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Submitted by
Ian Mathews
a Cross Country Rider
from Morgantown
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | plush, easy to use, light, | | Weaknesses: | when compressed all the way in. it takes a while to rebound... way to long to rebound | | Similar Products Used: | fox float | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher sugar3+, gary fisher hookooekoo, specialized Sworks, gary fisher super caliper, mongoose zero g-3 | | Bottom Line: | the sugar uses the AD-5 exceptionally well. with just 100 Lbs of air on the lower link hole (the + model sugar has adjustable B-links) it runs great and with no bob. however when im using hte top link and somhwere around 150 Lbs and i hit a large bump. the shock will almost bottom out and make a loud hissing sound and take mabey 2 seconds to rebound... i dont know if this is right, my fox didnt do that. pressure is still good, its not leaking.
in my opinion if you get a sugar... get the one with the fox shock. the AD-5 is good for a base price but nothing compares to fox's rear shocks.
all in all its a good little peice of equipment and it hasnt fubard yet | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don T
a Cross Country Rider
from Bt Timah
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bt Timah Nature Reserve | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$46.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Very light. Easy to instal & service. No complications. | | Weaknesses: | Non, as I am not a fan of the lock-out system but may be important for some enthusias. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Coil shock. | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kikapu | | Bottom Line: | Simplicity is very important to me. Being a weekend rider, I do not have much time to mess around with the technical aspect of an mtb ride. A shock must be light, tough, simple to use, economical, & does it's intended job. It's quiet on the trail, not like the noisy rattle I've to live with on the FOX coil shock. Moreover, the weight-PSI guide is good enough to tune to the rebound desired. Great for amatuer riders like myself. Could be too simplified for competitive types. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Woodard
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Wheat Ridge | | Strengths: | Simple design. Clean action. Easy (super easy) service. Great for XC. | | Weaknesses: | Light on options - but this is something the buyer sees before making the purchase so I'm not sure if it can qualify as a weakness. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded Fuel 80. | | Bottom Line: | This is one of the last pieces of original equipment that remains on my Fuel 80. I considered upgrading to a lock out version like the Cloud 9 but it's not necessary for my frame. The AD 5 feels great on the climbs and takes the edge off on the downhills.
The seals started to leak after a few years. I purchased a new set for $30 and installed them in ~20 minutes. Super easy with clear instructions!
I don't understand why Cane Creek doesn't get more notoriety. It seems like most of their products get great reviews. I'm definitely a fan. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
V8
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Riverside Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Large Volume Air Chamber, Simple, Light, Good Customer Service (custom bushings -for a price-) Works. | | Weaknesses: | No external Adjustments. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR 2004 custom built wheels with hope xc front, saint rear with hone derail, xt front derail, fox 2004 talas RLC. | | Bottom Line: | No worries shock that works very well. Some bob while pedaling since there is no platform dampening, but pumped up just right you can eliminate it. Very large diameter so it might be hard to fit on some bikes, it barley fit mine. Works better than a comparable fox shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TheBigC
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rollercoaster | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay, baby | | Strengths: | LIGHT!! Tough. Looks nice. Works good. | | Weaknesses: | No external adjustment. What do you want for $35? | | Similar Products Used: | stock RSX coil shock. | | Bike Setup: | GT XCR5000. All XT and avid. | | Bottom Line: | works very nice. Definately better than the heavy crap that came with the bike. New shock took several pounds off the bike, I kid you not. Got the tune up kit from Cane Creek (shipped to the door within a week) and it helped tame the ejection seat effect a lot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Azmi Zack
a
