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So im going to need a new shock shortly due to one thing or another , ive been using Rockshox super deluxe ult coils and airshocks on the last couple of bikes, I even tried the Cane creek Kitsuma which felt brilliant, but my eye keeps looking at the float x2 s and really the question is should I ? The RS air are easy to give aircan services to and the coil although heavier than Jupiters gravitational pull perform brilliantly I can help think are the X2s as bad as I read with reliability . The Cane creek is plain costly and serviing seems nore of a faff than the others so X2 or Rs point me in the right direction please.
I would not spend money on an X2 until there is more feedback on the reliability of the 2024 version. Prior to that there have been an awful lot of problems. Trunnion ones have cracked and all of them have had cavitation in short order.
Ivw read a lot of good stuff about the newest rockshox super deluxe air - if I were to buy an air shock now I think that would probably be top of my list - unless I wanted the adjustability of the Kitsuma air.
In terms of coil I think a lot of the shocks are decent - although it depends what ride feel you want. I’ve got a Kitsuma coil and I think it’s quite light on the damping - relying on the spring and leverage quite a lot to resist bottom out. If you like a plusher feel I’d look at an EXT Storia or the Ohlins coil which both have heavier damping.
If it helps, I took my X2 to silverfish / fox in Risca I had it 2nd hand off ebay and was only putting it in for a service and it was fully rebuilt under warranty to current spec.
Cost me a double pack of choccy hobnobs and a triple pack of jaffa cakes 👍
I'll never have another X2. When I had mine they weren't fixing them under warranty they were denying all knowledge of a problem which is always a dick move.
I don't live anywhere near UK HQ so I can't drop in and bribe them with biscuits.
<p style="text-align: right;">Thats the way I've been thinking ignore the x2 and buy into the Super deluxe again . The fact i can aircan service it aswell makes live easier and no daft tools from Fox for those bearings .</p>
If you fancy something like the X2, what about the new RS Vivid?
I keep being told go fox - getting hold of parts is way easier than Rockshox and when RS needs parts they’re almost disposable products due to parts availability.
i’ve needed warranty and parts for both my fox fork n shock out the box and latterly for fork bushes. After very little use.
my RS Ultimate forks n shocks on other bikes have never needed any attention other than servicing after masses of use.
Read into it what you want but I’d not fit another fox to my bikes again.
currently on Formula Selva fork. Its so good i’d seriously consider trying one of their rear shock.
<p style="text-align: left;">I’d rather a new Vivid than an X2. Working on the view it can’t be any less reliable 😆</p>
Thats my other option the vivid cheaper than the Kitsuma too . Id like to see the reviews on performance and longevity first though
I only have reliable stuff on my bikes bar Shimano brakes! which I would replace in a heartbeat with Hayes Dominion if I wasn't tied to i-spec and other compatibility issues. Then my bikes would be as good as I can reasonably afford. I have no SRAM products whatsoever (Monarch and Reverbs were absolute shite), but do accept they got it right off the bat with their top of the range Eagle 11sp 1x gearset.
If we are talking reliability don't rule out Manitou. Their shocks are good quality IME.
I'm running a Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select Plus on my Enduro. That's what it came with. The other 2 Enduros are running X2s as are both Tutbo Levos. After reading about all the problems with them we bought spares just in case and up to now they haven't been needed.
I'm being to think that just like ebike motors and batteries that you only hear about the bad experiences and that the majority that are happy you never hear about 🤔
Do you want air or coil?
If you like the Cane Creek, that seems like a good option and they tend to be reliable (don't mention the early air inlines) if not so easy for home servicing.
Heard great things about the new SD. Would also favour the new Vivid over the X2, but is is to too new for discounts to be coming through yet?
Formula Mod is a fair shout if you are interested in coil and can get one at a reasonable price (RRP was a bit spendy IIRC). The CTS system allows the damping to be dramatically changed with an easy home job. And the performance is on par with everything else mentioned here IME.
I have fox x2's on both my bikes. Performance wise I really like them. However, one of them is unreliable, lost damping, needed a rebuild (under warranty - which is very good to be fair), and is now losing air. So it'll need to go back again.
If I was buying aftermarket I'd probably be looking at something with better reliability.
Best shock I've used recently was a CC kitsuma coil. Didn't miss a beat. There are a few good options out there though so my choice would depend on who is selling what if I were buying currently.
I really didnt want the weight of a coil as even though its going on the bigger bike I still end up doing bigger days on it and I really felt the weight of the coil when I had that. I cannot lie coil is really king on bike park and Alps trips but most of the time airs fine.
I'm currently waiting on a Vivid air for my Levo.
Have coils on all my other bikes but the Levo really doesn't seem to suit a coil so this seems like a good option with the bottom out control on it.
Should be with me in a couple of weeks time. It's not in stock yet as it's a specific Levo tune.