Canyon Spectral:On Smashpot conversion

[Dhd12]

Has anyone fitted the Smashpot coil conversion to the Fox 36 Rhythm on the 2023 Spectral.On. It’s something I’m looking to do to my bike.

 

[Cb750stu]

Best upgrade on any fork imo

 

[Dhd12]

So, decided to try a TruTune first. The Smashpot and Grip2 combo damper are a last resort now

MTB Air Fork Insert

Plug and play insert for mountain bike air forks, powered by activated carbon. Despite taking up space inside your fork, it increases its effective air volume, creating a plusher and linear feel. SHORT models are aimed at heavy riders, E-bikes and a more aggressive style. If unsure, please...

trutune.co.uk

 

[steve_sordy]

@Dhd12 Fascinating! Thanks for finding this product.

I was interested enough to follow your link and then to follow one of the reviews, this one:

Review: TruTune Suspension Inserts Unlock More Travel - Pinkbike

The review was favourable. I then read the comments section. Four things came up that could be very important:

1) They have only got data on this product for 100 hours of run time. No problems reported though.
2) The key function that makes this product work is the carbon reacting with the air molecules. This is what it has to do to give the effect claimed. But any oil in the air chamber will make a bee line for the carbon and smother it. Carbon in this format is used to soak up oil spills at sea apparently (I didn't know that).
3) Whether number 2) above happens or not, what are the chances that carbon dust/particles will be given off from this cartridge, mixing with the oil and/or scratching the inside wall of the air cylinder, reducing the efficiency of the sliding seal inside the air leg.
4) Another claimed effect of the cartridge is of the heat damping effect. It takes up and then gives out heat generated during fork compression and rebound. This was claimed to reduce the temperature gain inside the air chamber, reducing ramp up. That could be visualised on a few test cycles, but there was scepticism about this happening on a long descent.

After reading all that lot, my initial enthusiasm cooled a bit. I will put it on the "try later" pile.

 

[Bones]

There's also a review on singletrack world.
Personally I think it's snake oil!

 

[Dhd12]

There's also a review on singletrack world.
Personally I think it's snake oil!

Snake oil that they managed to sell to Audi

 

[Bones]

Ben Deakin is another one being paid to promote the insert.
it might be amazing, but over £100 for some air tokens with a hole up the middle seems OTT

 

[Dhd12]

Ben Deakin is another one being paid to promote the insert.
it might be amazing, but over £100 for some air tokens with a hole up the middle seems OTT

It’s worth a try. The Smashpot is around €360 and the Grip2 the same

 

[Bones]

I have to admit too looking at the smashpot myself but ended up with a factory tune on my 38s. And I seem to have eventually got them better.
The singletrack world guy said that he didn't notice any difference on the 36 forks but did on the 38s.
Mind you he didn't weigh much.

 

[Dhd12]

I have to admit too looking at the smashpot myself but ended up with a factory tune on my 38s. And I seem to have eventually got them better.
The singletrack world guy said that he didn't notice any difference on the 36 forks but did on the 38s.
Mind you he didn't weigh much.

There are positive reviews on Pink Bike and Off Road cc.as well. I live in the mountains in Andalusia and it’s all natural terrain I ride on, no groomed trail centres here. Very rocky and loose and just looking for that little bit more comfort/control. I read that somewhere that most people won’t notice the difference between the grip and grip2 damper but I am a tinkerer. The Samahpot/Grip2 combo may be the way to go. Tbf you can only read so many reviews, you have to put your hand in your pocket.
The Trutune is on its way, and I will post my findings here.

 

[Bones]

There are positive reviews on Pink Bike and Off Road cc.as well. I live in the mountains in Andalusia and it’s all natural terrain I ride on, no groomed trail centres here. Very rocky and loose and just looking for that little bit more comfort/control. I read that somewhere that most people won’t notice the difference between the grip and grip2 damper but I am a tinkerer. The Samahpot/Grip2 combo may be the way to go. Tbf you can only read so many reviews, you have to put your hand in your pocket.
The Trutune is on its way, and I will post my findings here.

Excellent news and I'm very jealous of where you live

 

[MBj1703]

Have you checked AWK from Chickadeehill
For me much better then the TruTone. Run it in a Lyrik and a Zeb.

 

[Dhd12]

Have you checked AWK from Chickadeehill
For me much better then the TruTone. Run it in a Lyrik and a Zeb.

Yes, I’ve seen that. Have you tried the TruTune MBj1703 ??

 

[MBj1703]

Not in my bike/fork, but a friend has it, both Zeb.
S we x-checked on a Zeb by changing bikes.

Not 100% "fair" but okay.

