Ask Pinkbike: Volume Spacers, Finding Motivation and Long Travel 29" Forks

Aug 5, 2016 at 10:00
by Pinkbike Staff  
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Here at Pinkbike we get inundated with all kinds of questions, ranging from the basic "Can I have stickers" to more in-depth, soul-searching types of queries like if you should pop the question or what to name your first child. Ask Pinkbike is an occasional column where we'll be hand-picking and answering questions that have been keeping readers up at night, although we'll likely steer clear of those last two and keep it more tech oriented.





DRCV Distress

Question: Pinkbike user @davidpr2 asked this question in the all-mountain, enduro and cross-country forum: I have a 2014 Trek Slash that has a Fox Float DRCV CTD shock, and my issue is that it feels too linear when it's going through its travel and adjusting the rebound is a pain in the ass. What's your solution?

bigquotesTrek bikes with DRCV-spec shocks are known to ride a bit deep into their travel, and some people find that they need to run firmer spring rates than they'd like in order to keep this from happening. Of course, the higher than ideal air pressure means that you'll then lose a bit of sensitivity off the top, which is the trade-off for sorting out the linear feeling suspension. Enter Push Industries with their Air Volume Tuning Kits that, as the name suggests, adjusts the DRCV shock's air spring volume by reducing it to create more ramp-up later in the bike's travel. The $28.50 USD plastic spacers kits are machined to fit the unique shape of the DRCV shock, include both a 7cc and 10cc reducer, and they essentially do the same thing as the volume spacers that you put in your Fox and RockShox forks.

As for adjusting the shock's rebound, are you not able to turn the dial? If it's stuck, you'll likely need to send the shock away to be serviced as most shops will, unfortunately, shy away from pulling it apart. The same applies if the dial turns but it's not having the effect you expect it to. - Mike Levy

Trek DRCV Fork and Shock Air Volume Tuning Kit
  These simple looking and relatively inexpensive plastic volume reducers are used to tune the ramp-up of DRCV shocks.


Lost the Love

Question: @birnie asks in the Fitness, Training and Health forum: I have been crazy about mountain biking for nearly 4 years, but recently I've had quite a few accidents and I'm struggling to get the motivation to get back out and ride, especially when it comes to hitting jumps like I was, I just keep thinking of negative stuff so all the excitement has been lost. I was just wondering if anyone had similar experiences and how they got over them?


bigquotesComing back from an injury can be an extremely frustrating process, especially if you find yourself backing down from jumps or other trail features that you used to ride without any problems. I've spent my fair share of time on the injured list, and the best advice I can give is to be patient, and don't try to force yourself to ride anything you're not comfortable with. Hitting jump and drops may need to take a backseat while you go on mellower cross-country rides, but over time you'll start regaining confidence as the memories of your accidents begin to fade and you get reacquainted with your bike.

Mountain biking should be a choice, not a chore - there's no point in forcing yourself to do something you're not comfortable with. This might be a good time to mix up your routine a little bit - maybe add in some running, hiking, or another outdoor activity. I'd hate for you to give up mountain biking for good, but some time away could be what it takes to get re-energized. Personally, any time I lace up a pair of running shoes it's not long before I start wishing I was on a mountain bike instead... - Mike Kazimer

Giant Launch in Southern Chilcotins BC July 2016. Photo Sterling Lorence
Not every ride needs to be a death-defying escapade; sometimes a nice XC loop is just what the doctor ordered.





Long travel 29er fork?

Question: Pinkbike user @Travel66 asked this question via email: Are there any 170mm travel, 29er forks?


bigquotesWe're starting to see more long travel fork options hit the market for 29ers, and the new RockShox Lyrik and Yari are both available with 170 or even 180mm of travel. Either one would be a great option for building up a burly all-mountain rig.

There's also the dual crown route, and if you're looking to create a big-wheeled DH machine the Manitou website specs 150mm and 175mm travel Dorado forks suitable for 29" wheels. A dual crown, upside-down fork would work well especially with a direct mount stem. The design will give you a whole world of extra stiffness between your hands and feet compared to a traditional fork; this should improve accuracy in direction and placement of the bike.

