It seems the other Role Call thread is loaded up with schweet, lightweight, hard core XC NRS's...nothing wrong with that, but it's time for all us AC riders to come out of the closet!

I started out in 2001 on an NRS-1. After breaking the frame from all the hard core technical XC riding and light hucking...it was time for an upgrade. This is my AC V2.2.

2003 Giant AC-1 Frame with Manitou Swinger 4-way (upgraded from 2002 AC Air Lite after a broken and warrantied frame).
2003 Manitou Sherman Firefly (migrated the Psylo from the Air Lite, but needed something a bit beefier...and less prone to oozing)
8" Hayes up front
6" Hayes out back
Sun Singletracks with 14 gauge straight spokes
Marzocchi 20mm front hub
XT rear hub
WTB Wierwolf 2.5's front and rear
Super shorty, short 45mm 0deg Weyless stem
Bash guard

Nice and dirty too - just the way a hardcore, technical XC rig should be!

...etc, etc, etc.

Nice!

I'll post a pic of mine later in the week, when I get some of the parts put on (currently it's just the frame, shock, and headset).

Exactly. Would like to see more ACs, as well as VTs and HTs. I love scoping them all out. Hell, I have to look at an NRS all the darn time. Even have thought about building up a Gaint HT lately, but as always..."...must...maintain...control..."...

Here's a look at the brand new heavy duty front end I just put on...

And the best piece of equipment ever designed for a bike...the Manitou Swinger 4-Way...

whoa you have one sweet bike. I opted for an NRS 2 instead, but Im kinda of regreting it because I like to do jumps and technical trails!! How does it handle anyways?

It handles VERY well!
I ride with a good group of hard core technical riders...so I've been able to try out:
Yeti ASX
Santa Cruz Bullit
Santa Cruz Blurr
Cannondale Gemini
Specialized Big Hit

And remember, I started out my full suspension life with an NRS-1. This AC with the Swinger is simply incredible. I prefer the 4-bar suspension over the single pivots any day. I love how adjustable the Swinger is...and how pedalable it is. We've got a LONG mildly technical DH run here in the 'Springs that takes about a 3 mile climb to get to. I set up the shock to tune out the bob and am amazed at how well I can climb...then soften it up for the DH run and blow everyone else away on the way back to town.

It's SOLID when pedaling...and plush when the trail bumps start to flow.

AC pix. I want more. Pls. post some more pics. Who has that bad #$% orange frame? Built up yet?

Here's mine. 2 week old '03 AC2. Still stock except the platforms. Waiting for an extra firm spring to arrive to see if the Psylo stays or is replaced with something painfully expensive.

This is my first FS bike. I'm a recent motocross crossover. It's more fun than I expected :D

The orange frame is mine... I'll put up some pics Wednesday night. I have most of the parts, just waiting on some time...

take ur time bro. :D

I hope your Psylo works out better than mine did.

It was an '02 with a standard QR. It went to Rockshox twice for rebuilds within a year due to leaking seals...and it just didn't feel very solid.

I picked up that '03 Firefly for a STEAL! It took me about 2 months of scanning E-Bay, PinkBike and MTBR.com classifieds. The ad read "like new"...I talked to the guy on the phone and got a solid feeling about it. It was even amazed when I opened the box...it was like it had been shipped from the factory. It also included THREE Ti springs and an 8" rotor adapter...

...for $310 INCLUDING shipping.

The Firefly is simply amazing...solid as a bridge pier laterally and oh so smooth on the bumps.

BTW - Dig the paint on that '03 AC-2, I love that gunmetal grey!

Photo sesh

Nice/interesting upgrades!

How much does the rig weigh total?
How does the Swinger Air ride compared to the coil?
Where did you get those buzz saw rotors?

The air Swinger saves over a pound, and pedals better than the VT, IMO. I also have a coil Swinger 4 for rowdy riding, I keep it in the car. I can get you the Galfer rotors for $89 a pair, they aint cheap. This bike is getting a Maverick fork/hub/stem in March, it will be 26.25 LBS when I am done.

OK, here's the beginnings of mine. When built it will have:

Manitou Black Elite 100/120 (installed)
Salsa SUL stem (may switch to something w/ less rise)
Azonic handlebar
Hayes mag brakes (6 inch, for now)
Sram trigger shifters
Sram X.9 rear derailleur
Wheels are: front: King to Alex Supra D, db spokes; rear: Profile to Alex Supra D, db spokes, built by me
Seat: WTB
Cranks/BB: Truvativ Isis
Pedals: Wellgo flats

I'm undecided as yet about the stem and seatpost. I'll probably go cheap (Tahoma), so I can spend more on the drivetrain. And the upgrades I see happening before too long: New levers for the Hayes brakes (there's a machine shop near me that makes some) and Goodridge brake hoses, and some kind of coil spring for the rear. But those are for later.

went to perf earlier and chatted with the store manager. He can order the 03 IH Hollowpoint for $1.2k and this weekend, Perf will have a no tax weekend so it seems I will be getting this instead of the AC. :(

went to perf earlier and chatted with the store manager. He can order the 03 IH Hollowpoint for $1.2k and this weekend, Perf will have a no tax weekend so it seems I will be getting this instead of the AC. :(

You could go back to the store and lean on them a little harder to find you one. There's a million Performance stores in So. Cal. In San Diego they should still have '03 AC1's for $1,799 and AC2's for $1,399. Pretty cheap for that list of parts. With my Performance membership my AC2 was ~$1,380 out the door. They have a 17" (M) AC1 at the Kearny Mesa store 858-560-8666.