 

[Trom]

Why would you want to convert the Fox 36 to a smashpot coil, unless you have issues with the air cartridge, or bottoming out or are doing massive jumps etc.?
I had a Turbo Levo in 2020, and after appx 13 months the Lyric Forks were constantly Locking down. Despite all the recommeded fixes on line, had to send it to TF Tuned for inspection.( i have used them in the past and been happy).
Usual indications were that the Transfer port between neg and positive chamber becomes blocked with Grease. However. TF T advised the internal air cartridge damper had got grit in somehow, and caused scoring, and even a service and warranty would result in the same problem.
What about Rock Shock warranty then I asked !!!. as its a common problem, and all on line to see. The reply was, oh no, as its over 12 m old, and not serviced, that would not be covered...hmmm...so the options are...1. We can sell you a pair of used Ohlins, for 1100 quid, or 2. convert to a Vorsprung smashpot coil for £400.....so much for service / backup etc, ffs.
So I would stick with Fox tbh !.
However, the Smashpot coil increased travel from the Lyric air, apparantlyy but was very harsh, on small stuff, and took some opening up early into the travel, but was good on hard severe drops to some extent. Also less maintainance in the future hopefully,
Hope that helps you decide,

 

[Dhd12]

Why would you want to convert the Fox 36 to a smashpot coil, unless you have issues with the air cartridge, or bottoming out or are doing massive jumps etc.?
I had a Turbo Levo in 2020, and after appx 13 months the Lyric Forks were constantly Locking down. Despite all the recommeded fixes on line, had to send it to TF Tuned for inspection.( i have used them in the past and been happy).
Usual indications were that the Transfer port between neg and positive chamber becomes blocked with Grease. However. TF T advised the internal air cartridge damper had got grit in somehow, and caused scoring, and even a service and warranty would result in the same problem.
What about Rock Shock warranty then I asked !!!. as its a common problem, and all on line to see. The reply was, oh no, as its over 12 m old, and not serviced, that would not be covered...hmmm...so the options are...1. We can sell you a pair of used Ohlins, for 1100 quid, or 2. convert to a Vorsprung smashpot coil for £400.....so much for service / backup etc, ffs.
So I would stick with Fox tbh !.
However, the Smashpot coil increased travel from the Lyric air, apparantlyy but was very harsh, on small stuff, and took some opening up early into the travel, but was good on hard severe drops to some extent. Also less maintainance in the future hopefully,
Hope that helps you decide,

Seems odd that TF didn’t offer to swop the complete damper cartridge. I have a Pike in another bike that had the transfer port full of grease from the factory and this would lockdown when removing air from the fork. I do all my own servicing and it’s a relatively simple job. I added a Luftkappe on that fork to try and get a better feel.
The Smashpot is adjustable internally via spacers so you could have had the same travel surely. It also sounds like the spring rate was too hard in your case.
I have ridden, raced and built and maintained motorcycles for more years than I care to mention and all were coil sprung. Even MotoGP at the pinnacle of motor cycle sport uses coil suspension. Air forks were added to bicycles to save weight. But this weight isn’t an issue on an E-bike for me.
I am a serial tinkerer and like to try new options hence trying the TruTune initially. I also run a ShockWiz to assist a little with my setup.
Non of my vehicles/bikes are as they left the factory and for me better for it.
BTW thanks for your input

 

[Dhd12]

So, first shakedown ride with the TrueTune. Very easy to install. Removed the three standard tokens and upped the air pressure 10% as recommended.as a starting point . From 72.5 to 80psi. Very noticeable difference initially. That may be because of removing the tokens, seems to have good support and not not sitting low in the travel. Definitely using more travel. Longer ride tomorrow with more varied terrain
One thing, after the short ride the pressure had dropped slightly presumably the carbon doing its job.
Looks like a win so far

 

[MBj1703]

Happy for you!

The initially difference is not from removing token, because they are only infecting progression curve.
My guess, it is because of the more PSIs.

 

[Dhd12]

Happy for you!

The initially difference is not from removing token, because they are only infecting progression curve.
My guess, it is because of the more PSIs.

You need more psi because the tokens the reduce air volume. I have increased the volume. More air pressure equals a harder less supple fork that sits higher in it´s travel. I wanted a more supple fork.
See here - Bottomless Tokens are volume spacers, designed to reduce air volume in the air spring of your suspension fork. By reducing air volume, you obtain greater ramp at the end of the suspension stroke. Each Bottomless Token added will require greater force to make your fork achieve full travel.

 

[Bones]

Is the insert the same length as the three tokens that you have removed?
I noticed on some of the demo vids that the riders were running soft air springs with a lot of tokens and wondered if the inserts were more suited to harder hitting terrain!

 

[MBj1703]

Volume Spacers or Tokens are only changing progression, nothing else

 

[Dhd12]

Is the insert the same length as the three tokens that you have removed?
I noticed on some of the demo vids that the riders were running soft air springs with a lot of tokens and wondered if the inserts were more suited to harder hitting terrain!

