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I am looking for a coil shocks for my bike (stump jumper Evo). There are some second hand super deluxe around at ok prices or I can spend another 200 or so on a new vivid. I cannot see much difference in the specs of the shocks, would the Vivid offer better performance. And would I notice it!
Never had coil shocks before, is there much risk in second hand purchase? Are they pretty robust?
Unless you also plan on changing to a Cascade link I'd go with an air shock.
Have you considered the Vivid air?
Far more tunable to suit the stumpy Evo.
I fitted one to my Levo when they first came out and have been pretty happy with it.
Given the relative lack of progresivity of the SJ Evo I probably wouldn’t run a coil. If I had to, I would run one with a hydraulic bottom out, which is one of Vivids differences.
I’d check either is ok with a clevis mount too, as quite a lot of shocks don’t like them, for good reason.
The Vivid Air is a good option for it.
Both are compatible with the Evo and clevis mount. The deluxe has a adjustable bottom out as well.
I have not managed to get happy with air shocks on the bike. All of them have seemed harsh, so want to give a coil shocks a go.
Both are compatible with the Evo and clevis mount.
That may well be true but I'm not sure the adjustable bottom out is enough to perform well with the low progression of the Evo.
I know as Mrsstu has an Evo with an EXT coil. It kind of worked on the standard link but even for her* it works much better with the Cascade link.
Even with max bottom out spacers and max HBO on my Vivid Air it only just copes with the leverage ratio on my Levo which is fairly similar leverage ratio to the Evo.
You might find it fine. I'm just passing on my experiences.
*She's not exactly an aggressive rider.
Ok interesting. I am never really clear what the different progression does to suspension. With air shocks I am running very low pressures and no volume adjusters and still struggling with bigger hits. The fox float x that came on it went back for warranty as I assumed it was broken as the bike felt so harsh. It is the longest travel bike I have ever had but does not feel like it!
Can't comment on the SD, but I've got a coil vivid on mine. I switched to a MRP progressive spring as I found I was hitting the stops a lot when set with the correct sag with the normal Rockshox spring
Edit - I think using the Cascade link voids the warranty?
With air shocks I am running very low pressures and no volume adjusters and still struggling with bigger hits.
As in not getting full travel?
If that's the case you'll maybe get away with the coil.
Not getting full travel or bottom out. For the float X I am running about 100-110psi below recommended. That gets about 35% sag but even on fast big hits that leaves the o ring 5-10mm from the end. I am 85kg so while not heavy I would have tought I should be able to use full travel. So hence my look at coils.
So you are running 110psi less than recommended and you are 85kg and but bottoming out the shock?
If I'm reading that right then your shock is ****ed
Shock is fine, just been back with Fox. I don't bottom out while running low pressure. About 150 Vs recommended 260-270
For the float X I am running about 100-110psi below recommended. That gets about 35% sag but even on fast big hits that leaves the o ring 5-10mm from the end.
Something sounds very wrong there.
Mrsstu is 72KG and ran 160PSI on the same shock which gave around 35% sag. It'd occasionally get full travel with the standard 0.2 spacer fitted.
@mrl there is no way that it's ok if you are running less than 50 % of the recommended pressure and you only get 35% sag
Either you are an 8 year old kid and weigh 30kg or you l your shock pump or shock is ****ed
Sadly definitely 85kg. Shock was the same before and after I sent it for warranty by silverfish. Shock pumps could be of but I have several and use which ever is to hand. Sounds like something is wrong somewhere and maybe coil is not the answer.
@mrl there is no way that it's ok if you are running less than 50 % of the recommended pressure and you only get 35% sag
Either you are an 8 year old kid and weigh 30kg or you l your shock pump or shock is ****ed
That recommended pressure is way off and shouldn't be paid any attention too, but even with real world comparisons as with Mrsstu something is still pretty off.
How does the rear feel pushing through the travel with no shock?
Does it get full travel with no air in the shock, or is there a travel restriction spacer in the shock?
The lost article is what got me thinking about a coil shock. The statement that the Evo felt like it had less travel than it does is exactly how I see it.
Going to check that all the bearings and linkage are smooth and there is no binding. Will check shock as well.
I’ve got a Stumpjumper Evo, and I’m 90kg. Recommended pressure and settings is perfect for me and uses all the travel. I’m pretty sure I put a larger volume reducer in when I first got it.
I wouldn’t say that the Float X is particularly plush, but IMV it’s a great shock that suits the Stumpy.
First job is find out the stroke spec of the shock for the bike, then let all the air out the shock and make sure it can move that distance. So if it’s a 60mm stroke can the o ring physically move that far down the shaft? You’ll probably find that the o ring doesn’t go all the way to the end. I get the feeling you’re assuming the o ring should go all the way to the end of the shaft so are lowering pressure to achieve that and are just smashing into the bottom out bumper constantly which is giving the harsh feeling
I was underwhelmed by the Float X on my Stumpy Evo too. Upgraded it to the air version of the Super Deluxe Ultimate - very noticeable improvement in plushness and well worthwhile for me.
I fitted the more recent C2 version with hydraulic bottom out.
Finally got time to check the bike out. Took the shock out, swing arm moves freely and no binding. Action feels smooth.
Checked the pressure with several pumps and they all read within a few psi - 170 psi. A bit more than I thought. Measured shock stroke - 54mm Vs spec of 55mm. Sag at 17mm so 31%. Took all the air out and o ring goes to end of shock and falls off. No volume spacers.
Pumped back up/equalised the pressures and went for a ride and did everything I could too bottom out. Left with about 8mm of unused stroke. Which is consistent with what I got in the Alps. I can slow the rebound down to the slowest setting and I will use a bit more but never bottomed out the shock, did feel very odd.
Shock could be faulty but it is one year old and has been back to fox for warranty as well. It felt awful after my previous Alps trip so figured it must have been broken. But they said it was fine but serviced it. I guess they could be wrong but I would hope not.
Based on the above I might try a rockshox air shock. Seems some positive views.
Thanks for all the input.
Based on the above I might try a rockshox air shock. Seems some positive views.
Worth looking into. I've got a Super Deluxe Select+ air shock on my ebike and it's surprised me: fairly plush and decent ramp up as standard, copes with the 20.5kg of bike and 88kg or me well. I've no idea what's inside it yet. But... I'm still looking at coils as it's not anywhere close to the feel of the EXT on my Geometron. My thoughts are I won't notice a few extra grams on my ebike.