Submitted by
turniptruck
a Cross Country Rider
from ferndale, mittenstate, usa Date Reviewed: July 1, 2009
Favorite Trail:
potto
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$230.00
Purchased At:
manufacturer
Strengths:
Bulletproof
Light
Plush
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
expensive Fox of some kind
Bike Setup:
93 stumpjumper fsr
Bottom Line:
Found out the original fox on my bike would be about 500 to replace. Was a beautiful riding shock, but c'mon. I wanted to rebuild it, but found out that the proprietary system meant sending the unit in, paying about 120 and not having the shock for six weeks.
Therefore- did some research on other shocks- found the Cane Creek for much less and read good things about it.
Rides equally as good to the Fox in every way, buttery bump eater and yet hammers the rear wheel in on climbs.
More importantly to me is insanely good support. Called Cane Creek directly to buy and was talking to a real live american tech person at the N.C. hq in seconds. Called back on delivery for some installation questions, and got more tech help in seconds. Wohooo!
The rebuild kit for this is almost free, and supposedly takes about 15 minutes with ordinary tools. However, several years later, it still does not lose a molecule of air so i haven't attempted it yet. (i luv being able to rebuild my stuff without taking 2 vacation days from work)
If a sniper ever takes this thing out, or it gets gored by a rhino, etc. I am going for another Cane Creek.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pmth95
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan Date Reviewed: April 29, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$245.00
Purchased At:
TREK store on Woodwa
Strengths:
Weight and damping effeciency
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Bar
Bike Setup:
2005 TREK Fuel 70, Fox Vanilla R 160mm, Cane Creek Cloud Nine
Bottom Line:
Upgraded the OEM rear Rock Shox Bar shock after 4 years. Had to mount it "upside-down", that doesn't seem to be a problem, controls are reachable while riding. Much better shock. The most noticeable difference with original is traction going uphill, and not being thrown off seat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
czakolo
a Weekend Warrior
from Poland Date Reviewed: April 5, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Hill, Texas
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
price (after discount), light, nice looking
Weaknesses:
durability
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR
Bottom Line:
Good contact with service before you buy, after that is hard to get any feedback by email, only phone is working so it's hard for someone outside US
Within 4 year I got leaks two times: first I fixed myself by repleacing seals, the second I have to send to Cane Creek, which cost me half of the original price (with shipping). It seems it is not that easy to maintain as they stay, apparently if you got leak around RCA you cannot fix it yourself!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MossoMan
a Weekend Warrior
from Taipei Taiwan Date Reviewed: December 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ski Lift
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
On rocky and rooty descents, this shock is really plush. I've never bottomed it once through some fairly rough/large rocks and drops.
Weaknesses:
The trails here mostly start with a long road climb, so the RCA switch sounded useful. However, it doesn't LOOK like it does that much. CC says that turning it on maxes out the compression, but when I look down, I can see the suspension moving. This is with the rebound damping maxed. I've tried riding and flipping the switch on and off while riding, and I can't say I see much of a difference in movement.
Similar Products Used:
X-fusion RL
Bike Setup:
Brand X frame, Rockshox Revelation 426 Air
Bottom Line:
I live and ride in Taiwan. Lot of parts and frames made here. I got this shock for a prototype frame by a local company. It's pretty much a blatant copy of the FSR system, including the Horst links. The frame came with an X-fusion shock, but I wanted something more adjustable. It was difficult finding a shock because shops sell shocks for specific known frames and mine is a kind of gray market knock off. Finally saw the reviews here praising the Cloud 9's reliability, rebuildability and plushness.
Went to the Cane Creek site, where I saw not only the upgrade/trade in program ($100 off), but also that you could give CC the specs for your frame and include a picture, and they could make a shock for you. Sounded perfect. Sent in the order and my old shock. CC called and asked about my frame. I told them about my frame, and they were initially reluctant, saying something like "we really don't do that much anymore." However, once I told them the suspension was pretty much standard FSR, they said OK.
When I'm climbing on the road, I can't actually FEEL the bob, so I don't think much energy is being wasted. I'm going to flip the shock upside down (emailed CC about this; they replied quickly--great customer service--and said it wouldn't hurt anything) and try dialing out the climbing bob with the compression knob, which also ramps up the rebound damping near the max setting.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with this shock. More of a true lockout would be nice, but I knew going in that the RCA didn't do this. Given that the shock was more or less custom made for my bike (CC even included the correct size of bushing and spacers), as well as its durability, its plushness and its easiness to rebuild, I'm giving it 5 chills.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wesley Pomeroy
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, Ct, USA Date Reviewed: March 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Burlington/ Nassahegon
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Reliability, ease of set-up, can be rebuilt in approximately 20 minutes by any simpleton (even me), relatively light weight, customer support is fantastic!
Weaknesses:
None worth mentioning
Similar Products Used:
Progressive 5th Element Air
Bike Setup:
Iron Horse Hollowpoint RL Expert
Bottom Line:
I've had the Cloud Nine shock on my bike for 2 1/2 years. I rebuild it every year as a part of preventive maintainance. After the initial set up, I have never had to adjust the settings. It is just set & forget. Not having any type of platform valving does not seem to be an issue on the DW suspension. I ride 2 - 3 times per week and the shock has handled everything. It has never failed me, unlike the 5th element. When I went to remove the shock this year for it's annual rebuild, I found the rear mount had rusted in place. I had to use a propane torch & a press to remove the mounting shaft. The rust was not the fault of Cane Creek. I wash the bike frequently, and sometimes ride it during rainstorms. The rust is more a testament to the shocks reliability because I only remove it once a year. Contacted Cane Creek for replacement mounting hardware. Received the hardware 3 days later, and at what I consider to be a very reasonable cost - less than $30.
If you want a reliable shock and you don't have a need for platform valving, this is the shock for you.
Ride on!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Minnesota Date Reviewed: November 21, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
works great three ways to adjust
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
none this good
Bike Setup:
2006 fuji outland RC
Bottom Line:
good shock
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Cary, NC, USA Date Reviewed: November 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
LCCP
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$234.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Works way better than the Fox Float RP23 that it replaced. Reasonable price with the $100 rebate for sending in the old shock.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
AD-10, Fox Alps 5, Fox Float RP23
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 100. Avid BB-7, XT Shifter/Derail
Bottom Line:
The bike is a frame warranty replacement for a Y-22 frame that cracked. The new frame came with Fox Float RP23. I was not happy with the way the Fox shock felt -- definitely not plush. I tried experimenting with different pressures and damping for the Fox, but could not change it much. Since I had the old AD-10 shock, I tried to use it; but it was too long. With the Cloud-9 installed I immediately noticed the difference in smoothness with small and especially big hits. Have not found a need to adjust the damping yet. I do not know why the Cloud-9 is better, but can see that the diameter of the cylinder and piston are much larger for the Cloud-9 compared to the Fox.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson Date Reviewed: September 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dirt one track
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
aftermarket bike shop
Strengths:
Cane Creek Tech support line, light
Weaknesses:
adjusters don't make any difference, freezes up, wish they had a lemon law for frame shocks
Similar Products Used:
RockShox, Fox Vanilla and Float, Manitou
Bike Setup:
Dakar Pro/XTR level and Specialized S Works FSR
Bottom Line:
I think I must have bought the first assembly line production run on the Cloud Nines. Never has worked right from new out of the box: hard/impossible to tune, ended up running it in the firm setting most of the time until the slider stopped working. Have a sum total of about 50 hours on the shock; mainly sits on the shelf. Cane Creek tried to fix it but when I received the shock back, wouldn't hold air for more than a couple days and after one ride, shock froze up. Really like Cane Creek so will try one more time to have them fix it - Building up a 96er FSR. Not big on Fox frame shocks but in comparison my Float RL that came on the Dakar Pro is almost as light, tunes easily, hydraulic damping is great, hasn't leaked or squeeked. I ride intermediate level, rough/rocky XC single track with no drops, jumps, or hucks - the frame shock gets a good workout. This Cloud 9 just has never been right.
If you're going to buy one, get a new one. From other reviews, looks like Cane Creek maybe worked out the problems from the earlier units. For intermediate and above riding rough trails where the shock is continually hammering, especially in really hot weather, definitely would not recommend. Ride on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, UT Date Reviewed: June 8, 2007
Semi-lockout not a lockout. If you require a lockout, this is not the shock for you.
Similar Products Used:
Progressive Suspension 5th Element Air, Manitou Swinger
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth, XT/XTR/SRAM mix, Fox 100RLC
Bottom Line:
Very happy with this purchase. Rides great, dead-on reliable, easiest piece of suspension I've ever serviced. After ~9-10 months developed slight stiction. Ordered rebuild kit, rebuilt in <15 minutes, feels like new. Seems to never lose air. I'm a bit ambivalent re:the semi-lockout; I use it on roads and long, smooth climbs. Seems to help a bit, but is nowhere near a full lockout, yet changes the feel enough to mess you up if you start to descend with it engaged. I purchased via the trade-in program for a $100 discount. My LBS was clueless about the program, so check it out on Cane Creek's site.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jenine
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall UK Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
poldice vally
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
Im going on my first fide with my new shock...first inpresions from riding it round the garden seem good...
Weaknesses:
none apart from it took six weeks to arrive!!!
Similar Products Used:
rock shox 3.R
Bike Setup:
Trek fuel ex 9 05
Bottom Line:
i got this shock be cause my rock shox 3.R one was rubbish stiff and kept braking and it cost the same as this one... because its got no oil to leak and i can service it my self..
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Farmboybunk
a Weekend Warrior
from Nevada Date Reviewed: May 31, 2007
Favorite Trail:
blow hard brainhead Utah
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$102.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Easy adjustable knobs (compression/rebound) that effect performance. Light straight designed forward shock, air does all the damping. No oil or compressed nitrigen to worry about. User servicable. I have serviced mine many time (cleaning it and regreasing the internals), but never have had to replace any O-rings. Very reliable. It's a high volume air shock, so you can run a lower air pressure. Looks decent, but not all that flashy.
Weaknesses:
Performance wise none for me. I don't use the semi lockout (RCA). So I could careless that it isn't designed to completely lockout the rear. For some bike with higher leverage ratios the shock's adjustments rebound and compression can't over come the high leverage. I run mine on a 5.5" bike and the shock length is 7.875 with a 2" stroke and have no problems, but I am light at 150 lbs. Not flashy or have the buzz name, If you care.
Similar Products Used:
Cane creek AD 5 and AD 10, Manitou swinger 3 way (I prefer a plush shock), Fox Float R, and RP3.
Bike Setup:
04 Marin Rock Springs set at 5.5" of travel Fork: 03 Marzocchi Z1 FR Rear Shock: Cane Creek Cloud 9 Shifters: Shimano Deore Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: Shimano LX Crankset: TruVativ Five D 44/32/22 Bottom Bracket: TruVativ Cartridge Sealed Brakes: Avid BB7 Brake Levers: Avid Speed Dial 5 Rims: Mavic XM-117 Disc 32 Hole Tires: WTB Moto Raptor
Bottom Line:
I've owned two cloud 9's and both have been great. The first experience with this shock was on a 4" travel (165mm length shock) XC bike. After installing it, the bike felt more capable. It stuck the rear end of the bike to the ground and let me keep the power going. It also was very plush, whick I personally like. If you want a platform shock look else where. My wife still use this shock on her ride and loves it.
After getting my new bike and not being all that impressed with the fox I sold it and picked up another C9 on ebay for cheap. It took me two rides to get it dialed in correctly. The high leverage ratio of the bike made it a bit more finicky to dial it in. I have the rebound and compression just a couple of clicks short of there max settings. But the ride is awesome, plush and ramps up nicely to fight bottom out. With a very controlled rebound.
