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I have a Cube Stereo 140 with a Fox Float CTD rear shock. I find the shock to be quite divey and it bottoms out easily on bigger hits despite correctly set sag. Undoubtedly, this is also closely related to the suspension design, but I was wondering whether a new shock may resolve this issue, especially if it takes volume reducing spacers. Also, on one particularly rocky and long decent on a recent trip to Spain, the shock got super hot and basically locked out until it cooled off.
Would something like a Monarch Plus be a worthwhile investment?
Personally as a monarch owner*, I 'd get the fox service/tuned before rushing to buy another RS shock.
* Been told by tuner, that mine on it's way out due to wear, and it's not even that old!
I find the shock to be quite divey and it bottoms out easily on bigger hits despite correctly set sag
The 30% sag thing is just a starting point. If it bottoms out then the pressure's too low by definition regardless of sag setting.
I've run bikes between 40% and 20% because it feels better in that way - don't be afraid to experiment.
Personally as a monarch owner*, I ‘d get the fox service/tuned before rushing to buy another RS shock
I'd agree with this - the Monarch on my Scout was rubbish. Swapped it for a DHX RC4 which is much, much better.
I upgraded my Rockshox Monarch to an Ohlins STX and its night and day difference, more grip, soaks up big hits whilst also soaking up small chatter.
The issue with my Monarch was similiar to yours, because it had an autosag feature, you couldnt fit any volume reducing bands.
Is your Fox Float the nice one with a piggy back oil chamber or one of the more basic versions? if the latter, I had one once and no service or volume reducer made it feel nice!
Volume reducers should be first stop, should make a big difference.
Possibly look at getting it retuned if still not happy
A Fox CTD is possible the worst shock I've ever ridden. The Monarch RTC3 or whatever its called on my Capra is 100x better and volume reducers are needed ideally for mid stroke.
If I was buying.. I'd go expensive fox.
You could try oil in the air chamber...? Hard to remove though maybe 🙂
Had similar with a Float CTD, could never quite get it set up right - either it felt ok on the rough stuff but bottomed out regularly or it chattered all over the place on rough stuff but didn't bottom out too much. Upgraded to an X2 and it's much better after a bit of fettling to get the settings right. Would still like to get a Shockwiz hire for the day and tweak it a bit more, as I reckon there's more in there that I'm not quite clued up enough to get out of it on my own.
I've got a CTD on my Transition and it's pretty terrible imo, bottoming out far too easily whilst not being particularly supple off the top. Now, the leverage ratio on this bike really doesn't help (looking online it appears to be very different to most bikes in that it is progressive to the sag point then regressive right through until about 90% of travel - No wonder it bottoms out easily is it! I'm not sure what they were attempting with it...).
If I want to stop bottoming it out on bigger hits I've got to run about 10% sag which is awful on choppy stuff. I've looked into volume spaces but at £40 for some small bits of plastic I'm apprehensive!
I’ve looked into volume spaces but at £40 for some small bits of plastic I’m apprehensive!
Tried them with mine and got nowhere!
Ive been reading so much recently about different brands and in the same boat. Dont know what to go for.
Monarchs feel nice and easy to set up but wear out. (First hand experience)
Fox aparently last longer but don't fit all frames.
Cane Creek offer loads of adjustability but have reliability issues according to reviews.
bottoms out easily on bigger hits despite correctly set sag
there is no correct sag. set the shock up to give you the best small/medium hit performance then adjust volume for bigger hits. sometimes this means volume bands or a vorsprung corset. If you lie outside the bell curve then you may need the damping adjusted. The leverage ratio of the cube is quite linear so you probably could do with fitting a corset and possibly volume reducers. If you are doing quite long descents constantly then a piggyback will help. However, I'm pretty sure the stereo can't fit a piggy back shock due to the downtube. The cane creek inline don't fit the stereo either.
Consider a Vorsprung Corset. Cheaper than a whole new shock and transformed the Fox shock I had on my Yeti.
https://vorsprungsuspension.com/products/vorsprung-corset-v1
https://www.tftuned.com/vorsprung-corset-air-sleeve/p3135
Thanks for all the feedback!
OK, so the volume reducer route may be a cheaper solution to consider before splashing out on a new shock - yay or nay???