[Electric_City]

I lost some weight again and I'm headed in the right direction, but bikes like SC V10 have a 600lb spring (max rate) for someone whose 220lb. It would be great if other manufacturers listed which spring for what weight, but it seems no one does besides SC. I was looking @ a Wilson, but it seems they're sold out already. What do you ride if you're 230, 250, 270, or more? What changes the spring rate? Ie., a 600lb spring on a Devinci Wilson works up to 260- 270. For the 2013 Wilson, Fanatyk bike had an explanation about how a 350lb spring would work for a 190lb rider (something like that) saying that you didn't have to run a heavy spring. Why not? What am I looking for? Or which bikes are best suited for heavier riders these days? Thanks, EC

 

[csermonet]

Any of the new bikes out there will work just fine for a heavier guy. You just need to determine the correct spring rate for the best ride quality, and be able to source that spring. Leverage ratio determines spring rate, the lower the leverage ratio, the lower the spring rate. Also, the basic type of function the damper uses(i.e. shimz), and the type of suspension the frame uses(4 bar, horst, VPP, etc) all have an effect on what spring rate you would want to use. 220lbs really isn't that much. There are several different spring rate calculators out there, I would just email the manufacturer and ask what spring rate they recommend though. That will give a good starting point. You will get more success by trial and error though. Steel springs are cheap enough that you can try several options before settling with a final spring rate. Turner's website suggests a 400lb spring for a 200lb rider. I weigh 210 geared up and use a 450lb.

 

[teamkranzelbike]

I would not be too overly concerned about modern bikes and weight issues. I am pretty close to 300# I have rode Kona stabs an Intense 951, and am now on a Zerode for a downhill bike. The intense being the lightest. at first I worried i was going to break it in half. The thing was perfect.after two years of use my brother is now riding it. Like most 951 i never got full travel even with a 500# spring. Bought the Zerode to try it. Love this bike. I am riding it with a 550# spring.For trails I was riding a Commencal Meta 666 the last couple years. did not have any trouble with the airshock. Now believe it or not I am riding an Intense Tracer 275 c. Yes 300# riding on a carbon frame. scared the crap oit of me for a while, but now I do not even think about it. Still too scared to go with carbon bars and cranks though.

Point is If you are not a pro level rider, you can get pretty much any modern bike to work with your weight,. It may not be 100% perfect, but probably you don't really need it to be.

 

[Electric_City]

I trust the industry in general to build a strong frame. I just want something that's not going to have 5" of preload. Ya know?

 

[csermonet]

What do you mean by 5" of preload? You may be misusing or misunderstanding the term...

 

[supercow]

Just buy the right spring which yield the correct sag....and don't try air suspension.

 

[demo 9]

220 and run a 550 on a jedi.

 

[kickstand]

What do you mean by 5" of preload? You may be misusing or misunderstanding the term...

I'm pretty sure he meant 5" of sag. OR having the preload on a coil spring cranked all the way in to make up for his heft.

Either way his concern needn't be one if he finds the correct spring rate.

 

[Electric_City]

You are correct about sag. Spring rate isn't a concern, because I'm obviously going for the 600lb spring. But where will that leave me in the travel? I think I'd bottom out the V10 with a 600lb spring just standing on it. So back to the main concern, it seems leverage ratios might be something to look into? Or what about Avy re-valving a shock? Would that help? Thanks

 

[WestCoastHucker]

you still need a heaver spring rate...

 

[IH8Rice]

im 220ish geared up and use an air shock. problem solved!

 

[SDet]

Look at average leverage rate. Wheel travel over shock travel. The lower the better, you'll probably be looking for bikes with a 10.5 eye to eye.

That's if you're having issues with the highest spring rate you can find.

 

[jackalope]

Look at average leverage rate. Wheel travel over shock travel. The lower the better, you'll probably be looking for bikes with a 10.5 eye to eye.

That can mean only one thing - Foes!!!

Nice low leverage rate, and this is one is only lightly used as you can see

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1698839/

It even comes with pushrods in case you're looking to do some engine work too.

Or go super old school with a Mono
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1691484/

 

[SDet]

I was thinking more like a glory.....

 

[WestCoastHucker]

I was thinking more like a glory.....

or anything without a curnutt...

 

[jackalope]

My fault that I didn't end my post with a smiley face, but to be clear, I am in no way advocating for a Foes (although Mr. Rice my beg to differ on this point). But I've always admired a bike with a big, long shaft.

 

[Sandwich]

those foes are so haggard. wash the freaking dirt off first.

 

[ChrisRobin]

I saw a massive dude on a Giant Glory last season. He also had a boxxer. I saw at the end of the day he was still in one piece.

I'm now about 225 with gear and on an M9 with 500 spring...will probably go up to 550. Never had an issue.

 

[EVIL JN]

You are correct about sag. Spring rate isn't a concern, because I'm obviously going for the 600lb spring. But where will that leave me in the travel? I think I'd bottom out the V10 with a 600lb spring just standing on it. So back to the main concern, it seems leverage ratios might be something to look into? Or what about Avy re-valving a shock? Would that help? Thanks

Almost 220 (just under 100kg) on a V10.4 and run a 500 in the 8.5 mode on a CCDB. That is in the upper range for me, a 550 is too hard. Cant imagine even on the new model with a shorter shock that a 600 wouldnt be enough.

for 220 your going to be fine on any 8x3 frame, a 5-550 will be more than plenty hard.

 

[kazlx]

220 isn't all that heavy. You can ride pretty much any DH frame you want. Use a spring calculator, or talk to the manufacturer, it's not rocket science. There are plenty of 250lb guys on V10s or anything else.