Like everyone has mentioned, this shock is extremely user frindly to service and set up. I have not ever had the need to call Cane Creek, but have heard that they are grat to work with. I know for a fact that there are higher tech shocks out there, but if you want an inexpensive reliable user friendly shock, it's hard to beat. Marzocchi's new roco air also looks nice with the same requirements in mind.
For my needs it fits all the requirements and gets the highest rating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian DelVecchio
a Cross Country Rider
from Gibsonia, PA, USA Date Reviewed: May 24, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere in PA
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$267.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Buttery is right! Lighter than RP3. Easily serviceable. Customer service pretty much the best I have experienced.
Weaknesses:
None really.
Similar Products Used:
RP3 and Float R
Bike Setup:
Ventanta El Salty wit all da plop
Bottom Line:
This is my second C9 - first went away with bike I sold since RP3 came with Ventana frame purchase. Dropped the RP3 like a bad 'abit when is stuck done for the second time in a year. (I must say though that the Fox did not charge for the subsequent repair which fell outside of the warranty period). Went back to CC and couldn't be happier. RCA may not totally lock out but it will certainly reduce travel on climbs (use a zip tie to see for yourself and gauge how much). It's adjustable as RP3, but it is lighter. No need to service as often as RP3. From what I recall the eyelet bushings on the C9 wear longer than RP3 (had to change my RP3's after about 2-3 months of riding - don't recall ever having to do this on the first C9). Peter at the CC factory is a tremendous help and CC is lucky to have him.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
simon chetwynd
a Cross Country Rider
from newbury, uk Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$412.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Shock is light weight, user serviceable (although I haven't stripped it down yet) and has easily adjustable damping. It works OK. Went for Cloud Nine rather than a Fox shock as they're user serviceable. Indexed adjustment on compression/rebound damping adjusters is very good in aiding initial set up (takes about 2 hours of tweaking to get it right).
Weaknesses:
When I binned the standard Suntour forks and put the Rebas on my bike the change in handling and performance was amazing. Changing the standard NRS shock for a Cloud Nine had only a marginal effect on performance. On a NRS you set up the rear shock with zero sag. Maybe this is why this shock doesn't work as well as other reviewers claim on their bikes. The only advantage over the NRS shock is a little more rebound damping is available which gives a marginal increase in performance. The compression damping adjustment has no noticeable effect, even fully "locked out". I'll give Cane Creek the benefit of the doubt and put this down to the zero sag set up. This shock costs twice as much (£229 - welcome to rip off Britain) as a replacement NRS shock, and the increase in performance is very marginal. I'd also like to say that the NRS shock is also very easily serviced at home (all you need is a vice, adjustable spanner and circlip pliers) although Giant don't give any instructions, you have to figure it out yourself (they do sell a rebuild kit though).
Similar Products Used:
Stock Giant NRS shock.
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS 3, Rockshox Reba team forks, Shimano XT groupset.
Bottom Line:
Might be good on other bikes but on a Giant NRS with zero sag the shock is only marginally better than the standard NRS shock. Rebound damping is very good, compression damping not so good. Cane Creek say that the lock out doesn't lock the shock solid, they're not lying! The lockout is ineffectual, don't expect it to work anything remotely as well as the lockout on my Reba forks. Having read all the other reviews on this shock I was expecting something a bit better. I wouldn't recommend it on a NRS, as a little extra damping gives only a marginal improvement and its twice the price of a replacement NRS shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
drew
a Weekend Warrior
from camp lejeune nc Date Reviewed: December 13, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
aebike.com
Strengths:
USER SERVICABLE!!!
Very 'live' shock..
I have hit bottom more than once, but I only know this because the little dirty ring at the end of the piston..
I am using the 7.875...it is smooth, easy to dial, and has held 240psi reliably for several months now. THis design is simple, but very strurdy.
Weaknesses:
Only one complaint, one only- I wish they made one w/ 2.25" stroke instead of just 2"...I lose right at an inch of rear travel because of it, but it is not like I have really missed it either though.
Similar Products Used:
FoxRP3, FoxRp23, FoxFloat-L, FoxFloat-RC, 5th Element
Bike Setup:
AM Heckler
Bottom Line:
If you are into trail riding- and not competitive riding there is NO good reason why you shouldn't use this shock.
The Fox Shox I have had were always in rotation between the repair shop and home...I purchased this shock to keep me in charge of repair. It is so easy to break down and rebuild it is not even funny.
Funny thing though- I bought a seal kit when I bought the shock figuring I would get a month or so out of it before I needed to work on it....which was the case w/ Fox....before I even installed it I broke it apart and checked it out, reassembled it, pumped it up and mounted it.
That was over six months and 1k trail miles ago, and it has not been apart since...it is very reliable mechanicaly speaking...enough of that let's talk about performance:
I weigh in over 250lbs, so I am very hard on shocks. I followed the spec sheet and put in my weight -10psi (240psi)and rode out. The shock is very active, and floats under me exactly like it should. I have busted out some 'big hits' on it and expected it to blow a seal but it never has.
There was a point when I realized it was rebounding too hard, but that was fixed with a twirl of the blue knob...I can not be happier with this shock.
I think folks think the shock is sub-par because it is not so recognizable as say a Fox or a Manitou- but they are wrong. This shock is great for reliable use.
You set it and forget it. Make small changes if you ride a different trail, and it conforms. It has lasted under my big 'ol but for a long time. It may not be as specific purpose as a pushed fox, or perform like a DHX, but hey- it lasts and is much more user friendly. For a trail bike that gets a lot of use you can't go wrong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Baranger
a Cross Country Rider
from down right dirty jersey Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
This lovely light weight bump buster delivers a plush ride with plentiful travel.
for my xc riding of hardpack trails and single track with some small -medium rocks and roots it does the job hit the button to climb and turn it off to descend. works like a charm.
if you want a solid lock out then dont bother but if you want a stiffer but still plush ride to maintian traction for climbing in the saddle this is it.
Weaknesses:
too much adjustment? is that a weakness?
Similar Products Used:
fox vanilla (stock on jamis dakar)
Bike Setup:
06 Jams dakar, stock except for the cloud nine
Bottom Line:
I could not come close to beating this bodasious blow out price. the quality of the ride far surpasses the stock fox vanilla coil over and the weigh savings is a bonus.
this thing lives up to its name and review reputation..
of course there will always be those that perfer other shocks or just dont have a clue of how to set up the shock correctly. for them it is there loss.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nunya
a Racer
from Fresno Date Reviewed: December 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Fast one's
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Easy to install, easy to adjust, looks good. Very responsive and smooth. Has a partial lockout, not full, but darn near feels like it.
Weaknesses:
Kinda big when compared to other shocks, but it's light
Bottom Line:
This is a great shock. If you go directly to cane creek web site they will give a discount on a cloud 9 in exchange for your old shock. 4 chilis for price, $300 seems kinda steep, but it was worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MJ Rocky Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: December 7, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hilton Falls
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$263.00
Purchased At:
ebikeshop
Strengths:
Light, Active, RCA wel suited to my frame, user servicable, no oil to leak or get contaminated.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float RC (3 of them)
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Element T.O., Reba Race, Juicy 7, King hubs, Easton Stem/Bars, XTR, Kooka Cranks, Carbon seat.
Bottom Line:
The Fox Float RC performed well for the short periods that it worked between services. I am disgusted with Fox's short intervals between rebuilds and the high cost to do it. I've spent more money keeping the Fox shock working than any other part on my bike. I'm done with Fox. Tried the Cloud 9 because it is user servicable, light and has glowing reviews here. I thought I might give up some performance for the reliability, but I was wrong. It feels better on my frame than the Fox. The RCA adjuster is more practical than a total lockout as on the Float RC, and the bike feels like it gained an inch of travel. Some say that it is old technology, to them I say... IT WORKS! AND IT IS RELIABLE! Period. Overall one of the best upgrades I've made to this bike. Kudos to Cane Creek for offering it at a good price and giving the consumer the ability to service it for $20 in parts. I couldn't be happier with this purchase.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chad Thomas
a
from Lancaster, PA, U.S.A Date Reviewed: November 5, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
see below
Weaknesses:
see below
Bike Setup:
2004 Mountain Cycle San Andreas XC
Bottom Line:
This review is an overall review of current rear air shocks. I am writing this to hopefully save you hours of research, and because mtbr has been so good to me.
CANE CREEK CLOUD NINE (ONLY AIR AVAILABLE) - Performance: A little outdated in terms of not offering SPV climbing rigidity. Very good performance, smooth over varied terrain. Very durable, and takes big hits for an air shock. Weight: 209g (site claimed) for smallest available. very light. Adjustability: Good adjustability - trouble free. Reliability: Stone cold simple to break down. Most reliable of all shocks reviewed. Almost guaranteed to hold air long term. Customer Service: Just read the reviews - unparalled. If you do have problems they will take care of you. Price: A very reasonable $325 msrp with a $100 trade in rebate. AD-12 is $275 minus $100 trade in, and AD-5 is $190 and only 160g, but needs to be adjusted internally.
MANITOU SWINGER SPV AIR (3-way or 4-way) Performance: On par with fox rp3. SPV works, and makes pedaling up hills easier. Good overall response. Weight: 267g real weight for 165mm eye to eye w/o bushings. 454g real for 4-way. Adjustability: Very adjustable. Reliability: About as good as fox rp3, although easier to dial in. Good chance air will hold well. Customer service: Not very good. Takes forever. Price: About $349 for 3-way, and $449 for 4-way.
FOX RP3 AIR - Performance: Among the best available in air shocks today. Propedal for stable pedaling platform. Probably not the best idea for large jumps. Weight: 206 for 165mm w/o bushings Adjustability: Abnormally hard to dial in correctly. Reliability: Holds air reliably; good chance it won't leak. Frequent maintenance required. Customer Service: Okay. Maintenance costly - fox charges an arm and a leg for service. Price: About $369. Fox DHX seems to be a very good shock as well, but not reviewed on mtbr yet; expensive at about $479.
PROGRESSIVE 5TH ELEMENT AIR Overall - I'm not going to waste your time. Very overrated shock, with okay peformance and horrible reliability.
CONCLUSION - All shocks except for the 5th element would be a good choice. If you want a good ride and excellent reliability go for a Cane Creek. If your looking for decent reliability and the stable platform advantages of newer technology go for the Manitou or Fox.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a
from Canton Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Light. Very smooth.
Weaknesses:
Adjusters were very abrupt and didn't work well. Compression and rebound were too abrupt. No stable platform.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur
Bottom Line:
It's a great shock if you want smoothness. My shock on the Blur reacted to EVERYTHING. It is also incredibly smooth during the stroke action. The stable platform stuff when set up properly on this bike works better. If you want incredible smoothness, get this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 6, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mission Peak
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Adjustable compression and dampening that is buttery smooth. Rapid compression switch to help stiffen the shock for those long climbs.
Weaknesses:
Difficult to reach compression and dampening knobs. Cannot totally lock out the shock.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Bar Air, Cane Creek AD-5, Risse Genesis, Elroy and Jupiter, Amp Coil-Over,
Bike Setup:
2005 Motobecane Fantom DS Comp with mix of Shimano XTR and Sram. Avid mechanical brakes.
Bottom Line:
Now I understand why this shock is so highly rated. It gives one of the most buttery rides I have ever experienced. Cattle crossing rails are not a problem with this shock. Glides over them as smooth as glass. First time I have experienced this in the 10 years of owning full-suspension bikes. All the other shocks that I have owned in the past will transmit some of the stutter bump force back to you. The Cane Creek is much better than the Rock Shox Bar Air that was included with my bike. The Cane Creek exhibits better control and follows the terrain much better than the Rock Shox and without the "Amphysemia" sounds emitted from the Rock Shox during compression. I can carve a better line with confidence and not feel as beat up on my normal cross-country trail. The range of compression and dampening is quite wide and should handle just about any terrain. Just wish the adjustment knobs were better located for easier use. It has the lowest stiction of any air shock that I have ever used. Great for those small bumps. In summary, I am very pleased with my purchase which took my bike to a whole new level of comfort and control. Highly recommended!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry Jamison
a Racer
from Fort Worth, TX Date Reviewed: April 13, 2005
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Comfort, reliability, Ease of maintenance
Weaknesses:
Absolutely none!
