My girlfriend has a 2014 specialized rumor. It's quite steep with a 70° head angle. I'd like to make it slacker for her, as she finds steep downhills hard/ scary, but I'm not sure of the best way.
It has an integrated headset, so I don't think I can fit an angle headset sadly.
It also has one of the shocks with their own fitting /yoke like the enduro etc so I think i could only fit an offset bushing on one end? I'm not sure how much of a difference this would make?
And if I upped the travel in her 110mm rebas to 120mm would that make much of a difference?
Thanks
Technique could have a lot more impact than a degree here or there.
There are a few things you can do. I have done 2 of them myself.
1 extend the forks to 130mm
2 offset bushing on the shock at the frame
3 fit the shock yoke from the evo version as this is how the evo is made slacker
I have the evo so didnt need to do the latter.
Captain, we are aware of that. I've been trying to coach her myself, but she's a nervous ruder. Particularly after a big crash resulting in 3 months of the bike.
However the headangle has a massive impact on the handling in my experience, hence trying to change it.
I think the first two suggestions chrismac makes, are definitely worth while. Would we need the longer shock if I managed to get hold of the evo linkage?
Did you notice much difference Chris?
Technique could have a lot more impact than a degree here or there.
Yes, IME, this is a much more effective way of improving confidence, and the best place for the initial spend. Also has the advantage that the skills (& therefore confidence) can be built upon with practice and carried over to whatever bike she rides.
FWIW, I am a bit of a fan of the Cambers and am on my fourth one. I've owned both the non evo and evo 29ers in the same spec., and the difference is fairly subtle (the extra 10mm of suspension is nothing too 'wow'). I experimented with running a 120mm fork on one of my first camber 29 and the difference wasn't really worth the bother. On my other 110mm camber 29, I just ran a low volume tyre on the rear and 2.35 Hans Dampf on the front and this had pretty much the same effect, but with more front grip and cushioning. IMO, the latter combined with a days tuition by a good experienced and qualified skills instructor is a way better spend than taking a punt on forks and evo links etc.
I've been trying to coach her myself, but she's a nervous rider
Never coach someone you love! 😉
I think you are wise to adapt the bike as well as coaching. It's a simple thing that may help make the most out of coaching. It's not costly unless you start changing forks!
You can only run one off set bushing though which may give you half a degree. You cant put in an angle set.
Can you put a shorter stem on to help move weight back?
It may just be more sensible to buy another bike!
I'd love to get her a new bike, but that's not going to happen any time soon. Something like a trance or stump jumper would probably suit her better some of the time now, but she loves the rumor and won't get rid of it, plus she really enjoys long xc rides.
I'll try the bushing, and raising the forks by 10 mm.
I actually owe her 2 hours of coaching with Katy Curd as a present but she wants to wait till her wrist is feeling 100% again.
I can tide steep stuff very happily, I love it. But I may not be good at coaching it. Any tips on how to coach her? We're not talking Langollen dh steep here, more steep red run stuff at the moment.
I experimented with running a 120mm fork on one of my first camber 29 and the difference wasn't really worth the bother
Did alyou actually notice a difference at all?
Thanks
I did notice the difference. Not because of the extra travel. I don't think you need a different shock with evolution. I understand that the different link changes the leverage and spring curve and that's where the extra travel comes from. Should be easy to check