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Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Palatine
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Deer Grove | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The shock rides real nice and looks impressive. | | Weaknesses: | I can't tell the diff from smart mode to manual. The rebound actions sticks somtimes and the shock blew oil all over my swing arm,brake and tire with less than 50 miles on it.(4th time out) | | Similar Products Used: | Fox RC | | Bike Setup: | Proflex 5000,Z3 bomber,XT drive,monkey light bars and ct2 post. Cancreek D-5 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | K2 is replacing my shock under warrenty with a nr-2. I hope it works the reviews where not assuring. Does anyone know a good aftermarket shock? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Bywater
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Somewhere in Derbyshire... | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Noel Craft Cycles, Boston, Lincs | | Strengths: | Good all-round shock, very adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | I have had to replace twice due to oil leaks! | | Similar Products Used: | NR-2 on the front. | | Bike Setup: | Pro-Flex (K2) 957 Girvin Carbon Fork, mostly XT, hope 'fatso' hubs etc. | | Bottom Line: | It's good but the NR2 I have has outlasted it. Much more adjustable than the NR2 though. Might be better on a bike which has a bit more travel as the 3" on the proflex doesn't really use the shock to it's full ability. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KJ Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Orem, UT
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | That is personal | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | So far low maintenance. Compression is good. | | Weaknesses: | Controls are adequate, but could be more sensitive. Not user servicable | | Similar Products Used: | Stratos, fox, | | Bike Setup: | K2 5000, Marzocchi Z2 Bam, Mud, rocks and trail. Lizard Skin boot on the N4 from day one. | | Bottom Line: | I can recommend this shock now. The third one has been the charm(See my previous review from 1999). I did not have good luck with my first two. This one has not leaked any oil(I better run and check it after posting this ). I have had zero problems after more than 500 miles of nothing but dirt, rocks and one skunk. It has even cushioned my body on the Porcupine Rim Trail in Moab. I remember riding that trail a few years ago w/o any suspension. What a difference. PS I found a mechanic at the Kaibab(sp) bike shop in Moab who services this shock cheaper than K2 and offers some customizing options. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington,TX, Tarrant
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any that make me say Oh Shi_! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great travel
Smooth as silk | | Weaknesses: | Goofy looking
Not very adjustable | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension | | Bike Setup: | K2 5000 Proflex, Manitou Xvert T Triple clamp, LX and Race Face parts | | Bottom Line: | Really smoothed things out for me. Almost had to give up mountain biking because of neck operation,(dumped the hard tail)but this shock saved me. I love to ride hard and fast over the ruff stuff and my weight is 159lbs. No problems yet. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jacob
a Downhiller
from IL
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Aldeen | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great adjustability, and it takes BIG hits well. Also tracks nicely | | Similar Products Used: | NR-2, rst-22 | | Bike Setup: | Proflex 4000se w/99 Judy XLC | | Bottom Line: | No problems. I've raced in it, i've rode some sick drop-offs, and i've ridden almost every day for the last 2 summers. I couldnt ask for more in a rear shock. My suggestion is, to buy a lizard skin for it. Grit gets on the shaft and i get worried... Otherwise its perfect the way it is. P.s. Check out my website if you want to see it! hehe http://homestead.juno.com/mak90_1 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a
from Redmond, WA USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bike Setup: | '98 K2 4500 Carbon frame, Manitou X-Vert DC, NR4 rear shock, Hayes discs front and rear, Race Face and Shimano drivetrain, Easton carbon post and bar, Time pedals, Spin wheels.... | | Bottom Line: | I've heard a lot of bad press concerning the NR-4... Mine has held up to a hell of a lot of thrashing and hasnt given me any trouble... I have had a lizard skin on it since day one, which is a good idea for anyone... The compression dampening is great, as are the bottom out bumpers, although I believe I have only hit them once or twice... I wish the rebound control was a little more effective, more towards the slower range, but that is a nit-pick at best.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler
a Weekend Warrior