The unofficial option is a Fox 40, that will just squeeze in a 29" tire without hitting the arch on the lowers. Clearance between the tire and lower crown will need to checking at full travel: Not recommended. - Paul Aston


Flying under radar with deceptive speed Eddie Masters caught everyone off guard by taking his career best qualifier in 2nd place today.
A Dorado is stiff enough for a 2nd place qualifier at Fort William; it's stiff enough for you.




Have some unresolved tech questions? Jump in the Pinkbike Forum and we'll look to answer it for next time.

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104 Comments
  • 90 24
 While you're working on your long travel 29er, don't mind me, I'll just be over here putting giant knobby mud tires on my porsche...
  • 50 1
 Maybe its Luke's Strobel's secret pb account
  • 88 14
 ha ha, downhill 29ers 3 years from now I predict. Mark my words.............
  • 55 1
 mark what words... KHS already had them 3 years ago
  • 3 6
 @mikeep: lol!!!!!
  • 5 13
flag ChrisRidesBikes (Aug 9, 2016 at 13:45) (Below Threshold)
 @mikeep: It'll be 650+ tyres.
  • 12 2
 @hamncheez: maybe he wants a 170-180 for his wreckoning aye-makes sense
  • 6 2
 I've been having the same thoughts. My Wreckoning in X-low is stoopid low, so a 170 fork may give the bb, and my pedals, a bit of extra insurance
  • 20 5
 Do we have to have this conversation about 29ers being good for technical riding again? Or do they not have Enduro 29s and Wreckonings where you're from?
  • 33 2
 www.nation.co.ke/sports/Cavenagh-Porshe-poised-for-East-African-Safari-Classic-Rally/464918-2828496-aqn979/index.html


Sorry bud, but that's already a thing. A really really fast thing
  • 3 1
 Just a heads up for everybody looking for a 29er Dorado, I've spoken with Manitou earlier this year regarding purchasing one, and was told its pretty much out of production, and there was zero backstock.
  • 3 1
 @mikeep: seems inevitable, yep. if not sooner.
  • 7 1
 Just throw a dorado on it, but don't be surprised if the rest of the bike doesn't hold up:

