Alps riding - Coil v Air forks/ shocks

strak

Hi heading out to Alps this summer on Commencal 5.5
At the minute im kitted out for UK PIKE airs and RP23 to keep weight down.

Im looking at getting soemthign beavier for Alps descents maybe Lyrics, DHX shock (singletrack not full on DH - but lift assisted)
What are the main differences pros/ cons between air and coil suspenders?

I hear the airs can overheat on long descents but is it a noticeable probelm or just a niggle? Would Lyric coils be a lot plusher then Lyric Airs for example? cheers

supersonic

Coil tends to be 'plusher' due to the lack of air seals, and a little more reliable. However Air forks can easily be tuned to your weight, and dual air forks tuned further, and can be set up to overcome initial stiction.

nicklouse

what is the bike?

and i would not spend the money changing the parts.

Splasher

I weigh 15 stone and rode the Morzine, Les Gets and Chatel downhill courses last year and the whole Passportes route (6200m of descent in 8 hours) on a swinger 3 rear can and a Marzocchi AM1 fork without problem.

What you do need to upgrade are your brake rotors and tyres/tubes.

strak

commencal 5.5 - 5.5 inches front n rear.
Im thinking a 6 inch up front might be better for Alps, but see how I get on with the PIKEs first.

So not much in it between coils n air then?
Would you go for Lyric/36 Air or coil for a few weeks mainly riding DH singletrack?
I understand the beeter adjustablility in Air pressures, so does the coil plushness reign supreme once correct spring/ preload dialled in?

strak

should i say PIKEs are 140mm . thinking 160 fork...

nicklouse

i would leave it as is.

but make sure brakes etc are up to scratch as above.

Splasher

strak wrote:

commencal 5.5 - 5.5 inches front n rear.
Im thinking a 6 inch up front might be better for Alps, but see how I get on with the PIKEs first.

So not much in it between coils n air then?
Would you go for Lyric/36 Air or coil for a few weeks mainly riding DH singletrack?
I understand the beeter adjustablility in Air pressures, so does the coil plushness reign supreme once correct spring/ preload dialled in?

Your bike is fine for what you want to do. Fit some 8" rotors and some descent tyres. You need tough sidewalls and good pinch resistance. Either fit dual ply tyres or single ply tyres with DH tubes. Maxxis do Minion DHF and DHR or High Rollers in 2.35 size and single and dual ply. A 60a compound rear, 42a compound front is a good all round combo.

And unless you are a biking god, don't do a Sam Hill and fit DHF front and rear. He does it because cornering grip is more important than braking grip. You may find a paddly tyre on the rear is a benefit for your first trip.

ride_whenever

In the mbuk review of the marin attack trail they said it was excellent and it runs air pikes and rp32

strak

ive got avid 7s on 185 front and rear at mo so hoping this will suffice they are powerful. maybe can pick a 203 up cheap touch wood