Ozy's Corner: Human-powered Commutes

Following on my last previous review (http://ozy1.multiply.com/reviews/item/13), last Saturday, 02nd Feb 2008, I went to Rindu Alam with my MTB buddies to have a second ride test of the Collosus SX. The bike was setup with Manitou R7's fork, XT 2008 transmission and Mavic 819 with Kenda Nevegal.

We started at 0830 from Rindu Alam and straight to Gunung Mas as our first pitstop. In this section of the tracks which is XC category, Collosus has proved its ability to handle soft damped soil as well as fire roads. The initial setup for R7 fork was 100 psi and 70 psi with 4 clicks of rebound for rear-shock to accommodate my 60 kg of weight. But, I haven't got the best dial in yet, the bike acted a little bit harsh.

During the first pitstop at Gunung Mas, I re-adjusted the shock to 60 psi of air pressure and increase the rebound to 8 clicks; and reduce the fork's pressure to 90 PSI. Voila, I found better riding comfort compare to the first setting, which has improved the smoothness to roll on the fire roads.

Nevertheless, after a short riding from Gunung Mas to Taman Safari's parking lot, I felt the rear-end plays unnecessary travel, especially on steep climbing. As commented by om HPW when I was reducing the air pressure of the shock earlier; "the sagging is too much". Better take his advise, I increase the air pressure by another 5 psi. Now, in this setting, I rediscovered how fast a four-inch travel Collosus SX can move through variety of rough terrains in Puncak.

Then, we took 10 minutes stop in Taman Safari before continuing for long steep climbing as usual. I started slowly from the back of the pack because I was trying to sense if any bobbing from the rear-end. I also kept the shock un-lock and the "VPP" like design has resulted an efficient acceleration with very minimum pedal bob. I suspect, by putting higher grade of shock with pedal platform technology will significantly reduce further this effect while improving the small bump compliance.

Due to the weather condition, we decided to make the right turn on the middle of this climbing section and headed straight to Gadog, Ciawi. Some sections of the terrains are cross mountain (AM) category. I understand that my R7 fork is not intended for this terrain, but I kept pushing this bike into the limit to learn its performance.

The front suspension geometry gives the bike more than enough amount of descending stability. It gives more forgiving in technical situations during hi-speed descending on fire roads and soft damped soil.

Collosus SX will probably be set up to ride harshly by some cross country riders, because what is expected from a good racing chassis. At least I've set the suspension to perform as smoothly as possible and relied on Colossus' pedaling platform for energy conservation. When I did get airborne, the bike landed quiet firmly, but without the sense that its shock hit the end of its travel.

Enough riding offroad, on Thursday, 07 Feb 2008, I performed on-road test ride with my endurance partners at BSD area. The bike setup was the same, except I put Mavic Crossland wheelset with Schwalbe Racing Ralph rubber. Basically, on the pavement, it squirts ahead with each push on the pedals. However, I can feel a little pedal bob while in standing position; but activating the Lock of the shock, the bike gave a very firm and efficient acceleration.

In overall, the Collosus' chassis was very balance for XC-race class. In my personal judgment, I would score 7 out of 10. It's not the best bike in its class, but it's definitely worth to consider in its price range. The built quality is good, except minor bolts corrosion need to be replaced with better ones. (http://ozy1.multiply.com/photos/album/40#38)