CHUMBA RACING -CANE CREEK DOUBLE BARREL REAR SHOCK TUNING PROGRAM
November 1st, 2009
The Story
This whole project started because customers asked if the VF2 was capable of being more
than just an XC bike and if they could improve upon the RP23 that was fitted to the VF2. Awhile
back, Ted Tanouye, head of R&D at CHUMBA, and I were riding the Fullerton Loop in California.
After climbing a steep section of the trail, we stopped, and I asked, “How is that rear shock?” Ted
said “the VF2 with a CCDB could outperform an EVO equipped with an air shock.” For Ted - a
man who developed championship-winning race bikes out of his garage – to make such a claim,
gave cause for serious attention to this rear shock and how it would interact with CHUMBA frames,
specifically, our VF2 linkage system.

So I turned to one of the industry’s most knowledgeable shock gurus – Josh Coaplan,
head of R&D at Cane Creek. Josh helped develop the Double Barrel alongside other engineers at
Ohlin’s Racing, the premier shock manufacturer for off-road equipment, like ATVs, snowmobiles,
etc.

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To our valued Customers, Riders, and members of the CHUMBA family:

There have been many exciting developments with CHUMBA over the last few months. But, before I get into that, I would first like to thank all of our loyal supporters and riders, and let everyone know that CHUMBA is truly on its way to becoming one of the world’s most prestigious bicycle brands in the world. CHUMBA is focused on quickly developing and tuning our suspension technology, along with offering aesthetic and performance options unmatched by any other high-end company. Here are a few of
the things we’ve been doing:

1. Identifying Suspension Curves and Accompanying Shock Settings to
Maximize Performance

To make things easy – just remember that a decreasing leverage ratio means compression resistance is increasing; and increasing leverage ratio means compression resistance is decreasing. Just remember the analogy of a lever – imagine that you are trying to compress the shock with a lever. The longer the lever is the easier it will be to compress the shock; so the more you increase your leverage ratio, the easier it becomes to compress a shock. As your leverage ratio decreases, it will become harder to compress the shock.

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CHUMBA RACING NEW PRODUCT FEATURE – CANDY RED VF2 BUILD

Hydroformed top tube - no welds across top of tube for seamless shaping and molding of tube unlike monocoque pieces that need to run a huge weld on the horizontal axis of the tube often resulting in less precise alignment. Compare to older technology used by competitors:

A picture of the XTR Cassette with the 4 titanium sprockets - XTR rear derailleur - Gold Chris King hubs and Hope saw blade rotor with steel-braided cable lines. The idea of this combination is to offer unparalleled durability in conjunction with supreme performance benefits. Chris King hubs will last over a decade – and offer instant engagement for quicker traction. The XTR cassette is one of the lightest on the market – and offers stiffer titanium for higher gears.

Carbon Fiber seatstay seamlessly part of massive seatstay yoke for serious torsional rigidity of rear triangle.

Hope levers and braking system - mono m4 mated to 185mm rotors for powerful braking.
Let’s just say this bike is gonna be as fast as it looks - more detailed pics and analysis to come. You can e-mail me at alan@chumbaracing.com with any questions. Happy trails!

source: Alan Kang, President. CHUMBA

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If the brand can be pronouced as a sneeze, this sneeze can be infectious. The VF2 will spread the virus of MTB enthusiasm.

Chumba’s story is a familiar one about mountain biking loyalists and those who pursue their dreams in the industry. The story revolves around a young man who bought a bike shop, Ted Tanouye. He began to design and sell his own DH bikes in the back of the shop. As the kid who was known to be a genius and make an immaculate product, his bikes began to gain a favorable image – also helped by some local talented and sponsored riders. In 1993 Chumba was just born… the VF2 is the latest jewel from Ted’s box, an American X Country bike - exotic and sexy.

Pragmatism

Ted long protected his own bike building – building every frame in-house for over ten years. But today, with increased volume, he moved some production to one of best builders in Asia. This is the case for the VF2. However, we have no qualms, and we are absolutely sure about the quality of this CHUMBA. It is definitely perfect.

On a pure technical side, we have a front triangle made of 7000 series aluminum, with dramatic hydroforming and manipulation. The swingarm and the four bar linkage suspension are made from carbon fiber. The suspension design offers 5′ travel, and you can use a 120 to 150mm suspension fork on it!

e…XC…eptional

With a 360mm bottom bracket high, the VF2 sits somewhat high. However, once you ride it, the Chumba gives feelings of great enthusiasm. Very stable with perfect suspension action, this bike maintains its fluidity on wet or muddy rides – as well as during acceleration and braking. You are quickly at home with this bike, and it will provide long-lasting pleasure on epic rides. Despite slightly slack angles, the VF2 steers incredibly and you can certainly ride cross-country. Thanks to the compact frame and the great four-bar design - which inspires confidence. On the climbs, the weight reminds you that you’re not on a European style XC bike. With this amount of travel, the program is more light enduro than XC French cup or marathon. However, the VF2 is not too heavy and it’s a good climber if you’re not counting seconds.

The suspension is extremely efficient and provides great tracking and bump-absorption. For the long climbs without rocks, you can always lockout the suspension with the pro pedal system, but it’s not really necessary. With the higher BB, you can still pedal even if you ride on big rocks and when the suspension works. The crankset doesn’t touch the rocks. The VF2 comes most alive on the most technical parts of the trail; this MTB has a good Californian spirit!
When you attack the descent, this bike is most in its element. It is very rigid, and you can attack without fear. No flex, this chassis is very precise. It’s comfortable on small jumps, sketchy landings, and when you ride hard-packed trails. The suspension doesn’t bottom out even on some of the relatively larger jumps we tried.

We went on lots of muddy rides, but the anodized finish doesn’t show a blemish. Note that the seat collar may not be the best, but it’s the only issue we had with the bike.
Easy, comfortable, fun, the VF2 is a bike for those who prefer finesse over raw performance.