Mountain Biking - Fifth Element

Has anyone had problems with the new 2004 5th Element shock. My wife has a brand new Blur with the 5th Element, she rides about 10 hours a week and has only had the bike since March. This weekend the shock started leaking oil and has pretty much turned to mush. We took it back to the shop and the mechanic said this was the 3rd 5th Element he has had problems with this month. Are there any other options out there, for a stable platform rear shock?

Thanks

bad batch?

It's a first year air shock. Bugs probably have not been worked out.

Is it a first year. I remember reading about them last year and people riding them?

But yeah bad batch possibly. Oem problems only. I am not sure but I dont hear too many complaints about them

It is the air 5th is it not? Everone I know down here (about 6 riders) that has a new blur is complaining about the shock leaking and blowing seals even after rebuilds. It seems it works great for a few weeks then dies.

:beer:

The Air 5th is a first year, the coil has been around though. I have heard a few complaints about the Air too, no personal experience. The coil 5th is bad a** though!

I have this shock on my 2003 Blur which I bought last year. This is its 2nd year of production. My 1st shock went to crap after a month. I had Progressive rebuild it (@ no cost), and thus far it's working fine. However, my LBS has told me that they've seen many problems with this shock. They've gotten several that were bad right from the factory, and many that have gone bad in short order. A buddy of mine got a dead one (wouldn't even hold air!) that was brand new.

The good news is that it's a great shock when it works. I hope my rebuilt shock holds up, but my confidence level is not good.

for other shocks that do the same thing Fox has ProPedal valving on their floats, same difference as teh 5th element just not as chique. Then Manitou, but i don't think they make a shock that fits on the blurs