Similar Products Used:
Fox
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuek XTR
Bottom Line:
I wanted to update my review I made 3 years earlier. I recently changed out all my suspension bushings and decided to go through my shock since I had done nothing with it in three years of hard riding. I did this even tough I was having no trouble with the shock whatsoever. It literally took me less than 5 minutes to break it down clean it up, lube the seals and put it back in service. A monkey could do it. What a maintenance dream. Next to my Wam wheelset this was the best upgrade I've ever made on my Rig.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Luposian
a Weekend Warrior
from Sierra Vista, AZ Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
This shock is the *ONLY* shock that is made to fit and work with my 1997 Schwinn S-10's suspension geometry.
Everyone I talked to, *EXCEPT* Cane Creek, told me my bike was too old and outdated. That I was stuck with my worn out RockShox Deluxe (pogo-mania in the "pedal bob" department!). No one offered me *ANY* hope of a replacement. Not RockShox. Not Fox. Not Romic. Not even our LBS "Sun'n'Spokes" or "M&M Cycle"! Everywhere I turned, I was given nothing but doom and gloom. Buying a new bike was the only "helpful" advice they could offer me.
And then I happened upon Cane Creek's website... BINGO!
Although my two LBS' act like it's no big deal that I found a shock they said didn't exist for a 1997 Schwinn S-10, it's a big deal that they're so stuck up on themselves, they can't bother to do a little research to help me out... and end up making some money in the end.
Their loss. My gain. My pleasure. Their pain. :-)
If you're ever told your bike is too old for a replacement shock, DON'T BELIEVE THEM! At least not until you've dug through the internet and visited every shock manufacturer's website possible. And give Cane Creek a look. They helped me. They may be able to help you, too!
Needless to say, I love my Cloud 9. With RCA enabled and air pressure set to just over 17 bar (barometric?), I get the firmness of a hardtail with just enough "cush" to take the curb hops and drops I do around town.
Having no plans to really "beat up my bike" (wild off-roading, 3'+ drops, and the like) , I can't vouch for this shock's capacity for more extreme riding. But I don't doubt it can handle it and then some!
Cane Creek rules, in my book. They've provided me a replacement shock that no one else could or would. They've made it possible to have a fully functional, full-suspension bike when I was lead to believe it wasn't possible. And that, alone, makes this shock a winner in my book.
Weaknesses:
None I have experienced.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Deluxe... although it's not an air shock.
Bike Setup:
1997 Schwinn S-10, RockShox Judy XC fork, Specialized Hemisphere EX tires, Sun Rims, etc.
Bottom Line:
The Cane Creek Cloud 9 saves 1997 Schwinn S-10's from utter obsolescence. That, alone, makes it the best shock made... because, so far as I can tell, it is the ONLY shock made (other than the Cane Creek AD-12) that will fit this bike today.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from Albuquerque Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Otero Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Fisher Warranty
Strengths:
I love this shock. Infinitely adjustable. I finally found a shock that I could dial in to the proper balance – active/stiffness. Plus the Rapid Compression Adjustment is fantastic. With a flip of the switch, you can go from stiff cross country/climbing mode to plush and active.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
All the usual suspects.
Bike Setup:
Sugar Race - Fisher provided the shock with a warranty replacement for a broken frame. Thanks Fisher. The Cloud Nine made a noticeable difference the first time out.
Bottom Line:
In eight years of dual suspension riding, I have never been able to find a shock that worked well for me. The adjustments were far too clunky and left me with either too much travel or much were too stiff. The Cloud Nine has very simple, yet very effective control system. Easy to dial in and even easier to switch between stiff and plush with the Rapid Compression Adjustment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nunya
a Cross Country Rider
from Modesto Date Reviewed: December 7, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Strengths:
Very responsive, three ways to ajust so you can get the perfect feel. Takes big hits no problem. Has a semi lockout device for use when climbing.
Weaknesses:
Takes several rides to tune it in, but its worth the effort.
Bottom Line:
If you want a good air shock this is a great choice. At the time I purchased Cane Creek had a rebate offer, turn in your old shock and get $100 off the Cloud Nine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Ireland Date Reviewed: October 31, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
exchange program
Strengths:
Held air for 5 months now. No change. So much smoother than the Fox I had and a lot less messy. I was quoted 100 euro to service the fox!
Weaknesses:
A real lockout would be "nice".
Similar Products Used:
Fox R
Bike Setup:
King kikapu, all stock except 52 tooth chain ring.
Bottom Line:
I'm writing this mainly to say that the purchase was worth it just for the customer service alone. Never seen anything like it in this day and age. Sent me 2 shocks through a accident that was mostly my fault. I told them and they said, "just keep it, in case you ever need spare parts". Where ye gona get that?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan Capistrano, CA Date Reviewed: October 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek Upgrade
Strengths:
Great shock PERIOD or !!! Buy one and you will be on CLOUD NINE! It's a great deal through the upgrade and you will not be disspointed on it's durability and performance. The RCA will work if you have the correct air and rebound clicks. Yes, the knobs will come off, but when you get it just find a small screw driver and tighten them up. The air will hold for a very long time. Finally, everyone knows about Cane Creek customer service --- CUSTOMER FIRST! Buy one and you will be happy going up and down your favorite trail!
Weaknesses:
NONE! Remember it's a XC shock (if you want shock that can withstand 5' drops, go with a coil shock.
Similar Products Used:
Fox (Vanilla and Float)
Bike Setup:
Kona Dawg Primo with Raceface componients and, of course, a '04 CLOUD NINE on my rear end.
Bottom Line:
Great shock PERIOD or !!! Buy one and you will be on CLOUD NINE! It's a great deal through the upgrade and you will not be disspointed on it's durability and performance. The RCA will work if you have the correct air and rebound clicks. Yes, the knobs will come off, but when you get it just find a small screw driver and tighten them up. The air will hold for a very long time. Finally, everyone knows about Cane Creek customer service --- CUSTOMER FIRST! Buy one through the UPGRADE PROGRAM (just $225) and you will be happy going up and down your favorite trail and save a few bucks to purchase some new tires and a few pizzas. I give it 5 tossed pepperoni pizzas.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Haggis
a
from Daegu, Korea Date Reviewed: September 30, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek Trade-in
Strengths:
Holds pressure well
Weaknesses:
Bobs more than my 8" El Jefe Sr 'Lockout' is useless.
Similar Products Used:
Stratos AR1
Bike Setup:
Truth
Bottom Line:
Happy with it as an air shock but I'm biased towards compression-adjustable coil shocks. Works fine alongside my 4" Z-1 air forks though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sparky
a Cross Country Rider
from Sewanee, TN USA Date Reviewed: September 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Moab, UT
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek Direct
Strengths:
Great trade in value, so plush it completely embarrases the rock shock sid XC that I had before this shock
Weaknesses:
Still looking
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID XC rear
Bike Setup:
2002 Giant NRS air, Race face cranks and BB with shimano transy, 120mm Marzocchi Marathon SL front.
Bottom Line:
Holy Cow, this shock is simply amazing! The best benifit that I have found so far is the price, no wait its the semi-lockout that works well and doesn't run the risk of harming the shock, no thats not right its the plushness of obsorbing every single bump into nothingness, no wait... If your doing XC racing this is the shock for you, if you are wanting to do some light freeride, pump up the air and go, if you are wanting to do much more than 5 foot drops, find a bigger bike and a spring shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darius
a Weekend Warrior
from Ulaanbaatar Date Reviewed: July 29, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Incredible durability, smooth, plush, good compression and rebound damping circuits
Weaknesses:
None, zero, nil, zilch, nada
Similar Products Used:
All of them!
Bike Setup:
2002 Sugar 1, fully loaded
Bottom Line:
Yet another update. Some people here have written about the rebound or compression adjusters falling off. Happened to me, I think because I had a lizard skin sleeve that was pushing against them. Anyway, Cane Creek sent me an entirely new shock without a word of complaint. I immediately tightened down on the little set screws that hold these knobs on, and have never lost one since. I am writing an update becuase of an amazing fact: in 2 years I have not had to add more air to this shock, even once. Fox owners' jaws should be hitting the floor about now. 2 years without service of any kind, and still as butter smooth as the first day. That is quality. Now I'm going to try one on my Heckler, SPV be damned. Combine the quality and simplicity of this piece of art with the best customer service in the business and there is simply no other choice out there. I'd give them 10 flaming dog poops if I could.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kgee
a
from Corvallis OR Date Reviewed: July 21, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all of em
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Super adjustable, rides like a dream, or is it a cloud? Light weight (if your concerned about that sort of thing).
Weaknesses:
Too much adjustability (for those with little patience). Durability.
This shock came on my frame. I saw here that it had good reviews but still figured I would "upgrade" to a coil shock anyway. However after riding on it, my mind about air sprung suspension bits has been changed(all my previous experiences with air springs were - to say the least - lacking). I had been a strictly coil kind of guy. The cloud nine is super adjustable, and with a little patience you can dial in the perfect feel for you (it took me 6-8 rides to get it set). The only time I use the RAC is when I am on the road (which is not very often), so its basically a non-issue. Unfortunatly after just 3 1/2 months something that looked a lot like a mangled rubber seal came out from the shock body. I am not a particulary agressive rider, no hucking going on here, just trail riding, so that is a bit of a concern. The rate of air loss has not seemed to change, I loose 10~15 psi over a week. And just this past weekend the rebound knob fell off during a ride.... I have not yet contacted Cane Creek so I cant comment on their customer service, yet. Over all this is a sweet shock, I am just a bit worried about its durability/lifespan.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Opie
a Weekend Warrior
from Arvada, CO Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Sourdough Trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
How light can you go! Plush and responsive RCA DOES WORK! (if you know how to use it and what to expect)
Weaknesses:
Sent wrong bushing sizes originally. Nothing a quick phone call did'nt fix.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox, Fox Float RL
Bike Setup:
KHS 504 (retired for) Astrix Solo w/ Race Face and XT drivetrain, Hope Mono, Sun Single Track w/ XT hubs, Crank Bros., Marzocchi MX Pro ETA
Bottom Line:
I beg to differ at the notion that single pivot suspensions are not active during braking. Those riders do not have this shock. Yes, four-bars are great, but single pivots are simple and that much better with the "9". Climbing: turn on the RCA. Your ride gets stiff but remains responsive. Top of the climb: turn off RCA and fly. My marzocchi is super plush and will almost never bottom. I was worried I would never find a rear shock to match. Behold the Cloud Nine! The all responsive, lightweight, drop soaking, hill climbing, do it all mountain bike shock. If you can get the exchange from Cane Creek, do it. To those guys that whine and whimper about their lockouts and their SPV, get some skill! SPV was intended to make life easier for the people who only push their pedals down. Ask any experience racer, smoothe cadences come from pedaling around. Round, just like your wheels! Amazing! We're riding bikes here, not practicing for a stair climbing contest. And nowhere on Cane Creek's site does it say that the RCA "locks out" the shock, it won't, so don't think it will. That there is the best attribute of this shock. When I climb on my hardtail and hit this certain bump, wham!, like swinging a seat-shaped hammer between your legs. With the "9", even with RCA on, the suspension takes the hit for me and we keep on climbing. With this shock and clean riding technique, life will flash before your eyes faster than you ever though possible. Buy this shock, appreciate the quality, or switch back to a hardtail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver BC Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Seymour, Hornby Isl, Suncoaster
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek trade-in program
Strengths:
Compression and rebound adjustments for that perfect custom adjustment No leaks even for 1 month -- great for MTB touring! RCA semi-lockout for road touring on my GT i-Drive
Weaknesses:
None really
Similar Products Used:
Nope.