 

[mykel]

Knolly Podium
220 lbs = 500 lb spring.

 

[Huck Banzai]

That chart is nuts - 220 on #600? Unless the shock rate is very different, I ran a 550 in 10" at 250. 600 in 8.5" mode is bananas oversprung.

 

[Electric_City]

There's a little mis-understanding here. I'm not 220, that's just what SC says to use a maxed out 600lb spring on. Without getting into my personal health too much, my weight has varied between 240-300 depending on what day of the year it is. I'm again heading in the right direction, but if a V10 says that a 600lb spring is for a 220 rider, then I know I can't ride that bike. Therefore, the question I'm more or less looking to be answered is which bikes are the heavy riders riding. My Sunday lasted me 8 years and can still be ridden, but it's time for something new.

Here's the V10 shock chart-
Rider Weight Spring Rate Air Pressure Preload
100lbs (45.5kg) 300 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm
120lbs (54.4kg) 350 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm
140lbs (63.5kg) 400 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm
160lbs (72.6kg) 450 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm
180lbs (81.8kg) 500 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm
200lbs (90.7kg) 550 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm
220lbs (99.8kg) 600 lbs 140 psi 1 turns20-25 mm

Thanks so far for your input and not getting personal about it. We all have our own battles. This is mine. Thanks for understanding EC

 

[SDet]

600lb spring still sounds big.


I was just playing with this, http://www.canecreek.com/products/suspension/double-barrel/spring-calculator to see where you'd end up, but if the v10 doesn't have a full length shock, 3 or 3.5 inch stroke, it probably won't work.

 

[BigBoi]

I'm 250 and ride a V10.4 with a 550 Ti spring. In 10 " mode it feels a touch undersprung but that's likely because it's supposed to have 3.5 to 4 inches of sag if I remember correctly. 550 feels just right in 8.5" mode.

The shock chart/recommended rates were much lower on the V10.4 and V10.5.
According to the old chart, (I was 240 at the time) I was right in between a 500 and 550 spring.
Are you looking to buy one of the new fancy big-wheeled V10's? If not, get a previous model and problem solved. Get a 550 spring and 600 spring and decide what feels better depending on 8.5" or 10" mode.

 

[kazlx]

The new V10 apparently uses a 8.75 shock, so the leverage ratio is probably too high for you. Find a frame that uses a 9 or 9.5 shock and you'll be fine. I'm 230ish and run a 400 in my Banshee Legend.

 

[Electric_City]

I'm looking at a Devinci Wilson 27.5, but it's not sounding good due to production and stuff. The V10 is just a reference to use a heavy spring for a not so heavy rider.

Are there any other bikes that you'd recommend with a longer shock and 27.5 wheels?

 

[kazlx]

http://intensecycles.com/portfolio-item/951-evo/

Uses a 9.5"x3.0" shock for 8.5" of wheel travel.

http://www.canecreek.com/products/suspension/double-barrel/spring-calculator

Also,

http://canfieldbrothers.com/frames/formula-1-jedi

 

[SDet]

GG/DH? But I'm biased.

 

[ChrisRobin]

What about custom suspension? Guys like Push Ind and Avalanche might be able to tell you what they can do for you for whatever frame you have on your short list.

 

[Kanye West]

Might still be some 26" Wilson frames on Go-Ride. Love mine. I'm 185# and I'm back and forth between a 275# spring and a 300# spring on mine.

 

[fred.r]

I'm currently on the new V10 at 240lbs running a 650# spring. Sag is spot on where I like it at just under 30% and it rides proper. On a typical 3:1 bike I usually run a 500-550# spring but since the V10 is a higher leverage bike the spring weight goes up. The chart Santa Cruz listed isn't saying a 600# spring is the heaviest spring you can run on the V10, btw, and if you follow the logic of that chart where every extra 20lbs of rider weight you go up 50lbs in spring weight, it looks as though the chart is pretty accurate.

 

[gemini2k]

I've got an XL Canfield jedi I'm selling. Great shape and it is already sprung for a 220lb rider.

 

[Dirk77]

Might still be some 26" Wilson frames on Go-Ride. Love mine. I'm 185# and I'm back and forth between a 275# spring and a 300# spring on mine.

I just bought the last 2014 carbon large w/vivid rc2.

Stoked!!

Not sure what spring comes with frame.
I'm about 205# loaded. What spring weight do you guys suggest?

 

[Dirk77]

I think it Comes with a 300# spring and that looks like it's suitable for a 180# rider. I've ordered a 350# spring to try out.

 

[Jm_]

RM9 ?

 

[Sharmon33]

So what bike did you end up going with? I also have concern with this topic as i am trying to get back in to biking. I weigh about 275 lbs and want to know a solid bike to buy and ride for several years and hopefully drop some weight.

 

[Electric_City]

I got the DeVinci Wilson 27.5 and use the 600lb spring. The sag is just right for me. You'd be between the 550 and 600lb spring. I'd say try the 550 and tighten the spring a couple turns. You'll like it. The Wilson isn't going to be one of these 32lb builds either. For me, that's confidence inspiring. Mine weighs in @42lbs. There's ways to lighten it if you'd like. But I prefer the strength. Ttyl, EC

 

[Sharmon33]

Heck i don't mind the weight. I carry extra with me every day lol. Hopefully it just assists in losing the weight having to carry and maneuver it. Thanks for the information man.

 

[pawcisq]

Hey. I weigh 120 kg and i ride a tues 2.0 L. I have been given a 275 lbs spring that was like 70% sag. I moved up to 350 to be failry around 35-40%. Now im moving to 450 as i started to ride faster and jump further