|   Rear Shock: Air vs. Coil | OSUbiker
Jan 9, 2003 6:30 PM | | I am in the market for a new rear shock. It is going on a Diamondback x-link, however I have modified the linkage to fit a 7.8" shock with 2" of travel, This gives the bike about 6" of travel at the back wheel. I'm about 160 lbs. and I do aggressive cross-country riding. I like that the air shocks are lighter but I am concerned with how it will handle a bike with 6" of travel. I am also concerned that if I start ridding most aggressively the air shock will not take it. If you have any knowledge about this kind of situation I would appreciate some info.
-Chris |
| Opinion & observations. | TNC
Jan 9, 2003 7:19 PM | | This isn't an engineering opinion because I ain't one, but I've ridden a lot of different suspension designs with a lot of different shocks.
Generally I've found that bikes with 2"-5" of travel can perform very well with an air shock if the air shock is a good one. Bikes with 5" and up work better with a well designed coil-over. You notice an overlap at the 5" mark. 5" single pivots generally can work quite well with an air shock, but 5" 4-bar linkage bikes tend to work better with a coil-over.
Exceptions. Big air chamber air shocks like AD12's and Cloud 9's tend to give a plusher ride because they don't "ramp up" as quickly and so don't give as harsh a ride as some air shocks. Some of this is changing as we speak as shock technology from different companies introduces adjustable air chambers (Fox) and valved air chambers that will change the air spring rate as the shock is compressed. Coil-over shocks are also developing to make stable pedaling platforms (5th Element) which reduces input from rider movement and pedaling influences, but still lets the rear wheel react to any irregularities. This makes a long travel bike much more efficient to pedal as more rider energy actually goes to propel the bike forward instead of "bobbing".
Your DB is a 4-bar, isn't it? I believe it has a fairly high rising rate if memory serves me. If so, your bike would not be a good candidate for an air shock--generally a harsher ride would be the result.
I put an air shock on a Bullit (Cloud 9), and it performed decently. I liked it better with the Fox RC, and even better with the 5th Element. I think you be happier with a good coil-over like an RC or something similar. Your shock is a common length for which several candidates should be available. |
| Opinion & observations. | OSUbiker
Jan 9, 2003 7:25 PM | | Thanks, Your advise is very helpful, My DB is a 4-bar linkage |
| re: Rear Shock: Air vs. Coil | Ventanarama
Jan 9, 2003 10:44 PM | | Is the mod something you did yourself or is it the factory DH-link upgrade that they offered? If so then the Romic will work, and that's also the best choice in my opinion. One of the guys at Romic has an X-link with the long-travel mod.
Larry Mettler
http://www.mtnhighcyclery.com |
| re: Rear Shock: Air vs. Coil | OSUbiker
Jan 9, 2003 11:06 PM | | This is actually a linkage set up that I am in the process for machining at a shop. However if you know where to buy / look-at a long travel set up I would love to see it. I have never seen this setup for an x-link.
Thanks-
Chris |
| Tried air, went back to coil | Nat
Jan 10, 2003 7:45 AM | | I have a Quasimoto with close to 6" travel. I put a Fox Float on it and could really feel the weight difference, but it made the rear feel as if it only had 4" of travel. The spring rate ramped up too quickly for my taste, so I replaced it with a Vanilla instead. |
| Hey Nat....I have the same setup...question | Markv
Jan 10, 2003 9:50 AM | | Have a 2001 Quasi I bought used with a Float RL and the Vanilla R. Have been riding the frame with the Float for three months now. Did you set the frame in the linear setting with the Float? I will install the coil this Spring when I go back to riding my RX most of the time and use the Quasi for nasty technical trals, but currently I'm using the Quasi as a long travel xc bike and I love the ride! |
| rising/falling | Nat
Jan 10, 2003 7:29 PM | | With the air shock, you're supposed to set the linkage to rising/falling, which is where I had it. Even with the coil-over/full rising rate, it feels as if there's more travel than with the air shock. It makes the bike about a full pound heavier, but I really love the suppleness of coils.
Whereabouts do you live? |
| SW Idaho........ | Markv
Jan 13, 2003 7:44 AM | | Boise to be exact.......bought the frame off MTBR classifieds from a young guy in Sandy, Utah who was using it to race xc (26.5 lb/w sid race). Great frame....would like to run discs when I switch to the coil shock. I'm using a Chris King fh, xtr rh/519 rim wheelset from an older frame I sold. |
| re: Rear Shock: Air vs. Coil | RDC
Jan 10, 2003 8:06 AM | | I have an 01' Diamondback XSL Race (4 link) and I just upgraded to a Cloud 9 and I love it. I know I must have gained another inch of travel, the Cloud 9 was longer than the stock SID. I had to use the other mounting hole in the 4 link. I believe the Cloud 9 is 165mm (not positive though). I would also be interested if there is an aftermarket link that would offer more travel. Although now with the Cloud 9 my next priority is a new fork since it feels very inadequate now. |
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