I own an s-works Epic 7, 100mm with the brain, and the Element is a completely different bike than that.
I did demo an epic 8 pro, and the step from epic 7 to 8 is about the same as epic 8 to the element in regards to descending, maybe even greater. The length, 130mm pike, and HTA really bring it into another league on really technical trails, think black/ or double black. On green/Blue the epic 8 is a bit better. I rode a few trails like THIS last weekend, which I would not take the epic 7 on, and epic 8 was pretty sketchy. Element was a blast, although I had to dial back pace a just bit compared to Hightower/sb140, I honestly wouldnāt want to go much faster without a fullface.
Yea, so I heardā¦ a new one is due out in a couple weeks with new swingarm. I donāt really have a local dealer nearby, so I donāt know what Iāll do. It was hard to pass up almost 2k off retail. The epic is still my primary bike, so Iāll just suck it up. It would be great if the new swingarm works with 22+ frames.
I love the way the new Elements look from an aesthetic point of view. I thought that was going to be the bike for me but Iāve heard some not great things about their reliability, and theyāve always seemed a bit overpriced, even before the COVID bike boom nonsense. Good on you for getting one at a good deal.
Echo these sentiments exactly. Was a beautiful light fast bike. I destroyed 3 sets of linkage bearings in 6 months and sold the bike. Disaster. But a beautiful one.
Had a minor crash a couple weeks ago. Mostly pride and some gravel rash (but, at least I got a KOM I wanted right before it!) but in the process I managed to damage the anti-spin spacers that are part of the headset on my oiz. New parts on the way, but it means pulling all the cables out and re-running them.
So this turned into a - āWhile Iām in thereā and I have the Flight Attendant Fork and Shock ordered and on the way. Guess Iām joining that club a little sooner than anticipatedā¦
Sucks about the crash, but please post an update once you get Flight Attendant on your OIZ. Curious about your thoughts of it on the OIZ vs needing to use the squidlock.
I know - one of my only regrets, I love the current color scheme. Iāll just have to go with a black OneUp or AXS Wireless for the Dropper to go with the fork and shock thoughā¦
I am sure Fox is going to have its fully wireless Live Valve out to the XC bikes soon - I cant speak on price though as the first reviews are talking madness for just the rear shock.
I am a big fox person (this translated from motorsports) and would love to run their product. I actually just put Fox mechanical on my bike but I feel as though they are going to outprice themselves in the market - especially if they cant figure out a damper only upgrade for the front fork.
I think itāll take a while before Fox is competitive here - they need to get something out for XC, and tested / reviewed. Maybe a release at Sea Otter, but who knows?
I personally already have a Quarq PM and SRAM Transmission too, so in the grand scheme of things Flight Attendant makes sense.
Agreed on this statement and customers like you it makes perfect sense! Someone like me who runs Race Face cranks, Favero Pedals and Shimano brakes, Mechanical shifting etc - the fox idealism makes more sense.
That being said if it comes out and its $2500 to purchase the Fox package - IMO they are blowing it out of the water and I would just look at making the whole bike SRAM poweredā¦
I keep seeing this mentioned. For the system that Fox has released - the intent is to not mess with the fork. I donāt think its that they ācant figure it outā but more that for a trail/enduro rig they chose not to add the system to the fork.
If they do elect to build a 34SC or similar with the new Neo Live Valve, I think a drop in damper is likely.
Iād also add, the pricing is very closely aligned with SRAM. A full FA package is ~2500 currently and it seems like the Livevalve Neo shocks are ~$999 vs the $850 for a Sidluxe FA so not too far off
I agree that a damper would be possible but if they will allow or do it is still to be determined.
Not challenging you;
I am seeing a FA setup from scratch being around $3200 (at MSRP) if you also need a crank and power-meter (this is me as an example).
$1350 Fork ā $850 Rear Shock ā $2200 and for someone that needs a crank and power meter how much would that be? 1k? so that brings this upgrade for someone like myself to $3200āish (I know you can find deals but just looking at MSRP).
I am also seeing the Fox Neo rear shock and sensors for $1400 ā Shock ā Sensors
If you estimate that a fox fork will be competitive in price at $1400 you are looking at $2800 for the Fox products (Estimated).
So if you do apples to apples and you use the SRAM pedal sensor over PM that is about $2300 vs Foxās estimated $2800. The biggest anomaly is if you need a PM and which route you go, but it would appear Fox is going to always be more than SRAM.
I think I just spun off on a tangent here and brain dumped. I really like the Neo protocol and how they are achieving the suspension lockout on the system.
Hayes T2ās swapped for TRP Slate T4ās, Racing Ray/Ralph for Forekaster/Rekons, and Xpedo CXR Pros instead of Crankbrothers Candy 2ās. Dropped about 2lbs off the bike. Respectable weight with pedals and cages. Thereās still more meat on the bone but it gets quite expensive (XX SL stuff etc.)
Iām planning on getting some Nextie rims and building up a super lightweight race wheelset over the winter which should land the bike in the low 24# range. Thatāll be itā¦probably.
Youāre right, I hadnāt checked out the sensors yet. So yes, it does look like it will be a few hundred more for Fox than SID FA - although itās probably in line with the Super Deluxe FA package, which is probably more apples to apples given weāre talking about a Float X/DHX2 and not a Float SL.
I saw the new element a few weeks ago, itās major difference is it will use flex stays. The version I saw also had flight attendant.
One of my riding buddies has an element. Iāve tested it out, it rides phenomenally. But it, like all Rockyās (imo, I used to have an instinct), the design leads to massive maintenance issues. Constant creaks from the pivots and shock hardware.
