Everyone pretty much knows the feeling of waiting for a new bike? The wait – tap tap tap – the anticipation - tap tap tap – then there’s the first “another two weeks” update – bang bang bang – then the second “another two weeks” – BANG BANG BANG. You know the drill!!But once the wait is over, all of this is quickly forgotten: “Waiting makes it even sweeter!” they say. Humm, I’m no so sure about that, especially during the waiting game. But one thing I know, it’s a pretty damn good feeling once you get to receive your new bike. A few weeks ago I was relived (and beyond stoked) to take delivery of my new 2005 Iron Horse Factory Sunday frame kit.
What’s all the fuss about the Iron Horse Sunday? After a brief chat with the master mind behind the DW-Link, here is what Dave had to say:
The Sunday is a DW-Link bike. The DW-Link is very unique as far as suspension systems go. It basically counteracts mass transfer and pedaling forces as you accelerate. In essence, compared to other frames, this means that there is significantly less compressive force acting on the rear wheel as you accelerate. The suspension only has to deal with absorbing bumps, not absorbing bumps PLUS acceleration forces. This lets you run a lot less damping and a lower spring rate. It also lets the bike hook up better in corners off the power because the bike is not overly stiff to compensate for pedaling. If you think this sounds pretty trick actually – you should get to try one!!
Because the Sunday has a low leverage ratio, and also because the Sunday's leverage rate curve was designed to be less progressive in the beginning of the stroke than many older bikes. This in itself rquires less low speed compression damping.
As a rule of thumb so far, the DH/FR DW link bikes (Sunday and 7POINT) have required 1/3 of the damping that a non DW-Link bike requires. I know it sounds extreme, and most of the shock makers didn't believe it at first, but that is the reality, tested and proven on the computer for 3.5 years and testing on the trail for a solid 2 years now.
**For higher rez: simply click on the image**OnePointFive Headtube with reinforced gussetsISCG 05 tabs, 83mm shell BBRoom to park a truck, 9.5x3” Progressive 5th Element CV/T 5 shockEnduro Max Type bearing throughoutIn all its glorydw-link system from the lefttrick replaceable derailleur hanger, 12mm thru axle, 150mm widthFrame+Shock with Steel spring+E13 cups+seatpost clamp+axle = 11.34lbsDW-Link upper linkThe Factory frame differs from the frame used on the Team & World Cup complete bikes on material, butting, and colors. Overall, the frame is about 1lb lighter than it's Taiwan made counterpart (i.e. Sunday World Cup and Sunday Team). Geometry and sizing is identical for the Taiwan & USA frames.
The frame comes in
Jazz Blue, Imola Yellow and Black Magic Pearl. With the frame you get: Progressive 5th Element CV/T 5 shock w/ 275# spring, DT/Swiss Hugi FR hub w/ alloy cassette body, Thomson Elite 30.0 seatpost, e.thirteen 1.5 zerostack reducer cups, & FSA IS-2 Carbon headset
Sizes: Regular (17") and Large (19")Geometry (with 8" fork)
| 17” | 19” |
---|
HA | 65.4 | 65.4 |
SA | 64.4 | 64.4 |
Eff TT | 23.6” | 24.6” |
CS | 17.24” | 17.24” |
WB | 45.25” | 46.25” |
BB | 13.9” | 13.9” |
MSRP: $2,299.00 USD
First you have to select the right spring for you. Here is a chart that should help you select the right spring for you: Rider weight is with gear and with minimal CV/T chamber pressure.
This guide is accurate and will give you the correct rates that you need.
RIDER WEIGHT with gear | SPRING RATE |
---|
140 lbs ------------------> | 250# |
155 lbs ------------------> | 275# |
175 lbs ------------------> | 300# |
205 lbs ------------------> | 350# |
240 lbs ------------------> | 400# |
270 lbs ------------------> | 450# |
Progressive 5th Element's starting setup adjustments. Start with these settings then tweak as needed:
• Set the rebound at full fast
• 1 turn in on the CV/T chamber (start at full counterclockwise and give it one full clockwise turn)
• Approx 70 PSI in the air chamber
• Full out on the low speed screw (full counterclockwise)
• Full out on the high speed screw (Full counterclockwise)
• Then adjust rebound to prefered setting
If you have a Dw-link bike with a coil over shock, Sunday, 7POINT, there are updated shock tunes available from Progressive. I cannot be certain that all of the bikes out there have the latest shock tunes, but I can guarantee you that if you send your shock to Progessive, you will get the latest tune.
