Q45 My first 100 miles
- Thread starter woodguy
- Start date
benphyr
Guru-me-not
@ratz
@Rampa is right: The Quest versions all the way to QX100 all used that smaller one. 125mm?
The specs for the Q45 changed. Here's the quote from the specs on the website: "The Q45 frame got a redesign to accommodate a full-size (165 mm) shock." I believe the same company Kind Shock has the same in the larger standard 165mm size as well, at least they did when I ordered the smaller one a while back.
billyk
Guru
(Also re @ratz message above "The air shock is from ali express is a "Kind Shock A5-RR1" that's the one everyone used to upgrade the Quest V1, V2. I do not know for certain it fits the newer Q45 but I think it should". [Yes, it does, but see below])
I mounted a new 165mm A5-RR1 on my Q45 yesterday. I have only a bit of test-riding experience with it, quick tests on a local extremely bumpy stretch. The difference seems similar to what I previously found for this shock on my Q559 (see many comments on that in this forum; try searching A5-RR1). Looks like a major upgrade. I'll comment again when I've put some miles on it.
I paid $74.96 including shipping (from Hong Kong, I think). I ordered it on Sep 12, from bidnow4u2008 on ebay, and it arrived Oct 2 by regular postal mail. No faster shipping option, as far as I could see.
- It is way, way, lighter than the stock spring shock. I was ... shocked ... to take off the spring shock and feel its weight! It's a brick! I only have a kitchen scale up to one pound and this clunked right to the bottom of that. Whereas the air shock is about 1/2 pound. The weight alone is enough reason to get this.
- They have changed the locations of the air-filler holes so both are accessible without unscrewing the shock. On the other hand, my previous experience was that this shock holds air for months and many 100s of miles, so a bit of unscrewing is a minor annoyance.
- The fit is _very_ tight, especially at the bottom (swingarm) end. Did I say "very"? This is especially true since the sleeve-bolt fits exactly through the mounting hole in the shock, thus they must be perfectly lined up. Doing that when moving the position is extremely tight was not easy. A rubber mallet, gently used, was helpful [edit: to tap the shock into position, not to force the sleeve in!]. I put some Phil Wood grease on the mounting surfaces; hope it doesn't squeak.
- I mounted the top end with the included sleeve nuts rather than the CB quick-release, see photo. (In my opinion, CB goes overboard on quick-releases, especially for things like this that do not get taken off often). I noticed that the QR shaft was slightly smaller than the mounting hole in the shock, resulting in some wiggle when it's not loaded. The sleeve-nut fit was exact; so exact that the paint on the inside of the drilled mounting holes on the frame needed a bit of light sanding for the sleeve to fit.
- Definitely get the dual-chamber version. Otherwise there is lots of rebound bouncing.
- It is adjustable by changing the air pressure. I weigh 180 and used 150 for the main and 125 for the negative on my Q559. I started out with those values here and might go up. Of course you need a shock pump (about $25). Though in fact it holds air so well you could probably get by pumping it up occasionally at your LBS.
- Note the rubber o-ring around the piston. That shows you your maximum compression (how much the shock compressed at the worst bump). I like it to be about halfway down the shaft. That will help you choose your pressure.
- Don't mix up the filler caps! One is marked MP for main chamber, the other NP for negative. There is no other way to tell which is which. The negative chamber must be lower pressure than the main.
Last edited:
super slim
Zen MBB Master
A photo is worth a thousand words!!!!
I like your mudguard bracket!
billyk
Guru
Are you saying I'm too wordy? (Wouldn't be the first time) ;-)
ak-tux
Zen MBB Master
super slim
Zen MBB Master
The photo of the air shock, showing the different air valve positions, simple and concise!
It would be very hard to describe the location of the valves!!
You description of the mods was not too wordy, and included a lot of good details!
super slim
Zen MBB Master
The original Cruzbike SPRING only unit has no hydraulic shocker built into it, so when you hit a large bump, the spring unit compresses, then rebound fast!!!!
The adjustable spring rate air shocker, has one or two air chambers for compression AND rebound spring rate, AND hydraulic shockers with separate adjusters to limits speed in either direction.
The adjustable spring rate air shocker, has one or two air chambers for compression AND rebound spring rate, AND hydraulic shockers with separate adjusters to limits speed in either direction.
benphyr
Guru-me-not
Hey @super slim,
The whole Q series have a spring without a damper? Not even an elastomer?
I have purchased but not yet installed one of the air shocks for my QX100. Do you have any great resources for how to best do initial setup of the AR ones? There is a thread somewhere that mentioned initial pressures and best orientation of the shock but for some reason I can't find it.
The whole Q series have a spring without a damper? Not even an elastomer?
I have purchased but not yet installed one of the air shocks for my QX100. Do you have any great resources for how to best do initial setup of the AR ones? There is a thread somewhere that mentioned initial pressures and best orientation of the shock but for some reason I can't find it.
super slim
Zen MBB Master
http://cruzbike.com/forum/threads/setting-an-a5-rr1.11806/
My single chamber air shock had air pressure and a hydraulic adjuster, but on looking at the dual chamber unit there is only the main air chamber, and negative air chamber.
Brett started at 120 psi main, and 60 psi Negative
My single chamber air shock had air pressure and a hydraulic adjuster, but on looking at the dual chamber unit there is only the main air chamber, and negative air chamber.
Brett started at 120 psi main, and 60 psi Negative
jond
Zen MBB Master
super slim
Zen MBB Master
Jond, you will save at least 100gm weight, which you need, and you will tame that Hurricane, from a grade 5 to a 2!!
Last edited:
jond
Zen MBB Master
Yes impressed by 210 gram weight. The coil spring dnm brand is nice actually but likely weighty compared to kind shock. $108 Aussie so cheap too.
We shall see. Couple thousand klm on hurricane now. I like it’s comfort but not it’s weight.
super slim
Zen MBB Master
How much does it weigh? and what size wheels?
jond
Zen MBB Master
Hi slim.
All challenge hurricanes were 406 wheels. Mine weighs an estimated 14.5 kg. Plus. It’s a 2005 model from challenge. The weld quality is poor. Duco is lustrous and it seems very solid. At the time it was an innovative design. Surprising challenge ostensibly don’t exist anymore.
The aluminium seat is a comfortable monster. I’m thinking of a Thor easy g replacement though maybe the sport could work but don’t wish to fit a headrest. It’s fast enough but can’t be compared to vendetta. So not much point shedding a kilo.
Reasonable spec. Xt and xo x9 and reckon marathon tyres will do 20 k
I would have loved a uss grasshopper but new is ridiculous and never much around second hand.
Mostly it’s about the suspension comfort and relaxed riding position.
But it’s the vendetta speed turn tonight. Too many bikes not enough time.
Three years to retirement..........
