HP2 Ohlins cartridge from Fast Bike Industries

[configurationspace]

Rebound damping much improved over stock. I haven't adjusted the damping fully but so far it's a very nice improvement. The springs are noticably stiffer. Will have to try hitting some big things to see how it responds. Maybe tomorrow sometime I'll get a chance to exercise it some more.

[Big Bad Ron]

And you did all this in the bathroom?
I would be so dead.
Nice work!

Ron

[configurationspace]

Originally Posted by Big Bad Ron

And you did all this in the bathroom?
I would be so dead.
Nice work!

Ron

My bathroom is my garage.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by configurationspace

Rebound damping much improved over stock. I haven't adjusted the damping fully but so far it's a very nice improvement. The springs are noticably stiffer. Will have to try hitting some big things to see how it responds. Maybe tomorrow sometime I'll get a chance to exercise it some more.

Thanks for the right up - you make it look suspiciously easy!

Did you get a chance to go riding yet?

[configurationspace]

Originally Posted by Mav

Thanks for the right up - you make it look suspiciously easy!

Did you get a chance to go riding yet?

Yes, I've been out twice now. Haven't tried it on any big jumps (just little ones). The verdict is it's a very solid upgrade on the stock shocks. The two most noticable things are the stiffer shocks and the more solid and tweakable rebound damping. Unfortunately I've never ridden a bike with a super flashy suspension so my range of comparables is pretty limited. But the suspension feels better than ever. For example, the stock shocks I could get to seriously dive with enough weight or via heavy-enough stopping. These don't dive, at least not under normal circumstances that I've been able to generate.

[Mav]

Thanks for the update - sounds very promising.

Like you, I don't really know anything about suspension only that people teaching me are telling me I'm reaching the limit of my current set up.

Out of interest, what do you have for rear suspension?

[configurationspace]

Originally Posted by Mav

Thanks for the update - sounds very promising.

Like you, I don't really know anything about suspension only that people teaching me are telling me I'm reaching the limit of my current set up.

Out of interest, what do you have for rear suspension?

Still running the stock air shock. When it's properly pressurized it's fine but it sometimes can be a bit of a chore ensuring it's properly pressurized -- passengers, or other load changes and such. It also acts a little strangely when hot but most of the time I'm fine with it. More than anything I like how light it is.

Recently when going over jumps I've been noticing the rear end bucks up a bit too much. But I think I've got the shock overpressurized.

[Visian]

Originally Posted by configurationspace

Still running the stock air shock.

if you like rebound damping you'll love a hydraulic rear shock.

The air shock has practically none, and that's why the rear end bucks up.

my old HP2e had an air shock which I am convinced caused me to crash and total the bike.

my new HP2e has an Ohlins rear, difference is night and day.

I lust after fork inserts, now. Great report... thanks.

.

[lurkin]

Great report,,, Just ordered a set from Dave,,,,,,,,, Hope they work as well upsidedown here in Australia

[Warthog]

Great post CS, thanks for the report. Things I have feedback on:
1. Air gap of 90mm to 100mm seems to be a good amount of air at the top for spirited riding. Any less than 90mm and that fork will get very stiff towards the end of the stroke (I've done it at 70mm air gap).
2. OEM springs are linear rate, not progressive. Progressive springs will show windings that are close together towards one end, such as the Wunderlich.
3. Rebound control in the stock HP2 Marzocchi fork is definitely an issue. Rebound control (lack of) becomes more of an issue with progressive springs, or stronger linear springs, such as the 5+kg springs. The fork compression behaves better, but then you notice you can't dial in a good rebound control. I think those inserts take care of that.

In regards to the stock air damper on the rear - in my experience the lack of rebound control is a serious issue. Safety is compromised as you ride that pogo stick down a rutted or potholed dirt road at 60mph. At 80mph, you are right on the edge, with the tail end smacking you in the ass, skipping and skittering over the hard edges. Install hydraulic shock.

[configurationspace]

Originally Posted by Warthog

In regards to the stock air damper on the rear - in my experience the lack of rebound control is a serious issue. Safety is compromised as you ride that pogo stick down a rutted or potholed dirt road at 60mph. At 80mph, you are right on the edge, with the tail end smacking you in the ass, skipping and skittering over the hard edges. Install hydraulic shock.

Thanks for the comments. Regarding your last paragraph...

Is it just me or didn't the air shock have more rebound damping when it was new?



Does anyone have a good diagram of the valving? Or is there really none? Is the air shock just one giant spring? It looks like there could be a friction point in there.... is there?

[GSMarc]

Perhaps this helps

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...t_cads_en.html

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...ysteme_en.html

[configurationspace]

Originally Posted by GSMarc

Perhaps this helps

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...t_cads_en.html

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...ysteme_en.html

Well on my ride down to California it behaved beautifully. It seems it's only problematic on the big thumpy / jump / fast bang-bang-bang type situations.

[225]

Not sure how I stumbled onto this thread. But FBI is the best I have ever delt with. I know Dave personally, and he really takes pride in his work. I have had 3 sets of suspension done by him.

[rudiemoto]

Originally Posted by configurationspace

Fast Bike Industries quoted me $899.95 + $65 shipping. (USD)

There's a shop in the UK that sells an Ohlins cartridge for the HP2 as well.

http://www.adventurebikewarehouse.co...ani-p-403.html

but they're charging £1,650 + £107.79 shipping. Presumably they're not the same cartridge. I'll see if I can get a spec comparison.

There r not the same units ,but that said I am fitting bi turbo units in the 45 mm forks which come out at 500 but I can't give u feed back yet ,also I have an mst rally kit to fit
Each oh lions kit is custom by Kais suspension in uk
Rally development in the uk do a triple clamp conversion to 48 mm Wp units
Molly has a well sorted hp2 and rides very very hard ....unlike me