Mountain Biking - Fox Vanilla Shock - User comments? Does it suck?

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probable556
08-13-07, 06:28 PM
Anyone use the Vanilla rear shock? I getting a new frame next week with this preinstalled and am wondering if I should take off the Vanilla that came with it and sell it as a brand new "take off" and replace with something else.

The frame is a '06 Kona Kikapu and an thinking about swapping the rear with a Floar air shock instead of the coil. I ride XC and focus almost entirely on speed, but I'm not a weight weenie.

themower
08-13-07, 07:02 PM
I ride the 06 kikapu with fox vanilla shocks. So far, it is great with minimal bobbing while pedaling for XC.

I have also ridden the 07 kikapu and giant trance with air suspensions. For me, the Fox Vanilla shocks seem smoother, although they are probably a bit heavier (not sure how much)
ed
08-13-07, 08:43 PM
My Vanilla is actually the Van R. ('07 piggyback version) I love it.

dminor
08-13-07, 11:12 PM
Vanilla is an alright shock but has no rebound damping adjustment (chelboed's Van. R does). This would not be an issue if the factory setting exactly matched that bike for your exact weight, preference and riding style.

If you can upgrade to an 'R' (Float or coil) it would be a good move; but not the end of the world if you cannot right away.
probable556
08-14-07, 05:14 AM
Vanilla is an alright shock but has no rebound damping adjustment (chelboed's Van. R does). This would not be an issue if the factory setting exactly matched that bike for your exact weight, preference and riding style.

If you can upgrade to an 'R' (Float or coil) it would be a good move; but not the end of the world if you cannot right away.

I don't know a lot about the FOX product line, but it seems like you are right with the Van OEM install lacking the dampening. Weighing 210 lbs don't know how that will affect me...

Does anyone know the eye-to-eye length on the 06 Kikapu rear shock?