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Timah | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Strength? All said by other reviewers already. | | Weaknesses: | NO tweeky techy features. | | Similar Products Used: | other air shox n coil overs. | | Bike Setup: | A bike frame n GIRVIN CROSS LINK ELITE FORK. | | Bottom Line: | The main reason I used this shock is because it's the only shock in the world that can fit a Girvin fork. Givin fork came outfitted with a (crapy) coil-over shock or the smart shock. The Noleen is noisy n the smart shock is heavy. AD5 out-do this setbacks. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gabe camut
a Cross Country Rider
from johnstown, pa
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | home made singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$175.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat bicycles | | Strengths: | i love the amount of versitillity this shock has when i know i'm gunna be climbing i'll set it hard when i'm doin singletrack i'll set it softer i love it plus they got me a shock pump to go with it.... i love speedgoat | | Weaknesses: | i have a trek y-1 and where the valve is to set the psi is in a funny location so when i want to change the psi i have to dismount half the shock , this probably won't be the same with many other bikes | | Similar Products Used: | had a coilover? | | Bike Setup: | trek Y-1 cane creek ad-5, easton ec-90 bar ea-70 stem , shimano spd pedals, irc serac tires | | Bottom Line: | bottom line i love this shock and would NOT trade it for ANY OTHER SHOCK it has great adjustability and performs awsome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryce
a Cross Country Rider
from Springville Ut, USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with bike | | Strengths: | Good Shock. You hook up the pump to it, pump it to whatever you need and your off. Simple to use. Easy to take care of. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom out easily. Even when the pressure is high. | | Bike Setup: | Garyfisher with lots of STYLE | | Bottom Line: | Its a good shock. I like the set up of it and how it works. It's a good shock if your using it just for a bike ride. If you racing you might consider a different shock, but i guess its a good shock for racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marco alberio
a
from milano, Italy
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | come with bike | | Strengths: | strong (my weight is about 200lbs), easy maintenance, competely adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | many settings are internal and require partial shock dismount...but AD10 or AD12 have these external settings ;-) | | Similar Products Used: | DNM ST10RC, Stratos Helix Pro | | Bike Setup: | Trek VRX300, deeply customized... | | Bottom Line: | AD5 is the entrylevel shock from CaneCreek but this means no compromise value, only set up is little complex due internal settings. I'm happy for its sensibility, you can forget that AD5 is "air" shock, seems use spring, expect its weigth...
My next shock ? Why change it... however it will be from CaneCreek, sure ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
POSER NUMBAH ONE SDV
a Cross Country Rider
from DENVER
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | CAME STOCK ON 2000 SUGAR 3 | | Strengths: | QUCIK PERFORMING, LOW MAINTANENCE SHOCK. CAME STOCK ON THE BIKE I BOUGHT TWO YEARS AGO, AND IS STILL RUNNING STRONG. | | Weaknesses: | FINDING THE PREFERRED PSI IS A PAIN IN THE ASS, AND THEN KEEPING AT THAT LEVEL SUCKS. NO LOCKOUT, AS MANY OF THE NEWER REAR SHOCKS NOW HAVE. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | STOCK EXCEPT SOME FAT BMW PEDALS AND SOME NEW WTB TIRES. RIDE HARD 4 - 5 TIMES A WEEK. | | Bottom Line: | DECENT SHOCK FOR BEING AS OLD AS IT IS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE AD-5 EXACTLY, BUT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR. MAYBE JUST AN OLDER MODEL. OVERALL, I DIG THE SHOCK AND HAVE NOT HAD A DESIRE TO REPLACE IT. IF I HAD A CHOICE, THOUGH, I'D DIG A NEWLY DESIGNED SHOCK WITH LOCKOUT AND OTHER TECHY FEATURES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Casey
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Montlake Bicycles | | Strengths: | came with the bike, i like the adjustable travel, i like the adjustable air pressure, but can't say i've used either yet. | | Weaknesses: | I bought the bike, and after the first ride it lost all air pressure completely. Pumped it back up, and while I was going for my second ride, it lost pressure completely on the way home. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that the shock should work on a new bike.. it didn't. The good news is that I had my new shock in about 2 weeks (I was on vacation for one of them), so it didn't really effect my riding time. I would have been pissed with Cane Creek if it was my commuter bike or mid-summer. The new warrantied shock works just fine after two rides, and haven't had to pump any new air in it since installation. I have nothing against Cane or Fisher, just though I would pass this info on as an un-biased consumer.
