racer-x's too I think?) have a hole directly behind the main pivot, that goes all the way through the yoke. It looks as if they just weld a plate on over the hole on newer swing-arms.
Okay, now the rambling part. When I bought my switchblade, i was really sick of breaking frames, I wanted something heavier that I didn't have to worry about, something that would inspire confidence to try new scary stuff. The switchblade came through, but I was actually a little dissapointed it wasn't heavier! A year later I had a Z-1 on the 5.7" linkage on it, the bike was still under 30lbs or so. Perfect for all-day epics with technical descents and scary drops. It has really been a great bike, that has inspired me to develop new skills. I've even taken it to the north shore and whistler bike park a few times. So now I've gotten to the point where I feel like I would really like something heavier, with a coil shock and un-interrupted seat tube, a true free-ride frame. Hence, I am buying this 9.5lb, coil-over, 6" travel turner RFX frame.
So, I guess you could say that the titus has safely seen me through the transition from XC to free-ride, all though really the only thing that has changed is I'm willing to seek out and try much bigger drops than I would have attempted 2 years ago. Still not big by DH/FR standards but certainly bigger than I ever expected to try. So now I have to decide, since I can't really justify owning 3 mountain bikes, which one will get sold. The titus, the turner RFX, or my steel hardtail, which I have an emotional attachment to. In any case, if I do sell the switchblade I will feel bad about it, since it's been a great bike. We will see. I guess it's a dilemna a lot of us go through, not wanting to give up our current riding style just to learn new ones, which require different gear....I guess this is a long-winded way of saying, the switchblade is a great bike- almost versatile to a fault! |
| More Answers..... | FM or MF
Jan 9, 2004 4:41 PM | | sorry, I didn't really even answer your questions!
-No, I probably wouldn't wait for spv etc. if you are going with a 4.5" rear. You might want SPV if you are going for over 5" of travel, but really I think a coil shock is the way to go for that much travel, this is why I'm getting the RFX. Basically it seems like most people agree, the switch is best at 4.5", more than that and the BB gets pretty high. Also the longer shock&linkage limits your ability to drop the seat more than 1.5". So, as a 4.5" travel bike the switchblade rocks. If you want/need more travel or do more FR/DH stuff, you're better off with a 5-spot, quasimoto, or uzzi SLX etc. none of which will be as cheap or light&racy as a switchblade. I think talus is over-rated too, for all the same reasons.
-Tire clearance: My switchblade friend and I are both running geax sturdy 2.25's with good clearance, which are easily larger than a WTB 2.4. So, I guess you could say, up to a 2.4 tire, possibly bigger depending on brand. Plenty of clearance imho, no complaints there at all. |
| More Answers..... | Hecubus
Jan 9, 2004 6:28 PM | | Thanks a lot for all the great info. I actually currently own an Uzzi-SLX and its probably the bike I will be selling once I get this. The reason I want to know about the tires is that I'm currently running Intense System 4 2.25 tires and would like to continue using these tires on the new bike since I love how they handle. I currently also own a Spider which I have set up as my pure XC racing machine and just want a good all around bike for everyday epics. I'm currently using my Uzzi for that purpose but its a bit too heavy even though it does pedal really well overall. I never really got to use the Uzzi to its full potential as I wanted so I'm looking for something a bit lighter. The BB height isn't really an issue since I'm used to its insanely high 14.25" BB height. Something around 13.5 would be the sweetspot for me. Its the height my Tracer used to have and I loved it. The switchblade seems like the perfect bike to fall between the Tracer and the Uzzi SLX and its suspension is nearly identical so it seems like the logical way to go for me.
I checked the swingarm and the one I'm looking at appears to have the newer version without the hole. You mentioned you currently run your '02 with the 5.7" travel setting. Can you set this with the standard link plates or is this a seperate set? What shock does it use, the standard 6.5 i2i or dies it require a 7.875 i2i shock? |
| 5.7" travel kit | FM or MF
Jan 10, 2004 9:34 AM | | You do need new linkage plates and a new shock. I think it is 7.875, must be a fox air. Also, you use the extra set of holes on the frame. The shock mounts 180d. from regular, so the shock sleeve sits in between the linkage while the narrower part (piston? Shaft?) goes into the main triangle. SInce the shock has like an extra 1/2" of stroke to achieve less than an extra inch of travel, the ride really is much plusher with the longer travel setting.
I've been very happy with the long travel kit paired with the Z-1. Having true 4-bar suspension, all that travel and weight around 30 lbs with dic brakes and big tires is pretty sweet. As I said though, the flies in the ointment are: 1. you can't really drop your setpost very much, since the new linkage puts the swingarm right below the post when fully compressed 2. Angles get kind of slack when you are climbing steep technical stuff, that causes the rear end to squat. You can fix this with lock-out or perhaps a fork with a shorter axle-to-crown measurement than the Z-1. The long travel linkage makes the lock-out lever impossible to reach without getting off the bike, so I got a remote lock-out kit. All in all though, I think you will like it; it really becomes a differrent frame with the long travel kit; kind of like the intense 5.5- Long travel and light. Not really meant for hucking but perfect for technical epic rides. I'd have no interest in replacing my switchblade if it weren't for the fact that I spent 1/2 of last summer in BC, where almost every trail seems to have stunts and 3'+ drops. Who knows, maybe I'll keep it anyway!
I may sell my 5.7" kit when the RFX arrives; if you are interested let me know. Good luck, hope this helps!
/Scott |
| 5.7" travel kit | Hecubus
Jan 11, 2004 1:53 PM | | If I get the bike I will definately be getting the 5.7" kit. I guess I'll know later this week. The seatpost is 27.2mm right? |
| 5.7" travel kit | FM or MF
Jan 11, 2004 10:27 PM | | 2002 = 27.2
2003+ 30.0 (?)
Let me know if you're interested in my long travel kit with float RL and remote lock-out kit, $225 shipped. The shock got all new seals this fall. If I keep my switchblade, I'll build it up as more of an XC bike with 4.5" in back. |
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