www.pinkbike.com/photo/6970738
  • 3 0
 @Kitejumping: dude!!! Woah!
  • 3 0
 @Sweatypants: And canfield brothers had them 3 years before that.
  • 6 0
 @the11firm: Also the 959's used in the Dakar
  • 2 0
 @preach: umm...it's a Niner. Should not be that shocking.
  • 1 0
 @mikeep: AGREED.
  • 1 0
 @mikeep: nice
  • 31 0
 “Personally, any time I lace up a pair of running shoes it’s not long before I start wishing I was on a mountain bike instead” GOLD.
  • 7 1
 so true. running is great for fitness as long as your ankle, knee and hip joints don't scr*w themselves...absolutely hate it.
  • 17 1
 My motivation is sky high after beer 4.
  • 9 0
 Here, hold this...
  • 3 0
 Afterward: "get the whiskey and call 911."
  • 4 1
 sorry meant to up vote…..I'm on beer 7.
  • 12 0
 I think I'll take the 24" rear and 29 plus in the frount with a 175mm fork for good measure.
  • 6 0
 I hope you like manualling!
  • 1 0
 Someone must have done that somewhere, and I really want to see what it looks like! Pinkbike.... you need to do a "Frankenbike" article just so we can say "Looks like a wreck".
  • 6 0
 m.pinkbike.com/buysell/1676816
  • 11 4
 Idk about the fox 40 for 29er. I would have left that suggestion out if I were MK. Or maybe recommend if he goes that route, to go to a lbs and take some measurements on a 40s arch to axle....and measure your wheel also to compare before anything.
  • 3 0
 A while back I actually converted my Remedy 8 from the stock Fox DRCV air shock to a coil setup because I was looking for a more linear feel. In any case the conversion went great and beyond my time it cost very little (was able to sell the stock shock to help). Granted its not a Slash but the process should be very similar, check out my conversion photos,
html>body>a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/u/terminusavid/album/Air-To-Coil-Conversion/">Click HERE/a>/body>/html>
  • 1 0
 The tags worked before posting comment? Just check my page out for the conversion.
  • 2 2
 Seconded. The best thing I did to my slash was to bin the DRCV shock. It feels like riding a puncture
  • 1 0
 Would it work similar with a fuel or would it be too hard to find a right sized coil?
  • 1 0
 Curently looking at a monarch. I did contact push industries to know if its compatible... only for boost valves, no sticker, no clue...
  • 1 0
 Best thing I did for my 2013 slash was dump the drcv. Granted, it was busted. Have a monarch debonair on there now and WOW, what a difference! Better in every way!
  • 3 0
 Regarding losing the love....I had quite the same feeling about two summers ago aber banging myself up pretty bad. I was tight, overly cautious and only imagined bad stuff happening. The cure for me was to ride my favourite trail in Valais without pressure or without speed and just get out there. It was nothing bonkers but something I knew well and could associate with very positive emotions. I rode my bike up 1400m on a road, then carried it another 400m up a trail before heading back over 1.5h back into the valley. It was a wonderful day and being alone I had no time pressure so could really enjoy everthing. Try that... If you're around Valais the trail was on the Moosalp...
  • 5 1
 I always have a few trails in my back pocket that fit a variety of my moods, level of fitness, and current injury status. Which sounds like what this birnie character needs.
  • 3 0
 DRCV solution Depending on your weight go with firm tune then go get a Vorsprung Corset air sleeve. If your light under say 80kg use push spacers.
  • 2 2
 The best solution is to get rid of this shock. As far as I know there were some after market options from RS last year. Personally I have done the same in my Enduro 29 and put a Monarch Plus DebonAir.
  • 2 0
 @gpgalanis: I have the monarch option but I prefer the fox/corset as i achieve better tracking/braking beyond the sag point over the monarchplus
  • 1 0
 @enduroFactory: Yes makes sense. In my Monarch I have installed some volume spacers and I have a similar performance.
  • 2 0
 What about a corset with volume reducers? On a 26 enduro....corsette is alright but still kind of finding ways to bottom out too easily. (RP2 on 2010 enduro)
  • 1 1
 I am quite light Big Grin its ok tho, I did look at the forspung corset but if I install them I cant use the spacers... weird :/
  • 2 0
 @davidpr2: Nothing stopping you from combining a Corset with volume spacers, even in a DRCV shock. Some of the Specialized shocks have travel reduction spacers inside them that only let you install a small size spacer, but we make specific sleeves for the Enduro and Stumpy that are well suited to their leverage rates to begin with, so the limited range of volume spacer options should still have you covered.
  • 1 1
 Have to be honest - I tried the corset on my DCRV shock and it made a linear shock WAY too linear. You end up needing to fill it with more air which in turn makes it more likely to blow a seal. With volume spacers perhaps that would solve part if the issue but I ended swapping back to my regular can after one ride. Shortly after that my shock started loosing air which I believe was caused by overdoing the air pressure to make the Corset work. Oh well...
  • 2 0
 I was pretty bummed when I found out that I was too heavy for the Corset. Apparently the seals won't hold up to an internal pressure over about 310psi at full compression. Moral of the story: bigger isn't always better
  • 1 0
 I don't know of any replacement nor aftermarket add-on that will fit the 2013 Fuel Ex. Did something come out in the last 6 months?

I used to bottom out that shock even with 200PSI while I weigh only 150lbs. That might be a coincidence, but a solder joint broke within 3 months near the crank on the drive side (my usual rear foot).

