Shock mount kits / bushes - much of a muchness?

I go for TFTuned, they've always done exactly what's asked, exactly what's wanted and had someone on hand to answer every question..

Either of the first 2 options are fine. I don't know anything about the 3rd option though. Both TFTuned and JTech are very helpful so give them a call if unsure.

I always buy from Bounce: MTB Shock Bushings and Offset Bushings (bouncecycles.co.uk)

Very good quality & durable, often cheaper too.

I've just fitted some of the linked TF bushes in one of my bikes.
They look like a copy of the Fox low friction bushes but slightly different dimensions.
No ideas how long they'll last but they fit well and everything measured up as the stated size.

For a leftfield suggestion you could try these.
https://dhsign.it/en/fixshox-revo/97-fixshox-revo-20mm.html

I've just fitted some to a Levo to take some of the strain the linkage puts the shock under.
They work like the rose joint bushes that come on Geometrons and allow the shock to rotate a little to reduce side loading.

The Profin ones from Bounce cycles are decent, Merlin sell them too.

Enduro / Real World Cycling do a needle roller bearing which is worth putting in any end of a shock that does 90° or more of rotation.

As long as it sits on a full axle/spindle rather than those ridiculous 2-part aluminium pieces of crap that used to be popular, I don't care much. But I do quite like the pushfit tophat bushings like TF sell, just for the ease of fitment. Not that the igus ones are exactly hard to live with and I think the full size igus ones wear a little better from my experience, but they both last well enough to not really matter... I like Jtech as a company much more than TF, but they both do a good product.

The "strong shock bushings" look interesting, I'd have liked to see a seal/shield on the end of the bushing tbh but that's not the end of the world. Might give those a try next time I need one.

I've bent shock bolts before so the Betd one looks like it might help stop that. Depending on the size of your mount, you might be able to get bearing mounts.

Offset bushes bush kits have worked alright for me on a few bikes / shocks now. On my recent purchase I’ve gone for the above j tech set though. All fits together nicely and tolerances seem decent and has more sealing to stop crap getting in. Only had a few rides on it so far so can’t comment on durability

I went down the needle / roller bearing rabbit hole and it looked like more hassle (and cost) than it was worth for my frame.

I've got a lathe programmed to produce all those different versions, but I've just been too indecisive over sealing and spacers to actually produce any for sale yet.

BETD (aka Mountainbike components) have been selling there's since before TFTuned even started doing their own shock mount kits.

Although just to comment on @Northwind 's post about the old style two part alu top hat mounts, if your shock is mounted such that the bushing isn't moving in the shock eyelet (aka the bolt/pin runs in bearings, like quite a few modern suspension designs do), then they'll work fine as wear shouldn't be an issue.

(Plus in Northwind's case, any play is likely to be something more major, like pivot bolts missing that he's somehow failed to notice 🤣 )

What do we think of bearing mounts?

@MC, I did notice, I just didn't stop riding 🙂

I got some from Burgtec around four years ago and they have been faultless.  

What do we think of bearing mounts?

That's not a bearing as such, it's a spherical bush/rose joint. DT Swiss also use them, and they work pretty well, but can be a bit problematic to change. CaneCreek have also used them in the past.

Their main benefit is they remove side loading from the shock, but that doesn't always suit the bike suspension.

That video is a bit misleading though, as those tests can be manipulated by part selection. Most bushings are tight when initially installed, but quickly loosen up once a little bit of material transfer happens.

That video is a bit misleading though, as those tests can be manipulated by part selection. Most bushings are tight when initially installed, but quickly loosen up once a little bit of material transfer happens.

Yup exactly, plus a tub of lube weighs 500g. How much does a kitted-up rider weight? Enough to get that linkage / shock moving.

At a guess, the only problem with the TF ones is replacement bushes might be more difficult to come by. Happy to be proved wrong tough.

If only someone had already mentioned rose joint bushes that are available for almost any shock further up the thread.

I think the fixshox bushes look like a great idea. Prevents damage to shock from lateral loads and the revo ones look to be low friction too.