I just want to get this off my chest.

I ran Elka shocks last season on the EX. I had a lot of problems with them at first. I blew out the front shocks three times and the rear shock once in the first two months.

I guess they couldn't understand that I am a big guy (250lbs) thats not scared to go big.

Instead of telling them where to stick their shocks, I stuck with them and finished the season with them. Their customer service was great and they were always willing to work with me and get my shocks repaired as fast as they could.

Well that was last year. I guess their heads have blown up too much this year.

I just bought a Cannondale and am in the process of setting it up. I called Elka and got some prices on shocks. Now, realize that I WAS supossedly a sponsored rider. After calling around and doing some price shopping I found that I can get Custom Axis for a few dollars less than the price Elka had given me through one of my local sponsors.

So I called Elka this morning and told them this scenario and asked them to meet or beat that price and I would stick with them and run Elkas again this year.

The response I received was basically "if you don't like the price I gave you, carry your a$$"

I could have bad mouthed them last year when the 1700 shocks I bought blew out the first time, or second time, or even third time, but I didn't. I figured they were a new company, and it would work out for the better in the long run. I guess I was wrong.

Needless to say I will be running Custom Axis this year, and will not be listing Elka as a sponser any more.

 

Hey neighbor, where do you race? I'm starting for the first time this year at Tomahawk and Buds Creek. I'm old but have experience and credit cards:-)

How did your shocks blow? Elka front and rear?

I just ordered Houser +3 LT and 19" Elka Quad rates w/rez with the Mac Elka conversion for the rear. I'd be very disappointed if they don't hold up. I will take your experience to heart if I have problems and immediately pursue a refund.

 

This years racing is up in the air as of right now. The only definite thing is that I am running TT Nationals. There are three different local series running in the area and I don't know which one to run.

As far as the shocks. The fronts were blowing at the reservoirs, and at the shaft seal. The rear blew at the shaft seal. Suposedly they are using different material now that is holding up. The last rebuild lasted me the past 4 months and they are still going strong. Hopefully they have got it together now.

Good Luck.

 

I think often times shock makers set the shocks up to light for an aggresive rider...I am 180lb and have my fronts valved and sprung for somebody that is 220lb. I think the main reason the shock companies make them a bit soft at first is most riders are satisfied by the plush ride and less concerned with absorbing that huge hit.

 

hey Fourwhls,

There are a couple of us up in the Richmond area with Cannondales. Where do you ride, we should hookup sometime.

 

What did you expect from a bunch of Canadians! JayBR how do you like those Hi Per wheels they look good on your Speed. You should meet up with me and Shawn at Sussex or VMP. Check out the new VA quad mx series at d13mx.com.

 

Love the HiPers. I'll meet up with you sometime at one of those tracks, I was going to the XC race at VMP today until it got cancelled. I won't be racing MX, but my son is planning to race in the new 14-15 year old class.

 

Gimme a "P", gimme a "E",gimme a "P",,thats right fella's PEP! I'm 270 and go big. I got my ZPS's in 9 weeks,adjusted for my weight correctly the first time.
PEP or Custom Axis are the best!!!
Good things come to those that wait...junk is readilly available (a quote from Wayne Mooradian,,Mr.PEP for those that don't know)
Maybe I should tell you the story on how Elka came down from mooseville to copy axis stuff,,,nah,,thats another story [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Sounds like an interesting story LT80. I am so glad I went ahead and got the Axis.

 

FOURWHLS
Hey big guy you will love the Axis shocks they kick butt!!!
Who is your local sponser? They sound pretty cool. And how long did it take you to get your Axis? and what do you think of them?