Forum menu
So im looking for a new shock for 160mm travel bike ive been looking at the Cane creek Kitsuma and recently got to spend a bit of time with one and liked it but im still drawn to the X2 from Fox .. My question is are they still as "iffy" as they were a few years ago for failing and mixing oil or have Fox sorted that . I would i be better just sticking with the home serving friendly Super deluxes .
They are meant to be fixed now.
I’ve got a Float X that I’m very happy with.
Ive had 2 x2s now and neither was mcuh cop. Both squelch, one was a factory spec and one was a performance one. I didnt get on with either, perhaps its me I just prefer Rockshox. On a 160mm bike I would go coil assuming the frame is suitable as they are so much nicer that air shocks and the weight penalty worth it on a long travel bike IMHO.
Im not really a coil fan due to the extra weight, Ithe frame has a super deluxe atm which is ok . Long and stort im not a brakes off straight line smasher so a heavy hitting shock proberly isnt needed. I have looked at the float X I have one on my Tallboy and while its great on there im not to sure it would suit a megatower . Ive not seen anyone else fit one on a mega .
Look at the Cane Creek inline coil. The weight penalty is negligible. The benefit for me is less about the hard hits and more about far superior small bump sensitivity + the Cane Creek climb switch which at least back when I bought it was unrivalled if you have a bike that benefits from a climb mode in the rear shock.
I had a coil in the Alps and i really noticed the weight when I got back to the UK and moved back to air .
That’s some sensitivity to extra weight if you can notice 3 or 4 hundred grams on a 15kg bike. I’d pick a kitsuma over the x2 any day even without factoring in the reliability issues. It has a much more usable damping range, the downside is it’s easy to mess it up so if you’re not a suspension faffer it might not be the best option
X2 issues are fixed for 2024 versions I'm reliably informed, and any 22/23 shocks affected are being fixed under warranty with the 24 revisions under warranty by Silverfish too apparently... So no need to be so concerned any more I'd suggest.
Can't particularly help with the what shock to buy dilemma mind... Having the same conundrum myself (just bought a super cheap Nukeproof Mega frame without shock in CRC's fire sale)... Typically I prefer Fox, and have been particularly happy with older X2's and the Float X on my Orbea, but there's lots of cheap 230mm shocks around at the moment and part of me is intrigued to try something different.
2023 super deluxe ultimate air is better then a float x. Although the float x is ok - I’ve got one.
I wouldn’t buy an X2 until some of the 2024 spec ones have been around a while without issues.
Kitsuma air is good and loads of adjustments.
Curious about the new RS Vivid as a heavy hitting air shock but they haven’t been out long.
I had a couple of older X2s and they were really good shocks.
I did still prefer the Cane Creek DB Air though (predecessor to the Kitsuma). I also preferred that to the Inline Coil FWIW.
Yes coil shocks are great and I have them on two of my three MTBs, but an air shock will often have a bit more pep and pop - and there's the ease of adjustment too.
Heard good things about the new Vivid. Dunno how you go about getting the correct tune for your frame if buying aftermarket though. I assume it doesn't have the wide range of adjustment of the X2 and CC.
Heard good things about the new Vivid. Dunno how you go about getting the correct tune for your frame if buying aftermarket though.
Me too.
A mate who's the technical editor for one of the online mags has been testing one for a while and loves it.
I've had one on order for a couple of months that should be here this week.
They do a special tune specifically for the bike I'm putting it on.
I have a fox DPS, cane creek dB coil and cane creek db air for my geometron.
If I'm going for some two day bike packing ride with road the fox goes on for a full lockout for the road.
If I'm having an uplifting experience the coil goes on. Mine is old and has no club switch
The cane creek air goes on most of the rest of the time.
I would hesitate to buy a shock that has been "fixed" for two versions until a year has gone by.
So I'd get a cane creek inline. I've been looking for one for a while.
{Stealth add anyone got a cane creek inline coil in 190*50? }
I wouldn’t buy an X2 until some of the 2024 spec ones have been around a while without issues.
^ this. I think we've all heard the 'we've fixed this' line from Fox before, but until that's proven in the real world I'd avoid like the plague.
I had a squelchy X2 on my 155mm travel bike. Before it went squelchy it worked well, but nowhere near as well as the Cane Creek IL Coil I replaced it with. I couldn't give a shit about the extra weight and I'm just a normal trail rider.
I use a Fox DPX2 on my 130mm travel bike as it can't accept a coil, although TBF the air shock works well enough on that bike.
I have a fox DPS, cane creek dB coil and cane creek db air for my geometron.
Love this approach.
Have thought about doing similar with a mid-travel trail bike, but I know I'd be too lazy to swap the shock over much.
It's worth having two shocks for when it comes to sending a shock off to service. I was doing the same with a Fox DPS and a CaneCreek Coil IL... but this year the Fox has been left in the toolbox for all rides. Even on big day out type rides, I find that the Climb Switch on the CaneCreek is far more usable than the lockout on the Fox. But I also have a hardtail... which probably effects what I want from the full suss.
It is nice to have the option of air and coil. At the moment I’ve got a float x and a Kitsuma coil. Most of the time the coil is non there as the bike is just way more capable with that shock - more grip everywhere.
But recently I’d been running it am with the air just for a more poppy sort of ride just for a change. Seems to jump better with the air shock on there - although you get a noticeably harder time through janky / rooty stuff.
Fox gave me a new Factory Float X when I blew my Bomber CR for the third time.
I was going to sell it and rang Cyclinic to order a DHX2, but they talked me into trying the Float X first.
And they were right, it's bloody good. Talked themselves out of a sale.
Plus I wouldn't compare it to a Super Deluxe Ultimate, that's on another level.
chakaping
Free Member
I have a fox DPS, cane creek dB coil and cane creek db air for my geometron.Love this approach.
Have thought about doing similar with a mid-travel trail bike, but I know I’d be too lazy to swap the shock over much
I think the coil went on all summer, the DPS was on for 3 weeks before and after a Bivi weekend and the cc air was on the rest of the time. So maybe 5 swaps a year.
I like having the "right" tool for the job.
The bike will always be limited by me. It probably makes very little difference to anything that could be measured. But the feel of the locked out fox shock not bobbing compared to the coil/ the plushness of the coil compared to the fox/ the lifting the bike having swapped the coil off.
All worth the price of a shock service 😉
There was a recent thread about shocks - I've got a TIGON on order for the Rune which currently has the X2 on it. My view on the X2 - poop. It feels dead and yes it is the "fixed version" which kashima coating.
My previous Spitty's had the DB Air HV Can on, and that was awaesome on the bike, now siting there like a pretty paper-weight, in contrast the RS whatever it was and the DPX2 that were on the same bike were utte crud as well.. (both of them went in for warranty) - come to think of it, the only shock never warrantied was a Romic..
Let us know how you get on with the Tigon. It's intriguing, but mostly unknown.