Coil or Air? What would you choose?

Here at the Wolf Den, we get quite a few purchasing and technical assistance requests through our inbox, and one that we see regularly is buying advice on air shocks vs. coil shocks. Usually, the responses we give aren’t as easy as this or that, best or worst. Mountain biking is a highly personal sport. Everything from fashion to ideal performance traits is up to each rider, and that’s one of our favorite things about this amazing sport. When it comes to friends or fans reaching out before buying a new bike that can be spec’d with either an air or coil rear shock or if they’re toying with switching a bike, they already own, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider when putting air shocks and coil shocks to task.

For this video and test we chose to work with Pivot Cycles and used their Mach 6 as our official test mule since it’s got a nice rising-rate suspension design that compliments a coil shock and will also work well with an air shock. It’s also a bike we’re big fans of and beyond that, it’s one that we’ve gotten several questions about from friends and readers who want to buy one and can’t decide which shock to get. If you’d like to learn more about the Pivot Mach 6, we Dissected it earlier this year and you can check it out here.

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[KiwiInGermanyMTB]

Less maintenance with coil and it looks cooler. Chicks dig coil

[andrewcox]

Since switching to coil I’ve really enjoyed the plush stuck to the ground feel, currently I can’t see myself going back to air anytime soon

[thim]

I have been talked out of coil shocks for a long time. I just bit the bullet and put a rockshox coil ultimate with bottom out feature on my decoy. Best shock I have ever had.

[topspot]

Switched to coil on my 2021 Mach 6 and couldn't be happier. I ride mostly bike parks, lotta air, more flow than tech, but was curious and just wanted to see what I was missing.

I was a little nervous about staying more planted on jump trails, but I haven't noticed any limitations at all. If anything, it's a lot more plush on the landings and more predictable.

Tech trails feel a lot more comfortable and stable, and overall it's better than air.

If you're riding bike parks and debating, don't get caught up in the marketing jargon and buzzwords. Coil is better than air, you won't notice a single difference in weight and you'll be a better rider as a result.

[andersonsridebikes]

Both is definitely the way to go! This makes your bike more versatile and makes you likely to actually get your shock serviced and rebuilt when needed because you have a backup to keep you riding

[topchoice]

Another good day when the loam wolf posts a video about my favorite MTB subject good stuff bro

[ET-nswz]

As a 200+ pound rider coil just makes sense my air shocks on the same frame went from 160 Travel, to which felt like 120 by the time I was done with my run runs and the reply I got from Fox, was with an air shock. You’re just gonna have to take more breaks. Let your shot cool down. Or good or coil. So I went to coil Push 11 Six with 2 settings I get the progressive feel I need and the stuck to the ground feel.

[dietervmorgan]

One of the better air VS coil reviews I've seen. Great content.

[TheMTBRider]

Evil Offering V2
Went from the stock X2 to a custom tuned Push 11.6
I noticed only improvements, it’s more alive, more fun, more grip, more everything! And didn’t notice the weight honestly as it even climbs better

[ChefIan]

Really digging coil with a progressive spring here on the SoCal chunk. It’s a touch under the recommended spring weight to start which leads to an extra plush initial stroke. But it ramps up smoothly to provide tons of support and a bottomless feel. That said, I’d be really interested to see you guys do a review on both progressive springs and the Sprindex adjustable rate coil. 👍🏽

[adrian_veidt]

I worry less about maintenence and service ever since I switched to coil shock.

I don't know why but it kinda feels more plush.

[lars_atx]

Great comparison and info. thanks again.

[Kidsandthekooks]

Switched to a coil a year ago. As a small 120lbs person I prefer it over the air. It just feels less harsh for me and I feel like I can get it set better for my weight. Maybe it’s in my head but I love it.

[jayjones]

Currently on a '22 switchblade and a cane creek tigon. Traction is unbelievable and pop is a little diminished, but I'm changing up springs to see.if I can get it just a little better

[patrickvannerum]

I own a Switchblade that came with an air shock. Last year I bought a coil. So now I run both depending on the season. I like the coil for bikepark riding because it’s linear suspension. Especially after landing jumps to get that extra plushness.

[pacmanfrog]

Switched to an air from a coil and love the new set up. Easy dialing it in. Way more playful and a faster set up. Feels better on long climbs too.

[archiex]

I recently bought a Pivot Firebird that was supposed to come with coil but turned up with air 🙄. As a Moto Mechanic by trade I embraced the air / new technology on my last 2 bikes but really wanted to try coil and with the DW link geo with anti squat the Firebird ticked all the boxes ! The LBS where quite apologetic about the cock up and ordered a coil for me & said take the bike and swap once the coil turns up 👍👍 Cool 😎, so I got to test the air, dial it in and ride every different type of terrain for 3 weeks then bang the coil with a Springdex adjustable coil and after a bit of tweaking it is perfect 🤩, with so much traction on slippery climbs and pedals that well I don’t need to use climb platform lever . Plenty of support on jumps and so much smoother on the small to medium chunk, breaking bumps etc . I actually ended up with both as the LBS sold me the air at cost but I’m that happy with the coil I can’t see it going back on until the coil needs a service 😎🤟Cheers 🍺

[legniak]

The low maintenance of coil is a huge plus

I've been going back and forth in my mind if I want to put a coil on my 2024 Bronson, Living here in Oakridge we don't have a lot of jumps, and lips to worry about, and some times, I feel like having my back tire more planted would be nice.

[TeamCykelhold]

If one of the choices is an X2, go for coil unless you want unreliability and expensive service you can't easily do at home. I love a good air shock, but it needs to be reliable and easily serviceable.