3 Chilis for each rating because I love the shock now, and Montlake has EXCELLENT guys in the shop, but I still wish my $1400 bike would have come with a working rear shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quince
a Racer
from USAF Academy, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came with Bike | | Strengths: | No air leaks, low maintenance | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | First full-suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3, Duke Race fork, XT everything, Chris King headset | | Bottom Line: | This is a great rear shock so far. I weigh 180 and keep the pressure around 140psi eventhough Cane Creek says 190psi. Will probably never ride a hardtail again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from City of Lights
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | light, good control for XC, EXCELLENT customer service, have to take apart to adjust damping | | Weaknesses: | have to take apart to adjust damping | | Similar Products Used: | Coil over/oil | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y | | Bottom Line: | Will buy again, light, great for XC (as it's designed for); don't think there is enough shock there to be doing downhill or big drops except maybe for a real lightweight? Only have to adjust air pressure if I want to change firmness. Set and forget damping internally if you really need to. Fairly warm around here so maybe won't have some of the problems other guys talk about possibly because of the colder climates? Customer service is tops (had a couple of problems with mounting hardware). Will post again if problems develop. Note: Not a biggie but used a couple of ultra-thin stainless steel "washers" on the mounting bolts between the bushing plugs and the frame so the alloy bushing plugs in the shock wouldn't be rotating directly against and possibly wearing the frame. It still left a small amount of space so binding or wear on the plugs shouldn't be a problem. Probably need to pull apart and clean and lube every so often as the mounting bolt, at least on my setup, is also the pivot "axle" for shock movement as I don't see how the pressed in plugs can move in the shock eye. For the XC lighter use trek type riding and reasonable price, and customer service, can't beat it. 5 torches x 2 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bigjay
a
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | conyers | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bicycles East in Charlotte, NC | | Bottom Line: | This shock is super light and relatively inexpensive - it's the absolute lightest shock on the market - and nearly bomb proof. You can tear the thing apart and service it your self quite easily with tools you probably already have.
I called the folks at Cane Creek to get a replacement seal kit and they sent it out immediately. The kit arrived by mail the very next day and I rebuilt it in around an hour which included having to read through the instructions. The same rebuild could be completed in about 20 min now that I've done it.
Can be pumped up and left for long periods. I usually check the pressure once every couple weeks and it has rarely lost more than a couple psi. Can't wait to try the Cloud Nine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Rodriguez
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bergen Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Littleton Cyclery | | Strengths: | Excellent factory warranty. Very light and trouble free. It works as intended. | | Weaknesses: | The shock blew its seals and wouldn't hold air on the first ride. Cane Creek replaced shook right away and since then I have been riding the hell out of it with no problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Coil and oil shock, maker unknown. It moved if you dropped from anything higher than five feet. | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3, Fox Forks 125RL, a bunch of RaceFace stuff, XTR parts mixed with other lower Shimano stuff that works as well. Hutchison Python tires. | | Bottom Line: | This thing works. I don't bottom out and I don't hear clunking noises. I weight 190lbs and I ride agressively in the Rockies. I keep my air pressure around 120psi but I only check it once a year because shock holds air rather well. I haven't done any maintenance to this thing other than lubing the shock with Tri-Flow and keeping it clean. I don't like adjusting stuff so not having external adjusting thingies is better for me (less headache). The experts give this shock a bad rap but I cannot find a problem with it. I'm a happy customer thus the five flaming turds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pat
a Weekend Warrior
from santa cruz ca
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | with bike | | Strengths: | easy to maintain
good customer service | | Weaknesses: | loses air
breaks very easily
weak | | Bike Setup: | sugar 4 | | Bottom Line: | This shock sucks it started after 2 months of riding (i am only 120lbs). Don't buy this shock. Cane Creek customer service is nice an they replaced my shock after it broke. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOHN SCHOONOVER
a Cross Country Rider
from REDDING, CA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | boulder creek/ whiskeytown | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Weaknesses: | keeps losing air/ junk | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I KEEP READING THE REVIEWS FOR THIS SHOCK AND ABOUT HOW GREAT CANE CREEKS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS. WELL MAYBE THEY'LL CONTACT ME AFTER THE READ MY REVIEW. I THINK YOUR SHOCK SUCKS. I BLEW UP THE FIRST ONE ON MY SUGAR 3 IN 3 MONTHS. THE SPORTS COTTAGE WAS REALLY GREAT AND GAVE ME ANOTHER ONE, BRAND NEW. GUESS WHAT, IT LEAKS NOW, 1 MONTH LATER. WHY WON'T THIS AIR SHOCK HOLD AIR? AND NO. I ONLY WEIGH 160LBS. SO I'M NOT A BIG GUY BEATING THE HELL OUT OF IT.
