Slavens Mule Raven cartridges

[Overdub Happy]

I’m 168lbs/76kg without gear got my EX with medium suspension. Preload in the shock was set when I picked up the bike. Riding loads of rock gardens and regular trails, I was finding the front end super harsh. Upon putting a zip tie on the fork, even in chill riding I was seeing about half of my suspension travel used up. When riding rougher trails/pushing harder, I was getting a little past half way of front travel. Opened everything up, not really any difference. Mid stroke did not match the spring IMO, felt like it just stopped once it hit mid stroke.

After installing the Slavens Mule Raven cartridge, same springs, 450cc/ml 5 weight fork oil, 4.25mm of spring preload, 20 clicks compression, 12 clicks rebound, I’m relieved of the super harsh feeling fork and I’m using all but 10 to 15cm of travel and now the shock feels harsh and deflecty. I’ve pulled out all the high speed compression from the shock and a click from low speed compression which is a bit better but still deflecting off rocks. I’ve also pulled out a couple of clicks of compression damping from the forks.

I was considering race tech gold valves but decided to go with Slavens mule due to it already being trail tuned and closed cartridge.

 

[DirtSurfer]

I'll be interested to hear what you end up doing to the shock to match the fork. (Why didn't you get the Natty?)
Jeff is "awfully proud" of that suspension, (meaning, it's incredibly expensive compared to letting a tuner optimize the stock setup) which is what's kept me from going that direction.

 

[Overdub Happy]

I'll be interested to hear what you end up doing to the shock to match the fork. (Why didn't you get the Natty?)
Jeff is "awfully proud" of that suspension, (meaning, it's incredibly expensive compared to letting a tuner optimize the stock setup) which is what's kept me from going that direction.

Didn’t get the national shock because it’s $2500+ and I’m not sure the shock requires as much of a change yet. I’ll try taking out some preload and then maybe a new spring. After that, I may need to find more “invasive” options.

 

[DirtSurfer]

Didn’t get the national shock because it’s $2500+ and I’m not sure the shock requires as much of a change yet. I’ll try taking out some preload and then maybe a new spring. After that, I may need to find more “invasive” options.

yea, it's a TON of cake for sure.... also, KYB is exceptionally tunable, and well regarded as being a premium platform for tuning.
appreciate you keeping us posted on the journey!
(Do you feel the Raven fork was worth it?)

 

[Overdub Happy]

yea, it's a TON of cake for sure.... also, KYB is exceptionally tunable, and well regarded as being a premium platform for tuning.
appreciate you keeping us posted on the journey!
(Do you feel the Raven fork was worth it?)

Yeah, I just can’t imagine the KYB shock doesn’t have a lot of opportunity to make it work for me.

I got the cartridge from Slavens, wouldn’t consider the full fork for the same reason as the national shock. Definitely worth it for me so far.

 

[Osika]

I like JBI revalve. $500 forks. Back in 3 weeks.