Make sure that you specify that the shcok is going on a DW-LINK Iron Horse Sunday or 7POINT, and that you want the lightest tune possible.
Here is why you need this:
The DW-Link is a one of a kind suspension system. In function, there is nothing else like it in the world. (Although some marketing material out there would have you believe otherwise but that’s a different story for another day)
In the simplest sense, this is what it does.
The DW-Link system almost completely cancels out suspension compression and extension due to the affects of mass transfer and rider movement when you accelerate your bike.
Because of this, your rear wheel suspension is left to only deal with the bumps in the trail, NOT the bumps in the trail PLUS your mass transfer and pedaling related forces.
All shocks on the market today are designed to compensate for much less efficient systems. The shocks use higher spring rates and increased damping to achieve the identical performance under acceleration that the DW-Link achieves. The 2005 DW-Link Sundays and 7POINTs run 1/3 of the compression damping of any other bike on the market that I am aware of today. Many shocks on the market are actually incapable of attaining damping rates low enough to take advantage of the system's full potential. (Progressive and Avalanche have verified Shock tunes currently)
So basically, you need less spring rate and damping to get the same suspension performance with a DW-Link than other suspensions. The end result are shocks that run cooler, less forces in the frame, and a suspension that reacts to the smallest bumps without reacting to you.
I'm pretty damn excited to ride/test the Iron Hose Sunday this year. Other than a few occasional races - I won’t be doing much racing this year. The bike will be primarily use as an every day DH bike. Whether it’s for the fast Whistler trails, the gnar-coreness of North Star at Tahoe, the dusty Bootleg Canyon trail or even the local “pedal to the top” DH runs here in Northern California – the Sunday will be used for it all.
Below is the specifications of my bike, which for the most part will remain unchanged all season – this unless I face some major component failures that would force me to swap parts.
Since I’m a “parts whore” at heart – I may swap some parts for testing purposes. A few things come to mind:
• Tires: Who doesn’t like to try different tires eh? For now the bike had Maxxis tires mounted on it, but I might try different ones throughout the year.
• Shifter Pod and rear derailleur: Will definitely be trying out the new SRAM X.0 triggers and new rear derailleur once they are available.
• Push Industries bits: Who knows what PUSH bits might show up on my bike from now until the end of the year! ;o)
This is only a mere spotlight – I will follow up in a couple months by a long-term review. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the bike or any of the parts I’m using, feel free to e-mail me and I’ll try to help you out to the best of my abilities.
Frame size | Regular 17” |
Rear Shock | Progressive 5th Element CV/t 5 shock • 9.5”x3” stroke • 275# steel spring • 70psi Air Pressure • 1 turn Volume Adjuster • Beg. & End. stroke all the way out |
Fork | 2005 8" RockShox BoXXer WC • 2 Silver springs • 93mm Oil Height Rebound (2.5wt) • 115mm Oil Height Compression (10 wt)
|
Headset | E13 Zero-Stack Reducer cups and FSA bearings |
Crankarms | 170 / Middleburn RS-7 |
Chain Guide | E13 Components SRS Guide |
Chainring | E13 Components 38T Guide Ring |
Bottom Bracket | FSA Platinum Pro 83x128 |
Pedals | Easton Cully with Woodman Component Spikes Comp pins |
Chain | SRAM PC-99 |
Cassette | SRAM PG-970 |
Rear Derailleur | SRAM X.0 |
Shifter Cable/Housing | Avid Flack Jacket |
Shifter Pod | SRAM X.9 |
Handlebar | Easton CNT DH Carbon bars (not shown) |
Stem | E13 Components Direct Mount |
Grips | ODI Lock On |
Brakes | Avid Juicy 7 with 203mm rotors |
Front hub | Chris King 20mm TA |
Rear hub | DT Swiss 12mm TA |
Spokes | Black DT Competition |
Tires | Maxxis Minion |
Front Rim | Mavic EX 823 UST |
Tubes | Specialized 05 Standard DH tubes / Presta valve |
Rear Rim | Mavic EX 721 |
Saddle | SDG USA Bel-Air ST (not shown) |
Seatpost | SDG USA I-Beam (30.0) |
Extra | Hope seatpost clamp |
Weight | As is: approx 41.1lbs |
www.ironhorsebikes.com
www.madcatzracing.com
www.dw-link.com
www.e13components.com
www.progressivesuspension.com
www.rockshox.com
www.sram.com
www.avidbike.com
www.sdgusa.com
www.fullspeedahead.com
www.eastonbike.com
www.dtswiss.com