Ohlins TTX2Air or Fox X2/Float X

Prefer my TTX2 over the X2 i had, not sure if it's still an issue, but the X2 suffered horrifically from cavitation, giving a squelchy, poor performance, it kept happening, hence the TTX2, which has been faultless so far, and does seem to dial in a bit better on my four bar suspension.

Other then the Specialized DH team and people that buy Ohlins equipped Specialized bikes, no one rides front and rear Ohlins IMO. Riding Ohlins only in the rear is the most common thing I see everywhere and do myself on my Enduro... Get over it...

My X2 was garbage. Worked alright when functional but I spent more than it was worth in rebuilds. I know they claim to have fixed it but I don't know anyone with a new model and I won't be trying one.

I've never ridden the Ohlins air shock but the coil is awesome. Why don't you want coil? It suits a big, charger of a bike like the Madonna.

Air shocks are dead to me.

I'm a big fan of the Float X.

I'd go with the cheapest, more money to spend elsewhere.

i stop being a fanny, and worry less about matching suspension

This. Get a fork and a shock that work for you. Ignore any claims that there is any benefit in matching brands front and rear.

On X2 shock... they've changed them a lot... older ones were problematic... news ones seem sorted.

But I'd go Ohlins coil and Fox 38 on that frame if I was cash rich, starting from scratch, and wanted the best ride.

In the real world, where money matters, and you already have Zeb Ultimates... keep the fork, get the best shock (still the Ohlins coil already optimised for the frame IMHO).

I rode a friends bike (Atherton) with an EXT and it just felt really muted and dead. Whilst i am no jibb master, i still like a bit of pop from the rear of the bike. Hence the interest in sticking with an air shock.

Plus the Madonna is a hefty bike, so a few grams saved wouldnt go amiss by sticking to an air shock. Plus the slight financial saving.

But a coil is food for thought. I will read a few reviews to make sure i am doing the right thing!

My bike is a tank but if you tried to take my coil shock I'd fight you.

I wouldn’t buy an X2 personally - I’ve had my 2021 or 2022 (not sure which it is) X2 rebuilt with 2024 parts (as it had gone squelchy) but the jury is still out as it hasn’t had enough hammer yet to decide if it’s now decent. Currently off the bike as I prefer the Kitsuma coil I’m running even with the weight penalty.

Float X is ok - but I don’t think it’s as good as a 2023 rockshox super deluxe - so I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy one - certainly not for a Madonna which deserves a better shock.

If I were you I’d go for the ohlins air shock or try the new Rockshox Vivid / Super Deluxe and get it custom tuned (if after riding you feel it needs it).

Stop being a tart on matching suspension - no one even cares. Next you’ll be saying you’ll only run matching tyre brands front and rear…..

It's fair to prefer an air shock, out of those I'd probably pick the Fox - I've had a few Ohlins shocks (air and coil) and they just feel a bit overdamped and dead to me. And the climb switches are rubbish.

I'd be more interested in the CC Kitsuma Air though. The old DB Air is still my fave air shock of all time and apparently it feels pretty similar.

Not that you'll get a suitable matching fork for that though.

Having been bitten with cavitation on a Fox X2, I'd say anything other than X2. I like the DPX2 air on my trail bike, but it's not a patch on the CC DB inline coil on my big bike.

And the climb switches are rubbish.

Fox firm switch much the same. Cane Creek are they only ones to get Climb Switches right IMHO.

Fox firm switch much the same. Cane Creek are they only ones to get Climb Switches right IMHO.

CC's climb switches are great for technical climbing (and generally too), but I also like a very firm climb switch like on my Formula Mod. Very helpful on my heavy enduro bike.

Ohlins just don't seem to do much of anything.

I phoned one of their UK service centres and they basically said even the "enduro" version of the TTX was barely noticeable (I thought it maybe needed a service).

Wow some people use climb switches and actually make shock purchase decisions based on it? For coil shocks on big, burly bikes?

You learn something every day on here. I'll have to take your word about the Ohlins one being no good, I don't think I've ever moved it.