:p just when I am decided on the Hollowpoint. :D Oh well back to the drawing board. Lemme call up the friendly neighborhood Performance bike shop.
Thanks for the tip man.

You could go back to the store and lean on them a little harder to find you one. There's a million Performance stores in So. Cal. In San Diego they should still have '03 AC1's for $1,799 and AC2's for $1,399. Pretty cheap for that list of parts. With my Performance membership my AC2 was ~$1,380 out the door. They have a 17" (M) AC1 at the Kearny Mesa store 858-560-8666. yummy yummy.

yummy yummy.

Good catch on that medium rideit. I keep thinking I have a large but I chose the 18" medium as I'm shrinking in my old age :( They say the mind is first to go but in my case it was the eyes then the spine then the mind :D

Here is my AC that I've been riding for about 14 months. I just put a Z150 on it last week, I've had two rides with it and I love it. The second picture is my old AC1 which was stolen out of my garage and never seen again.

BB

Friggin dirtbag theives...I had an NRS-1 stolen out of my garage a few years back. Never to be seen again either. I'm so glad I ramped up to the AC line.

now stop posting pics of AC's :mad: hehehe.
wanted to drop by perf today but am looking at an 89 MOntero and if everything goes well, I will be the proud owner of my trail rig(montero) and a trail bike(AC) by this tax free weekend.

:D I just put a Z150 on it last week, I've had two rides with it and I love it.
BB

I got my extra firm spring for my psylo. Performance traded it out for free, nice guys. It's ridable but not what I need. I have no trouble going up, but going down with that fork is puckering :eek:

eh...it's only money. I'm leaning towards the coil QR20. What you guys think, coil or air?

I prefer coil myself, although I've never actually ridden an air fork. I've had 2 air shocks though (1 Stratos Helix, total junk, and 1 Fox Float) as well as the one on my AC (not ridden yet) and I didn't much care for the fact that I had to pump the shock up before every other ride. What kind of fork are you looking at?

:D

I got my extra firm spring for my psylo. Performance traded it out for free, nice guys. It's ridable but not what I need. I have no trouble going up, but going down with that fork is puckering :eek:

eh...it's only money. I'm leaning towards the coil QR20. What you guys think, coil or air?

now stop posting pics of AC's :mad: hehehe.
wanted to drop by perf today but am looking at an 89 MOntero and if everything goes well, I will be the proud owner of my trail rig(montero) and a trail bike(AC) by this tax free weekend.


Did you say Giant AC & Montero Combo? I think I got ya dialed in my friend! :p

Will get the MOnty tomorrow. Will post pics soon. Hopefully with the AC. :D

Don't rule out the Firefly QR20...it weighs SO much less than the Z150!

Don't rule out the Firefly QR20...it weighs SO much less than the Z150!

According to the fork spreadsheet at maverickamerican.com the Firefly is only 1 pound lighter than a Z150.

My cool Performance dealer already offered me a credit on my Psylo to trade up to the Firefly but we agreed that if the extra heavy Psylo spring (for free) didn't work then the Firefly probably wouldn't either.

I think the added rake of a longer fork is also the right thing to do in my case. Maybe I'm asking too much of trail bike geometry and should just learn to ride :D

According to the fork spreadsheet at maverickamerican.com the Firefly is only 1 pound lighter than a Z150.

My cool Performance dealer already offered me a credit on my Psylo to trade up to the Firefly but we agreed that if the extra heavy Psylo spring (for free) didn't work then the Firefly probably wouldn't either.

I think the added rake of a longer fork is also the right thing to do in my case. Maybe I'm asking too much of trail bike geometry and should just learn to ride :D

I disagree... I've ridden both forks (for the most part... I had a Flick) and I found the Psylo to be a flexy leaky nightmare and the Flick to be solid as a rock. Unless the problem is bottoming out, the Sherman outdoes the Psylo on pretty much all fronts. The extra width on the stanchions, combined with the extra stiffness of the reverse arch and the 20MM axle makes all the difference in the world (in my opinion, anyway).

I guess I missed what the problem you're having is. Is it bottoming, or something else? Another thing to note... the Shermans are fairly long forks for their travel...

The 2003 Firefly weighs in a 4.5 - the 2004 at 4.9 (with SPV technology).

I don't care what the Psylo weighs because it's a noodly, leaking piece of junk.

