Air Bump Opinions

Spence

Spence

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Salisbury
I am in the process of rebuilding/tubing/linking my comanche and I am now debating on what to do about my bumpstops? I had planned on just using rubber or polyurethane or something, and saving an easy $300.

Having never ridden in a ride with air bumps, I guess I just need some convincing. Is the difference night and day?

I will be running a wishbone 3 link with 14" Fox Shox. The reason I would consider them, is that I hope to be able to do some higher speed runs in ECORS once I am finally done with this thing, and I think that is where they may shine?

If i do decide to go with them, is there any reason to bother with the shorter ones? They offer 2.5, 3, and 4" models for the same price. Seems the more travel the better on these to me, correct?
 
For another option...have you looked into the timbren bumpstops?

:edit: Right now I'm in the same boat as you debating whether or not to spend that much money.
 
I already have my air shocks, so while ORIs are still somewhat of an option, I will very likely be running what i have.

I remember reading about timbrens, but it has been a few years, I will give that a look.



Edit: after a very quick price check, I will go ahead and say ORIs are not in the budget. 2 air shocks and 2 bump cans isn't much more than one strut.
 
if you revalve an airshock correctly, the last few inches can act as a "bumpstop" similar to the ORI's...

IMO, the big reason you want the airbumps is for jumps & high speed stuff... (2.0s might not like the fast stuff though)

if you want to prepare for airbumps, just get the cans & clamp in a tube w/ timbren or rubber/poly bumps on the bottom... that way when you swap its simple/quick...

also, if you were only running ~4" of uptravel, you wouldnt want a 4" bump because you would be riding on it all the time...
 
I agree with whats said above. Valving is something that 90% of people overlook and you have to remember that the 2.0 is going to heat up and fade quick. If you are planning on racing go ahead and buy the bumps and be done with it. If you do by chance want to go with matching Fox air bumps I can get you some for about $165 a piece, maybe that will help out the wallet some.
 
2.0 airshocks will be fine. If you can financially swing it, get the bumps. I've been fortunate enough to ride/drive in a few linked, fast(er) rigs. To me, the bumps really show when jumping/landing more than anything.

At KOH last year, I was able to drive a few different rigs. First was a linked buggy with 2.0s. Then I drove another linked buggy with 2.0s and bumps. Then I drove a linked buggy with ORIs. First went slow, didn't handle the desert at all. Second one went fast, handled it fine, no damage just beat me to death. Third one handled the same as the second one but I was doing about 20 mph faster in it :). We were tuning the entire time on all 3 rigs. Valving was the name of the game out there. Different weight oils in the shocks, changing out shims, nitrogen its all part of it to get exactly what you want.

If your linking your rig your gonna obviously expect to achieve higher speeds with it. And even if you say you won't, your gonna jump it:driver:. If I could afford it, I would get the bumps from the beginning. However, the 2.0s will still do you fine, they'll just take speed and hard hits alot better with the bumps.
 
Check FOA's website, last time I checked, theres were cheaper than Fox, and came with Can included. IIRC, the 2.5 bumps were the same price as the 2.0's. I think the price was around $150, including the can.
 
Thanks guys. I have decided I will just go ahead and do it. I'm trying to get past my habits of half-assing my stuff because I'm cheap. I still have a tight budget, but I hope to go fast with this rig, so air bumps, it will be. I don't want to be disappointed with this thing.

Also, Mac, thanks for the heads up on FOA. I think that will probably be the route I take, unless someone could convince me otherwise. I like especially like that they come with the mounting cans.
 
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