Bike Setup:
GT iDrive with Fox Forx 100R, Avid 2.5 SD Vbrakes and stock everything else plus the Cloud Nine 9 at the rear.
Bottom Line:
This is an update for my Cloud 9.
I still believe that I made the right choice getting this shock over the AD-12 -- well I had no choice in the matter since my old stock RS Couple Dlx blew and was leaking oil. The trade-in program works swell for me. Performance of this shock mates very well with the iDrive system (an original 1999 type), which for awhile was outdoing the stock shock. The RCA feature (semi-lockout with no rebound) makes for a relative stiff but shock absorbing ride perfect for those rooty steep climbs -- make the iDrive system shine so well. In fact, I also do camping tours with my iDrive and in that, I always put the shock into RCA, unless I have to go through logging roads. Very reliable and extremely happy with my purchase!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roman
a Weekend Warrior
from Cranford, NJ Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne Woods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Holds air, plushness, and psuedo lock out
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
Fox
Bike Setup:
2001 Kona Mokomoko hooked da hell up
Bottom Line:
This shock will out perform any fox shock out there. I had a Fox and afer a few months it was leaking so bad I had to pump it up every hour or so of riding. PLus rebulding a Fox is not cheap and u will need special tools. The cloud nine is air tight and cheap and easy to rebuild if it gets to that point. Should have had this shock from day 1. I was a bit leary of buying it but after reading some reviews, I'm glad I did. Fox better get their crap together.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
alex garcia
a Cross Country Rider
from houston Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
walnut creek-austin
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
mtbr classifieds
Strengths:
simple design, easy maintenance, incredible adjustability, holds air well, no goofy high tech microchip sensor valve yada-yada technology that will ultimately fail when you least expect it...
Weaknesses:
none so far.
Similar Products Used:
cane creek ad-5, RS sid,
Bike Setup:
03 Fisher Sugar 3+, Manitou Black Elite, King, Tru Vativ, XT, XTR components.
Bottom Line:
Got this puppy used (barely) and it has totally sweetened my ride. Much more usable adjustability than the AD-5 and the rebound,compression knobs work like they should. That is, you actually feel the difference with slight adjustments.You can back off on the air pressure for a plusher ride and compensate with the compression so that it doesn't bottom out on jumps etc... I never had ANY probs with either AD-5 (3yrs)so I think the 9 will do just as well. Both the 80 and 100mm settings on the Sugar work EXCEPTIONALLY well with this shock, smooth rebound and responsiveness. Hardly any bob when you set it right. I'm on cloud 9 and feelin' fine!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ralph Alvarado
a Cross Country Rider
from New Orleans, LA Date Reviewed: May 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Cane Creek
Strengths:
This shock is very easy to operate, super smooth, and the customer support is great.
Weaknesses:
After a couple of rides the compression knob started to wiggle a bit. I tightened it but it still has slight movement. It does not hinder the performance but I did not excpect a problem so early. Also, when turning the knob it does not click into each position the way the rebound knob does. No worries though.
Similar Products Used:
AD-5
Bike Setup:
Trek Fuel 80, Ritchey WSC OCR wheels and handlebar, Avid ti brakes, xtr and xt drive train
Bottom Line:
Other than the slight compression knob problem this shock is flawless. Depending on the frame and your weight the recommended air pressure might not work for you, but go to the shock discussion forum on this site and search for Cloud 9, there is plenty of info on how to set it.
I like speed over flat trail with a little fun and climbing mixed in and this shock has done great with all of that. The RCA is a great feature. Once you get the knobs dialed in you can forget it.
I traded in my Ad-5 and got a great deal on one of the best XC shocks around. If you have $, ride agressive XC and what the best performance get the Cloud 9.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from City of Lights Date Reviewed: May 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
one track
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Holds air/no leakdown/customer service
Weaknesses:
RCA switch won't stay in the normal, OFF, position.
Similar Products Used:
FOX Float RL, AD-5, couple of oil/coil
Bike Setup:
Y-bike, URT, upgraded all components, have tried both SID XC and Manitou Six Deluxe forks with this frame shock.
Bottom Line:
Shock holds air like a champ- NO LEAKDOWN!!! Just went for a parking lot ride to check it out before taking it out of town for a weekend on the trails. I don't ride this bike much but have a lot of fun on it/ small frame Y with setback seat and 150mm stem. Usually slower, tighter, rougher singletrack stuff without any big hits or drops. To hold down on the bobbing, I usually ride with the RCA "ON" and switch it "OFF" only for faster, rougher sections. Pretty happy with the Cloud 9 until now and had posted a review about a year ago. BUTTTT!!! Soon as I post this review, I'll have to remove the Cloud 9 and get the old AD-5 off the shelf and install.
I can't have much more than 50 hours on this shock, intermediate XC, 180lbs air, I weigh 180; - and the RCA won't stay in the "OFF" position at all. As I said in the previous posting, the RCA (lockout pin) felt like it was rough or trying to hang up. Now it's toast; no matter what I do, it just slides by itself to the engaged (blue end out) position by what feels like a little air pressure pushing it.
I think it is/was actually some kind of manufacturing problem but will talk to Cane Creek Monday. No abuse whatsoever; in fact half of the limited hours on the shock are by a friend who only weighs about 130 and is not an agressive rider at all. By the way, the Fox Float RL that I ride most of the time came on a new Dakar XC Pro and has about the same feel as the Cloud 9 in non-RCA mode. Odd that I thought the Fox would break and be replaced with the Cloud 9 - oh well
For the new price and limited light use, I shouldn't have to be wasting a nice, sunny, spring morning swapping out this shock then figuring out how to get it fixed. By the way, the Cane Creek customer support, I'm sure, will be great and is already included in the rating. If it weren't for them, the ratings would be zip.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chas
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashville Date Reviewed: April 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
No bob. Smooth.Plush.More travel.Damping controls work great.Great customer service.
Weaknesses:
None on this last one.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float OEM. works OK.
Bike Setup:
Custom Trek Fuel.
Bottom Line:
The first 3 Clouds they sent leaked air but felt great.Had them send me a forth instead of a refund. Glad I did. This one`s a keeper. Gives my rough riding Fuel a cush ride with no loss in climbing power and less bob.With the rebound set 4 clicks from slow and 0 compression no more bounce back or kick back from hard hits.Great upgrade for a Fuel.Had lots of times to ride my Fox Float one day and the Cloud the next. Sorry I did not get the Cloud sooner. I wasted a year on that Float.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JaKo
a Weekend Warrior
from Truro, NS, Canada Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
the well known up and down variety
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
NO LEAKS, reliability, light ...
Weaknesses:
Cane Creek should consider updating its design to stable platform ...
Similar Products Used:
RST, RockShock, Fox
Bike Setup:
MtB
Bottom Line:
Extremely easy to live with (no leaking, easy to set up ...). OTOH the technology (however bombproof) is OBSOLETE. I'd like to see some new stuff come from Cane Creek!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny O
a Cross Country Rider
from Jersey Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane creek Directly
Strengths:
VERY Light,simple set up and adjustments, inexpensive to service, Cane Creek customer service
Weaknesses:
As with all production items, knobs and air valves don't always end up in an easy to get to place on every frame
Similar Products Used:
Fox Vanilla, fox vanilla RC
Bike Setup:
2000 Marin East Peak, Rock Shox Psylo xc fork, Avid mechanical disc breaks, XT components
Bottom Line:
This shock does everything Cane creek said it would do.Even on an old single pivot swing arm.I had the Original eqipment fox vanilla coil (Talk about a pogo stick).Traded it in directly to Cane Creek. Had to install the shock upside down due to the placement on the swing arm. The air valve is now ontop, the lettering is reading upside down. No big deal. Pumped the air pressure to 170, my weight and went riding. I played with the rebound and compression a few times and haven't touched it since. Checked the air once a month. Had to add some air during the winter but thats it. Only used the EC valve once,dont need to when the shock is dialed in.There is no noticeable BOB. It's going on 6 months and 400+ agressive cross country miles with many 2' drops and some 3', and many bmx type dirt jumps. This shock has performed flawlessly. No nitrogen chambers to blow up (like my friends TALAS).Just $10 for parts when you service it once a year and thats it. Cane Creek got it right with this one. BUY THIS SHOCK
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Covina, CA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Easy to use, very lightweight, smoothest ride ever and looks great.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID, other Cane Creek AD series and cheap coil versions.
I built this frame and used the coil shock it came with for about 3 months. Didn't like it. I wanted more adjustability so that while riding, the suspension din't feel to tight or too soft. I was trying to stay away from an air shock but after a lot of research and thinking "should I or shouldn't I", decided to get the Cloud 9 and I totally love riding this bike now on any type terrain. It's never to soft or too hard, it's just right and ride through the trails seated most of the time now. As an XC rider, have found this shock to help me ride faster and climb better. I've never used the RCA button, well, I did a few times and it rebounds really fast, especially on hard pedaling I do get a lot of bobbing, so I don't use it ever. I've put air in it 3x since installed only to test ride differences. I strongly recommend this as a must upgrade shock for any old and new bike with similar suspension.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Blank
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004
I ride a 2003 Sugar Team- there is really no need for stable-platform damping with this short-travel design, as bob is virtually non-existent. Shock is perfect for this application- smooth action, great control of the rear-end, and the damping adjustments actually work- which is not something you can say about many other shocks where the adjustment knobs seem to be largely decorative. There is a knob on the shock body that, rather than locking out, sets the compression damping to maximum, effectively keeping the rear under super-tight control. Great for street use or long, smooth fire-road climbs, though frankly I hardly use it- no need to as the regular damping control is so effective. There is also another advantage in using air-shocks for short-travel XC as the rising rate inherent in the design is very effective in keeping the suspension from bottoming out. I'm not a light guy- 210 lbs or so, and I don't have any problems with bottoming. As a bonus, this shock is very reliable- seems to not lose any air at all, and is easilly and cheaply rebuildable by getting a seal kit directly from Cane Creek. Highly recommended!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Whittier, CA Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Trade in program
Strengths:
Light, adjustment features (Rebound and Compression Damping), plush ride, durable and the RCA button sure makes a diference on climbs.
Well, i received mine yesterday and too my bike out to the local trail to test it out and i'm amazed at the performance this shock packs. Right away after i installed it and took the bike for a spin around the block, without even messing with the rebound and compression knobs i noticed a WOW difference. Afterwards i played around with the rebound adj. and then the compression damping for about an 1/2 hour, hit the local trail and was WOWed again at how it responds and i got the plushness ride that i was looking for... for the climb, i hit the RCA button (rapid compression Adj.) "NOT A LOCKOUT FEATURE"... and i got like, so minimal, NO BOB... the bike climbs better now, the old Rock Shox SID i had on it before sprung up to quick and bobbed a bit, but not bad, it also had no adjustents whatsoever and it was noisy... fluid/air noise. In addition, i'd say i got about 8mm of extra travel on this shock, meaning i'll be even less likely to bottom it out, even though you can control that with the Compression Damping adjustment knob. Anyhow, I think it's kick a$$ and for my GT XCR iDrive, it got me the ride that i was looking for, AND SOME. You can fine tune the cloud 9 so good it's amazing. For the record, i traded in my old Rock Shox for the Cloud 9 and paid $225, which is a killer deal i think for such a shock and they built it in 2 days, got it nicely put in a cloth bag along with a package tube. Did I mention their customer service was great too? anyways, you get the picture. This shock looks and feel very durable and unless i break it or something, i'll post it back here, but i seriously doubt that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Cloutier
a Cross Country Rider
from Port;land, Oregon Date Reviewed: January 7, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Whoopdee trail, Hood River
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek upgrade pgm.