I'M LOOKING FOR A GOOD REPLACEMENT NOW. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from Aptos,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Braille Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Simple design easy to maintain and service. Great customer service. | | Weaknesses: | No rebound adjustment. Incorrect psi settings in manual. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | Good product. I have taken it apart 3 times. Once because the o-rings wore out and twice to change the rebound and volume settings. Ask Cane Creek for a tune up kit and for a sugar with its large lever action 80-100psi is plenty for my 195lbs. Also change out the rebound valve screw to the smallest or most damping. Helps get rid of the eject feeling on steep downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Elliott
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kanata Lakes | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Super easy to maintain... I like the Air for changing the shock depending on what type of riding I am doing. | | Weaknesses: | None so far... | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Deluxe | | Bike Setup: | 01 Fisher Sugar 3, Z3 Air, Hope C2 Disc, XT | | Bottom Line: | This is a great shock for XC. Only a few inches of travel, but again, this is for XC.. if you want a DH shock, get a DH Shock. The manual is a little sketchy, saying I need 190lbs or pressure.. for my riding style, I usually keep it around 90 to 110 lbs.. that makes the shock plush, yet stable. So far I have not had a problem with bobbing, or with phantom shifting (That might just be the B-link geometry too).
One thing I like about this shock, is that you can alter the psi to accommodate different riding styles. On the trail one setting, on the street another. No need to swap parts or anything... just get a good Fork/Shock pump. I bought mine at www.spokewrench.com.. makes altering the ride a snap.
Great shock.. overall a winner! 5 chillies!
Joe
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun Pitzer
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Harbin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Cyclesport | | Strengths: | Light, durable, relatively plush | | Weaknesses: | None found yet besides no rebound adjustment | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 00 sugar 3 with xt brakes, shifters, selle italia seat, velociraptors, atac's | | Bottom Line: | So far this shock feels real good. I haven't had to do any adjustments or maintenance on it yet. I weigh 190 and use about 160 lbs in it and have a little bob, but nothing noticeable. It does rebound quick, and I know that it can be adjusted internally, but I think I will try the AD-10 next time, just for the external adjustments. Otherwise, a good shock and I will ride it till it blows.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dustin
a Cross Country Rider
from charlottesville, va, us
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | smooth stroke, but short of plush on the Sugar i ride, that is however mainly cuz of the suspension design. | | Weaknesses: | not damped at all on the rebound. quite expensive, but worth it i think | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Float RC | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | this is a great shock, since damping is not as important on rear shocks. if you are like 200 pounds and need the pressure up, rebound will give you a CLUNK all when it doesnt rebound into your ass. would get it otherwise, say 160 lbs or less. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sultan, WA.
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | Speedgoat | | Strengths: | Inexpensive. Light. Holds air. Low stiction. Looking forward to being able to service at home. | | Weaknesses: | Clunks a bit at the top end. Helped me to lower air pressure a bit | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Coup Deluxe | | Bike Setup: | 1998 Specialized FSR Comp. Zoki Z2 Atom 80. Cane Creek AD-5. All XT drivetrain. MountainSpeed bearing kit. Mavic 517 rims. Koobi Au Enduro saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent shock for the money. Excellent customer service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Jordan
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz,CA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | slickrock,Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Simple strong construction.Easy to work on and Cane Creek customer support is the best I have ever encountered. | | Weaknesses: | No rebound adjustment. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | My fisher manual said run 200lbs of air for a 195lb rider.After calling Cane Creek I was informed 90-130lbs is the proper setting with the fisher b-link design. Once that was set it worked flawlessly.This is one of the best simple cheap shocks out there. Only 4 chilis for no rebound adjustment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tassajarra
a Racer
from somewhere
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Stone Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Soft, light, smooth, can handle moderate drops with a 150lb rider.
