Mountain Biking - Thinking of changing my rear shox.

I have a X-Fusion O2 rear shock http://www.x-fusion-shox.com/o2prime_main.html I haven’t seen much on this in reviews or even for sale anywhere. Any input on this brand and model? It just seems to be lacking something when riding. I was thinking of getting a Fox Float RL. Do I have something comparable to that now or would the Fox be a major upgrade. Thanks

Check eBay. I see rear shocks on there all the time. How heavy are you? If you're over 200 lbs, I highly recommend a coil over shock. I've seen numerous Fox Vanilla, Vanilla R and Vanilla RC's. You'll have to measure the center of mount to center of mount to get the length, and there should be a number printed on the spring of your existing that tells you the sping rate and the throw. Like 850 x 1.5.

Just over 200. I hope to be 180 soon. What are the better coil shocks.

Let's take a step back. What bike frame is this for? Secondly, what style of riding do you do mostly? (i.e. Freeride, XC, just cruising...etc.) I ride what I like to call Aggro XC. Not really Freeriding because I live in FL and we do a lot of flat in between sections to get to the fun stuff, and Light Freeride sounds wimpy.

L8R

This is what I got now

This is where I ride

and here

Lots of deep ruts

whole bike

This first trail photo is a downhill that is steeper than it looks in the photo and it has 6 inch to 1 foot ruts.
The place I ride also has a few 3 and 4 foot drops, and lots of deep ruts "knee deep" and deeper. A mt. bike, 4 wheeler, motercycle, and large 4X4s are all that can get back there. A standard 4X4 would not make it. It would get stuck on it's frame.

Since you're borderline Clydesdale, you can really go either way air or coil. I personally don't like using an air shock for anyone close to 200 lbs, because you are at the upper limit of the recommended range for an air shock. I would suggest switching to a coil over. Unless, you're a weight weinie. From the looks of your bike, you are NOT.

Rock Shox makes a decent one, the Deluxe or Coupe Deluxe. I prefer the Fox Vanilla over the RS offerings. If you want a sweet coil over, get the Vanilla RC. RC stands for Rebound and Compression. The Vanilla R only has adjustment for Rebound. I think Compression isn't as necessary, but it's nice to have.

If you want one of the best and most adjustable forks on the market, go for the Progressive 5th element, but prepare to pay big bucks for one, and I don't think they make one for your bike. Do a google and see if you find Progressive's website. I remember being there and they had a fit chart to see what shock fits your bike.

If you check eBay, you should find plenty of the Fox's there!

L8R