Limbo shock

There are two possibilities:

1) The early Limbo had a week swing-arm. Check the bottom on both
sides for cracks. Mine broke just behind the shock mount. The day
before the break I was on a long-ish ride - 20mi from home and noticed
that there was lots of bounce and pogo. The next morning's ride I was
about 1/2 mile from home when the swing-arm broke on both sides. What
a let-down. Burley replaced the swing-arm with no questions. Then a
few months later they recalled and replaced with a new better build
unit. I don't know how to tell one from the other.

2) the shock is just getting old. I just talked with my LBS. They said
they could send it back for an overhaul - about $80 + 2 weeks. Or pay
the extra postage for faster shipping. (OR a Cane Creek would be
about $400 new).

Mike
riding a Burley Limbo - the Official Bicycle of OhMyWoodness.Com

John Halliburton said:

It appears the Rock Shox rear on my Limbo is leaking. Anyone have similar
problems? It's three years old this summer, and I notice the current model
uses a Cane Creek. Yesterday's 20mi ride was a bit bouncy. Any comparisons
or recommendations for replacements?

Thanks,

John

Mike said:

There are two possibilities:

1) The early Limbo had a week swing-arm. Check the bottom on both
sides for cracks. Mine broke just behind the shock mount. The day
before the break I was on a long-ish ride - 20mi from home and noticed
that there was lots of bounce and pogo. The next morning's ride I was
about 1/2 mile from home when the swing-arm broke on both sides. What
a let-down. Burley replaced the swing-arm with no questions. Then a
few months later they recalled and replaced with a new better build
unit. I don't know how to tell one from the other.

2) the shock is just getting old. I just talked with my LBS. They said
they could send it back for an overhaul - about $80 + 2 weeks. Or pay
the extra postage for faster shipping. (OR a Cane Creek would be
about $400 new).

Mike
riding a Burley Limbo - the Official Bicycle of OhMyWoodness.Com

John Halliburton said:

It appears the Rock Shox rear on my Limbo is leaking. Anyone have similar
problems? It's three years old this summer, and I notice the current model
uses a Cane Creek. Yesterday's 20mi ride was a bit bouncy. Any comparisons
or recommendations for replacements?

Thanks,

John

John and Mike:

I don't own a Limbo, though I am planning to get hold of one in the next few weeks which will have the Cane Creek shock. I had the loan of a BikeE RX for a time, which used Cane Creek AD-5 shock (same unit as the Burley uses) and it worked fine for my use. Can air it up for smooth roads, and lower the pressure for rougher trails. Unless I'm mistaken, I believe Cane Creek lists the price of an AD-5 shock as $190.00 though, not $400.00. They also sell "rebuild" kits at about $20.00 .

Incidently, how do you guys like the Limbo? It's a bike I don't hear much about. I know it may not be a light-weight, but its relatively compact size, while retaining a 20/26 wheel combination, and its usability on less-than-perfect trails were what sold me on it.

Jameson

Jameson said:

I don't own a Limbo, though I am planning to get hold of one in the
next few weeks which will have the Cane Creek shock. I had the loan of
a BikeE RX for a time, which used Cane Creek AD-5 shock (same unit as
the Burley uses) and it worked fine for my use. Can air it up for
smooth roads, and lower the pressure for rougher trails. Unless I'm
mistaken, I believe Cane Creek lists the price of an AD-5 shock as
$190.00 though, not $400.00. They also sell "rebuild" kits at about
$20.00 .

The LBS quoted the $400 off the top of his head. And advised that it
doesn't have a spring, so if it ever 'goes' the bike is 'down'. Another
LBS gave the price of a replacement RockShox at $200 - again off the top
of his head. Those prices may be only estimates.

Quoted message said:

Incidently, how do you guys like the Limbo? It's a bike I don't hear
much about. I know it may not be a light-weight, but its relatively
compact size, while retaining a 20/26 wheel combination, and its
usability on less-than-perfect trails were what sold me on it.

I like the limbo, I sit high enough to see over most small cars. And
as a result I think most drivers SHOULD be able to see me. I've heard
of one club member riding a tadpole trike being hit by a car - they
sit pretty low. I at least want to be above the window line of all
cars (not high enough for Semi's).

mike
Riding a Burley Limbo - the Official Bicycle of OhMyWoodness.com :-)

Quoted message said:

Incidently, how do you guys like the Limbo? It's a bike I don't hear
much about. I know it may not be a light-weight, but its relatively
compact size, while retaining a 20/26 wheel combination, and its
usability on less-than-perfect trails were what sold me on it.

I've always liked the ride, developed a bit of dislike for the weight(I
switched from 21lb. road bikes three years ago), but I also seem to recall
feeling the pogo effect. Part of this may be due to my clydesdale weight
class(250lb.), so take that with a grain of salt. I've test ridden other
'bents since, and lean towards a VREX, Hepcat, or Lightning P38.

The Limbo certainly handles rougher riding surfaces, but I didn't buy it
specifically for non road use.

Best regards,

John

John Halliburton said:

Quoted message said:

Incidently, how do you guys like the Limbo? It's a bike I don't hear
much about. I know it may not be a light-weight, but its relatively
compact size, while retaining a 20/26 wheel combination, and its
usability on less-than-perfect trails were what sold me on it.

I've always liked the ride, developed a bit of dislike for the weight(I
switched from 21lb. road bikes three years ago), but I also seem to recall
feeling the pogo effect. Part of this may be due to my clydesdale weight
class(250lb.), so take that with a grain of salt. I've test ridden other
'bents since, and lean towards a VREX, Hepcat, or Lightning P38.

"the book" lists various springs for heavier riders. It may be hard to find,
but I went up to a 800# spring, but feel that the recommended 850# would have
been better for my weight (220#) Heavier riders need a heavier spring.

The 850 was very hard to find when I switched mine. That should stop the pogo
or as some other riders told me - learn to pedal 'round'

mike