I'm either going to get some handlebar risers, modify a set of bars, or put clip ons on the bike to get the handlebars out of the way of the fork so I can raise it up into the trees a good 2" or so.
What I'm looking to do in the back is a little more complicated. I could change the actual mounting points of the rear shocks to help me drop the bike 1"-2", but that seems like a last ditch thing.
My preferred idea is to modify the shock spring perches themselves. I noticed that you can lower the bike 1/2-3/4" or so by adjusting the preload to the lightest setting. I also noticed that the little welded on nub that holds the adjustable perch up is about 1" above the bottom of the shock. That means there's a good extra inch of lowering to be had simply by grinding that nub off and relocating it 1" lower.
The obvious side effect of this is extreme softening of the spring preload. How much would it be? Who knows. I know the bike doesn't feel too soft right now at its softest setting, but maybe the extra inch would be too much.
What about cutting coils off the shock spring? I figure 2-3 active coils would also slam it pretty nicely. What manner of adverse effects could come of that? It stands to reason that the spring rate would increase slightly but the overall travel of course would be shortened. I wonder how close these bikes come to coil bind in the back as is.
Ideas? Thanks.
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