Rear suspension question.

[The Smoovf]

Hi Hubbers

 

Would there be a specific reason why Santa Cruz would spec the Superlight 29 with the Fox RL and not the RP23?

 

Is this just to make the Superlight more of a “budget” bike or is there specific reason as the bike is a single-pivot?

 

Would you guys rate the RP23 as a good upgrade or a RS Monarch? Read in one of the other forums that the Monarch is giving them awesome results.

 

All input appreciated.

[patches]

My Morewood Ndiza is single pivot and runs an RP23... so yes, i think it's just a cost cutting thing.

 

You can upgrade to an RP23 as long as the eye-to-eye and stroke is the same as the original shock.

[dirtrider]

And the amounts of Pivots should not really make a diff , although we all know single pivot is the best !

[TNOSE_E]

And the amounts of Pivots should not really make a diff , although we all know single pivot is the best !

 

+1

[Hairy]

Smoovf .. how fussy are you and do you constantly fiddle with your suspension to understand it better or to adjust it for trail conditions ... .if the answer is yes, then you the RP23 is a must vs the basic rear can.

 

I have also heard good things RE the Monarch, but have no personal experience with these.

 

If you can / want I would advise getting the best rear can you can afford.

[Iwan Kemp]

Hi Hubbers

 

Would there be a specific reason why Santa Cruz would spec the Superlight 29 with the Fox RL and not the RP23?

 

Is this just to make the Superlight more of a “budget” bike or is there specific reason as the bike is a single-pivot?

 

Would you guys rate the RP23 as a good upgrade or a RS Monarch? Read in one of the other forums that the Monarch is giving them awesome results.

 

All input appreciated.

 

I think you need to say first why you want to upgrade. What is it you're not getting that you'd like?

[Goodbadugly]

I think you need to say first why you want to upgrade. What is it you're not getting that you'd like?

+1

[geecee]

i have a rockshox monarch rt3 and what a difference, i came from an mc3.1 and it just feels so much better.

cant comment on the fox side of things but the reviews i read for the monarch were good, so its not just me that enjoys it

 

edit: reason i changed was i damaged the rear shock and it wasnt worth repairing. i thus opted for a new shock after being unable to find secondhand, didnt actually realise at the time i could have gotten a cheaper shock. glad i got the rt3 tho in hindsight. much better ride.

Edited May 30, 2012 by geecee

[The Smoovf]

I have only ever ridden a HT, so I don’t have any experience with rear suspension. I don’t have a large knowledge base on the different rear suspension designs and just wanted to find out if the use of the RL was specifically for the single pivot design.

 

If I am going to upgrade then I would possibly do so when the RL gives up the ghost.

[Iwan Kemp]

Cool.

 

RL = It has rebound and lock out

RP23 = It has rebound, lock out and three stages of platform dampening

1 = plush and locking it out will not have a great effect

2 = sort off middle of the road setting. Won't be a plush, but will have greater platform dampening and lock out will have a noticeable effect

3 = firm pedaling platform and lock out will all but completely lock the shock depending on the amount of sag you run to begin with

 

So, like Hairy said, if you're a fiddler or well-versed with all things suspension go with the RP23. Lots of settings to dial and tweak to get the suspension to your liking. If not, stick with the RL. IMO it's a great shock and more than what most people will ever need. Marketing and consumerism tells us the RP23 is better and therefor costs more and comes spec'ed on higher priced bikes.

 

RP23 vs Monarch? For me Monarch takes it hands down. Small bump performance is much better than the RP23. no need for Kashima or other tech to get it plush, but again you'd first have to decided what it is you're after before you part with your hard-earned cash.

Edited May 30, 2012 by The Crow

[Andre Maree]

I have only ever ridden a HT, so I don’t have any experience with rear suspension. I don’t have a large knowledge base on the different rear suspension designs and just wanted to find out if the use of the RL was specifically for the single pivot design.

 

If I am going to upgrade then I would possibly do so when the RL gives up the ghost.

 

If I were you I would replace that can with a Monarch RT3, that cheap can does not belong on your cool bike. The RT3 is the version where the lever has 3 positions. I just dont like doing climbs with a soft rear its an energy waster. I currently use a RP23 and it performs great but I dont like the fact that flicking the lever just does not make a big difference, and then also its a bit fiddely to change between the 3 propedal settings. The RT3 is less fiddely to change between settings while riding and the settings itself makes more sense than the RP23. Then the RT3 is a bit cheaper too.

[Iwan Kemp]

If I were you I would replace that can with a Monarch RT3, that cheap can does not belong on your cool bike. The RT3 is the version where the lever has 3 positions. I just dont like doing climbs with a soft rear its an energy waster. I currently use a RP23 and it performs great but I dont like the fact that flicking the lever just does not make a big difference, and then also its a bit fiddely to change between the 3 propedal settings. The RT3 is less fiddely to change between settings while riding and the settings itself makes more sense than the RP23. Then the RT3 is a bit cheaper too.

 

!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

!

 

ROFL.