I've been riding full suspension MTB's since picking up a used ProFlex Beast frameset in I think 95. But somehow I always have owned single pivots though I have this craving for a proper Horst Link bike. So one dreary night I had a bright idea and pulled the e-bay trigger on this: an Ellsworth Dare:
It is an older DH machine, but in 99-00? that meant 6" travel, and QR dropouts, agressive XC teritory these days. Notably the design features a high BB and steepish head angle by todays standards, and it is not really much overbuilt. These once high end frames go for peanuts on e-bay, plus I recouped a big part of it by selling the modern 170mm forks.
So here's the bright idea: fit a 190mm shock replacing the 200mm stock Stratos helix. Travel reduces to 5" and the BB drops a bit plus the head angle slackens. But then the HA returns to values very close to design when I fit a 5" fork, right? So what is a high end 5"travel Horst Link frame with a 5"travel fork or .....
What's the catch? Can anyone here please spot the obvious error that's so in my face I can't see it?
Thanks!
PS:
The frame has the optional "XC" chainstays fitted that will allow a front derraileur, the Dare DH will not.
The damper is upside down to clear the rocker arms.
That's a Syntace VRO, I use it on new builds to sort out the cockpit.
It is an older DH machine, but in 99-00? that meant 6" travel, and QR dropouts, agressive XC teritory these days. Notably the design features a high BB and steepish head angle by todays standards, and it is not really much overbuilt. These once high end frames go for peanuts on e-bay, plus I recouped a big part of it by selling the modern 170mm forks.
So here's the bright idea: fit a 190mm shock replacing the 200mm stock Stratos helix. Travel reduces to 5" and the BB drops a bit plus the head angle slackens. But then the HA returns to values very close to design when I fit a 5" fork, right? So what is a high end 5"travel Horst Link frame with a 5"travel fork or .....
What's the catch? Can anyone here please spot the obvious error that's so in my face I can't see it?
Thanks!
PS:
The frame has the optional "XC" chainstays fitted that will allow a front derraileur, the Dare DH will not.
The damper is upside down to clear the rocker arms.
That's a Syntace VRO, I use it on new builds to sort out the cockpit.