Submitted by
Chuck Chrencik
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilsonville Alabama
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: Shock seals failed after 5 months .. Now the manufacture does not have any replacement seals or parts..I understand they no longer make this shock.. Do NOT PURCHASE a bike with this shock on it.
Bike Setup: 2005 Santa Cruz Blur.. XL frame. %th Element rear shock came with the bike
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Racer
from Little Hill, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2006
Strengths: ....I didn't pay for it?
Weaknesses: crappy platform, super-duper-death-by-seal-failure, no useful damping
Bottom Line:
you must be kidding me....so much hype for garbage! even after progressive re-did their thing to it three times (including sending me a brand spankin new shock), the platform is gar-bage!! get fox, and be done...or cane creek if you can afford it
Similar Products Used: float, septude, RP23, DHX air
Bike Setup: blur, float 100 rl up front....
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Dirtdiva
a Cross Country Rider
from SoCal
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Strengths: Light, tunable and hasn't leaked, yet
Weaknesses: That DAMN bushing. It lasted six months before I mangled one of the rubber thingamajiggies on a long ride. Replaced the thing and noticed that it was jiggling out of place every 3 rides, then 2, then every ride. The stainless steel replacement isn't easy to mount on the shock, so, I had to go to the bike shop to get it done.
Bottom Line:
The shock performs well. No complaints about performance, once I figured out what setting I liked. The mount is retarded. I heard that Progressive is out of the MTB business, so customer service is questionable. I called Progressive and told them my issue. They actually charged me for the bushing and the shipping. What the !!!! It's been a week and I haven't received it yet. On the other hand, I talked to Chad from Intense and he was really cool. He shipped the stainless steel bushing free of charge. If it wasn't for Intense, I would have bought a Fox by now. I probably will, considering what a pain in the ass this bushing problem is.
Strengths: Light weight, adjustability, firm cross country feel, Progressive company stands behind product with 2-3wk turnaround time.
Weaknesses: only get @ 6mo of 4-5h/wk riding time before failure or needs some type of factory repair/service. With high tech comes high maintenance and the shock is not servicable outside the factory.
Bottom Line:
This shock would be best on the new Blur XC's with the RP3 best on LT/ or all mountain set ups. Would be first choice for racing. Warranty issues/factory maintenance has been great but frequent. This last time (#3) they gave me a totally new shock with new ss ball eye's etc. I purchased a 06' Pushed Fox RP3 while it was off at the factory instead of buying that new Yeti I have been eying since the Blur is still a great bike and now tuned more for all mountain with the plusher Fox. Value rating is for Progressive's Customer Service, Overall is just because for all the times I have had to return it to the factory, maybe I had a lemon to start with.
Excellent shock that offers a very wide range of adjustments, durable, you can actually get full stroke out of them as well, unlike other brands. I would recommend it for any bike.
Similar Products Used: fox rl, fox pro pedal, manitou qr, manitou spv
Bike Setup: Gary Fisher Cake 05, full x.o w/xtr ft der, fsa k force mega exo cranks, eggbeater triple ti, Reba Team fork, THompson Masterpiece post, Serfas Saddle, Cossmax Disc wheels, Monkeylite sl bar, Formula b4 pro+ brakes, stans rotors, irc mibro tires.
Anyone who has this shock, post up and let me know how you like it. I've read the mixed reviews on this site, and its gotten me scared. I have this shock on my S-Works Enduro rig Read More »
