What’s decent air* shock wise nowadays?

Not talking upper end EXT stuff, more the fox/rockshox mid market stuff? Are Float X2 now reliable and better than the standard  Float X Performance (which I have, with a worn shaft), is the RS Super Deluxe any good, did Cane Creek ever build a reliable shock? 😉

Or am I just better getting my Float X fixed?

*Levo frame, so few coil shock’s are recommended

Very happy with my cane creek db inline. Superceded now by the kitsuma which has easier dials to adjust and a piggyback option.

Personally I’d buy the current Rockshox Super Deluxe for trail riding.

Float X is alright generally but not as good as the super deluxe – I’ve recently got an X2 and can’t say it’s mind blowingly better. Plus the jury is still out on whether the 2024 modifications have fixed all the problems from the X2 produced from 2021-2023.

X2 is a chunk heavier than the Float X / Super Deluxe too – as is the new RS Vivid air.

I’ve not owned a Cane Creek air shock – but have the Kitsuma coil. It seems to be a nice piece of kit – but I think they’re a bit needier than Rockshox / Fox in terms of more regular servicing.

The Super Deluxe keeps blowing me away when I get on a demo bike with one on. RockShox upped their rear shock game there. DB inline is good as well… especially on shorter travel bikes when you’re after a poppy feel. Not ridden an X2… but they seem to be sorted now in terms of returns… they don’t come back any more.

I’m on a CC Kitsuma Air which is very plush, but then I was coming from an old Fox RP2 via a RS Monarch. Took a while for me to figure out the dials but glad I spent the effort. Would happily have another one.

Shoot me but I like my float x. Had one on my whyte e-160 rsx and have one on my Pivot shuttle lt. Once set up it’s rad. I have a ohlinns tx22 air on my firebird and hates the fox x2 I tried

I like my Float X. Super Deluxe is supposed to be better.

However OP, I’d just repair what you’ve got.

RockShox have really upped ther rear shock game, I just picked up a Vivid Ultimate fir my Rail and I’m realy impressed with it, has HBC which you usually only get on top end stuff, wpuld be a good option for the Levo

Again  Kitsuma  air here .  very very impressed with it .

TBF to RS the Super Deluxe does seem a big improvement over the woeful Monarch.

Don’t rule out Manitou air shocks. They are good quality and have a wide tuning window. I like my Mcleod. It was pretty cheap, works well and has proved to be reliable, 5 years in!

This is the posh version of the Mcleod:

Got a 2021/22 X2 and been the perfect shock for me, Zero issues but from everything I’ve heard guess I must be the lucky one. Makes an annoying ‘zip’ sound which is just the air seal on the kashima coating kind of a noise. Pre 2007 old school ever lasting fox products used to have a very strong coating, but also very smooth, no noise! But all the newer stuff either wear out in a season or kashima which is noisy IME.

I’ve been really impressed with the super deluxe with a megneg on my Levo, on both the standard linkage and cascade.

I reckon the Cane Creek DB Inline is the shock to beat for short travel bikes. And they are reliable now.

Haven’t tried all the latest enduro-type shocks, but heard really good things about the new Vivid.

cheers for the replies, will mull over my options , but they all sound good. I have no issue with my float X  performance, but wanted to know the lay of the land elsewhere