| | Weaknesses: | loses air a little. Nothing bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Float RC, Risse, something else i forgot | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 4, Manitou Mars, Python tires | | Bottom Line: | This shock rules! I might upgrade to a lockout though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lunatic_nic
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirkland
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gailbrath Mt --Bellingham | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bothell Bike and Ski | | Strengths: | Light and Durable. | | Weaknesses: | The stupid pump, but oh well i can fill with any pump.
| | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher 4 Stock | | Bottom Line: | I commute and I ride the singles so i get a lot of use out of whether its droppin in or ridin the stairs to work. I love it. I would go with the adjustable for a little more, but this came with the bike. I recommend this to anyone who wants to be ablt to keep up with the hardtails on the grinds and sail past them on the descent. Get it, got it, GOOD. 5 chilis for performance 5 for value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Weyer
a Racer
from Boca Raton
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Markem Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light and smooth | | Weaknesses: | no external compression and rebound adj. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox shox | | Bike Setup: | "Sugar" and spiced to the MAX | | Bottom Line: | This shock came with the bike and has work great the whole time it has been on. Customer support is GREAT at C.C.!!! I just rebuilt mine last night. Cost--$13 Time-- 45min (the next time is will be about 20 min) The rebuild is very easy to do! BIG ++++. For everyone that has one make some internal adj. on it to fit your weight and riding, you'll be glad you did. This shock has all the same features and the AD-10 & 12, except you have to open it up to make the adj. I know, I just bought an AD-12. The AD-5 rides just as nice as the AD-12 when it is set up right, it just doesn't have external adj. So if you don't need the external adj. stick with the AD-5 and get a tuning kit and a rebuild kit and save some cash. Racers go with the AD-12 and you will not be disappointed. Also I have owned fox shox which work good but they are expensive to get repaired. I like fox but for me the CC work just as good and I can make all repairs for 1/10 of the cost of a Fox Shox | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay Bailey
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mountain & Seattle streets | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Light, retro-looking, light, smooth, light | | Weaknesses: | Have to refill with air preiodically, No external adjustments for compression or rebound. | | Bottom Line: | I plan on eventually replacing this with and AD-12 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rollo
a Weekend Warrior
from Tauranga, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Flippin Oropi | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Penny Farthing Cycles, Auckland | | Strengths: | Light weight, unbelievably user friendly... so easy to rebuild. Big and fat therefore mechanically strong. Cane Creek support is second to none. My original shock was a Fox Vanilla coil unit which gave me just under 100mm of travel. The AD5 has more shaft movement for some reason and I'm measuring about 120mm travel on my rear wheel!?? | | Weaknesses: | Adjustments are all internal (except for air pressure) but that's a trade off for the cheaper price. Odd-ball aluminium bushings. I had to machine custom-made ones anyway because it's not meant to fit my bike. The only way I could get it to fit is to mount it upside down. It has worked flawlessly from day one! | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Float, RockShox Sid | | Bike Setup: | Avanti ADX (four bar linkage) 9 speed Shimano Deore everything, RockShox Psylo SL fork set-up to 115mm travel | | Bottom Line: | I had this unit for about 6 months and it was OK, until it was time for the scheduled rebuild and I found out it was set-up all wrong for my bike. There are 3 positions for a backing plate that makes the compression travel linear all the way to progresive. I changed it's position to all the way out (most progressive, least volume of air) and my bike was absolutely transformed... beautifully matches the travel and plushness of my front Psylo SL. I can use less pressure without bottoming out.
My suggestion to AD5 owners out there is to have a play with these adjustments. If you want more rebound, order a tune-up kit and change the rebound "jet" for a smaller one. Compression dampening can be altered by changing the thickness of a shim... intructions are easy to follow. I know it's a pain to trial and error, but if you're mechanically inclined, it can be fun and definitely worth it. If you're not, get the AD10 or AD12.
