Hi guys, I currently own a Cube Stereo One77 and was thinking about changing from a air shock to coil shock. Currently I ride a FOX X2 and was offered a Rockshox super deluxe select coil, is this a good deal for me or ? On the first picture is my current shock and on the second is the one I got offered.
I mostly ride rooty trails, with the occasional medium sized jump or drop. The only thing that worries me is that this coil is the lowest of the three (its not a select+ or ultimate) since its designation is super deluxe select. Also it has a 400 lbs spring while I have 84 kg, and ride a L sized bike. Should I be worried about this, and what are your opinions.
by Interesting-Goat1106
4 Comments
For one – the new setup will be heavier, likely double the weight, it’s mostly because of the spring. The Select shock likely has less settings than the select+ and/or ultimate, and likely has a different compression circuit inside.
You will be essentially trading a top of the line air shock to a bottom line coil. That being said, coil does feel very different, mostly the small bump sensitivity off the top. They can also feel more sluggish though, as they are more planted. If you want the bike to feel more active, to launch off minor bumps, roots, … you’re probably better off keeping the air shock. Last but not least, you will likely need a new spring for the coil shock.
Google “mtb rear shock spring calculator” and go from there if you decide to get the coil.
Play around with some coil spring calculators, and factor in the cost of a new spring or two; I own two or three coils for all my shocks, so you can tweak depending on what you’re riding. Also factor in a custom tune for you weight and bike, as this will make even a basic shock run its best.
Do you currently use all the compression settings on your X2? If you don’t, you won’t miss them by not having an Ultimate.
What do you mean by ‘I was offered’?
Offered for what? For free? Then sure, it won’t hurt to try.
Below 150 you can also give it a shot.
But you’ll end up comparing a high end air shock with a low end coil shock, and furthermore two different brands. So the outcome is likely not very meaningful.
If you’re super happy with the coil, than probably you didn’t tune the X2 to it’s full potential.
If you end up unhappy, then maybe a more adjustable coil could have fixed that.
Also, dampers typically come with a build in tune for a given frame. So slapping a damper from a different frame with completely different progressivity onto your frame could also lead to poor performance. Especially, if that damper has barely any adjustability.
EDIT: I realized the X2 is the performance version, without HSC and HSR, so not exactly high end. Still a good shock imo.
You will need new shock hardware. The Clash has 20×8 and 30x10mm, your frame needs 40×8 and 22,2x10mm.
Also make sure to use the the second lower mounting point, behind the one your current shock is mounted, it will give you enough progression for a coil shock.
The RS Select only has a rebound adjuster, which gives you very limited adjustability, so the shock tune has to be spot on for your frame and weight. You should definitely check if the tunes of the two shocks are at least close, which involves a bit of research; RS used to be pretty straightforward with something like LNL engraved on the shock body, while Fox has a tune id.
Overall I wouldn’t go through the hassle, as the X2 already feels quite plush for an air shock thanks to it’s large air chamber.
Maybe get a suspension tune instead.