Mountain Biking - Jekyll Owners w/ Manitou and Fox Shocks.....

Hi, kind of a newbie around here, though I have been lurking for awhile now.

I own a '02 C-dale Jekyll 700 that I ride nearly everyday. The rear shock on this bike is a Fox FLoat L that has held up pretty well to the abuse I dish out, though I have recently worn out the rear reducer and will have to replace the seals soon as well. Due to the fact that I ride a fair amount of technical XC style trails, I'm interested in eventually replacing the Float L to upgrade the shock to something with damping, to improve the ride quality and get rid of some of the pedal bob and reduce the kick back of the shock when pedaling seated. This basically means either finding a Float RL or going with one of the Manitou Swingers models that C-dale offered on the Jekyll in '03.

So anyone who has owned a Manitou shock, what have you thought of it? Hows the ride quality? Has it held up well to high usage, I'm in the woods every afternoon or at least every other day, plus use the bike to get to and from classes, so it takes a good amount of abuse.

Anyone have a Float RL? What has your experience been with this shock?

Thanks for the insight and info

I have a Fox Float RL

so far the shock is pretty damn good... no flaws yet, i just got the bike... almost a month ago and i like it

I upgraded my L to the RL a couple of years ago and I love it. I especially love turning it off when climbing to utilize all of my power. If only I could get my hands on a remote for the lever on the shock...

Anyway, it is super easy to change out. My replacement kit came with new bolts and everything I would need other than tools.

Do you need to get a whole new shock or can you upgrade the existing one with a kit. I've got the basic float and the bob is getting to me big time. Plus do they still make them or can you still but them with the shock collars - where should I be looking?

I got the whole thing from an LBS. I think it came in around $350.

Cannondale does offer a handlebar mounted lockout lever for the Fox shocks, it was offered on some of the high end Jekylls in '01 and '02 I believe. Message me if you want more info on it, I have a pdf on installing that should have the necessary part numbers to order if from C-dale via your LBS.

I'm planning on doing this upgrade sometime this winter, while the snow is to deep to ride and while my Headshox is out for a rebuild. From what I've heard, kit isn't cheap, something like 80-90 for the parts alone, but the install is pretty easy. Lever on the bar, run the cable down the downtube along the brake line, swap out the lockout lever spindle on the shock for the new one w/ the cable cam and you're done.

I agree, locking out is great on climbs, but I'm worried that a few hits while locked out made my rear reducer ovalized and now I have a play problem. Hopefully the new reducer that should show up tomorrow or Wed will solve this.

They still use the levers today on the Scalpel... i have seen them available on ebay, i will see if i can try to find it for ya

My LBS said that getting Fox shocks should be be feasible for the next year or so, and the Manitou for another year or so after that. This is due to Cannondale's phasing out of the Jekyll design for the new Prophet.

I was in NZ from Jan through May this year, traveling and completing a semester abroad. I didn't have the bike with me unfortunatly, so I didn't get to ride at all down there, other than a few crappy bikes for hire around the cities. You have a beautiful country down there.

Yeah its pretty cool huh, fingers crossed in a month or two we get to start riding in our nat parks after a 5 year ban

Hi, kind of a newbie around here, though I have been lurking for awhile now.

I own a '02 C-dale Jekyll 700 that I ride nearly everyday. The rear shock on this bike is a Fox FLoat L that has held up pretty well to the abuse I dish out, though I have recently worn out the rear reducer and will have to replace the seals soon as well. Due to the fact that I ride a fair amount of technical XC style trails, I'm interested in eventually replacing the Float L to upgrade the shock to something with damping, to improve the ride quality and get rid of some of the pedal bob and reduce the kick back of the shock when pedaling seated. This basically means either finding a Float RL or going with one of the Manitou Swingers models that C-dale offered on the Jekyll in '03.

So anyone who has owned a Manitou shock, what have you thought of it? Hows the ride quality? Has it held up well to high usage, I'm in the woods every afternoon or at least every other day, plus use the bike to get to and from classes, so it takes a good amount of abuse.

Anyone have a Float RL? What has your experience been with this shock?

