Trek Rail with Fox DHX2 coil

[zaykay]

Got finally the mounting hw for my coil shock. Two alternatives to install DHX2, either use 10 x 40 and 10 x 54 Fox mounting kits or press 12,7mm du bushings and use the stock shocks mounting hw. Both will work.

 

[zaykay]

Shock is 230 x 60 metric and this gives 156mm rear wheel travel. Checked without a spring that there’s enough clearance for added travel.

 

[dochabanero]

Let us know how you like it once you’ve done a few rides. Guessing you do mostly gravity oriented riding?

 

[zaykay]

Not really. I’m coming from Meta Power with a coil shock and have coil also in my V4 Nomad. I just prefer plush ride and feel that stock shock is the weakest part of the bike.

 

[Doomanic]

Interested to hear how you get on. Is that a Rail 7?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Interested to hear how you get on. Is that a Rail 7?

As he visualises telling Mrs Doomanic that its a wonderful idea to keep the same car for a few more years ...

 

[zaykay]

Interested to hear how you get on. Is that a Rail 7?

Yes, I think Rail 7 is the best platform for upgrades. I have added also Charger 2.1 RC2 damper and SKF Seals to fork which makes it basically a Lyrik Ultimate with stiffer EMTB crown

 

[Good Times]

Oooohhhhh thank you for this. I was about to research the re:Aktiv as a replacement shock as I thought clearance on the seat tube wouldn’t allow for a coil. Which I’d much prefer! Wonder if I could get a DVO Jade in there?

Also contemplating the fork cartridge upgrade.

 

[Good Times]

Do you know the OD of the coil? I'm looking at one with a 52.65mm OD (550lb) or 54.5mm (600lb). From a quick measure I've got around 56mm to play with but not sure if clearance reduces through the travel. (Large frame BTW)

 

[zaykay]

Do you know the OD of the coil? I'm looking at one with a 52.65mm OD (550lb) or 54.5mm (600lb). From a quick measure I've got around 56mm to play with but not sure if clearance reduces through the travel. (Large frame BTW)

Shock bends forward in compression. So it’s closest to saddle tube when fully extended. My frame is also Large and I’m using Nukeproof Superlight Steel Enduro spring. I think it has and OD of 57,5mm. I know that Fox SLS springs have smallest OD if you want to play safe.

 

[jcmonty]

How the bike with the coil? Progressive enough to support? Hard to find info on the leverage curve

 

[zaykay]

Plenty of progression. I would not go back to air. Stock reActiv shock feels like it has really open bleed, so linkage needs a lot of progression. I test rode Rail 9 before buying 7. I think stock shock on rail (basic super deluxe rt) has a lot more platform than reActiv has. I don't think the reActiv shock works really that well in fast and steep dh style of riding.

 

[smuts]

I‘ve been considering a dhx2 for my rail too. @zaykay what tune is your dhx2 And how did you go about determining which one to use? Rider weight & spring rate?

 

[Doomanic]

Shock is 230 x 60 metric and this gives 156mm rear wheel travel. Checked without a spring that there’s enough clearance for added travel.

How much space is there between the back of the seat tube and the linkage on full compression?

 

[zaykay]

I‘ve been considering a dhx2 for my rail too. @zaykay what tune is your dhx2 And how did you go about determining which one to use? Rider weight & spring rate?

I don’t think there are different DHX2 tunes if you just buy a shock. Same year models will come with the same tune and you just fine tune it with clickers. If it is taken from a bike some manufacturers get special tunes from Fox. Mine is off the shelf 2018 DHX2 from Tftuned.

I’m 80kg’s and run 475lbs spring. Could go also 500lbs spring I think.

 

[zaykay]

How much space is there between the back of the seat tube and the linkage on full compression?

I did not measure this, but enough. Mine is Large frame, smaller frames might not have enough space for DHX2. Lower spring seat hitting the downtube is the most problematic measure. In smaller frames that is the area where it might get too tight.

 

[Doomanic]

Yeah, I know about the reservoir hitting the downtube on Medium and Small frames, It's the gap at the back I'm thinking about.

 

[Doomanic]

This gap;

 

[woody1990]

Has anyone fitted a DPX2 to a Trek Rail 9? Wondering if I would just need the same size mounts as you used zaykay? The Rockshox rear shock failed after 3 rides. Loosing air and leaking oil.

 

[Stray cat]

Just can’t see it. Is stock shock Trunnion mount? Thanks

 

[Doomanic]

No, Rail is conventional mount.

 

[Stray cat]

No, Rail is conventional mount.

Are you sure?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Ooohh .. exciting ..

Rail 5 :

Rail 7

But the rail 9 ....

 

[Doomanic]

Are you sure?

Not any more.

Looks like the aluminium Rails are conventional and the carbon Rails are Trunnion.

EDIT: The Rail 9 is also Trunnion, it must have something to do with Trek's RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft damper that the higher spec bikes run.

 

[Stanpipe]

Give TF Tuned a call. They got an offset mount kit that will fit if you’ve got the Trunnion mounted version and you wanna fit a standard shock.

 

[Stray cat]

Not any more.

Looks like the aluminium Rails are conventional and the carbon Rails are Trunnion.

EDIT: The Rail 9 is also Trunnion, it must have something to do with Trek's RE:aktiv with Thru Shaft damper that the higher spec bikes run.

It’s curious. Linkage looks like the same on 9.8 and alloy ones. I understand you could set both, Trunnion and regular one.
Good question for Trek.

 

[Doomanic]

The Trek website shows them as the same eye to eye and stroke, so I'm not sure what the deal is.

 

[Stanpipe]

I think the ReAktiv shocks are a lot wider/stronger at the base therefore the mounting points are spaced further apart. The thrushaft refers to the shaft coming through the bottom of the shock as it compresses.

 

[Offset]

We at Offset Bushings can produce standard shock bushings for you if you'd like to upgrade from the thru shaft to a standard shock! Hit us up if you have any questions . They're £28.80 (including VAT in the EU, £24 outside of EU) + postage.

 

[Stray cat]

Another thing. Is really worth the RockShox Deluxe RT3, DebonAir, RE:aktiv stock shock or better a standard Super Deluxe Ultimate or Fox DPX2?