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Dear MBT:
I was checking out a review of the Maverick Durance in a magazine and was wondering exactly what is meant by “rear strut”. It looks like a regular (albeit generic) shock to me. Also what is the benefit of a strut over a shock?
Allen Hudson
Allen:
Maverick is one of a few companies out there who swear by the concept of a proprietary designed (and labeled) strut over a traditional swingarm mounted shock setup. You are indeed correct in noting that the Durance contains a shock absorber (as all struts do). The difference lies in the fact that the shock in a strut is not detachable. Instead the shock is permanently attached to the swingarm, literally making it a part of the frame rather than a bolted on component.
The advantages to the strut are twofold: 1) The bike’s designer does not have to contend with the parachute settings of an aftermarket shock and can literally design their strut to perform specifically with the frame it is a part of. 2) Struts are typically less complicated and contain fewer moving parts than a modern linkage design.
The major disadvantage, however, is that you are pretty much stuck with the strut. There is no way to upgrade or swap out the shock on account of its integration. Also if the strut does wear out or require maintenance, there is no detaching the shock to have it serviced. The entire bike will be on hiatus until the repairs are made. Whether or not the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, is yet to be determined by the MBT test riders as we’ve yet to sample a bike containing this technology.
Dear MBT:
I’ve been riding for a little over two years and have been saving up for my first dual suspension bike in that time. I’m only 14 so my budget isn’t all that big. Based on the review you guys ran on the Kinley SX Pro last year I thought my mind was pretty much made up. Then you tested the Woodstock 707 and it sounds like an even sweeter deal. Which one would you recommend for trails to someone used to a beat up Rockhopper? Thanks.
Conner Moran
PS- I can’t seem to find the review of the Kinley SX Pro in your archives section. Could you please pass a link along directly to the report?
Conner:
Well for starters both bikes are incredible deals on account of the fact that they have to be ordered factory direct. While we’re not certain of the type of terrain you ride most often, we can definitely point you in the right direction based on the strengths and weaknesses of the two models tested. The Kinley SX Pro is a bit more purpose-driven in that it stretches the rider out across a fairly long (and tall) top tube before coming to a zero-rise (flat) handlebar. On the trails the bike feels tall, stiff, and light. We fooled around with quite a few different bar and stem combos during our time with the Kinley and couldn’t shake the effects of the cross country geometry.
The Woodstock 707 feels a bit more casual and comfortable in that the cockpit layout doesn’t force the rider quite so far forward and the top tube curves downward with enough slope to keep you from worrying about damaging the “goods” should you slip off the saddle.
The component specs themselves are quite comparable, the only notable difference coming in the form of the slightly more expensive brakes on the Kinley (Hayes Nine). Then again the Woodstock’s Avid BB5 manual discs performed without flaw during our test and the bike is $500 cheaper.
The bottom line is if your definition of a good ride involves hunkering down on the cranks and putting as much distance between yourself and the trailhead as possible, the Kinley won’t disappoint. However if you’re looking to mix your rides up with a taste of tight technical terrain and an occasional small jump, look no further than the Woodstock.
By the way, here is the direct link to the Kinley SX Pro review:
http://www.mountainbiketales.com/reviews/sxpro.htm
Dear MBT:
Have you heard of a new bike called Lapierre? My friend says that it’ll be the next big name in mountain biking.
Phil Phelps
Phil:
We hadn’t until you mentioned it but taking a quick trip to their website (www.lapierrebikes.com), we discovered that the French bike company is pretty excited about their new full suspension XC rig, the X-Race. From the limited photos we came across, it appears the bike uses a dual-link/air shock setup that splits right through the bottom of the seat tube. While definitely unique looking, we’ll keep you up to date on the bike’s performance as models begin to trickle into the US.
Got a question? Fire it away to us and we'll do the best we can to answer it. Send your inquiries to Ask Mountain Bike Tales.
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