What I did is have the DRCV deactivated (basically remove a little lever) and re-tune the shim stack for both compression and rebound.
Problem solved, but I have to admit that I lost about 5mm on the shock's travel. I don't mind much since it feels way better.
  • 1 0
 Well... Its good to read from so many with the same issue, what a bummer! But...considering my wallet and time! As i am beginning to study physiotherapy and trying to make my way up to a podium win in 2017 (its a looong long way but I got 3 years...) I might just buy the spacers...looks like a grate option Big Grin and if that doesn't work, ill buy the corset... And add the spacers..
The corset is beautiful! And the spacers...well you wont see them Big Grin I am so stocked that so many found a solution and I am so thank full that so many shared their solutions... AWESOME!
  • 1 0
 @fredhay: Interesting. I never considered deactivating the plunger. How did you do it? Does it still feel smooth and active? how come you don't get the last 5mm?
  • 1 0
 @dirtdiggler: Small bumps compliance is not really good but harder hits are handled really well, maybe because I run it with not much sag.
The bike must have been designed with that DRCV in mind so the leverage ratio at the end of the travel is not high enough to overcome the ramp up of an air chamber.
I need to run with the sag past 25% to get the last mm but that make the shock a little sluggish on "clean" rides.

Life is a compromise!
  • 1 0
 So this is interesting... I purchased and installed an 'offset bushing' for the lower eyelet of my DRCV so I could drop the BB down a little bit. Turns out this changed the progression of the shock quite a lot which I wasn't expecting. It now ramps up much faster in the stroke. I tried to bottom it several times and could not do it. Hard to believe what 3mm makes on the shock position. The only downside is the busing is made out of brass and heavy as funk!
  • 2 0
 @davidpr2: weighing in at 155 on a 2010 enduro. Bought the corsette, had vorsprung rebuild/revalve my rp2, played with spacers, once i hit the medium sweet spot with 195-200psi(205 with loss of pressure when removing the pump), bike feels wayyyyy better, stiill have my small bump compliance, bottom out very rarely now, used to be on almost everything, now its just if im trying something stupid in the first place. Thankyou Vorsprung!
  • 4 0
 Photo caption of the month: "A Dorado is stiff enough for a 2nd place qualifier at Fort William; it's stiff enough for you."
  • 4 0
 That's what she said
  • 4 0
 I rarely get really mad at people for being stupid. But when it comes to things like mindfully bashing Dorado for being a bad performing fork, I get deeply irritated. Look, all things considered, I would personally not buy that fork over a Boxxer, but to say that it's a shtty fork, because it's flexy, means that the person is fkd up in many areas of his brain. He obviously lacks riding skills, experience with a USD fork, has shallow understanding of physics related to bike handling, poor knowledge of structure and poor engineering sense. But on top of everything he simply Fails to acknowledge the set of real life evidence that there are several riders on Dorados in top 50. He cannot recognize that every single top 50 rider, rides what he is paid to ride and that certain companies have bigger sponsoring budgets than others. Nobody in Top50 choses their equipment based on how it performs but how much they get for showcasing it. Now do we see some repetitive failures than can be definitely pointed at some part of equipment? No. I mean, for me these are basics of what a human being can grasp, this is no Sherlock Holmes stuff: Dorado is a comparable product to Boxxer or 40 which stand for 90% of the stuff seen on DH circuit. And since fkng when DH WC podium presence is the ultimate measure of a product being fantastic?

As I said, Boxxer would be my first choice due to price, damping, weight, part availability, but I would never, fkng ever say no to a banger deal on Dorado or any other USD fork.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I have both, Charger damper fitted Boxxer and a Dorado, i would definitely not choose the Boxxer over the Dorado for it's damping qualities, Manitou has had this sussed (pun intended) for over 15 years, nor would i favour a Boxxer by any other criteria, the Dorado is better in every single way in my opinion, except for getting the god damn wheel off! Maxle is the best thing on a Boxxer, but the Dorada is better everywhere else, and as you stated, anyone who disagrees with this either definitely hasn't spent any time on one, is a troll, or has no brain. Smile

P.s, There are no problems with parts either, except the MRD kits are a bit difficult to find.