Thanks for the insight and info
Manipoo sucks in my (never so) humble opinion. Save yourself some money and get your old shock PUSHED.
http://www.pushindustries.com/

Not inteding the hijack your thread, but what is the difference between the Float R and RL??

THanks

Ming

i heard the manitou swinger is pretty good w/ lockout?

No problem. I believe the differences are.....

Float L is an air sprung shock with lockout capabilities.

Float RL is air sprung, with adjustable rebound damping, and with a lockout feature.


Anyone feel free to add info/correct me if I've forgotten something or have this wrong.

I've read your comments on Manitou before as I've been lurking :lol:. I can't say anything for their products myself as I have never even sat on a bike w/ Manitou, rode one, or know anyone who owns any Manitou stuff. Maybe that speaks loud enough......


I like the idea of the Push upgrade, though it doesn't look like they offer it for the shock I currently have. Maybe I'll just have to bit the bullet sooner rather than later and grab a Float RL and if I'm still not completely happy with that, send it over to Push.

Do you know anyone who has had the Push service performed on anything they ride? Did it actually enhance the ride of the shock or improve it? How has it held up to riding?

Thanks for the info.

No problem. I believe the differences are.....

Float L is an air sprung shock with lockout capabilities.

Float RL is air sprung, with adjustable rebound damping, and with a lockout feature.


Anyone feel free to add info/correct me if I've forgotten something or have this wrong.

Awesome info, thanks. My bike came with the Float RL, and I notice very little pedal bobing with my 3D link suspension setup. Maybe it is down to the design of the linkages. My friend may sell me his 04 FLoat RL with Propedal (1 season light use) for 150ish, I'm not sure I'm even going to pick it up because I do not believe my bike really needs it :D

Good luck

Ming

I own a manitou fork and most of my friends have 4 ways on their duallies now. The 6 way had issues (which has now been discontinued) but the 4 way was solid and felt like any spv shock would. I would stand behind the slider 100%...unreal feeling fork :)

However...I would still just take my stock shock and get it pushed. Cheap, value and offers a stable platform CUSTOM to your weight, riding style and bike. That is unbeatable. If you want people who have gotten them try www.ridemonkey.com . A few races there have it done.

I've read your comments on Manitou before as I've been lurking :lol:. I can't say anything for their products myself as I have never even sat on a bike w/ Manitou, rode one, or know anyone who owns any Manitou stuff. Maybe that speaks loud enough......


I like the idea of the Push upgrade, though it doesn't look like they offer it for the shock I currently have. Maybe I'll just have to bit the bullet sooner rather than later and grab a Float RL and if I'm still not completely happy with that, send it over to Push.

Do you know anyone who has had the Push service performed on anything they ride? Did it actually enhance the ride of the shock or improve it? How has it held up to riding?

Thanks for the info.
You could always call or e-mail them to see if they just left it off the list. Sometimes stuff happens

http://www.nsmb.com/gear/push_industries_08_04.php

I forgot about the review. This guy you can talk to him directly on nsmb. Trustworthy fella.

Cannondale does offer a handlebar mounted lockout lever for the Fox shocks, it was offered on some of the high end Jekylls in '01 and '02 I believe. Message me if you want more info on it, I have a pdf on installing that should have the necessary part numbers to order if from C-dale via your LBS.

I'm planning on doing this upgrade sometime this winter, while the snow is to deep to ride and while my Headshox is out for a rebuild. From what I've heard, kit isn't cheap, something like 80-90 for the parts alone, but the install is pretty easy. Lever on the bar, run the cable down the downtube along the brake line, swap out the lockout lever spindle on the shock for the new one w/ the cable cam and you're done.

I agree, locking out is great on climbs, but I'm worried that a few hits while locked out made my rear reducer ovalized and now I have a play problem. Hopefully the new reducer that should show up tomorrow or Wed will solve this.

Actually, I did some homework yesterday and discovered that there are two options for you and I. The first option I found was the remote lockout kit from Fox, which runs about $80 and has gotten mediocre reviews. The second option--with better reviews, I might add--is kit number KF058 from Cannondale for $50 from any Cannondale dealer.

I like the second option.