[OGRipper]

Ok, I'm rebuilding my '03 Heckler and mulling shock options. I just had the 5th Element coil rebuilt but am considering a DHX or maybe even a Fox RP3 or Manitou air shock. I'm about 195 lbs and will use this rig as an all-rounder, definitely climbing and trail riding but will also use it for dirt jumping and light downhill/freeride. For those in Norcal I'm talking about Pacifica, Downieville, Sand Hill, Santa Cruz singletrack, etc. I've got a vp-free for lift-assisted DH and park stuff, and a blur for epic xc rides, so I'm looking to fill the gap. (Yeah, poor me, I know. I've worked hard for my toys and am grateful for them but can't seem to stop.)

I'm hoping for a Fox 36 but may end up with a z1 or firefly plus depending on what's up with delivery of the 36's. I want to keep it as light as possible but since it'll get ridden pretty hard at times I'm worried about an air shock. I like the idea of having the ability to adjust the platform damping on the fly, so that points to fox. DHX with Ti spring might be the ticket, but I'd love to be able to get away with an air shock because of the weight advantage. Thoughts? Any opinions will help but I'd appreciate a little explanation for your comments. Thanks, OG.

 

[Supa8]

What did you not like about the 5th coil? Other than my 03 rear shock mount bushings wearing too quick I have been happy with my 5th coil.

 

[seismic]

Well, - I have never ridden a Heckler, - but since you can get an Avy on it I do not see why not !!! That is what I would do ......

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

 

[OGRipper]

What did you not like about the 5th coil?

I do like it, it's just that it's heavy as sin (given the project goal of relatively light weight), I'm not crazy about the small bump performance when I dial in my preferred level of platform, and the platform damping is not adjustable on the fly. With the 5th I need to pick a setting and stick with it, but some of the rides I do are the kind of thing where I climb for a long time then descend for a long time, so it would be sweet to be able to switch off the platform damping at the top. This is not about what I need, it's about what I want...

 

[OGRipper]

Well, - I have never ridden a Heckler, - but since you can get an Avy on it I do not see why not !!! That is what I would do ......

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

Gaah!! Seismic as I was posting I said to myself, "Someone, probably Seismic, will tell me to get an Avy within the first three responses..." Congrats man, good job! Seriously though, does an Avy give me lighter weight or on the fly platform damping?

 

[seismic]

Gaah!! Seismic as I was posting I said to myself, "Someone, probably Seismic, will tell me to get an Avy within the first three responses..." Congrats man, good job! Seriously though, does an Avy give me lighter weight or on the fly platform damping?

No way...it does not give you that at all ...but it gives you a super nice damping and a bling bling shock to put on your bling bling Heckler...

 

[OGRipper]

Dude, I'm OG. The bling don't mean a thing.

 

[buildyourown]

I've heard that Progressive has new internals for the 5e that are supposed to improve small bump performance. Perhaps an update/rebuild from progressive would scratch your itch without spending a bunch of money.
Otherwise, my vote goes to the RP3 or DHX, depending on how much weight matter. I don't have one yet, but I've heard some people say they actually prefer the RP3 over some coil shocks even when comparing pure performance. ie, not just weight

 

[OGRipper]

I've heard that Progressive has new internals for the 5e that are supposed to improve small bump performance.

Funny, you might have heard that from me! I posted something about it not too long ago and in fact just had mine rebuilt. I will definitely try it out before dropping the cash on something new, but even if the SB performance is better the 5th coil is still relatively heavy and not adjustable OTF.

 

[seismic]

You ride faster with a higher bling factor....

 

[seismic]

Gaah!! Seismic as I was posting I said to myself, "Someone, probably Seismic, will tell me to get an Avy within the first three responses..." Congrats man, good job! Seriously though, does an Avy give me lighter weight or on the fly platform damping?

Always happy to be predictable.....

 

[OGRipper]

You ride faster with a higher bling factor....

Oh snap, why didn't I know that? Maybe I should get me some of these:

http://www.deuce-usa.com/

 

[buildyourown]

Those are awesome. I was wondering when some yahoo would make those. How sweet would it be to show up at the start line of a nat sporting those!
And maybe shorter springs so your bike would be slammed down to a 8" bb.

 

[Jm_]

I've heard that Progressive has new internals for the 5e that are supposed to improve small bump performance.

I've spoke at length with progressive about their "small bump performance". The problem is that having a platform means you are going to loose bump performance, period. The higher the platform, the more performance you'll loose. Because a platform shock "ignores" inputs below the threshold, it's always going to be that way. It can be "drilled out" to increase the flow and small bump performance, but then you get zero platform. Any time you add compression damping (a platform is like 100% compression damping with a blowoff) it is going to make the shock ride harsher, and decrease the suspension performance. You can't have one without the other.

The DHX operates in a similer way, if you pump the PSI up so that it is firmer under pedaling, it decreases the sensitivity of it and makes it harsher, the propedal adjustment doesn't seem to have a big effect on the suspension feel, but falling-rate bikes like the heckler (and my FXR) need more psi in that shock to "firm" them up so they aren't bobbing everywhere. On other bikes this isn't so, as with my Iron Horse SGS. On that bike I can run really low PSI in the shock and low propedal and get a simply fantastic ride with little bobbing. This is due to DWs design of the bike though.

IMO, the DHX easily beats the 5th at suspension ability, and it "sticks" to the ground much better. The adjustments are excellent and you can really tune this thing fairly easily due to the usefull ranges of adjustments.

 

[MikeD]

Get a Fox Vanilla for $50 and send it to Push, possibly...? I think Ti springs are cheaper for the old Fox shocks, too, since they're smaller in ID.

I don't mind an air shock, myself, though...

MD

 

[OGRipper]

Thanks Jm, those are helpful comments. I know how the "platforms" work and am aware that it's tough to find something with a firm pedal platform AND good small bump performance, that's why I'm leaning towards a fox with propedal that I can adjust on the fly, that way I can have the firm feel for long fire road climbs, the mid setting for rolling stuff, and the plush setting for DH style. The more I think about the more I realize how that will be important for this rig, since my intent is for it to be very versatile. I guess the question now is whether to get a dhx or new fox air shock...

 

[ohio]

I told mine I was pregnant and it was the father. That was my favorite shock even though I was just kidding.

 

[bikenweed]

I told mine I was pregnant and it was the father. That was my favorite shock even though I was just kidding.

lol

I'm trying to decide between getting a Fox air shock (RP3 I believe?) that's a shorter eye-to-eye to get my Heckler lower and slacker, or simply selling it and getting a 2005 Specialized SX. Only problem is, I dunno how much shorter I should get the new shock...