Strengths:
Unmatched customer service-Peter Gilbert was very helpful. Very smooth and very reliable
Weaknesses:
On 4 bar horst link suspension cannot orient shock in optimal position with RCA valve facing forward b/c if you bottom out the hosrt link will fracture the shraeder valve
Similar Products Used:
N/A
Bike Setup:
Uzzi SL, Fox Forx RLC 100, Race Face / 8spd XTR drivetrain with Sachs shifters and Cane Creek WAM discs with XT brakes
Bottom Line:
Great addition to my bike. Has really firmed up the rear of the bike and taken over a pound off the whole bike. Was reticent go with an air shock and wondered if i should wait for the Stable Platform Valving stuff to get more settled. But with the upgrade program just goto to your LBS and get an old rear shock they are going to throw out and sell your present rear shock on eBay or something and you can minimize the fiscal pain of the upgrade. It will be worth your time the Cloud Nine is a great shock. The RCA valve is a bit hard to reach and it does do something but not too noticeable for people like me who weigh 200 lbs and are running 250 psi in the shock. I put componenets on my bike that I feel can handle my weight and the rigors of 24 hour relay races--I don't need equipment hassles at 3AM--I look forward to racing it this summer. Not to mention as I said above CC's customer service is the best I have ever experienced with any company. I had to have my shock replaced after I broke the schraeder valve as mentionned in the weakness section and it occurred flawlessly. They are a great company that has earned my loyalty.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leigh
a Cross Country Rider
from Tigard, OR Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Catherine Creek
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Farm shop
Strengths:
Light weight, very adjustable, great service
Weaknesses:
none for current unit.
Similar Products Used:
Fox
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mt Slayer, FOX RLC front
Bottom Line:
Excellent, excellent shock, its soooo smooth and very effective rebound control, progressivity control etc, very compliant. gives a no bob ride even though Slayer is not a pure-4-bar. For an XC or all-mt bike with up to drops of a few feet, its just great. For a freeride/hucking bike, go with a beefy/heavy coil shock i suppose.
The first unit i got had a slow leak but their service was great. they fedex'ed a replacement same day, they trusted me to send the 1st later. I haven't put air in the replacement unit for a year... i keep checking it but it never needs any... in fact i lost weight and had to bleed some off! I took it to Whistler and did some drops of several feet, no problem. Romped over stutter bumps and kept nice control and braking (will somebody outlaw those dang brake-jacking single-pivot bikes that create stutter bumps on those otherwise stupendous whistler trails!) Great job Cane Creek. Its not an inexpensive shock but its worth it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Hall
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK Date Reviewed: October 2, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek Direct-
Strengths:
Plush, FUNCTIONS EXACTLY AS ADVERTISED, smooth, operates to full range of motion giving you the most suspension possible
Weaknesses:
Dials are a LITTLE difficult to turn, when RCA switch (WHICH IS NOT A LOCKOUT!!!!!!!-AND it is not advertised to be a lockout, so disregard anyone's comments about how it does not lockout)is depressed to short range position, rebound does not adjustable.
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID - only okay in performance, sorry customer service for my experience.
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS with all XT, XT hydraulic disc, Mavic 3.1, customized manitou black 100mm, and now my Cloud Nine
Bottom Line:
AWESOME - I AM ON CLOUD NINE!!!!!!!!!!! This shock performs exactly as advertised, which means I never was mislead to believe it has lockout - I apologize for those who were confused and did not give a better rating to this shock on the basis it does not lock out. This is what it does do....
1- the rebound locks so slow that it will not return up on the lowest setting until the bike is completely still!!!! YET, the system is highly intelligent, if I try to make this happen while showing somebody how it will do it sitting still. It is wild, you have to see it for yourself. When rebound is in my slow setting I use, it will bounce only moderatley if I am cruising and pedalling, and it will still "hop" so I can still do tricks, then when I step on it to take off fast it does not move more than 1/32 of an inch - phenominal - you don't need lockout or to change settings - I pedal long strokes and it still does not bob!!!!!!!!!!! Then I climb and hop off a rock and it comes up real slow and easy, but will repercuss if immediately you hit another rock. Rebound is INCREDIBLE!!!!
2- compression - it may be set to a higher spring rate, but I keep mine in the slowest rate for plush riding. There is definitely a difference in riding conditions when increased, but I don't use it- I just hit the RCA and the spring rate is jumped to the highest setting so I can do trail or an extensive climb.
3- RCA - THIS IS NOT A LOCKOUT AND AFTER SEVERAL QUESTIONS TO CANE CREEK, several reps UNSOLICITEDLY TOLD ME IT IS NOT A LOCK OUT AND WILL STILL BOB - WELL DONE CANE CREEK - THEY SET THE CUSTOMERS EXPECTATIONS EXACTLY - they respected the fact a customer must know exactly what they are getting, even if what they are saying does not glorify the product. The RCA is useful- it shortens travel so if you should hit a bump, it won't over compress and keep you moving forward.
HOW I USE IT - the shock has an "intelligent" system - I keep the compression at the slowest spring rate, the rebound 3-5 clicks from the slowest, and the RCA off. When I crank down to take off, there is absolutely NO BOBBING, yet I go smack a rock, and it compresses down and does not "bounce" back up - when I climb, it allows you to skid, slide and hop off rocks while rebounding real slow and up onto the next rock at the most efficient rate possible - at first you will not know how the shock will bounce or slow down because it determines what it will do depending on the condition. Just like the previous rider commented before me, "at first I did not feel anything....because it was working so efficiently was why!!!!" OVERALL, it takes control and the ride therefore becomes controllable. The general rule is, take off - no response so you go fast, pedal moderately, it bounces some and rebounds a little faster, hop off a rock, it compresses and comes up slow - all of this in one setting!!!!! - oh, don't expect you will not feel rocks or bumps in the road though!!!! It is not a miracle worker, just better than all the competition.
People tease me when I say this, but Turkey Mtn in Tulsa is one of the hardest rides in the south and Mtn states - Other riders form Califonia , Texas, and the only Colorado native I've met agreed entirel. It is tight single track with 6 inch to 6 foot boulders and drop offs with trees on each side of the track that remove the rubber off your grips and skin off your hands when you are not so lucky - I have only been out ridden once in my life and it was by a guy who won his division in XC racing for Junior level, just below the pro circuit (he is now a pro). I have out ridden riders in the Mtns of New Mexico on their home territory, although I believe many of you reading this may be far better riders than myself. Yet, Turkey is the most difficult trail I have seen and bangs me up and this shock has made it so much easier!!!!!!!! I WILL SAY THAT YOUR BIKE MAY CAUSE YOU TO HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE, but on my NRS, there is nothing better!!!!!!!! I will be calling Giant to tell them they need to put this on their NRS bikes without exception! It is the best you can do for 4" travel shocks where you need a plush travel that does not bob while giving predictable and steady control!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Netherlands Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
cane creek
Strengths:
It's light weight. Excellent response to agressive bumps, and not weak at all. Easy to adjust.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox SID adjust
Bike Setup:
CUBE AMS bike. DEORE XT drive train. Magura brakes.
Bottom Line:
It made my bike go like a NIMBUS2000. At first I thought it was not working at all because I didn’t feel anything. But this is just what it is all about. The thing is that with my old shock I could find a setting with which I could use the full travel. It was either too hard with no useful travel left or too soft with too much sag. With Cloud Nine I got it all, hardly any sag, full travel and eliminates about anything. Cane Creek is worth your business. Go for it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from kokomo, in, usa Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
directly from cane creek
Strengths:
fantastic adjustability! compression and rebound knobs great for "fine" tuning. soaks up about everything in a lightweight package. it is expensive, but if you want the best, this is it.
Weaknesses:
a wee expensive, but once you strap it on your ride, you will know where that money went! no weaknesses, but it would be nice if color options were available
Bike Setup:
EPX Terrashark frame, mostly XT drivetrain, easton bar and stem and marzoochi MX Pro fork
Bottom Line:
Great shock. nice option to switch between rough conditions and smooth conditions; and switching is a no-brainer and can be done while riding (be careful, though, it takes some practice).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from PA Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Merli Sarnoski
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
direct
Strengths:
Great rebound control, lock out, very SMOOTH!!!! Did I mention it was smooth???
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
SID rock shox, RST coil over
Bike Setup:
Gt I-Drive 3.0 with hayes hydraulic disk brakes, race face crank, mallet c pedals, ultra fr riser bar, chris king wheelset.
Bottom Line:
This shock kicks butt!! I got the trade in at can creek and it was the best shock I have ever used. Don't hesitate to try this shock. BUY IT!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
n
a Cross Country Rider
from california Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
cane creek quality
Weaknesses:
obselete design
Similar Products Used:
cane crk ad10, fox float, etc.
Bottom Line:
bottom line is that even though i was a big cane creek fan years ago, their shocks are obsolete, including the cloud 9. stable platform technology in the progressive air shock and the new manitou shocks is the new way to go for lightweight XC bikes....active suspension to suck up bumps and give traction, but stable pedaling platform gives efficiency. the lockout versions of the fox plain suck in terms of reliability (in fact, santa cruz tells you straight out get the float R not the Float RL!) and the pseudo lockout feature of the cloud 9 is not much better. and besides, stable platform damping technology means that manual lockouts are half a$$ed solutions by comparison. so sell your cloud9 now before it becomes widely known as being obsolete and therefore worth less.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ed
a Racer
from Yorktown Heights, NY USA Date Reviewed: June 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Don'worryboudit
Strengths:
Lotta people commenting on the lack-of lockout/hard to reach lockout. Get over it. Most riders, racers as well as weekend warriors, really do not benefit from a rear lockout, although the primadonnas out there think they need one in order to ride the local trails properly on a Saturday morning. JUST RIDE AND ENJOY!!!!!! YOU'VE GOT THE BEST SHOCK ON THE MARKET, YET YOU REALLY SUCK AS A BIKE RIDER, SO YOU ACTIVELY SEEK SOME SORT OF PERCIEVED WEAKNESS IN THE PRODUCT AS AN EXCUSE FOR YOUR INEPTITUDE. C'mon, man, any competent rider using a Cloud Nine knows the deal. If you have the right bike, there is absolutely no reason to use a rear lock out, much less complain about one that works very well. This whole assumption that, when all of a sudden the trail pitches upward it miraculously also becomes smooth and non-technical needs to leave the West Coast fire road mind set. In the North East, the hills tend to be the most "technical" portions of any trail system, because of the combined forces of nature, poor trail consrtuction (don't tell IMBA) and high rate of usage, every rock, rut, and root gets exposed, and the steeper the climb, the rougher the terrain ( more erosion and exposure due to water run-off)and the more useful rear suspension becomes. I used to try to jockey my plump 175 pound ass up and around all those bumps and jolts on a hard-tail - and I was pretty good at it then - but when I upgraded to a full suspension rig and THEN to a CLOUD NINE, my Trail World changed completely. I can keep my plump ass seated as I, in the most efficient manner demonstrable by myself as well as the rest of the cycling performance research community, spin a nice gear up all climbs I might encounter. F rear lock outs. I'm not Roland or Ryder or Jeremiah, and neither are you. Your amateur ass has nothing to gain from locking out your rear end. You might seek some "feel" or "performance benefit" from it, but you really are clueless to what that all means. If you wish to argue or debate this issue with me, I welcome your comments at my email.