It´s a little shorter Tbf. The tokens/inserts make the fork more progressive as it moves through it´s travel increasing the ramp up (it gets more resistant to bottom out the further it goes into its travel)

 

[Jagger]

So, first shakedown ride with the TrueTune. Very easy to install. Removed the three standard tokens and upped the air pressure 10% as recommended.as a starting point . From 72.5 to 80psi. Very noticeable difference initially. That may be because of removing the tokens, seems to have good support and not not sitting low in the travel. Definitely using more travel. Longer ride tomorrow with more varied terrain
One thing, after the short ride the pressure had dropped slightly presumably the carbon doing its job.
Looks like a win so far

I have a problem using all of the travel available on the Rhythm fork. At 58 kilos, (57k race weight) I only use two thirds of available travel despite running 30% sag (41psi).

Options were: New Factory forks with Drip 2 damper, Grip 2 damper upgrade or a smashpot conversion.

The TrueTune seems like a good alternative for me. I'm not a jumper but I do want compliance over rough surfaces.

I will be interested on how you found the TrueTune on your longer ride.

 

[Dhd12]

I have a problem using all of the travel available on the Rhythm fork. At 58 kilos, (57k race weight) I only use two thirds of available travel despite running 30% sag (41psi).

Options were: New Factory forks with Drip 2 damper, Grip 2 damper upgrade or a smashpot conversion.

The TrueTune seems like a good alternative for me. I'm not a jumper but I do want compliance over rough surfaces.

I will be interested on how you found the TrueTune on your longer ride.

Not managed a ride today sadly. Personally for your weight I would initially remove some tokens and reset the sag. If it’s no better maybe try a TrueTune.
I would also have a chat with one of the Uk suspension specialists. Maybe a change of shim stack would be required to better suit your weight. Will post back after a longer ride

 

[MBj1703]

Again, Token are only for Progression. Pressure is what you need to lower.
If you are too light, you need to adopt the shims as Dhd12 mentioned.

 

[Dhd12]

So, a longer ride today. Just over 60km and around 1400mtr of climbing with a good mix of terrain. Firstly I forgot my shock pump, so had to ride without any adjustments. It´s definitely more plush but I think i need to drop the air pressure a little. The fork sits nice and high in it´s travel and braking on steep techie descents does not blow through it´s travel too much. Going to lower the rebound damping a little for the next ride.

 

[Only_eMTBs]

Just came across this post.
I have converted my 2022 Spectral:On Fox Rhythm 36 air with the Smashpot. I weigh slightly over 55Kg and wanted improvements over rocks and roots. I am very satisfied with this conversion despite adding closing to 1/2 kg in weight due to the coil and extra oil. With hard riding I can achieve full travel but in general up to 80%. Feels very supple and much more stable cornering. I purchased the smashpot with 35# coil.
Also, I left the grip damper as is and didn't upgrade to grip2 as I have experimented previously with a 38 fork with no discernible difference.
Hope this helps.

 

[Dhd12]

Just came across this post.
I have converted my 2022 Spectral:On Fox Rhythm 36 air with the Smashpot. I weigh slightly over 55Kg and wanted improvements over rocks and roots. I am very satisfied with this conversion despite adding closing to 1/2 kg in weight due to the coil and extra oil. With hard riding I can achieve full travel but in general up to 80%. Feels very supple and much more stable cornering. I purchased the smashpot with 35# coil.
Also, I left the grip damper as is and didn't upgrade to grip2 as I have experimented previously with a 38 fork with no discernible difference.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for your input

 

[Jagger]

Just came across this post.
I have converted my 2022 Spectral:On Fox Rhythm 36 air with the Smashpot. I weigh slightly over 55Kg and wanted improvements over rocks and roots. I am very satisfied with this conversion despite adding closing to 1/2 kg in weight due to the coil and extra oil. With hard riding I can achieve full travel but in general up to 80%. Feels very supple and much more stable cornering. I purchased the smashpot with 35# coil.
Also, I left the grip damper as is and didn't upgrade to grip2 as I have experimented previously with a 38 fork with no discernible difference.
Hope this helps.

Thank you.
Your experience is exactly what I wanted to hear.
This is the way I was thinking of going as the TrueTune and Chickadeehill solutions talk about emulating the progressiveness of a coil. So why not just fit a coil!

The additional weight issue is not a problem on an e-bike. On my Lux racing bike, it would not be an option. The rockshox Ultimates with race day internals though are superb for CX. Fall apart on rough stuff!

I'll order today and hopefully fit next week. I'll review when fitted and when it stops raining in the UK! 🌧🌧🌧

 

[Only_eMTBs]

BTW, I removed 4 shims from the Smashpot coil for more compliance due to my light weight and with the HBO, it is amazing (for me).