My Honest Opinion! Im Making Some Big Changes!

[@ttMTB26]

Agree you dont need to buy top of the line to get good performance. I was able to pick up a brand new Marz Bomber CR coil shock for $260 and paid a local shop $200 for a custom tune. Better than anything you can get off the shelf imo. A custom tune allows you to use the full range of adjustments so you cant go wrong. Super easy to setup with only LSC/LSR/SpringRate

[@tommychype]

That's exactly what im talking about, easy setup at a lower cost that the top end stuff.

[@captaincrazymofo]

I 100% agree most people don't need to buy the factory/ultimate stuff. I work in a bike shop, and the amount of people coming in with the old 'I need to upgrade my suspension, mines so harsh' kind of crap and they are already running performance/select level kit... And you ask them if they even own a shock pump or have tried different settings on their kit, and they look at you with a blank look and a shoulder shrug... Trying to explain that going from their fox performance to a factory is not the answer to their issues... And it's almost guaranteed that the factory will feel worse as they have no idea how to set it up...

[@tommychype]

Crazy that people think that the bikes and components will limit them, i can safely say any bike i've had is better than me

[@DandyHippo]

people are fkn stupid, whats the solution? Gearbox and wheels that have more compliance I suppose

[@craighoneywell5632]

Migrated to a Vorsprung Smashpot on my my Fox 38's - totally changed my approach to riding. In my opinion way better than air, very simple set up on the bottoming out adjustment. Replaced my original spring, to a stiffer spring, again due to the type/style of riding I do. Will be undertaking the Vorsprung Smashpot Conversion on my Fox 49's DH rig. Coil suspension front and back, simple and effective.

[@chrisanderson8578]

Also running a Smashpot conversion on my fox 38s. It adds a little more weight upfront but the feel of it is unbelievable compared to my original. What oil are you running in yours at minute? With temperatures low right now I'm feeling I should have maybe used a different wt.

[@craighoneywell5632]

@@chrisanderson8578 I certainly don't mind the minor additional weight up front. Where I live (outside of UK) I don't experience temperature variables, always 24C and above, therefore running the 20Wt oil works just fine. Colder climates during winter drop to a 5Wt oil.

[@Montytobin]

yeah i got some zeb ultimates off a guy on instagram for 400 quid and they were literally minto condition, love em so much better than the coil boxxers i had before

[@WasntMeMTB]

Love hearing unbiased opinions from riders, wish more would do it!

[@joe-dm6vj]

Something i can recommend is looking for stores that are selling older models of suspension brand new for basically a bargain i bought a 2019 super deluxe ultimate for 130€ and marzocchi bomber z1 2024 for 300€

[@kevinkvs9746]

I totally agree with everything you said about the 38s and zeebs 👍🏻 and also it’s all preference, I have 38s on my orange alpine 6 and trying to get them set up perfectly it’s really hard, so zeebs my be my next purchase 👍🏻

[@tommychype]

Yeah zebs id say are easier to setup but both feel similar when dialled in 👍

[@gopro_vlogs]

I di have a zeb ultimate and a rockshox ultimate coil and I do like how I can exactly setup how I like it, I did have a yari fork and a basic deluxe shock and I felt like I couldn't quiet set it up how I wanted so I really like the ultimate level stuff

[@Coolcmsc]

What a great vid, thanks. It is fun (I’m told 😂) to buy fancy suspension: I get it. But the truth is getting out and riding and getting some coaching re-pays far more (a few trips to Dyfi , say, on some serviced second hand suspension is better than have top kit and pootle about on local poorly built stuff and never go exploring). Yes, buying second hand… it’s impossible imho to check a fork or a shock really well, even going and looking at it off a bike. So, the likes of most of use should budget for a fancy full service at TF or wherever (couldn’t bring myself to mention the old sponsor 😉) when buying second hand. £150 will cover fixing to perfection anything that passes the ‘visit to buy test’ and the total cost will be maybe 1/2 of the latest new version. And, for the lines of most of us, it would be impossible to tell the difference ‘blind’ or with a watch.

[@adammoffett6935]

I personally like Rockshox more because it doesn’t blow up as often as fox .

[@trillbill9378]

Appreciate this video and of course the honesty.. Cheers Tommy

[@michaelgoodwin593]

I'd go with whatever is reasonable to repair, maintain and replace, maybe check RSFsus for costings for new stanchions. Ohlins if you can afford them are so easy to maintain and service. Whatever you get, get someone decent to tune it to your weight and bike. Jtech. Then it really will be set and forget.