My unit has never leaked air, even through a cold winter. Special tip: there's an O-ring in the main seal cluster that goes over three small holes on the piston shaft. This one wears out quicker than the other O-rings so keep an eye out for flat spots. I've had to change this after 1000km so it pretty good. Also try RockShox Red Rum if you've run out of original Cane Creek lube... the unit seems to be plusher.
Five chilis for value, but only four because of the hassle of internal adjustments. My next upgrade will be an AD10 or AD12. These shocks are awesome! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
neil m
a Racer
from lehighton, pa
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | no bob, absorbs alot | | Weaknesses: | no rebound adjustment! | | Similar Products Used: | hardtail.. | | Bike Setup: | sugar 3 stock | | Bottom Line: | i nearly broke my leg going off a jump because there was no rebound adjustment on this thing, as soon as i landed my back tire sprung straight up and i did a double flip (i stayed on the bike cuz of my clipless pedals for the first flip) and on the second one, i mangaged to see what was going on and so i unclipped and dove out of the way of a tree, although i was lying on the ground for a couple minutes, i wa sok except my knee still hurts (its been 2 days) i thought i broke some ribs but they are ok...
well anyway, i recomend getting the Ad10 or which ever is the cheapest one where u can adjust rebound | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Relatively easy to repair, nice feel | | Weaknesses: | Can lose its seal | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher, Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I like this shock for the most part, but it lost air suddenly on me after 8 months and 1,500 miles of riding.
That is the bad news. The good news is that after
I took it apart I found that the plate on the
piston shaft had simply come unscrewed. I put it back together and was back on the road in only 2 hours or so of messing with it.
It did not hold air for more than a day or two though and so when the seal kit I had ordered arrived, I took it apart again, used their grease and tightened everything a little better. The seals were in tact so I did not mess
with them. It has not needed air for 2 weeks and
so gets to remain my rear shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Light, smooth, no bo, no bounce, perfect in every way | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Cupoe Delux | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose NX 8.3 | | Bottom Line: | This shock rock -- it's perfect, and I mean it! My old Coupe Delux used to bob & bounce on climbs, then bottom on big hits, plus it weighed a ton. This shock it light, smooth, doesn't bottom, climbs like a hardtail, absorbs anything you throw at it. Doesn't matter what I drop off of, it cmpresses, rebounds exatly once, and stop -- off we go. Best money I ever spent on my bike.
I'm running it as suggested by Cane Creek -- 180 lbs pressure for 170 lb rider. I used a $15 cigarette lighter air pump (goes up to 250 lbs) to pump it up -- no silly shock pump.
I'll post later if it dies, but @$25 for a rebuild kit, I almost don't care.
5 because I love it, 4 because there might be something better, but not at this price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jorg Nannestad
a Racer
from OSLO
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Østmarka | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | None. It dosn´t work. | | Weaknesses: | Clunk, leak, leak, leak, clunk, clunk..... | | Similar Products Used: | Strato shock | | Bike Setup: | SUNN Neuro, OBSYS, Race Face, SRAM, Michelin, Mavic | | Bottom Line: | F... Cane Creek | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | cycle path | | Strengths: | light, inexpensive (if you need to replace) it's a shock can't complain very much, great customer service | | Weaknesses: | just some clunking, not plush but hey its an air shock | | Similar Products Used: | n\a | | Bike Setup: | sugar 3, shimano wh-m535 wheels, conti explorer pro(front) traction pro (back) | | Bottom Line: | i've had this on my sugar for like 9 months now and the only prob i had is that when it gets really cold like it does up here, something freezes and everytime it rebounds and clunks but now that summers round it doesn't do it anymore. had to have it revalved cause i accidently went off a ledge that i didn't know was there and didn't have enough air in it so it blew up, but cane creek sent me free valves no prob. 5 for value, cause it's cheap and four just cause of the damn clunking | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Downhiller
from Juneau, Alaska
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dredge Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | the shop now out of business | | Strengths: | None.
