Which MTB rear shock?

[Chris71]

Can anyone recommend an affordable-ish rear shock for a 5" travel trail bike?

It's a 2004 Orange Sub 5, originally fitted with a Rockshox Sid. The front forks are relatively recent 130mm Rockshox Revalations. It's for a rider of average weight and distinctly under-average ability doing occasional trail centre rides (me). The local bike shop recommended Fox and basically said 'get the best one in your budget that fits'.

[5tuartw]

I think those frames take a 190x50 shock, it is worth measuring yours.

This would do
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/rockshox...

It should come with a pair of eyelet bushes, you may as well buy new mounts too.

If the compression and rebound isn't to your liking tftuned could sort that for you.

[Chris71]

5tuartw said:

I think those frames take a 190x50 shock, it is worth measuring yours.

This would do
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/rockshox...

It should come with a pair of eyelet bushes, you may as well buy new mounts too.

If the compression and rebound isn't to your liking tftuned could sort that for you.

That's more like it. I spoke to a company called Silverfish, which the guy at the bike shop recommended, and their cheapest Fox shock came out at £350!

I would consider spending a bit more than the Monarch if it was going to get me a tangible benefit, say £250. This Fox Float looks promising at £199: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fox-suspension-float-perfo...

Doesn't actually say what the fitment is, but I presume they do one in the right size.

It is indeed 190 mm eye to eye - what's the 51 mm measurement? Stroke?

ETA Just browsed some of the other stuff in the Chain Reaction sale, it seems to be way cheaper than Wiggle!

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 28th August 14:09

[5tuartw]

Yes, 51mm was the stroke.

The fox you linked to needs a bar mounted remote. I think monarchs are fairly decent shocks tbh.

Wiggle and CRC are owned by the same firm, it's surprising how much the prices vary

[Chris71]

I do like the idea of a lock out. Can you get shocks with a lock out adjuster on the body of the shock rather than a remote?

[Toltec]

Chris71 said:

I do like the idea of a lock out. Can you get shocks with a lock out adjuster on the body of the shock rather than a remote?

The Fox float dps factory has the lockout on the body, the non-factory version does as well, but over £300.

[Chris71]

Doh! On closer examination, I think the 'L' in Monarch RL stands for exactly that...

[Craikeybaby]

It may be worth looking at the "Orange Riders" group on Facebook. They will be able to make a good recommendation.

[Chris71]

Went ahead and got the Monarch RL. The equivalent modern frame would probably come with a much higher spec shock, but I suspect it's still a major improvement on my 2004-era SID. Realistically, this is probably the bike's last major refresh before I get something new (or concede that I'm now too old and too fat to be messing around on bikes).

Craikeybaby said:

It may be worth looking at the "Orange Riders" group on Facebook. They will be able to make a good recommendation.

That would have been a really good idea. I shall check it out. There might be some shock tuning advice if nothing else.

[Craikeybaby]

I guess my Four is the equivalent of the Sub 5, and I'm running for Fox DPS. Actually, when I put the shock code in to the Fox website, it does say "Orange Sub 5".

[P-Jay]

Chris71 said:

Went ahead and got the Monarch RL. The equivalent modern frame would probably come with a much higher spec shock, but I suspect it's still a major improvement on my 2004-era SID. Realistically, this is probably the bike's last major refresh before I get something new (or concede that I'm now too old and too fat to be messing around on bikes).

Craikeybaby said:

It may be worth looking at the "Orange Riders" group on Facebook. They will be able to make a good recommendation.

That would have been a really good idea. I shall check it out. There might be some shock tuning advice if nothing else.

I think you've done well there, I like RS stuff, Fox is great but they're expensive to buy, and expensive to maintain - annual service will cost you £100+ and you can't really home service them, on the other hand RS stuff usually comes with a spare service kit and their website has great guides how to service you stuff.

[Chris71]

P-Jay said:

Chris71 said:

Went ahead and got the Monarch RL. The equivalent modern frame would probably come with a much higher spec shock, but I suspect it's still a major improvement on my 2004-era SID. Realistically, this is probably the bike's last major refresh before I get something new (or concede that I'm now too old and too fat to be messing around on bikes).

Craikeybaby said:

It may be worth looking at the "Orange Riders" group on Facebook. They will be able to make a good recommendation.

That would have been a really good idea. I shall check it out. There might be some shock tuning advice if nothing else.

I think you've done well there, I like RS stuff, Fox is great but they're expensive to buy, and expensive to maintain - annual service will cost you £100+ and you can't really home service them, on the other hand RS stuff usually comes with a spare service kit and their website has great guides how to service you stuff.

With the summer sale, an extra discount code and free delivery it came to a grand total of £88! Part of me feels guilty for not treating the bike to something fancier, but I'd heard mixed reviews about the more affordable end of the Fox CTD range and nobody actually seemed to sell the lockout cable that you need. It was then a big jump in price up to the other stuff.

The other thing is I did something really stupid when I took the shock off to measure it. I assumed it was just a basic lock-nut type arrangement on the mounting points. I didn't realise there was a keyway that stops one half of the bolt assembly from rotating. By the time I'd noticed I'd gouged a chunk out of the mounting bracket. Not a huge amount - there's no play that I can feel - but enough that I'm wondering whether the bracket will survive. In hindsight, it was a really stupid thing to do, but I'd asked the bloke at the bike shock and I'm sure he didn't mention a keeway... Anyway, didn't want to shell out on a £400 shock when there's a risk that the mounting might give way on the first jump.

Wondering if a local fabricator would be able to make up a suitable set of brackets and weld them on.

[Sa Calobra]

Second hand Debonair piggy back from eBay or pinkbike

[dogbucket]

My old Patriot had the same mounting system with the pip on the bolt to stop one side rotating. I think this was purely so you only needed one hex key to undo it. I forgot about that plenty of times and rounded it slightly, so I don't see a problem if there is no play.

I wouldnt want to weld anything as it would spoil the heat treatment on the aluminum.

[Chris71]

dogbucket said:

My old Patriot had the same mounting system with the pip on the bolt to stop one side rotating. I think this was purely so you only needed one hex key to undo it. I forgot about that plenty of times and rounded it slightly, so I don't see a problem if there is no play.

That's good to hear. Although, it seems to have done something a bit weird, which has resulted in half the hole ending up chamfered - like it's been countersunk. There's not a lot of material thickness remaining on the bit that's keeping it in place. I'm sure it'll be fine, though. I'm not exactly Steve Peat. Given it a bit touch-up paint to try and prevent the powder coat coming off the swing arm and I'll just stick the new shock on.