December 27, 2007

A "Fox Alert" Follow-Up

Yes, the F29 is approved to work with a wheel larger than a 26" (i.e. 650B).
Yes, Fox is covering their rear with this notification.
Yes, the Neo-Moto, at 702 (+/- 5mm) is close to many large-volume 26" tires on the market. Rock Shox does not recommend the use of 650B wheels either, BUT will that stop us from using them? Probably not. Anyone out there completely read their suspension fork owners manual? A lot of the things we do and ride would be considered 'out-side the realm of standard use' for many forks. Fork manufactures have loads of liability on their shoulders as it is. Now we, as consumers, are dabbling with things many of the makers have not. When I called X-Fusion about the Velvet, back in July, they hadn't heard much of anything about the 650B MTB wheels. Carl at Vicious was probably just putting the Neo-Moto in a Fox Fork for the first time that same month. White Bros. didn't change ANYTHING to their 650B fork besides machining the sliders half-way between 26" and 29" designs.
FOX and RS ARE just covering their butts with their official (Only FOX) releases.
Manitou, on the other hand, is attempting to cobble a 650B fork together from parts they currently offer (or offered- old stock stuffs).

You can rest assured, when news like this is released you'll find it here on the 650B Palace blogsite! THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Clearance around the arch is one thing, clearance from the tire to the crown is another. I measured the fit of the Neo_Moto in my Fox fork at 102mm from the top of the knob to the crown at the center point and 95mm at the second row of knobs in from the outside.

If my fork compressed 100% at 100mm, I face the very real prospect of locking up the wheel. My personal riding style is such that I rarely get anything more than 85% travel out of my fork.

I've got some updated photos showing clearance.