Bottom Line:
Just read what I've written above, try to learn from it, and stop whining.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Cahill
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003
After contacting Cane Creek about their send $100.00 instant rebate program for their Cloud Nine rear shock, I was all over it. The Cane Creek rep. I spoke to on the phone was very helpful in getting the correct info for my ride & even told me to visit my local shock to get any blown rear shock to send them in lue of like new Fox I was still riding. After getting the shock & Installing it, I must say that I really like the smooth ride it gives. Unfortunally my nice experience with Cane Creek ended there, as after I mounted it I noticed that you can not disengauge the RCA valve on the Yeti AS-R frame due to the linkage. After taking pics of the set-up & sending them to the Cane Creek rep. 4 times without a responce, I have given up & do not use the RCA valve, which kinda defeats the purpose of having it in the 1st place...agree!?!? If the lock-out were like the Fox where it has a sweeping arm or had a longer knob end where you could push/pull it from the one side, it would be much better. Additionall, like others have said, the RCA really does not work as a full lock-out as air will always compress somewhat in the shock. Bottom line, it's probley a really good shock, just not on a 4-linkage frame where you have to use a small screwdriver to disengauge the RCA valve.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victor
a Weekend Warrior
from Everett, WA USA Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tiger Mountain
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Bike Centers of Everett
Strengths:
RCA instantly improves efficiency, light-weight, rebate program
Weaknesses:
was hoping for even more of a lockout feature, RCA button is hard to find
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float RL
Bike Setup:
Diamondback X2, mostly stock
Bottom Line:
I was looking to get rid of my bouncy non-adjustable Rockshox Deluxe, and simultaneously drop some weight (X2 is a tank). Cloud Nine did it in every way. I'm a more efficient rider with the RCA engaged, without losing the plush ride of a good rear shock with the RCA off. The price is a little high without the rebate program, so I was happy to participate in it. Also, the RCA button ended up in a precarious place on my frame -- I'm now a candidate for possible finger crushage. Nevertheless, I did a default setup on the shock and have been riding with a grin on my face on both hard surfaces and soft. I might get more thrills by reall tweaking the adjustments. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this thing holds up over the long haul, although I'm encouraged to see that the seal kit is only $10.
Highly recommended!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Edmonton, AB Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek direct
Strengths:
Light weight Adjustability Easy to service Good performance
Weaknesses:
Price RCA ineffective Too expensive without the trade-in program
Similar Products Used:
Fox Vanilla, Vanilla R
Bike Setup:
Trek Y
Bottom Line:
This is a great shock. My Vanilla was dead after six seasons, and I needed a replacement. I was leary of going to an air shock, as coils are more reliable, and more supple on smaller hits. Cane Creek's $100 trade-in program, coupled with the good reviews here, enticed me to buy. Turned out to be a good decision. The performance is great - the advantage of being able to tune the spring rate far outweighs the reliability aspect of a coil. If the Cane Creek is less plush on smaller hits, I can't detect it. Shock doesn't lose air at all over a period of a week, which is long enough for me. The Cloud Nine is very easy to service, and the seal kits are cheap - about $10. The Cloud Nine also pared a noticeable amount of weight off the bike.
Two complaints: One, the RCA may function on more efficient 4-bar designs, but on my URT, it does virtually nothing to firm up the ride. As other reviewers mentioned, a complete lockout would be preferable. Second, despite going over the fitment specs in minute detail with Cane Creek, they still managed to send the wrong size bushing adapters. Luckily, I had some new ones for my old Fox on hand, so I didn't have to wait for them to send replacements.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Rocklin, CA, USA Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Compared to the Rock Shox SID XC which came on my bike, there is no comparison. This shock is just amazing! It smooths out the small bumps and sucks up the bigger hits with no problem. I've only had to add air once since installing. It just works. It's super easy to adjust the compression & rebound which means it's easy to set up overall. The second best upgrade I've done. Best upgrade was the Shimano XT Disc braekes. If you're running a SID and want more plushness - the Cloud Nine is for you!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JD
a Weekend Warrior
from So Cal Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came on my Marin Rock Springs
Strengths:
Excellent Shock, super plush and tons of adjustability + lockout
Weaknesses:
I'm thinking previous owner may have abused shock. Since I'm not that hard on my equipment. Developed a hairline crack around upper mount, and ended up slowly losing air.
Similar Products Used:
RS SID XC
Bike Setup:
01 Marin Rock Springs w/ Psylo race up front and Could 9 in the rear.
Bottom Line:
Excellent shock while I had it before it developed a hairline crack and started losing air. I hope Cane Creek comes through and hooks me up with a replacement.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chance Richie
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: March 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Emma Long
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$229.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek direct
Strengths:
Plush, tough, and adjustable
Weaknesses:
If you are not an efficient pedaler there is some bobbing
Similar Products Used:
Fox coil
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro w/ Raceface, Chris King, Marzocchi MX Comp, XTR shifters and deraileurs
Bottom Line:
I was very apprehensive about moving away from a coil shock but I really wanted to drop some weight on my bike to make it more feasible to possibly do some XC racing. All my fears have been laid to rest. The Cloud Nine is actually more plush than my coil shock and is very adjustable (almost to a fault). The lockout feature worked well for me in the winter when I would throw some slicks on and go for training rides. I haven't touched it since I have been able to hit the trails because the button is hard to work due to the configuration of my Enduro. It doesn't matter though because there is no bob as long as you spin instead of hammering the pedals like a locomotive. I only notice a slight bob when I get tired and my form starts breaking down. I interpret the bob as an appreciated warning. The people at Cane Creek are easy to work with and you get a great deal if you trade inb your old shock. For best results, allow 20% sag when setting your air pressure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cliff
a Cross Country Rider
from City of Litghts Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003
"lockout" could be better; pricey but worth it; no remote option
Similar Products Used:
AD-5, couple of coilovers/oil dampened
Bike Setup:
Trek Y with Manitou Six delux fork; all new component upgrades. Will swap out the Manitou for a SID XC and post again if it seems to make a big difference on performance with the Cloud 9.
Bottom Line:
Nice shock, suits my XC/technical terrain riding really well. Doesn't leak. Easy to adjust and air up. Wish CC would have done a little better job on the lockout: The lockout pin doesn't slide very smooth and I keep expecting it to "stick" but so far it's working OK. Not a big deal but I'd like another lockout notch to lock it out completely for smooth sections and an optional kit for a remote lever mounted on the frame or bars. If this shock keeps working as well as it has so far, I'll try to figure out a remote setup to at least "click it" back to normal on the downhills/rough climbing sections. Also, for a top of the line shock, it could have a better bushing set up imho. Grinding metal on metal through the bushing and on the sides against the frame??? My old coilovers showed how easy and effective a better set up is - hard teflon bushing insert and tef side washers. I ordered a narrower press in bushing from CC and used the old teflon washers with some new spacer washers. Nice set up. Took a while for the narrower bushing to arrive as CC forgot to ship it the first time. Friday and must have had a bad week; not too happy dealing with me but they took care of business and it worked out great - finally. Don't bother with a two step upgrade like I did; if you can figure some way to afford it, skip "in between shocks" go right to the Cloud 9.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jaco modiano
a Cross Country Rider
from colombia Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
pelicano
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
canecreek
Strengths:
gave my stiff NRS a new and practically smooth and plush no bob feel
Weaknesses:
semi lockout is good on long climbs but i tend to forget its activated and end up doing downhills with it after a climb and while it doesnt totally ruin the ride since it keeps 2" of travel, it does take some of that great feel when its not on. my fault though!
Similar Products Used:
rs sid xc
Bike Setup:
marz 100 nrs
Bottom Line:
at first after changing the sid that came on my nrs i felt like my bike was bobing too much but after adjustments and getting used to the new feel, i just would never go back to such a stiff ride. this shock has totally transformed my ride, making it pretty smooth. you do notice this is not coil but its as smooth as air is gonna get. its a good thing that maintenance and seal change can be made without having to send shock back to factory although i havent had a need for this type of repair yet. semi lockout is usefull in some situations but its easy to forget its been activated
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pascal
a Weekend Warrior
from Poitiers, France Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Cane Creek
Strengths:
Perfect "custom made" setting to my bike. AWESOME SERVICE from Cane Creek. They not only build excellent products, they are GREAT people also (thanks to Lena and Tom !). The shock itself is of top quality and it works very good.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float ; X-Fusion Shock
Bike Setup:
Specialized Enduro Comp (Year 2000), improved -among other parts- with a 2001 X-Vert Super Manitou fork
Bottom Line:
I love my bike but I always complained about the rear shock. The set-up was a basic Fox Float (no rebound control / no lock-out) that performed very well for what it was (not a leak or air pressure loss within 2 years) but it turned the bike into a yo-yo when climbing on flat surface. I wanted to upgrade to a new shock, but considering the money asked for a Fox RCL here in Europe, I waited for a good price opportunity that never came ! I then bought the cheaper X-Fusion Shock O2Pro, but despite several trials and what they say on their Web Site, I did not fit on the Enduro linkage and I have had to return it. Very frustrating.
Then I discovered the Upgrade Program for the Cloud Nine (return your old shock to Cane Creek and they will give you a $100 discount) I first enquired at several major US bike shops but they all declined the sell because I was located in Europe. I then asked directly to Cane Creek, where I received a very warm welcome from the staff. The process took a month to complete, and I am now the proud owner of another excellent Cane Creek product. I love the RCA button because it gives you a "hard tail bike" whenever you need it, with still a suspension that absorbes small bumps. A definitive plus over the "real" Lock position offered by the other competitors on the market...The other 2 control buttons are easy to use, after some field testings, you will find the right tunning pretty fast. The rebound setting is a major improvement for me, it gives me more confidence on big bumps than ever !
Excellent service, great shock, very good price for an US imported product (I was lucky enough to went through the Customs clearance at no charge !). I hope this shock will last for long but the experience I had with the Cane Creek "QuadraPivot" seatpost on my previous "hardtail" makes me self-confident.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Cooper
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chutes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Very plush and smooth, great adjustability, RCA, user friendly, increased travel, lightweight
Awesome shock, takes the small bumps out, very smooth and plush. I traded in my Rockshox Sid xc and this shock totally changed my bike. Now my fork feels quite inadequate. The cloud 9 gave me another 1" of travel, and you can definately feel the difference. I'm still playing with the compression/rebound settings and the air pressure. The more I dial it in each ride, the more I love this shock. Cane Creek has great customer service also. If you are looking for an air shock for the rear, this is THE shock. As far as the complaints about the RCA, it will pogo stick if you don't pedal smoothly. The RCA will make you a better climber because it forces you to pedal in circles and not bounce up and down. Bottom line, buy it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from PA Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Hub
Strengths:
Ease of use, very adjustable
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
AD-5
Bike Setup:
Sugar 3+ with chainrings and bottom bracket switched out for chainsuck problems. Also a new frame because of suckage!!!
Bottom Line:
Upgraded to the Cloud 9 after trying to adjust the AD-5 rebound one too many times. The Cloud 9 is absolutely worth every penny. It is fully adjustable and the lockout is almost perfect. I'm very picky when it comes to purchasing equipment like this and was very pleased. Highly recommend this unit.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Chandler, AZ, USA , North America Date Reviewed: December 19, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Mcdowell comp loop or TRW trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek by telephone
Strengths:
Highly adjustable, easy to maintain and install. Plush. Light weight. $100 off MSRP of $325 if you order before 12/31/2002.
Weaknesses:
It's not free. Decal on shock is a bit foo-foo.
Similar Products Used:
RST stock shock
Bike Setup:
GT 2000 I-drive, RockShock Duke XC, Mostly XT drivetrain and shifters, Avid V brakes, answer bars, kore stem.
Bottom Line:
Shock is very adjustable and plush. Makes the stock shock seem like a leaf spring. Adjusts well to heavy riders, I'm 185 lbs, and it could easily go another 50 lbs. I like the ease of service and being able to replace the seals my self if I have to. works well with I-drive altough I had to set the rebound damping up a little from stock setting. It's so plush I can ride some sections of track setting down that I would never have tried before.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug Brummett
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anything in Santa Cruz
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good esthetics, no tool damping adjustability, fits a whole lot of bikes, good customer service thus far
Weaknesses:
RCA sometimes is quite difficult to release from the saddle, not the best layout of damping adjuster knobs for my frame.