Who should buy it? Nobody! | | Weaknesses: | Mushy, made for 140lb kids even with 260lbs of air loaded. Leaky seals right off the shelf. No adjustability other then air load. | | Bike Setup: | Trex VRX, Rolf Wheels, Avid Breaks, | | Bottom Line: | Leave this shock for the newbie light weight kids that don't mind hauling their shock pump everywhere they go. If your body weight is over 180 your throwing your money away. I suggest you toss the shock instead. It's like riding a bowl of oatmeal. Their are so many better products available for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Maiden
a Cross Country Rider
from Roanoke,VA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Buck's Rut | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | East Coasters | | Strengths: | Easy to check and fill air | | Weaknesses: | I've had some problems with leaking. Got an new one(under warrenty) and it is now leaking (slow), and clunking real bad on the rebound. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden a sid, and a coil over | | Bike Setup: | Stock sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | I'm thinking about upgrading to another shock as this one has given me trouble. I love the way the sugar uses the travel, but this shock is only slowing me down. I think anyone shoping for rear suspension ought to go elswhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Walton FL 32547
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | bob's cycle | | Bottom Line: | I just purchased a trek fuel 80 that came equiped with this cane creek shock. Over all it seems like a decent performer, my only complaint is that it rebounds to quickly from large hits. I have read through the crane creek rebuild instructions and found out that this can be adjusted by changing out an internal screw containing the rebound air passage. Can someone please email me if you have done this and tell me how effective it was. I am not supper satisfied with this shock as it comes out of the box. I think a shock with oil damping would have a better feel, but am willing to try adjusting this one to see if I can get it to dampen better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Gehret
a Cross Country Rider
from Provo, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | supergo, Oceanside, Ca | | Strengths: | Super lightweight. Good Dampening. Easy to maintain. | | Weaknesses: | On the first day of trying it out, I was out bouncing around the parking lot, and after two minutes, the air had completely leaked out. I pumped it up and did it again, and the same thing happened. I took it to Aardvark Cyclery, and they warrantied it, without problems, so 5 chilis to Aardvark. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock shock Deluxe. Fox Vanilla. | | Bike Setup: | Stock Gary Fisher Sugar 3. | | Bottom Line: | Took it to Moab last weekend, and it was a complete dream on slickrock. soaked up all the bumps. Will post followup in a few months, to see how it holds up. Only four Chilis due to initial warranty issue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Woodstock, GA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Stock on GF Sugar 3 | | Strengths: | Maybe the lightest weight rear shock on the market. A no frills, 2-1/2" travel, adjustable air shock that you hardly know is there until you take a hit. It is completely unnoticeable while climbing until you get out of the saddle. I'm a 180 pound climber (not an impressive bomber), and the psi guide was right on target. Don't have any experience with the AD10 or Rock Shox rear shock, but I can't imagine they're so much better that they justify the extra cost (and weight). | | Weaknesses: | Small chamber -- if you call that a weakness. It doesn't take much to overfill or let too much air out while measuring the psi. Just dial it in and leave it alone. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | Very inexpensive, very light, and great for XC riders who want a dependable short travel rear shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
God
a Cross Country Rider
from Xandu, Heaven
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Edge Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came on da Bike | | Strengths: | Air shock, holds air, easily adjustible and tuneable | | Weaknesses: | I cant jump the waterfall at Edge Loop wit this... | | Similar Products Used: | Seatstay of my Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this shock to anyone who has a FS bike it is the best...say that this is a great shock..holds air...and is plush as hell...takes the edge of the singletrack and the edge of sharp rocks... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Brevard
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali trail system | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | holds air well, easy to gauge pressure, | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 | | Bottom Line: | The AD-5 holds air extremely well; it's easy to set the pressure right where I want it. It travels smooth. I would recomend this shock to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JJH
a Weekend Warrior
from USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | -It is light
-Plush
-Cost
-Looks cool | | Weaknesses: | -Bad rebound
-You have to pump it up (Its an air shock) | | Bike Setup: | Trek VRX 200 | | Bottom Line: | Its a good shock. Its very light and plush, but the rebound is slow. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Garwood
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Beast of the East | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light Weight - Well it is the the lightest shock in the world | | Weaknesses: | Um - haven't had it the long | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Coupe Deluxe` | | Bike Setup: | Changes to often to list | | Bottom Line: | Have only ridden this shock a couple of times but I can already tell way better than my RockShox (I got this shock for 30 quid and was trying it to experiment) mainly in the damping area, in the last review the reviewer said that the damping was not adjustable, this is not true, this shock is the same in every way to the AD10 except it is lighter, and the EXTERNAL damping adjusters are missing, you can adjust it internally. I'll post a better review when I have ridden it more but best 30 I have ever spent (so far) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Dalberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Mankato MN USA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | pink poodle | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The lighest shock made.
