ELKA Stage 4 Cartridge
- Thread starter The H
- Start date
MTBcrash
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Why do you think they'd chew through the fork bushings? Still the same stanchions and it's only the damper internals that are changed. Other leg remains the same.
Not sure of the price, I think they are around $500 - $550
Excellent that would be great, good to give comparison to what they are running now. Are they running mission control boxxers ?Both my boys will be running these in a couple of weeks
(just waiting on new stock to arrive)
They are already running the Stage 5 rear shock and if the cartridges work as well as them, they'll be sweet!!!
Will post up some feedback once we've dialed them in
I have read some reviews but interested in some real user feedback. Cost in AUD is $550 from CTN. I am after a more solid feel without the loss in small bump, which i can not get from the motion control in the Race/RC.
evObda2
Likes Bikes and Dirt
Ive got the Elka medium kit in my wc's. Just run in and tuned now and feels good. A lot better than the boxxer cartridge which to me always had a woody feel no matter what i did to it, and i just couldnt find that fine balance between plushness and the right compression etc. Really wasn't impressed with the boxxer damper after coming from fox40's.
But the new Elka cartridge does improve it.
Overall, so far i dont think the Elka/Boxxer chassis is better than the new 40's, but its not too far off, and me having air instead of spring may also play a factor there. But like i said i think its alot better than the boxxer damper. Saying that give me a few more weeks of riding, getting used to it and tuning and ill probably have a better idea.
Damo, it cant do anything to the bushes? The stanchions are the point of contact on the bushings as per usual and the cartridge simply fits inside that (though its a sealed unit pretty similar setup to the fox).
*Note: There are also CR1 & Avalanche cartridges available. Be interesting to see the tune differences between them as design wise there near identical ive heard.
Nearly forgot.. Here's an initial right up by Dunbar. Interesting to see there setup as well..
http://dunbarcycles.pinkbike.com/blog/ELKA-Stage-4-cartidge.html
But the new Elka cartridge does improve it.
Overall, so far i dont think the Elka/Boxxer chassis is better than the new 40's, but its not too far off, and me having air instead of spring may also play a factor there. But like i said i think its alot better than the boxxer damper. Saying that give me a few more weeks of riding, getting used to it and tuning and ill probably have a better idea.
Damo, it cant do anything to the bushes? The stanchions are the point of contact on the bushings as per usual and the cartridge simply fits inside that (though its a sealed unit pretty similar setup to the fox).
*Note: There are also CR1 & Avalanche cartridges available. Be interesting to see the tune differences between them as design wise there near identical ive heard.
Nearly forgot.. Here's an initial right up by Dunbar. Interesting to see there setup as well..
http://dunbarcycles.pinkbike.com/blog/ELKA-Stage-4-cartidge.html
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Broken Bones89
Likes Bikes and Dirt
I run 888 WC forks. Can you get an Elka cartridge for them?
I run both the Elka Stage 4 in my Boxxer 2010, and the Stage 5 shock (bolted onto a Nicolai ION)
The stage 4 is a really nice peice of equipment, superb build and super easy to bolt in, only trouble was the o-ring around the top is really tight and no amount of slick honey was allowing it to jam into the grove! a slightdownfall is it is a fully enclosed system that is nitrogen charged so some specialist tools will be needed for servicing.
I run the "soft" in my fork as per recommendations from the ELKA guys in australia. The cartridge has some level of 'spring' in it so down grading your spring will most likely be required. The fork is super smooth, small bump sensitivity is amazing, less tuning available than the team cartridge with only rebound and low speed compression (however the high speed compression is changed depending on the cartridge you buy "Soft", "Medium", "WC"). However as the gradations between adjustments is quite small it allows you to dial in the suspension near perfectly.