Similar Products Used:
AD-10(rode on a Heckler), Fox float (test rode), Fox talas (test rode)
Bike Setup:
Intense Uzzi SL, Z1 4" up front, Cloud Nine in the back, xtr/enduro/freeride build kit
Bottom Line:
I only have about 15 hours on the shock so far, so this review will not detail longevity issues.
At first I thought the RCA was stupid. Reason being that it just shuts the valving, ie no damping. So when engaged the rider is put onto a non damped column of air. Undampened air or any type of spring will bounce. No brainer there. Well, after initial playing with it I had decided not to use it. Today I gave it another try on some long fire road climbs and steep stuff in the Demonstration Forrest. I have to say after the 4 hour ride I have a new feeling of respect for the RCA mechanism. Yes, it will pogo like crazy if you pedal wildly. But if the rider,me, is smouth and consistent the shock will allow about 1/2" of shaft travel and not have annoying bobbing or the dead fealing of a non-locked shock. Bottom line on the RCA, it requires the rider to adjust to it to give the best results. If you are expecting a static lock out you should look elsewhere.
The Cloud Nine in all other respects performs great. I fell in love with the old AD-10 and can say that their new shock performs in a very similar fashion. It is a joy to ride. Plush through everything I have been able to throw at it. It took several 3-5' drops this afternoon with no problems and a very cush landing. I am more of an xc/enduro rider, but also like to toss the bike around and get air when available. Time will tell for sure, but my initial impression of this shock is very high.
I have been able to get a hold of the Cane Creek customer service on a couple of ocassions to bug them for information. They were very helpful. When I left a message my call was returned within an hour or two.
I would recommend this shock and will undoubtedly be riding it for quite some time.
Only complaints I have are minor. 1.the RCA button can be a bit stiff and difficult to get to dissengage from the saddle. 2.the rebound/compression adjusters aren'te very accessible on my Uzzi frame. More of a frame issue than shock, but it is a pain to adjust these. Still better than having to wrench it though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from No. Cal Date Reviewed: November 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$325.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek
Strengths:
Light, plush
Weaknesses:
Too plush/active for a Superlight
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float R, Fox Float RL, Noleen NR2, Noleen Smartshock, Risse Racing Astro5
Bike Setup:
SC Superlight, XTR, Avid, Race Face, Chris King, etc.
Bottom Line:
Very plush shock. Unfortunately I thought it was a little to active (more like a 4-bar design). Rebound and compression dials only worked okay and the RCA button was silly. The RCA button only causes the bike to pogo at a very high frequency due to the higher compression setting. It should be a full lockout or nothing. After riding this, I decided that the Fox Float RL was a much better shock for the Superlight. I would guess that this shock would rock on a 4-bar or fully active bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Code
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$235.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Cane Creek
Strengths:
Plush, light(not heavy at least), serviceable, very tunable.
Weaknesses:
Eyelet was machined wrong when it came leaving it crooked, I got it to work and have yet to call Cane Creek to send me a new one...
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID XC, Fox Float R
Bike Setup:
Giant NRS - Aggressive XC
Bottom Line:
Excellent shock. Transformed my NRS into a unbelievably plush ride. Made it even plusher than a few Specialized Enduros with 5+ in of travel. I can't say enough good things about this shock, the RCA is great for climbing with very little bob, yet still having amazing plushness unmatched by any other shock I have used. Makes my 3.75 feel like 6!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from New York Date Reviewed: October 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Lightweight, very plush, maintanence free (so far).
Weaknesses:
Took a little time to dial in...but that was more my fault.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Vanilla RC.
Bottom Line:
I have to say that this shock is the real deal!! After installation, it took several rides to dial in the correct rebound, dampening, and air pressure. Once I got that done, everything was cool and I've never had to add air to this thing since. I've raced with it, trained with it, and pretty much beat the crap out of it on long technical rides without losing an ounce of air pressure. It amazes me that this is an air shock and doesn't lose pressure. Buy this shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LARRY PIRRONE
a
from CHINO HILLS Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
same
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
CANE CREEK
Strengths:
works great. great ride. like the semi lockout very much for street and hardpack.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
fox float.
Bike Setup:
trek fuel 80. deore crank. avid ad7 brakes. cane creek shock, shimano clipless. soon to be marzocchi mx pro (2003) fork with ETA.
Bottom Line:
this is a followup to my previous review. cane creek recommends 130lb air pressure for my weight. i have since lowered it to 110. i am using only two clicks of compression damping and three of rebound. this is giving me all the travel in the shock except for the last 1/4 inch. i suppose if i hit something hard enough i would get that. ride is very supple and tire stays in contact very well. i am still very impressed with this shock and highly recommend it for the trek fuel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LARRY PIRRONE
a Weekend Warrior
from CHINO HILLS Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
SCULLY RIDGE-CHINO HILLS
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
CANE CREEK
Strengths:
seems to be very well made. easy to set up. very smooth. quality product and service.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
fox float
Bike Setup:
trek fuel 80. stiffer spring in manitou fork. shimano clipless, xtr front derailer. deor front crank (warrantee replacement). cane creek cloud 9
Bottom Line:
the original fox float is adequate but i had to pump it to 200lb which made the ride somewhat choppy and limited travel. the cloud nine is being run at 130lb. this gives me more travel but no bottoming out. the rebound and compression adjustments work very well and keep the tire on the ground. i particularly notice this on choppy downhills under braking. before my rear tire broke loose quite easily and now stays in contact and gives me better control. on closely spaced bumps the shocks is very active but well damped and the ride is noticeably smoother.
the "semi lockout" feature is very nice for climbing and smooth surfaces. it actually reduces travel by about half. this is done by reducing the spring volumn and causing the air spring to ramp up rather fast. it also significantly reduces the initial sag. there is still some give but is very stiff.
this shock works very well with the trek fuel suspension design. you can maintain that very solid feel when climbing that this bike has, yet have a much more supple ride in the bumpy stuff. as an upgrade on the fuel i highly recommend it. you will have to mount the shock upside down, but this makes it much easier to get to the adjustments and lock out. you can't beat the price. cane creek will take your old shock and give you $100.00 off. net price (before tax and shipping is 225.00 a great buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Navarre, FL Date Reviewed: October 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek (direct)
Strengths:
Ease of install, ease of adjustment, works great, price (just compare it to similar products). Cane Creeks trade in deal.
Weaknesses:
Someone forgot to tighten the rebound adjustment knob before they shipped it. It was there, but loose. Luckily I check that kind of stuff before I ride so I did not lose the knob
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox Deluxe
Bike Setup:
1999 GT XCR 3000 upgraded with XTR drive train, Mavic 517 wheelset with XT hubs and Rock Shox Judy Race in the front. Not much is really stock any more, just the frame. Unfortunately I upgraded the rear shock last, it should have done it first.
Bottom Line:
Awesome! I've been mountain biking for 15 years, riding full suspension for a little over 3 years. I've ridden a couple of other full suspension bike, last of which was a TREK Fuel 90. It's hard to compare because your friends set their bikes up different than you do, but with this shock I fell in love with my bike all over again. I liked it before, but will keep it for years now. That's how much this shock improved my ride. This is how full suspension is suppose to operate. This shock does have one major flaw though. It has made me a lazy rider. No more picking the best line, no more worring about roots, no more flying off of the seat. You just ride and let the bike do all the work. Roots that would previously make my bike kick like a mule now feel like running over an empty garden hose. Jumps that would slam me to the ground feel like I'm landing on a mattress, without the spring back. The shock soaks it all up and waits for more. I waited three months before I wrote this review to make sure I wasn't just thrilled to have a new shock and although it worked great right out of the box, tuning it only increased it greatness. Don't wait, buy now and thank you Cane Creek. You have a customer for life. The thing is honestly that good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DAVID
a Weekend Warrior
from MAUI, HI Date Reviewed: September 14, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
DIRECT FROM CANE CREEK
Strengths:
SUPPLE WITHOUT SAGGING, HANDLES A WIDE RANGE OF TERRAIN AND EVEN A FEW MODERATE DROPS. SIMPLE, BEAUTIFUL, EXCELLENT CRAFTMANSHIP. VERY ADJUSTABLE. LIGHT.
Weaknesses:
NONE FOUND YET
Similar Products Used:
FOX FLOAT, SID
Bike Setup:
ELLSWORTH TRUTH, SID, XTR
Bottom Line:
WHAT CAN I SAY, I'M STOKED. FEELS GREAT, EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. EXCELLENT SUPPORT AND PACKAGING. SMALL COMPANY VALUES EACH CUSTOMER AND THEIR SUPPORT SHOWS IT. EXTRA BONUS, RECEIVED 100$ INSTANT CREDIT FOR BEATUP FOX FLOAT--SIGHT UNSEEN! NOT FOR DOING BIGGER DROPS, BUT WHAT AIRSHOCK IS?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve-O
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: August 15, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Rock Lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Direct
Strengths:
ADJUSTABILITY, reliability, user servicability...
Weaknesses:
Ummm... Maybe a little too linear... A little big compared to Fox
Similar Products Used:
2001 Fox Float RC
Bike Setup:
2001 SC Superlight. Manitou Mars, XT, Thomson
Bottom Line:
After two failures in under 9 months with the Float RC (Both factory warrantied with good service). I got a Cloud Nine through a shop deal direct from Cane Creek back in January. My main reason was that fact that CC was user servicable and I was tired of sending my shock back to Fox. I called CC right after I first heard about the Cloud Nine and worked with Doug to get a shock sized for my SL (I think I may have gotten the first 7-7/8" size Cloud Nine...)
At first the shock was a big change from the Fox. It was much more plush. I attribute some of this to a more linear spring rate. Some of this can be adjusted by the dampening. The knobs for both compression and rebound are large and easy to use. I often tune my shock while I'm riding down the trail to get it how I like it.
Now after a whole summer of riding there is not much else I can say. the shock just plain works. It's more adjustable, I can service it, that's about it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry Jamison
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Worth, TX Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Cameron Park, Waco, TX
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bike Setup:
2001 Trek Fuel 98&100
Bottom Line:
I recently decided to upgrade the Fox Float off my Trek Fuel 98 with the Cloud nine, based on a friends reccommendation. I couldn't believe the difference it made. It provides a smooth controled ride without all the bobbing. Something I didn't think was attainable at this level. After a test ride on my bike, my son also replaced the Fox Float RC on his Fuel 100 with the Cloud Nine and has experienced the same results. I'm a 180lb ridder and my son is at 130lb but the shock responds equally well for the both of us. It has a large range of settings to customize to your ridding style and the RCA lockout will really stiffen it up for those grinding climbs. If your looking for the upgrade with instant gratification, you won't go wrong here.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ED
a Racer
from Yorktown Heights, NY USA Date Reviewed: July 27, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Very Light, noticably more plush on the small stutter stuff than a Float RC, buttery smooth, and you look cool just having one on your bike.
Weaknesses:
Not a true lock-out feature. Most riders won't miss it's absence, but there are times during a race when a real rigid rear end is useful.
Similar Products Used:
Fox Floar RC
Bike Setup:
Turner O2 set up to be very light and fast.