According to the Marzocchi site
http://www.marzocchi.com/spa/mtb/products/forkWeights.asp?p=1&LN=UK&Sito=mtb
Z150 FR weighs 2,669 grams PLUS 535 grams for Reinforced Steel Steerer = 7.06LBS!
Z150 FR SL weighs 1,965 grams PLUS 226 grams for Reinforced Alloy Steerer = 4.88lbs

The SL is pretty dang light for a 6" SC fork, but I'm a coil convert.

I don't care what the Psylo weighs because it's a noodly, leaking piece of junk.


So your saying it's not my imagination that this fork ain't gonna do? Mine isn't leaking yet but it bottoms going off a curb and flexes so bad I can make the disc touch the caliper by leaning to one side.

I didn't mean to offend those with Manitou's. I thought at the time I bought the AC2 that an additional $400 was too much to spend on an AC1 which is the exact same bike except it comes with the Firefly ("03 models that is).

I can spend $600 more and still have a great bike for under $2K :D

My education continues.

Hey guys, quick question for you. My 02 AC has lots of bolts/mounts in the bottom bracket area. I know some are for a chainguide, but what is the one on the seat tube for? It's just a single boss with a bolt in it...

Hey guys, quick question for you. My 02 AC has lots of bolts/mounts in the bottom bracket area. I know some are for a chainguide, but what is the one on the seat tube for? It's just a single boss with a bolt in it...


Bolt-on derailleur as opposed to clamp-on type? Just a guess.

I think it's for a fender (it's on the back of the seat tube, not the side like I thought while I was away from the bike). You can see it in the picture of mine above (the orange one), and also on the picture of Rideit's.

It really is a cable anchor for when (one) runs a chain guide, but does not want to remove the front shifter/cables/etc. Now that you posit that theory, however, I think that I might fashion a fender to fit, using that cable anchor! (gawd, the internet is cool..)

I never would have guessed that as the purpose in a million years! Although now that I know it, it's a pretty good idea (albeit one I probably wouldn't use). I'll be interested to see that fender though!

Just thought I'd give this thread a little action.

I have a Z150FR, e13 bashring and some lock-on Ruffians coming for my AC.

It's bikebrain's fault. I have a picture of his bike on my desktop. I would click on it and think "I need a set of those forks".

Next on my list is changing rings to 28&36 and the cassett to 14/34 or something like that. I have no use for the 22 or the 44 I have now and the stock 11/34 cassett has some wide gaps in it.

I'll post pictures of the forks soon (I hope) :cool:

Chris

Duzitall,

I love the Z150's on this bike. I rode a friend's Turner with them, and I knew that the z150 would be the next doda to buy. My purchase made my wife a little angry, but It is ok now. I hope that you like the forks when you get them.

Happy trails!!

Bikebrain

Finally got this thing built (almost... still have to adjust the drivetrain and shorten the brake hoses)... now if only the weather would cooperate!

That's gonna be a nice one slowride!

Not to steal any of your glory but I said I'd post a picture of my new Z150 on the bike.

It's a whole different bike with these forks :D I like the gay little fender, keeps the mud off my glasses :cool:

Chris

Looks like a sweet ride there too. I'd love something like that Z150 (from a pure lust standpoint), but alas, Illinois just does not require something that big.

Looks real nice though!

Slowride,

Can you do me a favor? Can you take a picture of the rocker arms from behind? I put a Romic on mine and I think that the shock bushings are not the right size. The rockers seem to look like they are not straight, they look like they bend slightly inward. Thanks in advance.

I'll post it late tonight, because I won't get home until almost 10 pm (night class).

As far as getting narrower, it seems like it does right around the pivot, but that's it. You can see what I mean in the pic. It stays the same all the way to the shock mount.

I'm going to post mine soon. I was worried about the rockers but your pic reassured me. The 6" setting on a Romic is much more plush than I would have thought.

I picked up an 03 AC2 last weekend. I got to ride one quite a bit last summer and loved it so when a screamin' deal came along I had to take it. Here is a standard "By the truck" pic but I'm going for a big ride this weekend and hopefully i'll get some action pics.
I took it for its first ride last Sunday and took it up the steepest trail around. That was alot of work but the downhill was fun but I managed to blow both tubes.
Anyone have any good suggestions for lighter all mountain tires?
<img src="http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/G1(7).jpg">
By the way, this was right out of the truck after getting home from the shop, i've ditched the reflectors and stickers.

this is my new used 02 AC Air. pro taper and thomson seat post. i like it!

is it possible to find new 'BLACK' sticker to stick on the fork?

http://www1.netarena.com/~dorothyshih/stanley/ac1/frame.JPG
http://www1.netarena.com/~dorothyshih/stanley/ac1/rear.JPG
http://www1.netarena.com/~dorothyshih/stanley/ac1/fluid%20form%20top%20tube.JPG

here is mine. But I have a 04 Fox Vanilla 125 RLC instead of the 04 Drop-off Triple (for sale) And I put XT brakes on cuz I luv em so much. I hope it works

http://gallery.consumerreview.com/webcrossing/images/bike0032(1).jpg

Here it is. bought the frame this winter and it kicks ass. Wish there was more room to drop the seat though.