[@mickeyryan7537]

Any thoughts on the WPS kits?

[@tommychype]

no comment 😬

[@joel_6666]

Unbelievable stuff 😮‍💨

[@tommychype]

👍

[@donpalmera]

I think second hand is a bit risky. You won't notice stuff like very fine scratches, chips in the coatings etc from a quick look. You can still ride with minor defects but you don't want to over pay for them. Last years model or even the year before last are bargains I think. Brand new, warranty but a lot cheaper and there's usually very little difference.

[@tommychype]

Yeah completely agree, second hand is a risk sometimes, but id say for most people it's the only valid option.

[@samjonesmtb7042]

I run boxxer ultimate 29er and rock shox super deluxe ultimate coil on rear on my GT fury, had a fox dhx2 snap on me at DYfi once, I love the feel of the boxxers even put a pair on my Kenevo instead of fox 38s 👍 friend of mine runs upside down manitous and swears by them. Always watch your vids mate 🤙

[@tommychype]

Ouch! yeah can't go wrong with rockshox

[@carljohnson161]

I would love to have the top of range sus on my bike but to be fair the basic Rockshox ive got have never let me down and do me just fine . But if I had the money would still go out and buy some Zeb ultimate 😂

[@carlthomas317]

Really want some of the new Boxxers. Thougt you were about to tell me they were sh!t 😂. Worthwhile review 🤙. Good sh!t

[@tommychype]

Really good! i recommend

[@rmc2227]

Great video Tommy. I’m a Rockshox guy. I find them ‘set and forget’ which keeps me happy

[@tommychype]

Cheers dude, yeah i agree set and forget is the way

[@matty4508]

Amazing video, definitely helps me with a choice of forks. Unbelievable looking bike too 🤘🏼

[@tommychype]

Cheers dude, glad to help!

[@ashleytombs]

if you have a DH Bike Fox 40 and DHX2 no-brainer but they ridiculously expensive but if you have a hunt online can find 40s and DHX 2 pretty cheap and like you say realistically you don’t need the expensive forks. Just a nice decent shock and fork that does the job so nice to see that coal One of the Best looking DH bikes I’ve ever seen. At 4:38 don’t we all 😂😂

[@tommychype]

Agreed that coal was something else!!

[@JoeJoe-C137]

Hate to think what you said to lose a sponsor😂 🙈 agreed re suspension we all over biked in UK, they is a clear difference in performance though from select+ to ultimate and performance to factory wether your a suspension tinkerer or set and forget. The best fork you can get is the one you can afford

[@tommychype]

Haha, funnily enough i said nothing, maybe that was the problem 😂

[@Cpt-Pugwash14]

I got my Commencal FRS down to 34 pounds exactly.... super super agile now.... it was almost 40 when i got it.

[@cunning-stunt]

Manitou Dorado Pro fork and Mara Pro shock tuned by Dougal at Shockcraft New Zealand. EXT coil shock is unmatched if you have to have coil.

[@cunning-stunt]

There is a great review of the Dorado on the Rulezman Suspension Channel.

[@tommychype]

Sounds awesome that does!

[@nathanielcagliarini-dh]

white lower fox 40s would be mega

[@tommychype]

Now were talking 🤩

[@orangedog73]

Can I ask out of interest, what was your issue with the EXT Era forks? I have had the V1s for ages now and they've been faultless. Took a while to get them set up right, but once I did that they've been the best forks I've tried. The EXT Storia coil is amazing!!

[@tommychype]

I'm not sure if it was a servicing issue could have been my fault to be honest but i could never get them feeling how i wanted.

[@tom_buit6651]

I’ve got a set of 2024 fox 40s. Got them off Greg minnar. Looking to sell or swap for some boxxer ultimates. Mine have only done a few runs and have had latest valving installed.

[@tommychype]

@@tom_buit6651 are they 29er bro 👍

[@tom_buit6651]

@ they are mate

[@tommychype]

@@tom_buit6651 How much you after dude

[@tom_buit6651]

@ £1000 I was after. Or if you had boxxers to swap with 👀

[@reddevil1907]

Should give dvo a try they have a rlly good damper and little stickion👌👌

[@BikingVikingMTB]

Been with fox for years mate still can’t get a good feel out of them as I’m top end heavy I’m 6ft 4” 19 1/2st pure Viking haha going for a Ohlins rear coil high end price but I think it’ll be really good for me! Sick of bottoming out my rear shock. Xmas was good always enjoy ya vids lads. Has ben got his shock dialed in properly? Be good to hear from him as he’s a big lad too. Keep up the vids lads 👏👏👊🏻👊🏻

[@tommychype]

Drop him a message on insta bro sure he will help you out. Also ohlins are awesome!