Climb/HSC switch on the ttx22m on my 916 does nowt. Will get it fettled when it gets serviced.

Got a spare Float X PE for it. Not a bad shock at all. More pop than the coil, but conversely nowhere near as composed on the bigger stuff.

The KSL also came with a Float X and that feels more plush, but likely down to the tune

FWIW, you can get the LSC dial and turn a performance Float X into a performance elite and save a few quid

my current bike and previous bike's shock doesnt have a climb switch, so im not too bothered about that.

when i did have one, i forgot to turn it back to open half the time... less is more 😀

Ohlins on the rear then get custom fork decals in RAL1007 daffodil yellow which will make any fork look like an Ohlins at a glance.

That's my plan.

i was actually thinking that if i go with the Ohlins, i would get some stealth graphics for it.....

Wow some people use climb switches and actually make shock purchase decisions based on it? For coil shocks on big, burly bikes?

I sense you're being sarcastic, but yes - I do big rides on it and a firm climb switch is valuable to me.

Why wouldn't you want to make the bike more efficient for road and fire road climbs?

I took my enduro bike on a Tour of Mont Blanc (no lifts) last year. I wouldn't have done that if the shock didn't have a good CS.

The climb switch seemed to do very little on my float x and the x2 doesn’t seem much different. Don’t bother using them when on air shocks as I run them fairly firm anyway so they don’t lurch too quickly through the mid stroke on compressions.

The climb switch on the Kitsuma coil definitely has an effect - the middle setting firms things up pedalling wise but still has some movement. The locked setting basically turns the bike into a hardtail. Generally I just run it full open unless I’m doing a big tarmac climb like forest drive at Cwmcarn. I’ve a habit of forgetting to unlock rear suspension so leaving it open mostly saves that issue.

Think CC switches close up rebound and compression , whereas other makes just do compression

I think I’d run the new Vivid on the Madonna V3. IMO the V2.2 was a better bike with an air shock. I wouldn’t run the Fox or Ohlins though, personally.

I have ohlinns on the firebird and float x on shuttle and whyte ebike. I love the float x once set up

so they don’t lurch too quickly through the mid stroke on compressions.

This is an excellent way to describe what I dislike about air shocks.

Pumped up to avoid this, they lack sensitivity and struggle to maintain composure in the rough stuff.

Having had both, I'd not get the X2 over the Float X these days unless you have specific tuning needs. No idea about the Ohlins.

@scienceofficer - it’s why I’m not a huge fan of air shocks for anything technical…..the way I run them to hold them up is great on fast / flow trails but gives you a harder time over roots. Where the coil shock just smooths everything out so well, holds up in compressions and now I have a cascade link on my bike (30% progression) it doesn’t bottom out that I’ve noticed.

My V2.2 Madonna with Ohlins coil - Ruben at Raaw knows his shit - I followed his recommendations for the spring weight & mine has plenty of pop, whilst still having plenty of grip.

Coupled with the Marzocchi Z1 coil fitted with a Fast sc5 damper it’s an absolute weapon. Sadly I’ve had little chance to really put it through its paces due to health problems. I’ve had lighter cars though, so I do understand where you’re coming from when you say you want to keep the weight in check, but I’m not sure the dampers are where to keep the weight down; tyres, wheels, seatpost & saddles are all places I’d keep an eye on weight.

gaaaaaaaah! now im thinking about a coil!

This hasnt helped at all 😀

Same as @sharkattack, I will fight you if you come for my coil Ohlins on my 2019 Enduro. Coupled with a 4 bar Spesh the grip is mad, In any given techy climb it's mostly me that gives out long before the bike. The extra (hand-wavey) 200g it costs me in weight, is totally worth it. It's also got a pretty efficient lock out as well (Spesh bob notwithstanding)  its OK on long roadie climbs

I'd be reluctant to move to air on a big bike TBH.

@v7fmp / you should totally get a coil on that bike. Nice red rockshox spring would go lovely and the super deluxe with hbo is decent whilst also not being too expensive.