These can be bolted into a Boxxer Race however you may need to knock out a pressfit spacer in the bottom of your damper leg to allow the shaft of the elka cartridge to pass through, mine went into a race so it was a very simple operation.
oh also! the 'hissing' that this suspension makes is wicked! lets you know that something is actually going on
peace
The stage 4 is a really nice peice of equipment, superb build and super easy to bolt in, only trouble was the o-ring around the top is really tight and no amount of slick honey was allowing it to jam into the grove! a slightdownfall is it is a fully enclosed system that is nitrogen charged so some specialist tools will be needed for servicing.
I run the "soft" in my fork as per recommendations from the ELKA guys in australia. The cartridge has some level of 'spring' in it so down grading your spring will most likely be required. The fork is super smooth, small bump sensitivity is amazing, less tuning available than the team cartridge with only rebound and low speed compression (however the high speed compression is changed depending on the cartridge you buy "Soft", "Medium", "WC"). However as the gradations between adjustments is quite small it allows you to dial in the suspension near perfectly.
These can be bolted into a Boxxer Race however you may need to knock out a pressfit spacer in the bottom of your damper leg to allow the shaft of the elka cartridge to pass through, mine went into a race so it was a very simple operation.
oh also! the 'hissing' that this suspension makes is wicked! lets you know that something is actually going on
peace
CTN imports
CTN imports
Hey Buddy,
Unfortunately the Elka Stage 4 Cartridge is only suitable for the Rock Shox BoXXer's, Fox 36's and Fox 40's.
Hope that helps!
Matt.
reillyh123
Likes Dirt
Ohhhh cant wait!!!!
Matt any rough idea how far away the next batch is?? Waiting on a set (from Edge Cycles, Cairns..) and i am rather excited and anxious! haha
The teams atm are continuing to ooze oil out from the compression knobs and the rebound adjusters have long lost their ability to.. well...adjust anything!
Just curious if there is a recommended service interval for these cartidges? (i understand they have a longer service interval over the boxxer cartridges) and who, if anyone, can do the services for them?
Matt any rough idea how far away the next batch is?? Waiting on a set (from Edge Cycles, Cairns..) and i am rather excited and anxious! haha
The teams atm are continuing to ooze oil out from the compression knobs and the rebound adjusters have long lost their ability to.. well...adjust anything!
Just curious if there is a recommended service interval for these cartidges? (i understand they have a longer service interval over the boxxer cartridges) and who, if anyone, can do the services for them?
CTN imports
CTN imports
Hey Reilly,
Will get a confirmed ETA from Elka tonight for you, but still a couple of weeks. Unfortunately we can not get our hands on these cartridges quick enough. All sales have been made from pre orders only at the moment which is crazy!
I am unsure about servicing, it's a closed cartridge that really requires minimum attention, our Elka Stage 5 rear suspension should be serviced every 12 months, so the cartridge would be longer than that.
Our Service Centre has been outsourced to N.S Dynamics in Queensland, we have found no body better to take care of everything Elka. Both Nigel and Aaron do a fantastic job and have been an integral part of Elka Australia from an early stage.
Matt.
reillyh123
Likes Dirt
Oh k awsome!
Thanks for that Matt!
Thanks for that Matt!
CTN imports
CTN imports
Hey Reilly,
Your cartridge will be delivered in 3 weeks Elka are telling us. This may be cut down even sooner.
We have a huge amount of stock on it's way. Hopefully enough to last us over summer. We want to keep shipping times down to 1-2 days.
Will keep you posted!
Matt.
**Update: Elka cartridges due to leave France on Tuesday, arrival in Sydney about 1.5 weeks.
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reillyh123
Likes Dirt
Oh excellent!!!
Thanks heaps for letting me know!!
Getting very excited now haha.
I didnt realise they sent from France!?
Thanks heaps for letting me know!!
Getting very excited now haha.
I didnt realise they sent from France!?
CTN imports
CTN imports
The Stage 4 is made under licence in France. The rear shock and other goodies are all Canadian.
We really do only source the best products!
reillyh123
Likes Dirt
Awsome!
Thanks again Matt!
Thanks again Matt!