[@BikingVikingMTB]

@ Have done bro no reply though

[@tommychype]

@@BikingVikingMTB hes a nob ill tell him

[@BikingVikingMTB]

@-What that he is a knob hahahaha cheers fella

[@thatguy2201]

Dorado Experts with the Pro IRT kit for under $2k AUD, beats any Fox 40 or Boxxers.

[@tommychype]

I'd love to try some!

[@jeanboston310]

Maybe dvo big hits, there a sick bit of kits. Tommy a lot of people are buying sr suntours but there not a nice looking fork. Thanks buddy. Ross and jean😢❤

[@1994FishFreak]

Agree with suntours looking yucky but they’re actually decent. I bought used grey suntour aurons for £90 to build a hardtail up with the intention of upgrading when I had the money. What’s ultimately happened is I’ve realised buying a high end lyrik before the CRC crash was a complete waste of money. The aurons actually feel about on par. Like for £90 I’m kicking myself for spending so much on the lyrik upgrade for my full sus, people (me included) way overthink what they actually need.

[@1994FishFreak]

P.s same with tyres, I used to lust after the good stuff, I just buy what’s on sale now, means I don’t feel bad when I do skids 💀

[@JamesBatters-l5j]

Hi mate, off topic but have you tried the shwalbe radial tyres yet?

[@tommychype]

I haven't i have some on the way tho!

[@JamesBatters-l5j]

Ah nice. Be interested to hear what they are like on the roots and tech. 👍

[@jamesherd9132]

All the best for 2025 Tommy

[@tommychype]

@@jamesherd9132 cheers dude 🤝

[@Couffee]

You need to come ride the U.S World Cup training ground at Windrock Bike Park. Gnarliest and steepest trails Stateside

[@tommychype]

It's for sure on my list dude!

[@martinlloyd4179]

I've got a set of 2004 888s you can use. Still riding like a dream ;)

[@tommychype]

Yes martin! Are they the ones I remember 😂💪🏼

[@martinlloyd4179]

@tommychype yeah mate. They'll still be going long after we're done!

[@Mtbmark12]

What would you say about high end sentours I'm not the biggest fan of them but some people are saying they are really good and what are your opinions or have you never rode with them

[@tommychype]

Personally not sure what the new ones are like but my mate went through about 5 sets of stantions on his.

[@jasonclarke-earnscliffe9829]

I got a ohlins 250x75 ttx22 going cheap

[@taz800]

Is he referring to EXT Vaia, I wonder... 😏

[@cliffward9437]

Didn't mention DVO

[@Tear-upTV]

So have you cut ties with j-tech?

[@joeglabus7255]

Got a nice intense tracer 2023full fox kashima in shed for sale only crashed once anyone looking for 1 😂😂

[@dannymuffitt]

Got a 2023 4 ride old 29er custom painted suntour rux on my orbea wild (you seen it at wharny before Christmas) the bike is painted white with a carbon hydrographic

[@tommychype]

i remember dude, what you after $$

[@dannymuffitt]

@tommychype do your boxxers need to go back? Could do a deal on them

[@tommychype]

@@dannymuffitt yeah they going back dude

[@dannymuffitt]

@tommychype aah that's a shame, I'd have been interested in the boxxer, as this is my only bike I'd be forkless so can't sell them really. I know that the boxxer with drop crown will fit my headtube. Good luck with what you choose mate.

[@AnthaleMTB]

why haven’t you got sus tho ?

[@tommychype]

Wasn't good enough 😪

[@AnthaleMTB]

@ surly you have done enough work to keep hold of it tho ?

[@joel_6666]

@@AnthaleMTBsometimes companies don’t have the budget to keep the support on I guess

[@AnthaleMTB]

@@joel_6666i understand that definitely but as a rider you promote for the company basic working? to then have the product taking back seem harsh but that’s my opinion 🤷🏼‍♂️ I don’t know the ins and outs

[@AnthaleMTB]

@@joel_6666 i understand that 100%. But riders who promoting products basically working ? then having it took back off them when the job is finished seems abit hash 🤷🏼‍♂️ my own opinion and I don’t know the ins an outs