Can't wait to hear the varying ways in which people will disagree with this post Smile
  • 2 0
 @deadmeat25: It's only too bad that Manitou couldn't make suspension this good 15 years ago before they destroyed their reputation. Known as some of the best in the 90s, made unreliable forks in the early '00s, & stopped selling replacement parts for some of them in less than 2 years, leaving a bad taste in a lot of people's mouth. Hearing that your 24 month old fork is a paperweight due to the manufacturer not suppling seals anymore, when you've had to replace yours twice as often as your buddy will do that.

Hayes/Answer/Sun really did a good job with resurrecting them, now they just need to do a better job promoting them.
  • 1 0
 @groghunter: always remember in relation to Manitou: Post Mount, 1,5" steerer that later became tapered, first 150 single crown fork and first 170 single crown fork. People may laugh at Dorado how much they want. A 4kg Shiver was ridiculous. It weighed a ton, dived under braking like a btch for a bag of meth and was as flexy as Dorado.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: They don't get a pass because they made some stuff in the past.

Hayes made some of the first worthwhile & affordable hydraulic discs. that doesn't mean they get a pass for not having their shit together now.

Manitou, OTOH, actually makes good products now. They just aren't getting OEM business.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Flexy as a Dorado?
  • 2 1
 I've always had this question of long travel 29 too. Now dealing with cauda equina syndrome for 13 days and severe back pain and several surgeries for 9 years. Is hard to gain confidence on the bike again. I rode twice this year, and crash in both trails.
  • 1 0
 AWESOME!!! Thank you @Mike levy how ever, I did contact push industries, they told me that its only compatible with boost valves shocks, as I didnt find a sticker that said boost valve on my damper, and I dont know how to indentify it... its hard to buy it and install it with an easy mind
  • 1 0
 @birnie I would suggest taking a lesson. Not your intro or intermediate lesson but a private from someone who instructs for a living. I know most folks on here are pros and will balk at the thought of a lesson and say, "just ride more..." But a lesson from someone who knows what they're doing (Shaums March, Endless Biking, etc...) will bring back confidence and even take you to new levels of riding.
  • 3 1
 i don't get it either. and i'm a long time wagon wheeler who loves them. Smuggler, fav bike, but you don't need a super long travel variant.
  • 1 0
 I also have a 2014 slash and the stock shock was just not up to the task and kept breaking. I put in a DB coil and after a bit of tuning it's amazing.
  • 2 0
 Just put the 29er 0n the front to roll over everything and keep the 27.5 at the back feels really good too!!!
  • 3 4
 Why don't he just quit MTB? I got a few people into MTB and I saw a few leave. And so fkng what? It's life, do whatever you want. It's a sport like any other. If you are surrounded by people who would thinkbad of you for quitting then you should absolutely leave, it means you are on a right track. enjoy the ride of life buddy!
  • 5 0
 Agreed...it's not Scientology
  • 2 0
 Yup. Tbh, by the time snow and ice season comes around each year I'm usually ready to be done biking for a while - in the long run, pretty much every hobby in my life benefits from a little time away from it now and then. Hell, I used to play soccer/football every day, but I stopped for several years and rarely play now. But when I do, I enjoy it a lot more than I ever did then. It's all just recreation - if it's not benefiting you mentally/physically/whatever then just try something else. I've had a few crashes that left me shaken up mentally, and the solution is never to force my nervous self back on the bike. It's to try something else until I really feel like coming back to it.
  • 3 1
 Or Paul Ashton I meant, not MK....whoops
  • 3 5
 My very simple way of explaining why you do not need a 160 travel or greater 29er. If you are getting 'rad' enough to need 160 travel or more on your 29er then you are putting a 29er in a situation where it is not the best tool for the job.
  • 2 1
 Dunno. I demo's a 29er Lenz with 175 front and back in 2010 at winter park. It was slower in the tighter corners but so much faster on straighter sections. DH tracks like that it would have had a good advantage...example last week's MSA. High speed, rough and fewer tight turns.
  • 2 1
 Um so where was that XC photo taken? Looks amazing.
  • 5 0
 just click the pic bro'

