2002 Giant DS3
 

Nope I didn't buy it but my cousin did. He is a clydesdale rider as well and wants to upgrade the stock shock. I realize this question has been asked about another Giant but I am not sure as to what will fit and what won't. Any suggestions? Spring rate etc...

He sits in the 220 pnd range.

Thanx

Just making sure here....but you are talking about the rear shock or the front? I'd assume the rear? :p

If so, well here's some info to help you out. The shock eye to eye length is 6.50 and the stroke length is 1.50.
The DS needs a little heavier spring that some other bikes....the leverage ratio is a bit higher on it. Sorry I'm not good enough to give you a spring weight for him right off the top of my head.

If he's got the cash go for a 5th element....nice shock...for some it can be tough to tune properly.

If not....check out Fox...nothing to special...just dependable.

I don't know if any of the other companies make anything to fit that application...I bet they do..I just don't know myself.

Oh there's Romic too....they have all different sizes to fit a ton of bikes.

:beer:

Thanx. That at least gets him started. I think his goal is to ride it until stuff breaks and then replace it :)

If he's looking to just put a heavier spring in there, the MAX you can find in QBP and most places is an 850 lb for a 1.5 stroke. If you want a heavier spring than that, you're going to have to get one directly from FOX. I wanted a 900, and couldn't get one. I ended up calling FOX, they had a 950 and a 1050. I went ahead and got both since I couldn't find them. The 850 provides a bit too much sag for my 235 lb self, and the 950, not quite enough, but I'm using that one. I don't know if I'll ever use the 1050, except maybe a XC race where the course if flat!

So, long story, but I would recommend he try an 850 if he's 225 lbs.

L8R

I was able to find quite a few shocks. I sent my cous an email to let him figure it out. But when I was looking this up - for that bike it has a max spring of 550pnds. Would it be safe to go that high A2?

Well, different bikes have different max rates. Also, different shocks have different max rates. The max rate for my Intense is 850, but I figure a bit more won't exceed their safety factor.

I'd e-mail Giant and ask what they recommend for him. Maybe 650 would be the "MAX-max" I would try!

L8R

Thanx A2 I get wes to email and ask. Cheers

I would take a look at what Romic has to offer. I run a Romic on my DS1.