Tight fart Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Has anyone got any details of the new front suspension on freestyles new car? (on show at Brands today) Looks very impresive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted October 5, 2002 Share Posted October 5, 2002 looks very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Hose Posted October 5, 2002 Share Posted October 5, 2002 It looks interesting, but is some way off being production ready (I think I heard next year/season). No definite cost yet, but between £1,000 and £1,200 complete (ie including dampers) was being discussed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red SLR Posted October 5, 2002 Share Posted October 5, 2002 Anyone got any pics? See X777CAT here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 another request for pictures... HOOPY Today I shall be mostly wanting to go for a blat R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Biddle Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 Scuse my ignorance, who are freestyle, and are we discussing something designed to fit Caterhams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 Whats the point? Is it just less drag (must be pretty low drag anyway), or is there a significant improvemnt in the way the suspension works? This is a genuine question, seeing as I know bugger all about suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 it should allow rising, instead of the current falling, rate suspension. If you think how the front suspension works the damper gets more horizontal as it moves up and the effective spring rate falls. This is not good - you want the rate to rise - which is why they sometimes fit preogressive springs on the rear - they do the same thing by being cunnuingly made springs. HOOPY Today I shall be mostly wanting to go for a blat R706KGU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 Yes but you still get a falling rate damper, so fitting a rising rate spring is not as good as doing it properly. Freestyle are Gary May (of Juno fame) and Len Unwin (ex-factory after sales service manager and original author of the "they all do that sir" phrase) Gary has been working on this for some time. His original idea was to retain the original dampers but now they are in bed with AVO I can make a guess what they will be fitting. I also saw Nitron talking to them on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 I got some pics, 3 to be precise. Mail me if you want me to send you them. /Steve My racing pics, 7 DIY, race prep. Updated often here Hants (North) and Berkshire area club site here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 It would be interesting if Peter C could have a butchers at it ASAP and let us know if it theoretically works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaseb Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 It looked a neat bit of kit to me for what it's worth I bumped into Guy of Nitron too but he didn't seem too pleased to see me 😬 Peter, what ride height is your car running at the back (if it's not a secret of course 😬) One of the lads at the local Bucks meet has Nitrons but claims to only have 10mm droop travel on the rear suspension, was wondering what you've got in that department? fnar fnar. I did say to the chap (who thought he had Elise shocks?!) that maybe he should get hold of Guy and ask him as I'm sure something can be done with a basic damper rebuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barry.h Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 I was speaking to Guy on Friday and he was talking about an idea he had for pushrods on front dampers!!!! No wonder he was talking to Freestyle. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaseb Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 No comment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennie Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 I have posted on note ano blat chat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 On the rear droop front, the Nitrons' open length sets the de dion tube in exactly the same position as the Bilsteins. Just as a sense check, rear axle loading is something like 330kg with a driver. I use 150lb/in springs, so spring compression at ride level is 2.5 inches (63.5mm). If I want 25mm of droop travel then I set ~38mm preload on the springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaseb Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 Ta very much Peter, I'll be mostly taking a tape measure to the next meet then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morls Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 Once the first few bike manufacturers went to rocker arm / rising rate rear suspension 20 years ago it has been universally excepted as the best thing since sliced bread. Certainly any linear / falling rate bikes I've ridden have noticeably poorer ride for a given level of control. Also... If the spring has to deflect further at greater travel deflections (say 1" for first 1" wheel travel and 3" for first 2" of wheel travel, for example), then surely the damping rate will be increased due to the speed sensitivity of oil damping, (damper rod speed being increased by the greater distance moved in the same time). I might be wrong tho Mark Still not 'spotted' ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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