Coil shock on Enduro?
Hi Lee!
I have a 2007 base level Enduro. I recently have gotten into jumping and I think I want to change out
the rear shock from a DHX air 3.0 to a DHX 5.0 coil. Is this possible? A guy at a bike shop said that the lower end Enduro is actually a different frame from the higher ends and he’s not sure if it will accept that much travel. Any help you could offer would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
1. What the heck are you thinking? A coil shock will not help you jump. If you think you are out-riding your stock shock, I have some swampland in Florida I’d like to sell you.
2. As for the meatball at your local shop, this is not a question of travel. It’s a matter of getting an aftermarket shock that matches the eye-to-eye and stroke of your stock shock, and that will fit into the frame.
3. I believe you can get a DHX coil to fit your Enduro frame. Read the comments on this post:
Aftermarket shock for 2006 Enduro
Not sure why you’re bothering. Don’t think for a second that newer/better parts will magically make everything perfect. Your bike is great:
1. Set it up correctly.
2. Learn to ride it.
— Lee
I have an 06 base Enduro, and moved to a coil. For me, the bike went from one of the worst I’ve ridden (the poor fork is included in this) to the absolute best I’ve ridden.
The problem with the DHX Air is weak mid-stroke. For me it was so bad, I would bottom my pedal to the ground on technical uphills. The other issue I had was hard cornering: some times the shock would sink deep in the travel in the turn, sometimes it stayed high, sometimes sunk deep at the apex changing geometry and lines – it was inconsistent. But that is for trail stuff.
For DJ you might be able to adjust pressures as the environment is more controlled.
Filling the outer air chamber with thin plastic “shims” will net you more mid-stroke support. It is easy to do, but you just need to know your way around an air canister. Search MTBR.com
I agree with Lee, in that you should try your best to tune it and ride it before you think about an “upgrade”. The upgrade in this instance is ONLY the spring characteristics, the damping is great on both shocks.
P
Hi there,
was that coil shock you chose an 08 DHX 5 – 222mm eye to eye right?
Do you have the air pressure valve or perhaps it’s a Specialized OEM example, which comes without?
I’ve suffered from that weak mid stroke and been recommended a Rocco on my 06 Enduro (currently have a DHX air and Fox 36VAN) any thoughts out there please? I am looking for more mid stroke control without too much complexity. But it must pedal uphill too – I’m a trail rider. Some say the DHX coil with Push mods is great?