from UT,USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Blowhard | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | pretty much everything about it | | Weaknesses: | Seems to squeak quite often | | Similar Products Used: | nothing... this is my first FS bike setup | | Bike Setup: | K2 proflex 5000 | | Bottom Line: | I think this is an awesome shock for my needs... I've put some nasty abuse on this shock... no leaks yet, seems from the reviews that there are a lot of NR-4 lemons out there. Mine is great though, so since I have yet to come across problems it gets the best rating from me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P.D. Nick
a Downhiller
from A Great, Place For, DHing
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with rocks and mud/dirt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, great dampening, easy to maintain | | Weaknesses: | not everyone can use it. | | Similar Products Used: | Fox Vanilla RC, Vanilla R, Vanilla T, Sratos Helix. | | Bike Setup: | Mountain Cycle DHS, XT/XTR, White Bros UD150DH | | Bottom Line: | This shock is from my old frame so obviously I don't use it no more. The is a great rear shock for a beginning freerider. It's easy to maintain, give great amount of travel, always damp. It was almost depressing to give it up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KJ Smith
a Cross-Country Rider
from Orem, UT
Date Reviewed: December 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Secret trail west of Salem, OR | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Compression. Price. | | Weaknesses: |
Dampening is not as adjustable as I like. Cant work on the shock when are the mfg. going to listen!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock Shox, Stratos, Fox | | Bike Setup: |
K2 5000 with Marzocchi Z2 | | Bottom Line: | Since purchasing my bike in 2/99, I have had two NR4s replaced. Blew the first one--go figure (I weigh 180 and do not ride real hard). Second one leaked a lot at the end opposite of the shaft. Oil was all over my rear swingarm, etc. You could even smell the oil after a ride. I hope my new one lasts a bit longer. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mesa Arizona
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
everything | | Weaknesses: |
none that I have found | | Similar Products Used: |
all Noleen's NRs | | Bike Setup: |
98 4000xc | | Bottom Line: | I have put over 600 hard and rough miles on this bike since I bought it. I love the rear shock! I don't know if Noleen got the leaks under control or what, I haven't had the slightest problem with mine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arjun
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
*adjustable compression damping
*smooth | | Weaknesses: |
*adjustable rebound damping that isn't.
*poor quality control
*it sqeaks | | Bike Setup: |
K2 Proflex 4000SE | | Bottom Line: | I've had this bike for a week and a half-- I love it-- but I don't like the Noleen NR-4 rear shock. After my first ride on it, I noticed that paint was chipping off a part of the spring (see photo... I don't know if this form will accepot HTML or not). I didn't worry much about it since springs are made of very hard steel-- the piggyback couldn't wear through the spring.After my second ride a friend commented on the chipped paint. So I took a closer look. The spring had actually been wearing through the piggyback nitrogen unit! (2 images: image 1, image 2). This is obviously not a good thing! I wouldn't want a crack to form in the 200Psi nitrogen piggyback unit! This problem implies some very poor quality control on Noleen's part. Another issue that I have is that I can't adjust the rebound damping- as it is right now my shock has not much rebound damping, and I can't feel any difference in the damping whether the rebound is set to min or max.On the positive side, the shock is VERY smooth-- it rides quite plush, and the compression damping works very well (and is quite adjustable). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shain
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Canmore to Banff | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
*Great adjustability
*Nice travel
*Great Downhill Shock | | Weaknesses: |
Sometimes squeaks
hard to clean | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock shock deluxe back shock | | Bike Setup: |
nr4 on a k2 Proflex 4000 | | Bottom Line: | This is a great shock, it holds up great on the downhill, and isn't too bad on the uphills. I don't know what all the fuss is about? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Chun
a Cross-Country Rider
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Compression, Rebound, Preload adjustments. This is my second NR-4. The first was not so good, but the second is great! I haven't touched the shock other than when I take my RTS frame apart and grease all moving parts. It has had a lot of dust, but still very smooth and quiet. | | Weaknesses: |
A little overdamped is correct, but it is plush. I like it. | | Similar Products Used: |
NR-1 | | Bike Setup: |
RTS