"Giant Launch in Southern Chilcotins, BC, July 2016. Photo: Sterling Lorence"
  • 1 1
 How do you get Fox volume spacers for forks? I've looked everywhere and can't find anything but Rockshox.
  • 4 0
 Call Fox.
  • 3 1
 @dualsuspensiondave: Whoah.... Mind blown.
  • 5 5
 RockShox Lyrik 29" forks can go up to 180mm of travel.
  • 11 1
 That's the 650b fork, the 29" fork tops out at 160mm
  • 2 0
 Are you sure about that? The website states them at 160mm for the 29" I thought.
  • 1 1
 @MTBradshaw: true and even if it could go to 180mm on a 29 bike, do you really want it to?
  • 2 0
 @Longtravel: I would definitely consider that on the Evil Wreckoning to do a DH race 2-3 times a year or maybe the new Enduro 29 if it's as burly as everyone is hoping, though I doubt that will be the case.
  • 4 0
 I could have done with 180mm in the French Alps last week on my Enduro 29
  • 11 0
 they can in 29 also, not advertised. recently converted 160 lyrik 29 to 170mm. use a pike 160mm airshaft and you are golden
  • 3 0
 @Hobo1337: now thats an advise!
  • 2 0
 @Hobo1337: thanks. It's nice to learn something interesting from reading the comments.
  • 2 0
 @Hobo1337: any issues come up?
  • 2 0
 @Travel66: first ride on that setup today and no issues. more travel was nice, but the main thing i was after was a greater cockpit height
  • 1 0
 @Hobo1337: there is also the 180mm Lyrik 650b Boost fork:
www.chainreactioncycles.com/rockshox-lyrik-rct3-dual-position-forks-boost-2016/rp-prod138928

I would have thought 29ers should fit 650b+ forks (which is kind of how I see Boost forks), though have not looked in to it in detail
  • 1 0
 @twebeast: yeah when i talked to the sram guys they said it could go up to 180 but i didn't ask how because i was only interested in 170
  • 1 0
 @twebeast: A 29" wheel won't fit in that 650b boost fork.
  • 1 0
 @Hobo1337: lh5.googleusercontent.com/aBAoo9ELZtObUNPAk22wNbfoCoEORxtWVvN4McwxAaXzkVJgFPOJ2VB0aNAos7jvEkEIyRl_XLDFTWVM8iX9zCrBDUm5fg4yvAHsbetJghaPtBvBLClGOUro this leads me to believe that the 27.5 160 pike uses the same air shaft as the 29 140 pike.
  • 1 0
 It does look like you could use a 150mm Pike 29 air shaft to convert your 27.5 Pike to 170
  • 1 0
 @panaphonic: interested in that. anyone done a 170 or more 27,5 pike??
  • 2 0
 @MTBradshaw, the RockShox Lyrik and Yari are both available with 170 or 180mm of travel for 29" wheels.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: when did this happen? When I looked last year the lyrik was only 160 in the 29"
  • 1 0
 Unless this is very new I can't find one anywhere. I though dorados were the only 180mm 29er fork
  • 1 0
 @randybadger: I thought so too but the RS site now shows these new options. Must've been updated fairly recently.
  • 1 0
 @briceps: I'm not entirely sure it isn't a typo.
I can't find a single pair anywhere to buy or preorder. I haven't seen any news about it either.
I trust Mike is in the know. I really could do these in my life
  • 2 0
 @randybadger: It's not a typo - SRAM confirmed that those travel options will be available, although I'm not sure about the exact timeline.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: that is good news. I thought I was going to have to step down a wheel size to get a burlier build
  • 1 1
 i saw a new Niner bike with a Fox 36 at 170, this could be an option
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