North Shore Billet has a set of these geometry modifying dropouts on their way to me. I’ll be running them on the Cove STD that I’m doing a long term test on.
Here are the specs straight from North Shore Billet’s website:
NSB DH0059 Cove Shocker Modified Dropout Set
These dropouts replace the factory dropouts on a Cove Bikes Shocker DH 2007-2010 and Cove Bikes STD 2008-2010.
The rear axle location has been moved up and slightly rearward to modify the whole bike’s geometry.
Specifications:
BB drop 11mm (- 7/16″)
Head Tube angle -0.5 deg (slacker)
Wheel Base + 3mm (lengthens by .120″)
Suggested Cassette / Rear Derailleur Combos
Due to the new location of the rear axle, some cassette / rear derailleur combinations work better than others. Please follow our guidelines for optimum shifting preformance. The derailleur’s “B” position must be set up so the the outer derailleur cage clears the bottom of the modified driveside dropout when in the highest gear.
Shimano Rear Derailleurs: you can use MTB cassettes 11-32 and 11-34 or 11-28 road cassettes.
SRAM Rear Derailleurs: you can use MTB cassettes 11-32 and 11-34 or 11-26 or 11-28 road cassettes.
*** These dropouts must be installed on a bike as a set, although you may purchase them separately. ***
Driveside weight: 75 grams Diskside weight: 95 grams
CNC machined from 6061 T6 Aluminum // Anodized Black
They’ll run you $150.00 a set which seems reasonable considering that they are similar in cost to the newer offset headset cups that achieve basically the same thing.
Update: Installation, measurements and first impressions
Alright, they’re in and installed. The service from North Shore Billet is fantastic by the way.
Impressive out of the packaging. Excellent machining and finish.
A shot detailing the difference in axle placement. The stock dropouts are under the North Shore Billet version
Non-drive side mounted.
Drive side mounted.
Tire clearance remains excellent.
The measurements and changes in geometry given by North Shore Billet are very accurate. I measured a 0.47″ drop in bottom bracket height which is slightly more than the spec’d 0.435″. The head tube angle measured a -0.512 degree difference, again slightly more than the spec’d -0.5 degrees. These are minute differences and well within an acceptable tolerance range. The axle-to-axle measurement increased exactly 3mm just as spec’d.
These dropouts fit perfectly into the frame and have exact placement of the mounting holes, there’s no need for fudging the bolts back in at all. Installation takes ten minutes max and is extremely easy. I am using an 11-34 tooth Shimano cassette with the Saint short cage derailleur. Everything aligned perfectly and the derailleur needed no adjustments for clearance or shifting precision.
So far, so good. This is an extremely high quality product manufactured to exacting tolerances. I’m getting out this weekend for some riding on a familiar network of trails. I’ll report back next week on the changes in feel and handling, we’ll see you then…
Update: Performance
I had a chance to get the STD out this weekend for a longish trail ride on Saturday and some Downhill/Freeridey stuff on Sunday. I’m happy to report that the new geometry felt great in both situations. You aren’t going to feel a dramatic change in handling and feel but you will notice it. Where I felt the biggest difference was in the corners. The slightly lower stance and slacker head tube angle allow the bike to feel a little more settled into the turns. I felt faster and more comfortable in both bermed and flat corners. The BB isn’t so low that you’ll be bashing you pedals and bashguard off of everything you’ll be riding over but like I said it’s lowered enough to make a slight but noticeable difference in turns. I don’t feel as if the slightly altered geometry negatively affected the low speed handling or climbing ability at all.
Conclusion:
North Shore Billet has created a product that some Cove owners have been looking for for awhile now. They’ve done a great job of altering the geometry enough to make an improvement in handling while not ruining the amazing feel of the stock bikes. The dropouts have been meticulously designed and perfectly machined for an exact fit and will undoubtedly be as strong as the stock units. So if you’ve got a Cove Shocker or STD and you want to play around with the geometry and performance of you bike I can highly recommend the North Shore Geometry Modifying Replacement Dropouts for the Cove Shocker/STD.
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