New rear shock

[volcomsteban]

I'm looking into upgrading my rear shock from a Vanilla R to a. . . . . . ???? My buddy has a manitou swinger 6way he'll give me for cheap. it's brand new. those any good? I've never ridden one or know anyone who has. Any other suggestions or offers would be appreciated. 8.75x2.5 Alos . would it matter too much if i got a different stroke shock if i keep the e2e the same? Thanks in advance guys(and girls)

[Chewyeti]

I had a fox dhx 5.0 coil and loved it. Way more tunable than a vanilla R, and it also has propedal and air volume adjust

[DISCO]

The manitou will use different hardware which is difficult but not impossible to find. Switching stroke might cause contact with tires or frame parts but a half inch or so is not that much. DHX air blows through travel, coil is likely better. I rode the same shock (Van R) and always thought it pogoed too much. Determine what you want to spend and then shop your options, but I say if it aint broke why should you be.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by DISCO

...but a half inch or so is not that much.

Actually, a half inch can be a lot depending on the leverage ratio at the end of the stroke. In a 3:1 leverage ratio that will equate to a 1.5" increase in travel. That's enough to cause considerable damage to the wheel/frame on some bikes. It's even possible it can cause you to crash and injure yourself pretty badly.

If it's a friend of yours, see if you can borrow it and mount it sans coil and cycle the suspension to see if there will be any interference between the wheel and frame (or rear triangle and frame). If it comes within an inch anywhere I'd pass on the longer stroke. Keep in mind that you will need to take into consideration the bottom out bumper will compress to give you an additional amount of travel you cannot test using this method. Your tires will also deform a bit under heavy landings creating additional clearance issues.

As for what shock to recommend? You've got me there. Perhaps if you told us what frame it's going on more people can chime in with some recommendations.

[Edog]

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.a...SPENSION+SHOCK

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.a...CLE+REAR+SHOCK

Here are some coil options, don't change the size of the shock eye to eye it will throw of the geometry of the bike, stroke will change your travel up or down which might be a bad thing too

[dstepper]

I don't look at putting a swinger on there as a upgrade. A upgrade would be having your current shock sent to Push, or putting the correct sized and costume modified Avalanche Racing Shock on there.

Dean

[volcomsteban]

I'm on a 06 specialized big hit II The current shock is 8.75 x 2.5 which i cant seem to find many places making my options few and far between. Thus the curiosity about a longer stroke. 8.75 x 2.75 are readily available

[DISCO]

Yeah specialized is good about using proprietary sizes like that, might just be cheaper to pick up another frame. It was for me anyway($400)

[FyrFytrRyn]

avalanche. best shock ive ever had.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by volcomsteban

I'm on a 06 specialized big hit II The current shock is 8.75 x 2.5 which i cant seem to find many places making my options few and far between. Thus the curiosity about a longer stroke. 8.75 x 2.75 are readily available

http://www.avalanchedownhillracing.com/chubie.html

Can be ordered thru The Path.

[Vince]

The Swinger is hard to find hardware for. I have one just sitting in the bike shop.

[BAD_S197]

Have you looked at Cane Creek?

They might have something that would fit..

[BoingBoing]

Originally Posted by DISCO

but I say if it aint broke why should you be.

Good motto!

[DirtymikeTDB]

Originally Posted by dstepper

I don't look at putting a swinger on there as a upgrade. A upgrade would be having your current shock sent to Push, or putting the correct sized and costume modified Avalanche Racing Shock on there.

Dean

Originally Posted by dstepper

http://www.avalanchedownhillracing.com/chubie.html

Can be ordered thru The Path.

Two great suggestions there, You will be amazed at what push can do with your rear shock, or pony up and get the custom tuned Avy, The Path can order them, But, not to bag on The Path or anything like that, I would order it Directly from Avy, Its much easier that way talking to them directly, giving them your info and such.





P.S. Avy site shows that you can use a 2.75 bshock on there, they list being able to use the 8.5 2.75 DHS. that would be an awesome setup for that bike.