just wondering if anyone has run either roco's or cane creek double barrels, and if they clear better or worse than swingers and fifths?

seems like a roco can be setup quite progressively from what i've heard(maybe gentle valving and high pressure)? seems like the bb7 suspension is setup around the progressive nature of the 5th element, but i dont want platform damping.

wooyek, how did you find the leverage curves on the bb7?

I've used freeware version of Linkage - you can find anything HERE.


This weekend I've been riding my BB7 for the first time after replacing Swinger 6-Way with the DHX 5.0. You can adjust ProPedal to turn it off completely - and then you can REALLY feel what pedal-bob is But it rides like a dream, much better than with the 6-Way, so it must be definitely far better than 5th (which is even more "lazy" than 6-Way). And it fits the frame with no problem.


I've heard some bad things about Roco's reliability, which is likely, considering the quality of latest Marzocchi products...

And as for CCDB - it would be probably the one to go, if you can afford it and if you can really use it's advantages over "normal" good shocks (DHX 5.0). I think that most of riders just don't need that level of performance, because World-Cup-skills are needed to really feel (and use) the difference. But maybe I'm wrong And I have nothing against buying "just because I can", if money is not a problem

However, the reservoir size looks similar to 5th/6-Way, maybe a bit shorter:


I wouldn't buy it without trying if it fits ok.

my big thing is i bought my bb7 to distract me from motocross due to a recent knee injury. So im trying to build the bike up as moto as i can, within reasonability. What the motocross guys have known for years is that speed sensitive shim stack valving along with a progressive shock link is the way to go. The only company that doesnt run a progressive shock linkage is ktm. That being said, all the wc level dh bike makers have just figured this out recently(last few years, commencal, morewood, dw delta system, giant dh team etc).

I know ktm compensates for the lack of linkage by running a shock that has a progressively wound spring along with shock internals that ramp up the damping near the end stroke(similar to the way platform shocks do like the 5th, but without the shitty low speed compression damping they have).

This is why i ask about these two shocks, because they're direct mx technology(double barrel is an ohlins shock made under license) and rocos are basically scaled down traditional shim stack hi lo setup designed to be rebuilt at home.

so that leverage curve is for sure right? seems weird how its a falling rate initially

Talk to these local guys.

North Vancouver:
James Downing
http://www.suspensionwerx.com


Coquitlam:
Kyle
http://www.thebrokenbike.com

has anyone run an 8.5x2.5 stroke shock? it would probably drop the bb to about 14 inches, give you about 8inches of travel and slacken the head angle to like 65, anyone tried?

The hot setup that I have found over years of tinkering with these machines at the gnarliest terrain in the North Atlantic United States is that the Avalanche downhill racing suspension is the best rear shock in terms of durability, tuneability, rideability and serviceability. The DHS is an incredible shock and on my current 2003 bb7 it really does feel like bottomless suspension. These shocks are custom tuned and valved by Craig Seekins of Avalanche Downhill Racing for the rider ability and the machine design. They are virtually blow proof and the optional 2 stage compression and rebound circuits, coupled with the motorcycle durable, nitrogen filled bladder resevoir, make this capable of the best ride you can possibly get out the bb7.

I know it sounds like I am a sales rep, but not even close. I ran a high end shop for 15 years, wrenched and raced on the NORBA circuit and was also the first stocking dealer of Balfa in the USA. I remember the first bb7 imported and I was helping them get the blackspire chain guides to work properly on them, because NOTHING else worked on that frame back then. So I have a bit of trial and error experience on this machine and other suspensions. I also race enduros(KTM 200) and compete in motorcycle observed trials(Montessa 315). So I have had the best luck of any shock, made to date, out of the avalanche. So if you want the best suspension for your late model bb7, contact Craig through his website and get yourself dialed in ! And if you have an older bb....the ones that would ONLY work with the original fox vanilla shock, he is offering custom rebuilds on other companies suspension, dubbed the "avalanche advantage". I have the prototype valving done on a manitou swinger on my 2 step DH and it is super quality. He gutted the stable platform valving and revalved it with beautifully machined custom valving components and the shock works way better than before. So that is an option for the older bb's.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jeff

Hey.....
That's my BB7 !
I think I said it was a 2004 ....it actually is a 2003..... I am lucky enough to have a few rides to keep track of..... I will post pics of the current build of it and my 2 step DH sometime when I get a few minutes between work and school.
Cheers to all !
P.S. going to Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts this coming Sunday september 6th for some gravity action if anyone wants to road trip over, down, or up to meet there..... Some really great terrain
there, some steep, some tech, great flowing drops and just great all around riding without the hype or lines.

That frame does not have the floating brake mount. Me thinks its a 2002 model.