Idle wondering here. I've recently seen a lot of online posts with bikes that have been retrofitted with cascade swing links. I'd never heard of them before and when to check what they were all about. 6mm more travel (what's the point?) and many % more travel is the claim for my bike.
At over £300, I'd have to be pretty sure it would be amazing to stump up the cash. I'm not planning to as I severely doubt whether I'd notice a significant difference but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of using a cascade (or other) 3rd party link.
Thoughts?
If it's the Heckler SL in particular, there's been mixed discussion about out on a FB owner's group (private group so you'll need a login).
Generally Cascade links been around a while. No experience myself but see them as marginal gains. I'm impressed with the standard Super Deluxe Select+ on mine. Keep looking at coils but probably similar in marginal gain improvements vs the cost.
AIUI, they generally increase the progression of the leverage curve making the suspension work better with coil shocks.
The main reason for them is to change the leverage curve rather than up the travel.
Although some of the links can significantly also do that in combo with a longer stroke shock.
Mrsstu was given one for her Stumpy Evo and it increased the bottom out resistance that she lost when fitting a coil shock.
If I ever get round to fitting a coil on my Stumpy15 I'll be buying a link for the same reason.
I considered one for my Levo but i hardly ride it so just put up with having to run the shock a bit stiffer than I'd ideally like.
There's a lot of love for the cascade links on the 2022 Orbea rises, but that's because they've sorted some of the flex in the back end and issues with the preload nuts.
My take is they make the kinematic different to that of the original. Wether that’s better or not is probably down to individual preferences and riding styles
I fitted one to a Norco Sight and it transformed the bike for the better.
I got mine half price, I wouldn't pay 300 quid for one.
A mate bought a Cascade link for a mk2 hightower (when they had a sale on) which would apparently allow use of a coil when the standard linkage didn't have enough clearance and also bumped travel from 145mm to 160mm. He never actually got round to trying it as he got a good deal on a Nomad not long afterwards but I've read several reviews saying a hightower is better with the Cascade link than standard
Ah cool. Really a coil thing mostly. Fine. Not for me then.
Well i certainly hope they are good. I've now got one on the way (plus a coil) to hopefully convert my Transition Sentinel from a very capable trail bike (150/160) to a bike park smasher (165/170).
I bought one for the Levo after reading how much it transforms the ride...
Mine is the standard link though. Most people going to coil go for the LT link.
Levo is standard 160f/150r. The cascade link gives it 160r
The LT link with a longer stroke shock takes the rear to 170. So then it would be a case of upping the front to 170/180.
My Kenevo is 180/180, so I'm not too fussed about making the Levo a rock muncher (maybe in a year or two I will).
As for the difference - first ride I put some more air in the shock as I read this was required. Seemed to sit a bit down at the back, so went up a bit more and did feel nice and really supportive without introducing any harshness with the extra pressure. Has it made a difference - I'm not sure yet, but will see. Hopefully the X2 shock doesn't shit itself with the extra pressure.
I've a cascade link on my 2019 stumpjumper.. took teh travel from 140, to 148mm, and made it more progressive (less bottoming out). I run an air shock - the combination of the two works really well for me as i like teh 'trail compliance' but 'big hit' resistance.
I'v also up-biked the front with a 160mm fork, and a slackeriser on the headset..
DrP