Bottom Line:
This shock significantly improves the way my bike rides and feels. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is less bobbing during seated climbing that with the Float. The Turner's design, being similar to the Trek Fuel, also requires the shock to be mounted upside down in order to have convenient access to the lockout button. I checked with Cane Creek, and I was assured that this configuration poses no greater risk for contamination, and after several rides and races in rain and thick muck, it's holding true.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darius
a Weekend Warrior
from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Yak Butter Bong
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Plush, good adjustability, easy to work on, light, brilliant design
Weaknesses:
this is a update of my previous review - see bottom line comments
Similar Products Used:
AR-1, AD-10
Bike Setup:
Sugar 1, loaded
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my previous review. I loved the shock but lost one of the adjuster knobs and then the semi-lockout button jammed. Once again, Cane Creek has made good on their product and have promised to send a replacement shock to me here in Mongolia. Once again I can say that no one in the industry offers better customer support than Cane Creek, period. This company deserves your business.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, CA Date Reviewed: July 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$235.00
Purchased At:
cane creek
Strengths:
Very smooth and plush. Very light.
Weaknesses:
can be expensive
Similar Products Used:
fox coil over
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Spice that's not so stock anymore
Bottom Line:
Switching from my Fox coil-over shock to the Cloud Nine made my ride more plush, increased useable rear travel, and lightened my bike by a little over a pound. I don't think I could ask anymore from an upgrade. I did the trade in program through Cane Creek, so the price wasn't too bad. Very satisfied.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darrin Hosinski
a Cross Country Rider
from Centerline, MI, USA Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Macomb Bike & Fitness
Strengths:
Compression and Rebound dampening adjustability totally elimated my pogoing problem when climbing.
This is an awesome upgrade! I had a Rock Shox Deluxe and I experienced pogoing at every climb. When I saw the trade in deal Cane Creek had I knew it was too good to miss. I can't say enough about this product. It acted exactly like Doug in the Technical Services said it would. He told me everything there was to know. I put it on, it was easy to adjust, and the first time out on the trail I felt like I was on a hardtail on the hills. If your looking to get rid of that unwanted bobbing on hills, this is the best upgrade you can invest in. I believe the deal runs out on July 31, so hurry over to Cane Creek's website. You won't be sorry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Richwood, WV USA Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Kennison Mtn. Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek (direct)
Strengths:
Lightweight, very adjustable, semi-lockout, easy and inexpensive to rebuild, adjust on the fly.
Weaknesses:
None, nada, zip, zero
Similar Products Used:
Rockshox Deluxe
Bike Setup:
Mongoose VRS 3.0, Duke XC, Mavic wheels, XT components.
Bottom Line:
This shock is amazing. I did the upgrade from Cane Creek and got $100 for my worthless Rockshox Deluxe. Only on the phone for 5 minutes and my order was placed. Received the shock 2 days early. Bolted right up, no hassles. It gave my bike an inch and a half more travel in the rear. Totally change the way my bike rides. Very plush. The semi-lockout works great. You can really feel it on the climbs. If you ride cross country and want a lightweight, smooth, adjustable shock the Cloud Nine is the way to go. Cane Creek rules.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darius
a Weekend Warrior
from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Marmot mangler
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
Speedgoat
Strengths:
Lightweight, highly adjustable, plush for an air shock, easy to work on
Weaknesses:
Apparently really fragile
Similar Products Used:
AD-10, Stratos AR-1
Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar 2 with many upgrades
Bottom Line:
I had a good two-year run on an AD-10. So when I added another bike to my quiver I decided to upgrade to the Cloud Nine. First impressions were very sweet - it's definitely an improvement over the AD-10 in terms of adjustability and responsiveness. Unfortunately after one month of riding I looked down one day and noticed the rebound adjuster knob was..gone! Just a metal post sticking up like on an old washing machine missing its knobs. OK, that can hapen if you grab the bike wrong when you load it into the truck, but it shouldn't. I have not crashed this bike since adding the shock so that can't explain the loss either. But it gets worse, the max compression semi-lockout knob is jammed in the lockout position. No amount of muscling will put it back to its normal setting. Caveat: Cane Creek has always been very helpful and I think they're customer service is superb. So I am hoping they will take this back and replace it.Then I will come back here and upgrade the ratings
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, WI Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Cane Creek Cycling (Direct)
Strengths:
Plush. Plush. Adjustable. Semi-Lockout. Plush. All black, goes will with my bike. Takes the big hits, takes the small hits. A /lot/ less "bounce" when I am out of the saddle sprinting, EVEN WITHOUT lockout than my Fox Float. User Servicible! Sent in my POS Fox Float to Cane Creek and recieved $100 off the price of the Cloud Nine. Impossible to go wrong with this deal!
Weaknesses:
I have to mount it upside down to get the lockout available to me on my Fuel. Not a problem in itself, but it might allow for more gunk to get at the shock, we shall see. Oh yea, it needs a better label on it! ;)
Similar Products Used:
Fox Float (Peice of S*&#$^ compared to the Cloud 9)
Bike Setup:
'01 Trek Fuel 90 with following mods: Raceface XS ISIS BB/Turbine Cranks, Avid SD Ti levers w/ SD Ti Rear Brake, and Arch Rival Front, SRAM 9.0SL Shorty Shifters and Rear D, XTR Front, Cane Creek Ergo Control bar ends, Easton CT2 handlebar, OLCV MC Rocker Link, Cane Creek Crono Wheels, Thomson Stem/Seatpost, Chris King Headset
Bottom Line:
This is the way rear shocks should operate. It has totally transformed my bike. The difference in handling compared to the old Fox Float is amazing. Used it for the first time today at the WORS Cup in Wausau, Wisconsin, and over the rock garden-like singletrack that was featured in this course, it took *everything* I threw at it and wanted more. I'm a 160lb rider, and I demand the best from my components, I am recommending this shock to everyone I know with a FS bike, and I am sending Cane Creek a letter tonight to personally thank them for making such great componentry. This review isn't enough to totally explain how great this shock is, you have to ride it to believe it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Skookum
a
from Seattle Wa USA Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Center Cycle Renton Wa
Strengths:
A shock that does it's job and more. Absorbs hits and stutters from roots and rocks. Plush over everything including big logs. Rebound dial-Compression dial easily adjustable. RCA switch along with Pyslo SL Lockout turn my I-drive into the closest thing u can get to an imposter fully rigid bike
Weaknesses:
Will it hold up to a punishing season of N.W. Washington pounding? By reading the review of other Cane Creek shock i'm hopeful...
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox SID XC
Bike Setup:
GT-I-Drive 2.0 (yes the dying breed) Psylo SL/w.new dial to mess with travel, Hayes Hydraulic Disc Brakes, Ti bar, Attak Grip Shifties, Bontrager Clydes Rims, Smoke Classic Tires in the back Old Skool baby, everything else pretty much stock,
Bottom Line:
I weigh 220 lbs and am harsh on my bikes. There are not many smooth trails here in Washington so suspension here is mandatory unless your a racer, street cyclist, transplant, purist/dumb. I always used coil shocks until i was cursed with the stock SID xc air on my bike. That shock sucked! When i shopped around for a new one i researched by mainly talkin with my local mechanic/guru and reading mtbreview reviews. I bought this shock mainly because of the positive reviews on the AD 12. Saved 100 bucks by trading in that old peice of %@&*... After two rides i'm glad i made the purchase. It feels wonderful, just like a cloud!! First of all for the forest road climbs, the cloud nine has what is called an RCA switch. It maxes out the rebound and kills the compression locking out the shock significantly. For big drops, or riding up long climbs it's wonderful. Switch the dial back and boom u have great performing shock. Compression/Rebound dials easily turned to dial in the best feel for the ride. The shock does what a shock is supposed to do. It sucks the rear tire against the trail, and it absorbs hits like a charm. Quick stuttering action from tree roots, rock gardens are gobbled up like m and m's in front of stoner. Climbs well yes, drops well yes, takes edge off yes. Believe me i didnt buy this shock because it's an air shock and saves weight. No if i had my druthers i'd go Coil the whole way, but after sifting thru aftermarket shocks everything screamed for me to buy this shock and so far i'm glad i did. I'm on cloud nine, yup....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a
from Longview Wash. USA Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Harmony Drive
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great shock,very adjustable,semi lockout,reliable.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found one yet.
Similar Products Used:
AD5
Bike Setup:
Sugar 3+ Disc.Stock except handle bars, saddle, and time atac peddles.
Bottom Line:
This has been a great shock. Once set to my preference i haven,t needed to make any adjustments, but the ability is there to do anytime, even on the fly. I like and use the semi lockout on climbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M g
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Yankee
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Highly adjustable, great all around performance, lockout switch, lightweight, cheaper than a coil, easy to service
Weaknesses:
Cannot install remote lockout lever...but switch is very easy to reach on my bike
Similar Products Used:
Fox Vanilla R
Bike Setup:
'98 Rocky Mtn Element Race with one or two original components remaining
Bottom Line:
After installing this shock, my Rocky mtn rides like a different bike. With a quick click of the lockout (not a true, 100% lockout but it gets the job done) there is no more bobbing on the uphills or the feeling of pedalling in oatmeal when you stand up on the pedals. Bonus for my wife: I no longer feel the need to add a hardtail to my line-up (now I can start thinking about a new road bike...).
The shock is easily adjustable. I was able to dial in the pressure and rebound settings quickly. Properly adjusted, it handles the small stuff and the rough stuff equally well. On my first lap around my favorite trail I knocked over a minute off my normal time even tho my legs were maybe 70%. I attribute this to the lockout and to better tracking on the downhills.
The Cloud Nine replaced an aging Fox coil. In its defense, the spring was too light for my weight (just under 200) and I kept the preload rather high to minimize the bobbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dimm
a Weekend Warrior
from new york Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
roys bike shop
Strengths:
This thing, isnt named cloud nine for no reason! Its completely adjustable on the fly! and not on the fly! its all good
Weaknesses:
none!!!(well exept a the little valve for rebound control fell off, after i did more then a foot jump of a pretty high curb, but its not a weakness, all that needed to be done is simply take an allen key and tighten the sucker)
Similar Products Used:
DNM(very poopie rear shock..ewwww) Fox vanilla coil (yummy!!)
Bike Setup:
2002 sugar 1: all xtr/shimano rims/thompson seat post & stem/bontrager race lite bar/fox float 100rcl fork/can creek cloud 9/shimano DX pedals/selle italia prolink saddle/nokian gazzalodi core 2.3 tires/chris king headset
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is: OOOOPs i crapped my pants, this things is as delicious as it looks. The thing is plush, comes with a pump, so u can pump it etc. Very adjustable, every bump i took it sucked up well and a did over a 1 foot drop, it did an amazing job, on it:) so it has potential to do much more. The shock is one of the best ones i've tried so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marco righetti
a Cross Country Rider
from uddingston,lanarkshire,scotland UK Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
glentress forest (red route)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
traded in my ad-5 to C.K.
Strengths:
plushness,adjustability.
Weaknesses:
none, except i would of liked it to be a bit lighter!
Similar Products Used:
cane creek ad-5
Bike Setup:
2001 trek fuel 80 down to 22.5 lbs
Bottom Line:
it hasn't failed yet,i would recommend this shock especially when cane creek have this trade in program!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scott martin
a
from san clemente Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$225.00
Strengths:
Super easy to install and the adjustments are positioned where you can make easy adjustments, even on the fly. The RCA "lock out" is a great added feature.
Weaknesses:
RCA Switch tough to get at on a Santa Cruz Superlight
Similar Products Used:
Cane Creek AD 10, Fox TC
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight, 01' Judy SID Race, Cane Creek Cloud Nine, Titec stem and bars, Race Face Cranks, White Inductries Hubs, Tioga XC wheels
Bottom Line:
Still a bit early to give a bottom line because the long term strengths have not been established..........however, so far at face value this shock ROCKS!! I had an AD 10 and took advantage of the upgrade program through Cane Creek. I sent back my AD 10 on a Tuesday and by Friday I had my Cloud Nine on the road. MSRP of 325, Cane Creeks upgrade is 225. This shock is plush, light and can be tuned to your riding style in just minutes. Give her 5 flammers for the savings value and another 5 flammers for out of the box performance!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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