Light-feeling front end?

[SeamusCA]

I've now done several rides on my 04 HP Sport, and have a question. On climbs, particularly technical ones, the front end feels really light, like it's just barely floating/skipping over the terrain. I moved my seat all the way forward, and the sensation is reduced, but not eliminated. This gets really disconcerting on some of the technical singletrack around here, where one side drops off the side of the mountain.

Any suggestions to get the front end feeling more planted? Longer stem? Lower bar?

BTW, I'm 6'2", 34" inseam on a Large.

Jim

[Speedub.Nate]

I, too, think the front rides light, and must be accounted for in fork setup. I switched to a "Soft" spring in my X-Vert Air, no small statement coming from a 200+ pound rider (but I must say, the spring swap has made a fabulous difference; the front closely matches the feel of the rear suspension).

I'm curious what travel you're using up front? I found 5" to be too much, and much prefer a 4" travel fork with an honest 25% sag. This made a big difference in keeping the front end down on climbs, as well as sharpening up the handling.

[SeamusCA]

I've got the stock Duke XC Air with about 160# pressure (the recommended max for 200#+ riders - I'm 215). IIRC, it's a 100mm travel fork. I haven't accurately measured sag, just eyeballed it using the sliding indicator on the fork leg.

Maybe I'll try running it at 150# and see how that feels.

Jim

[Moo Shoo Pork]

I've got the stock Duke XC Air with about 160# pressure (the recommended max for 200#+ riders - I'm 215). IIRC, it's a 100mm travel fork. I haven't accurately measured sag, just eyeballed it using the sliding indicator on the fork leg.

Maybe I'll try running it at 150# and see how that feels.

Jim

Definitely set sag correctly on the fork and the shock. Correctly setting the sag for both the fork and shock should put you in the geometry to make minor adjustments to tackle a climb or going downhill. This will make a huge difference. Also, I don't know if I would put your seat all the way forward. It could mess w/ your knees depending on where you are positioned.

That being said, here are somethings to check:

1) Are your bars higher than your seat?

2) If they are, and you are comfortable, then, adjust your climbing position be staying seated and leaning your upperbody forward. I prefer to have my seat and handlebars to be even. It is neutral so that I can adjust my body position quickly for climbs and downhill.

3) Do you feel too compact or squished when you rid?. Then, look at getting a longer stem. When I got my HP I felt too strech. But, I am alot shorter than you too. Than made all of the difference in the world.


Good Luck!