I have a 2001 Jamis Dakar expert with a mix of XT and XTR 8-sp components. It's a horst link bike with 4" of rear travel, and currently has a Fox Vanilla (non-R, non-anything, just the basic one) with an 800 lb spring. Up front it has a Manitou Black Super Air fork with 100mm (~4" travel). I'm 190lbs, not including gear.

I love the bike despite it's weight (28-ish lbs) but the one weak link I've identified is the rear shock. It soaks up hits fine, but when it compresses over a bigger bump, it doesn't seem to have much rebound dampening, and when it decompresses it sort of "launches" you. So, I've decided to give it an upgrade and get a new rear shock with adjustable dampening.

I originally decided on a RockShox Monarch RT3, but NO one has them in stock in my side (6.5x1.5). Since I have to wait a month for anyone to have that shock in stock, I decided to ask the forum to see if anyone has any alternate recommendations.

I do fast singletrack riding, nothing crazy, no big drops, just lots of roots, and the occasional log. Pretty much what you'd consider cross-country.

Should I be looking at something other than the Monarch?