rear shock

[Nomad]

What's everyones fav rear shock? I'm in the market for one and was curious.

[skunkty14]

Air? Coil? What bike and type of riding?

[Nomad]

Air, stumpjumper, mostly x/c. I've got the afr brain valve right now but finding out it needs a $200 service every 1-2 yrs. The shocks 1 year old now and I liked it's performance, till a month ago. That means a yearly service for me. If I can service it myself for less I'll keep it, I have to look into that. If I can't and have to spend that kind of cake yearly I figured I'd see what other options are out there, something w/ less service issues.

[1adam12]

probably wont go wrong with a fox rp23. replaced the 5th element that came on my blur with it and it changed the rear end in a great way. can also be sent off to the magic elves at Push if you want it tuned just the way you want.

[skunkty14]

My vote would be RP23 as well, pretty solid air shock. You might want to check fitment with someone else if possible; I'm not super familiar with the Stumpy frame but seem to recall that fitment might be pretty snug picturing the frame.

The other route would be to buy another Brain setup and always have a spare, seems they seem to go kaput on a regular basis but Spec. takes care of the owners.

[bikerdom]

RP23 is a perfect shock for a Stumpjumper.

[cowsbark2]

I have the 2007 Stumpy w/ the Fox Float w/ the Brain. The yearly service was a simple air sleave maintainence ($15 and less than an hour's worth of work), I found instructions on Fox's web site. I would imagine the process is very similar for the AFR version.

[skunkty14]

I have the 2007 Stumpy w/ the Fox Float w/ the Brain. The yearly service was a simple air sleave maintainence ($15 and less than an hour's worth of work), I found instructions on Fox's web site. I would imagine the process is very similar for the AFR version.

True air sleeve service is typically a pretty easy maintenance item, but the issue I've heard of with Stumpies and Epics is the actual Brain going kaput. While I'm sure some folks can handle re-building the Brain, I've always heard that these just go back to Spec.

[Nomad]

I haven't been able to find any type of rebuild kit and shops are saying it's something that's sent to Spec. I'm sure I could handle the rebuild, just can't get the parts. I even e-mailed tech support at Spec. about a rebuild kit- have yet to receive a comment.
I like the AFR system and having a back up does sound like a good idea, thanks Tyler, but it's still an expensive annual service. I also wouldn't mind trying the RP23. Man I hate being in the poor house!
Think I'll get the RP23 or maybe a back up inertia valve or maybe I should ride my hardtail more, thus increasing the time between servicing? What a quagmire. I love that guy. Gigity-gigity-gigity alright!

[Jisch]

The Specialized board on MTBR is very active - do a search there if anyone has tried pulling that shock apart, it's documented there.

Also there's a guy from Specialized who monitors the board (Speci-Suspension Tech), you can post a question there with his name in the title and he'll get you answers. Although if Specialized considers that factory service, he'll just say that and its not likely you'll be able to get the parts from them.

There's a couple of people who have done the factory service on their e150 forks, but they had to find their own o-rings etc.

John

[Nomad]

Thanks for the help everyone! It seems the brain issue has been addressed with a new improved fade valve. When I send mine in they will replace it with this new valve.