Have a coil ohlins on my scout and it is awesome. Never even thought about getting the air considering how good the coil is

Ruben at Raaw knows his shit

Certainly does. He can ride a bit as well 🙂 He loved the coil on his 2.2 Madonna when we rode with him at Switchbacks in 2020. Still he could probably ride the wheels off a shopping trolley!

My exp.

(older) X2. Had 2, both had cavitation issues. Both fixed under warranty. Sprung Suspension says post early 2023 seals + hardware a lot better. They recommended Float X for a 'trail shock'. Had one on my rascal and now my ripmo. Prefer it to even the working X2. Just seems a bit more lively.

Also X2 on my Giga. Swapped for an EXT Storia. Wouldn't go back 🙂

gaaaaaaaah! now im thinking about a coil!

If you didn't like an EXT because it felt too muted, the Ohlins might not be to your taste.

EXT are on the more lively end of the coil shock spectrum IME, they deal with the bumps very well but you still feel the trail. Whereas Ohlins have more of a steamroller character, muffling the trail a lot more.

Again, Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil is an underrated option, more external adjustability and a more fluid, natural feel than Ohlins, I found. Will look fine with a black or grey Zeb.

I’ve got the Kitsuma coil - I’d say the damping feels lighter / more lively than some other coil shocks. My main other experience was with a dhx2 which was also decent. Not had ext or ohlins personally.

Also X2 on my Giga. Swapped for an EXT Storia. Wouldn’t go back 🙂

Ditto, but on a Ripmo. Storia is only about 100-120g heavier than the X2 as well...

I had an X2 on a new bike. Didn't even get to ride it before it started squelching.

Swapped out for a ttx2air. No complaints here. Pretty easy to set up, using the guide on ohlins website. They take a little time to equalise, so worth setting up air pressure,  going for a gentle pootle and then top up the air, to what is recommended by ohlins.

Allegedly, the 2024 x2 I had as a warranty is much improved.

How big & heavy are you? that plays a part in how the heavier damping characteristics of shocks will feel for you to some extent but also consider the durability, speak to J-Tech, TF and they will advocate the Ohlin's over the fox, EXT.

As above my Float X2 was so unreliable I went for a Ohlins coil, can fault it an prefer it to the other coils I've had.

Personally id go Ohlins front & back, but if budgets an issue, and you want matching? id go RS front & rear.

As long as wheels match, it's fair game on other bits!

DrP

I have to agree, I love the aesthetic of bike bits matching but suspension is different. The two ends are so fundamentally different. The front is 1 to 1 actuation and by it's nature, pretty linear. An under damper fork may not be optimal, but it's still pretty much rideable. The rear is a different story. An actuation ratio of somewhere between 2 and 3, which typically varies during the stock and riding an undamped spring, air or coil, would be far more detrimental that the undamped fork. They don't need to be the same spring medium, let alone the same brand.

@timc - im about 84kgs in my riding gear.

I fired off a few emails yesterday and have had some good advice and feedback on the RS SDU coil, with a 'custom' tune.

So i might get a frame only and then go with the RS coil unit. Will tick all the boxes of 1) coil, 2) matches the forks and 3) doesnt cost the earth.

I appreciate all the help and advice, which has ultimately steered me towards a coil! 🙂

I was speaking with J-Tech recently about Thier revolve lots for the RSDUc Vs an Ohlins.

Was told the architecture of the RS was limited, much better with their upgrade kit but still not as good as the Ohlins and not much difference in price for me (£200 upgrade fee between the two shocks)

Seems like pretty honest advice when you consider they just did themselves out of a sale.

However, if I had a bike that came with the RSDU, I'd add a J-Tech kit if I couldn't afford the full shock upgrade.

yeah, J-Tech have been very helpful. I just dont think my budget can stretch to their SDU coil with the WPS piston upgrade. But if i get one, i can always upgrade at a later date.

