New shock for 2005 Enduro

Lee,

My 2005 Specialized Enduro Expert came with a 5th element air shock, 8.75 x 2.5. The shock now has no rebound damping and don’t think anyone services these shocks anymore. What options do I have?

Thanks,
Matt



Rocking the rocks on a 2005 S-Works Enduro with a PUSHed RP3 rear shock.

Hey Matt,

I suggest a FOX RP23. It’s reliable and very tunable.

For turbo love, get yours custom tuned from PUSH.

My 2005 Enduro had a PUSHed RP3, and that shock kicked butt. Compared with the stock FOX valving, it was much plusher on square-edged hits. Rather than spiking, it just pushed through the travel. The PUSHing made a huge difference for me.

Rock,

— Lee

See also:

Coil shock on Enduro

FOX rear shock on Enduro SL

Coil shock on 2003 Enduro


14 replies
  1. nathan says:

    but they don’t make an 8.75 x 2.5 rp23 ? a dhx air can be had with that eye to eye, so did the shock on your enduro change the geo?

  2. leelikesbikes says:

    My 2005 Enduro had stock geometry.

    My 2003 Enduro had a shorter shock to slacken the bike.

    I’m pretty sure you can get any shock length you want, especially from a custom tuner.

    The guys at PUSH prefer working with the RP23 over the DHX shocks. They say the former is more tunable.

  3. Ray Bareiss says:

    I’m facing the same issue with my 2005 Enduro Pro. The longest RP23 that Fox makes is apparently 7.875 inches (according to their website), while my Enduro Pro needs a shock length of 8.75 inches.

  4. Nate says:

    I have a 2005 Enduro Pro and last year my 5th Element Rebound dampening went out. This happened when I was on a trip in Washington and they said it would be a month before I would get it back so I put on a Fox 5.0 DHX. Wow the bike doesn’t even feel the same. Its a lot more plush and more tuneable for big hits. But its probably a little less pedal efficient. But who cares when its so much fun going down.
    Ok back to the 5th Element, I was able to get it fixed under warranty. So I think 5th Element should be able to fix your shock. By the way, I have a fully rebuilt 5th Element that I could sell to you for $100 (that price includes shipping).
    My email: ntoupal at gmail.com

    Nate

  5. Darren says:

    Hey guys,

    For that particular bike, going with a FOX VAN-R is a pretty good option due to the cost and fitment. If you purchase a VAN-R in the 8.75″x2.75″ length we actually have a CNC Machined adapter that we install to convert it to the 8.75″x2.5″ stroke for that bike. At the same time it reduces the stroke it also gives the necessary clearance between the shocks spring retainer and the frames rear swing link. We offer this modification for both our $95 Factory Rebuild, or with our $150 Factory Tuning package for that shock. Finding one used is always a good option, or purchasing a new one for about $245 is available.

    Darren

  6. Scott Barnard says:

    Fox does make the Float R and RP3 in 8.5 x 2.5 for Santa Cruz. They come on the Nomad, Blur LT2, and Heckler. Every so often they come up used. Using the steep shuttle with a 8.5 x 2.5 shock would result in the ‘slack’ geometry and 6″ of travel.

  7. Erich says:

    Progressive is still around, just not in the bicycle industry anymore. They still work on their bicycle products however. Getting your shock fixed would probably be cheaper than buying a new shock.

  8. MW says:

    I know CR1 (cortina cycles)does revalves on the 5th and runs a new pistion. For what its worth, I had a some Push work done on my fork and it is a huge difference over stock. Fox+push=Braaap!

  9. Erik Green says:

    I have a Fifth Element Coil for sale on E-Bay 8.75″ by 2.5″ Stroke. Came from a 2005 SX Trail.

  10. BC says:

    I just did what Darren said for another bike (Blur 4x). I bought a used Vanilla RC and sent it to Push to get tuned (Race + bottoming system) and the stroke shortened. I’ve had four different shocks on the bike starting with a 5th Element Air, then a Marzocchi Rocco Air R, then a Push’d Float AVA, and now the Push’d Vanilla RC and this is easily the best shock I’ve had on the bike.

    I never had a chance to run the Vanilla before the tune since it was the wrong stroke, but I’m very happy with it now.

  11. Brian says:

    Getting PUSH to mod a shock for you is nice, and will for sure perform better, but if you’re on a budget you can do what I did.

    I am essentially too big for the DHX air that came on the bike (06 Expert, same frame, different stock shock). I put a Fox Vanilla RC on, with a slight modification: you need to push out the bushing on the linkage end. (Special Ed uses a 15mm aluminum axel through one end of the linkage, instead of the common bushing + reducer on many other bikes.) Otherwise it should be just gravy.

    There are some issues with other coil shocks out there (wrong diameter eyelets, the coil hitting the linkage, reservoirs hitting the seat tube) but I can guarantee the Vanilla RC will work without anything special. Plus you can always get it tuned later.

  12. Mr. P says:

    Lee,

    How did the Pushed RP3 work for jumps and drops? Me likey the land on a couch feeling a properly set up coil can provide.

    Also, how was midstroke? The Enduro has a very low BB, I run an 8.5×2.5 for a 13.25″ BB for super low gravity carving Brraaappppability. A decently sprung midstroke is essential to minimize pedal smack (also for great steep climbing).

    Thx,

    P

  13. leelikesbikes says:

    My PUSHed RP3 felt good everywhere.

    – It used the travel when pushed hard, but it had nice bottom-out control.

    – I seldom smacked pedals. The spring held the bike where it needed to be. The valving only responded to hard hits. Besides, if it’s rough I’m pumping.

    Braaap!

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