Q on MTB rear shocks



G

GWood

Guest
I've been looking for a replacement shock for my wife's 2001 Stumpy since we
found out the dinged casing would probably require a $100+ repair.

If eBay is any example, it appears that 6" X 1.25" travel shocks are getting
increasingly rare. Used ones are getting quite a bit of action. On the
other hand, 6.5" X 1.5" travel shocks are pretty common and relatively
cheap. Be relatively, I mean you can buy a new one for less than a used 6".

Somebody on alt.mountainbike responded to an earlier post where I inquired
about
whether I could use a 6.5" X 1.5 shock on a Stumpy, and said "it won't
work". Without further details, I'm still curious. Can anybody tell me why
this wouldn't work - assuming the shock was set up right (slightly
underpressured?), why couldn't it emulate the same travel and "resting"
size, given the adjustabilities available with air pressure. Can anybody
explain what the differences would be in feel or function to try using this
larger travel shock?

Thanks
Gary
 
"GWood" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've been looking for a replacement shock for my wife's 2001 Stumpy since
> we
> found out the dinged casing would probably require a $100+ repair.
>
> If eBay is any example, it appears that 6" X 1.25" travel shocks are
> getting
> increasingly rare. Used ones are getting quite a bit of action. On the
> other hand, 6.5" X 1.5" travel shocks are pretty common and relatively
> cheap. Be relatively, I mean you can buy a new one for less than a used
> 6".
>
> Somebody on alt.mountainbike responded to an earlier post where I inquired
> about
> whether I could use a 6.5" X 1.5 shock on a Stumpy, and said "it won't
> work". Without further details, I'm still curious. Can anybody tell me
> why
> this wouldn't work - assuming the shock was set up right (slightly
> underpressured?), why couldn't it emulate the same travel and "resting"
> size, given the adjustabilities available with air pressure. Can anybody
> explain what the differences would be in feel or function to try using
> this
> larger travel shock?
>
> Thanks
> Gary
>
>

Gary

I can't say I know the answer to this question. Have you asked Specialized?
Even if you can't use the longer shock (which I'm inclined to think will be
the case), they might be able to point you in the direction of a
replacement. I'm pretty sure FSRs aren't too fussy about the shock itself
(well, damping), as long as it fits. By the way, if it's a 2001 shock and
it's not had a service, it could probably do with some attention anyway.

I'll ask my tamed spanner monkey friend if I remember and get chance...

In the mean time, good luck hunting

Skippy
E&OE
 
Per GWood:
> Without further details, I'm still curious. Can anybody tell me why
>this wouldn't work - assuming the shock was set up right (slightly
>underpressured?), why couldn't it emulate the same travel and "resting"
>size, given the adjustabilities available with air pressure. Can anybody
>explain what the differences would be in feel or function to try using this
>larger travel shock?


I'm no mechanic, but the first thing that comes to mind is what happens when the
sus bottoms out? Seems like with the right-sized shock in there that the shock
takes the hit - but with a longer-travel shock the frame would take the hit.

Dunno what the consequences, if any, of that are though...
--
PeteCresswell
 

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