They also said:

We are often asked, coil or air? We would always say coil, where the rider weight and bike design allow.
Coil gives better small bump sensitivity, greater plushness (due to a reduced number of seals required), less affected by temperature fluctuations and greater reliability, again due to a fewer number of seals being required.

Which has also helped cement the choice for a coil.

My life would be much easier if i wasnt such a tart, as the Ohlins coil sounds ruddy great, i just hate the gold/yellow combo :facepalm:

@scienceofficer

Ditto, but on a Ripmo. Storia is only about 100-120g heavier than the X2 as well…

Without wishing to derail this thread,  I've been tempted to swap to a coil to see what it felt like. Esp as on my original RipMo you could only run air. But I'd just had the Float X serviced when I bought 2nd hand RipMo and it's been a fit and forget. Nw this thread has got me thinking about a coil again... my EXT is in for its first service so I'll be back on the X2 on the Giga this weekend. See if it survives the ride!

As long as wheels match

Erm, sometimes but I can't make any promises.

Good points above about durability and rider weight.

I think I remember the Vorsprung dude rating Ohlins as the least problematic shock in their experience of servicing, and maybe it'd feel more appropriately damped to someone heavier than my 80kg.

But I reckon some people just love that "noise cancelling" feel, and to be fair it might be my top pick for a DH bike.

My life would be much easier if i wasnt such a tart, as the Ohlins coil sounds ruddy great, i just hate the gold/yellow combo :facepalm:

Honestly (I sound like a hater) my unpopular opinion is Ohlins (and EXT) are two of the most over-rated suspension products in the MTB world. I don’t think I’ve ridden either on multiple platforms over the years & thought ‘this is great’.

And to keep it relevant, I tried a TTX & an EXT on my V2.2 Madonna. Guess what, neither of them stayed….

The other option is a cheaper shock leaving more budget for the tune. Avalanche always recommend the Bomber CR for tuning purposes.

As for yellow and gold, does anyone else's spring fit the Ohlins?

I used to do this back in the day will Vanilla R's. Worked pretty well.

does anyone else’s spring fit the Ohlins?

CaneCreek springs fit. Tasteful black.

Raaw frame ordered. No shock.

RS SDU Coil on order from Sprung, with a custom tune.

Thanks everyone for their help and advice.

I will do a NBD thread once its built up.

Whoop whoop!

Sounds like a decent choice - that bike will be very capable

Be interested to know the final price of the RAAW frame when you get it.

@DrP

Erm, hate to be a pedant, but nope.

Brake brand and model (levers at least) must match*.

Pedals and grips too for that matter, obvs 😄

*I still wretch a little when I think back to running a hope mini front and v-brake rear combo on an Azonic Evo years ago. At least they matched in that neither worked…

To add, and on topic:

Last year I bought a clearance but BNIB Fox X2 for $450AUD (~£230). It was dead on arrival, with oil sloshing in the box.

Returned to Fox Australia who sent a new 2024 model within days (great service). That was punted on and I went back to an Ohlins coil that I’ve had tuned with a lighter compression stack.

I do like Rockshox shocks, and would imagine that I’d be happier with the setup you’ve gone for overall. But I also had Ohlins on my motorbike, and very much enjoyed the matchy matchy of three gold and yellow things.

TLDR: you’ve probably done the right thing, but the better thing was to buy an Ohlins and a Ducati 😃

@hobnob - fair enough. I definitely prefer the EXT over the Fox. But I can see it's not worth the money in terms of the actual 'upgrade'.  I do like the feeling it's pretty bullet proof and won't let me down, as it's on the bike that gets ridden in the hardest terrain and generally on multi-day trips.

Mine is 18 months old, prob done a 1000km and Sprung have just had it for a service. Apparently pristine inside but the bushings are mashed. Think Giga has a similar problem to some Spesh in that there's some twist in the way the shock is mounted.

Alex seen these?

https://dhsign.it/en/14-fixshox-classic

@scienceofficer - no I hadn't thanks for the link.

Be interesting to see what's in mine when I get it back tomorrow.