I'm going to be ordering a new rear shock for my bike (2002 Giant AC 1). The Rockshock one is O.K. but I need a better one. I've looked around and Fox (coil over RC shock) and Risse' (Jupiter-5 coil over) and not sure which to get. Any advice? Comments? Info?

Thanx

I would look into one of the fox air shocks with a lockout feature if I were you.

Thank you for your reply.... though lock out is another moving part i don't need, and I've used air shocks before and dislike them badly...

I had a bad experience with my first air shock also. But my newer model that camw on my Jekyll has not failed me yet and been riding the bike for three seasons. I am psycho on downhills also so they have not been easy seasons.

Sam

I agree. And besides why lockout on an Ac. They are built for hits not xc ...If I knew more about specific rear shocks I would help but really thats one area I don't know squat, except air shocks are for xc.

That and lockouts on the wrong type of bike can damage the frame as it is built to move and not to be solid.

Most good air shocks... specially ones with lockouts have a blow-off valve to prevent you from doing something dumb like keeping the shock locked-out while hitting a 5' drop. That said, I agree with Maelstrom's caution. You still need to be careful. The blow-off theshold may be too far above what the frame was designed for.

I have a Fox Vanilla RC (RC stands for Rebound and Compression) meaning there are knobs to adjust these settings. Although it is a great shock, I've been thinking of upgrading to a Progressive 5th Element which is more adjustable, or a Carnutt or that one from Answer (can't remember model name at the moment!)

Duh, Answer is licensing the Progressive 5th technology and just putting their name on it!

There is another brand that a lot of people are using, but their name escapes me at the moment. I'll think of it and get back to you!

L8R

Avalanche

That's one of them, thanks!

The other is Romic.

L8R

STRATOS also makes rear shocks too....

From all the research I've done, I'm mostly interested in the 5th Element.

Send MikeOK a PM regarding his 5th Element, he just built up a Santa Cruz Bullit and has this on his bike!

L8R

I say go with the Fox shock. That thing is very dependable! I had one on my old super 8 and the freakin thing never had any problems. I have an AC also, and I'll admit I was kinda worried about the RS rear shock, but man the thing has been doing well!

The Romic is also a good shock! I have seen issues where the compression damping has blown out. They rebuild it under warranty, but it's kinda frustraiting being without a shock for a week or so.

I tried to order a fox for my AC a while back, and they seemed to always be outa stock of them. The size is the most widely used size so I'm sure that has alot to do with it. If you go with a new shock make sure you don't forget the new bushings for the eyelets, each company has their own size eye...so you need redusers and spacers(bushings) for them.

The 5th element can be a bear to tune if you don't know what you're doing. There are so many adjustment on it, it's tuff to keep track of what your doing. It's a great shock for a racer, but honestly for all around riding it's just to much. Dont get me wrong I love the design and the shock itself. There's just alot of tuning to do.

Well let us all know what you end up getting and what you think of it!

Just outa curiosity why do you need a new shock anyways? Maybe that could also help us point you in the right direction.

Risse is a good shock but the company is a pain to deal with. At least in my experiances.

You should look into getting an Avalanche or a 5th Element. If you can not get one in the proper size I would say get a Fox.

I do everything from 15' roof drops too extreme xc trails... I'm just not pleased with RockShox personaly, the only thing the make that I like is the Boxxer. And all the insane bikers in my town that run a RockShox rear shock has had problems with them (blown them up, broken them, or just bushing problems). Though the rear shock isn't bad mind you, it will take a thrashing that just about anyone can dish out. But i just want something else i'm not impressed at all with Rockshox(as I've said over and over)
-Damn you Rockshox!-

Hmmm I'm sensing you don't particularly like Rock Shox? ha ha. Ya if you got the cash and don't mind tinkering with the 5th element for for it! I can't say anything about the avalanche, since I've never had any experience with it...but from what I've read and the fact that you see em poping up on bikes more and more, I'd have to say it's worth a shot. And since you're into 15' drops, those two might take that abuse more than the fox.