Inexpensive compared to other air shocks.
Takes on everything you give it. | | Weaknesses: | The AD-5 does not have adjustable dampening; the rebound on this shock is pretty bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla (3 yr.)
Sid (tested only)
Fox Float RC (tested only) | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-11 | | Bottom Line: | A nice shock for the price. It's super light also. I mainly do cross country riding but also take 5-6 foot drops on occasion but I've never bottomed out. It does well on XC but the rebound is terrible. Once the shock compresses it shoots back with seemingly no dampening at all. So this kind of sucks when Im flying over fun terrain and Im getting bucked off of my seat.
This shock was a huge improvement over the FOX Vanilla, much lighter, and more plush. My next shock will definately be the FOX Float RC with adjustable dampening and lock-out, but the price jump over the AD-5 is about $150. If you're just looking for an incredibly light shock that is pretty plush, I'd go with the AD-5. The AD-10 does have adjustable dampening but is around $50 more than the AD-5. The SID has adjustable dampening with its dual air chambers for positive and negative action, but I've heard it needs to be pumped up quite often. I do some trials riding in addition to XC riding, so I'd definately go with with FOX Float RC because of the lock-out option and adjustable dampening. The Float RC is fairly light also.
So for the AD-5...
+1 chili for being super light
+1 chili for being inexpensive
+1 chili for being reliable
+1 chile for being plush
But only 4 chilis as a result of poor rebound. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bobby Adams
a Weekend Warrior
from Delafield, WI
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma Carlin | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Its very plush for an air shock, and really sucks up hits
without bottoming out. | | Weaknesses: | A little hard to gauge pressure. | | Similar Products Used: | (Tested) the FOX air Vanilla | | Bike Setup: | 98 Schwinn S-30, Judy xc, all XT | | Bottom Line: | Great shock if air is your answer. Comparable to the FOX
Vanilla but won't burn through your wallet.
Overall, a plush shock with nice regulated rebound, and a great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monkeyboy
a Weekend Warrior
from South Dakota
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fire road | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smooth, well dampened, sensitive to big hits, but doesn't short out on the big stuff | | Weaknesses: |
You have to pump it up, but is that really a weakness? | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock shox Coupe Deloux, some other R.S. rear shox and some of those cheap ones you get at wal-mart. | | Bike Setup: |
Use a 2000 vrx 200, R.S. Judy XC, shimano guts and icon | | Bottom Line: | The rear shock is a dream almost. It floats you over some of these bumps like they ain't even there, and when it gets a little tough, it ramps up and doesn't let you bottom, it is a sweet shock that does the job climbing, descending in or out of the saddle (that partialy has something to do with frame design too, but a good shock helps). I would suggest this to anyone who needs a good shock that doesn't blow out like an R.S. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikolas Ojala
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampere, Finland
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
+ Very light, the lightest (160 g)
+ Simple
+ Looks cool | | Weaknesses: |
- Loss of adjustability ( for me it was ok)
- It is an air shock: Pump it up | | Similar Products Used: |
RST 56 (It is a coil over shock and I only tested it) | | Bike Setup: |
Wheeler 5000 CZX
Marzocchi Bomber Z-3
Some Shimano stuff
Cane Creek AD-5 Rear Shock | | Bottom Line: | I did not have any problems with this rear shock, but the whole bike was stolen
from me. So my experience with this particular shock was limited to three months.
A good working rear shocks without problem should mean full five stars, but I take
one away because the shock required pumping air into it sometimes. | | Overall Rating: |
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