Originally Posted by
jamal
It doesn't have a remote (there is routing for one) but I can and do close the fork and shock. There's still a bit of give in the shock, and it doesn't have that snappyness and efficient power transfer feeling I get with the hardtail. I feel like I'm always in an easier gear, but working harder and going slower. I assume part of it is the extra weight, part is the bit of squish with the shock closed, and part is maybe all the rear end parts moving and flexing. I even have the same tires on both bikes.
I do wonder if different shocks would change things, like the sid/sidluxe combo on the DL. Shop owner had the same bike I do and then went to a 2021 DL and says it seems to pedal better but I haven't hopped on it to see. I am thinking about going to the fit damper in the fork because in trail it's a bit harsh but open seems too soft and like there's no low speed, so that dial would be nice and it's not that pricey.
Or maybe my new carbon wheels will make all the difference?
Overall I do like it a lot more than I did originally, now that the brakes don't suck, the suspension is set up better, it doesn't click and creak (I had to stick some little shims between the bearings and suspension rocker), and it's lighter, and has better tires.