How To Buy The Right Size Rear Shock For Your MTB

Whether you’re building a bespoke MTB from the ground up or replacing a broken suspension unit, you’re going to want to buy the right size! The wrong size shock can damage your frame, rub on certain parts or change your frame kinematics beyond recognition, so it’s an important one to get right! Anna’s here with some important tips, and measurements to help ensure you purchase the correct option.

⏱️ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - What Do I Need To Know About Shocks?
01:26 - Coil Shock Or Air Shock?
03:44 - How To Measure Your Rear Suspension
07:38 - What About Shock Mounting Hardware?
10:48 - Any Other Suspension Compatability Issues?

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[jaffaa]

4:59 little frame color damage caused by shock hit 😇😁

[bjornjohansson]

Amazing, bikes in general are masters of confusing sizes and types 🎈🐻👌🏾

[smithandshortdogs]

Great video as always Anna... In reference to needing two measurements for your new shock you might actually need three. Fox for example sells HV and LV versions of many of their shocks which have different diameters. If you get the HV for a frame speced for an LV you could damage the shock and or frame as they may impact during travel... much the same way as a coil might hit on a frame designed for air.

I may have also missed it in the video, but I don't remember a mention that just because you cannot find your preferred shock I the right stroke doesn't mean you are out of luck. My frame (Epic Eco VII) requires a 190x40. Fox does not currently sell a non Kashima Float SL in that size, but it is apparently fairly simple for a suspension shop to destroke the available 190x45 down to 190x40.

Cheers!

[JB]

Sprindex coils! Spring rate range built in and adjustable by hand.

[semadragun]

Awesome Anna thank you.
Your bike is gorgeous btw love it!😍

[kerolacap]

Certain countries like mine its really hard to find 200x57

[CharlesSmirnoff]

You haven't mentioned can diameter.My bike came with Rockshox Monarch solo air. I cannot upgrade to any Rockshox with debonair because the air can has a larger diameter and it will hit the bottom of the top tube.I am stuck with models with solo air with the smaller diameter.Unfortunately solo air models will be phased out

[padyakerongmanoy]

Is the trunnion width is standard to all shock?

[sharkfinn]

All the springs I've encountered always seem adjustable without removing the entire shock.

[sgsimagery]

Not all hardware is cross compatible. for instance Rockshox hardware does not suit Fox and vice-versa. I have noticed that Rockshox hardware is a loose fit in a Fox shock.

[ish]

What is the most accurate way to measure rear wheel travel? I have a Cascade components rear link and an over stroke shock and I don't technically know how much rear travel my bike has

[LawrenceMacMacster]

If you have access to a 5 axis CNC mill you just make your own links, then pretty much everything will fit.
Eh it's cheaper than a fully loaded Santa Cruz Bronson 😂

[cberg]

Can you still fit a rear shop that has an eye to eye that is slightly larger than the stock ?

[wistyTw]

Shoud i get the new spindrift or yt capra 3 for thech trails and a bit bike park

[Flyingsquirel]

Hello what if you can’t find your bike frame online ? It’s an old red and white specialised xc (stunt jumper I think ) but can’t find it so I need help lol 😂😭

[JeffMTBinVA]

Great video Anna. I have been considering swapping for a piggy back shock. #ASKGMBNTECH With brands going out business (NP, Vitus, etc) when it comes to replacing bushings and bearings, especially if it was a proprietary one, how do we do that? This would be a great video and you could use one of your old Nukeproofs.

[trailseeker]

#askgmbntech I have a Canyon Spectral 125 which has a RockShox Deluxe Select+ (210 x 47.50) as a rear shock and I want to upgrade to a Super Deluxe Ultimate but there is none on the market with those dimensions (or any other brand for that matter). Can I get one which is 210 x 50 and put a 2.5mm stroke reduction spacer? Thanks!

[MsTatakai]

I wonder how it feels to have a rigid to soft progressive shock ... seems to me the natural thing to have but yeah never tested it but kinda wanted to feel it =P

[Nicolas-lxqo]

You do that video with a brand new years frame Just read the spec!, that video should be done with a old bike that you can no more find the spec online! And the number mean nothing, my specialized demo have to be a shock wiith a angle at the bottom on the top of the shock where it bolt.... Fox and marzocchi air shock not fit, only vivid air fit and ohlins