Abram1 & Lurch
Pride and joy -'12 Specialized Camber 29er Elite and 26" city roller - '89 CDale M500
Rider - 210-220 6"3 - Lanky 8'6.5" vert reach
The Camber (Abram) is a solid ride that takes a lot of abuse on the rocky AZ trails. I lament to smoother trail days when Lurch (in black) was my steed in the Denver foothills and Winter Park area. OTB days are behind me, -HA! Lurch was literally dropped down mtn sides, wheel taco'd, all but cracked, hung in storage for 10 years, exhumed, sanded and given an appeal that few would know there are a couple Race Face components there. Now a bike I can lock up in public for an hour with little worry, minus the seat and fully locked wheels and frame.
The Camber has survived 13 hour endurance rides without any issue, and my lower back never pains me. It's plush, indeed. Climbs like a goat, descends like a rocket. In 1.5 years and 220lbs bangin' on it, it has never needed a wheel tune - knock on wood. I've learned a bit about the RS Ario rear shock, and perhaps it's fair to say this is universal on Manitou too. After (1.2yrs) the first and only replacing of the seals by a shop I like, it seems the final tension or torque placed on the air cannister has not been adequate, which resulted in a large ring seal on the bulkiest part of the cannister purging. What I've had to discover, is I can put it on the bench at home, unscrew, reseat the gasket, and squeeze that f-er down as tight as my hands let me.
RockShox online videos suggest no torque rating for this, only hand tight - BUT THE TRICK MUST ALSO BE HOW TIGHT YOUR ELF GRIP WILL LET YOU GET IT!
Lurch, (puckermobile) the m500 Cannondale of yore was my first attempt, which I'm realitively satisfied with, at building a less attractive city commuter. It needs a longer steerer tube on a different fork. Ideas welcome, please.
If you have questions about the Camber - demo one or PM me. Each day, I long to get on this bike and hit rugged trail even though I've had epiderals in my L5 S1 back area years ago. No back issues despite terrain.