Thanks to this thread I decided to try a 230x65 shock for the 177 mythical rear travel. I went with the RS Super Delux to keep it in the RS family as I’ve been using the 190mm ZEB for a few months and have loved it.
I’ve been using the high position setup in the rear and the 1+ slack position in the front to try and compensate the geometry with the big fork. I haven’t done the math on the angles but the bike has felt amazing for the stuff I like to ride and at my size (6’2” 220lbs).
I had been using a 525lbs spring on a Push but tried a 450lbs spring on the RS. My thinking was a little more travel and the hydraulic bottom out on the new shock would make it more fun.
1st ride impressions: so much fun with a softer rear suspension. Takes some pressure off my arms. The HBO (hydraulic bottom out) on the coil is the real deal. I tried to push as hard as I could into some jumps and hucks today on familiar trails and only managed to get that dreaded bottom out click feeling once which was a big improvement from the Push Industries coil. The HBO jacked to the max actually makes the coil feel like an insanely progressive shock with an lovely ankle saving squish at the bottom of big hits. I felt like I was going faster and popping higher on jumpies. Definitely could feel the extra travel even if it was a small amount. Permagrin.
As far as the pedal strikes go, I didn’t have any problem on the descents but visually it looks like the pedals do sit lower than on the 230x62.5. Haven't done any technical climbs yet but I’ll check back in when I do. The fire road climbs Bellingham were totally fine with the coil lockout.
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