98 SX-Ti, Noleen NR-4 | | Bottom Line: | I got one good rear shock after one not-so good. After almost one year of use, the shock hasn't been a problem at all. It has been smooth and plush. I'll make up for the 1 chilli I gave now almost a year ago... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from (Melbourne) Australia
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Really stiff and cool adjustments for both NR2(front) and NR4(rear) | | Weaknesses: |
A little squeking sound from both shocks | | Bike Setup: |
The old elastomer Shock units for the girvin forks and rear which sucks. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not sure what to say. I've heard more bad reports than good ones on both shocks. I just hope they work out well for me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've already reviewed the shock, but I have to review the customer service. I was recently working on my shock when I accidentally let the nitrogen out. I figured it was gonna cost me. Noleen replaced my shock with the newest model for free, and in only three days! As for the newer model, it's even better than the old. Five chillis for the best customer service I've ever come across. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
just bought a proflex 4000 xc, came standard w/ an nr-4. Travel is perfect for an xc, but handles downhill very nicely. I've heard a lot of stories of the nr-4 leaking from the seal... I've had mine for a month of hard riding almost every day and not a drop yet, just keep it adjusted for the conditions and take care of it. My only complaint is a slight squeaking noise on that only sounds on large compresions. It's not very loud soI don't notice when I'm riding, but when I'm tuning it up, it can get on my nerves. Anyone know how much longer it should take to fully brake in? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sivert Knutsen
a cross-country rider
from Molde, Norway
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This shock really stinks! At least mine do now. I've ridden it for about seven months now, and the rebound adjuster does not work properly. It's either really fast, or practically no rebound at all. Does anyone know what to do about this?
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CARLOS
a cross-country rider
from MEXICO
Date Reviewed: November 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
WELL, I FEW MONTHS BACK I COMPLINES ABOUT MY NR-4, BUT NOW THAT I GOT IT FIXED I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE AND THE SERVICE I RECEIVED FROM NOLEEN, NOW I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY 957 IS THE BEST BIKE I EVER RIDE, AND I'VE OWNED SEVERAL BIKES INTHE PAST, NOW IF I JUST CAN DO THE SAME WITH MY FORMER GIRLFRIEND... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
egustilo
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought a Jamis Dakar Team frame that had the Noleen NR - 4 as the rear shock. Had the bike built up and rode it..on my 4th ride.. I struck oil!!!!! Upon closer inspection...the NR - 4 in rear was the leaking oil heavily. Took it to an LBS and was told that it will take at least 3 - 4 weeks to get fixed from Noleen. Bummer!! I guess I have to ride my Hardtail.Shock was great while it worked. Going to buy a Cane Creek AD-10 to upgrade the Leaky Noleen NR-4. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Chun
a cross-country rider
from Cali
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Wow, the adjustments were great, and the shock suited me well after a few minutes of experimenting. I went Mountain Biking, for about 2hours and there was oil on my frame under the Noleen NR4 shock! I was assuming it was leaking. A brand new shock on a brand new bike leaked on the first ride! I liked the Noleen NR1 better, because it was very simple, and easy to use, with NO problems. Now, I'm going to have to go to the Bike Shop, to have them take a look. After the leaking, I had to put on a LOT of preload, and I'm wondering if the leaking changed the shock in some way. If you have any ideas, please email me!
I am very dissapointed in the shock. Instead of getting new ones or having service done, even if free, I would rather go back to the Noleen NR1, and have no problems. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CARLOS
a cross-country rider
from Queretaro, mexico
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Nollen NR-4: Fully adjustable, expensive (it came with my 957) but it leaked like the noleen valdez, and do you know how hard it is to get this kind of shock fixed in Mexico? could anyone help me and give noleen adress or phone number?Besides that minor problem, I Always thougt that it lacked damping, until the damm shock leaked, now I know the meaning of the word underdamped What a surprise! or me I say, what a shock!I am really, really mad. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a cross-country rider
from down south
Date Reviewed: August 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
in a word they SUCK!!!!!!
I have had my new one for three weeks and it is already leaking.
just junk!!
I am going to go back to a hard tail one day when i can sell this bike it just is not worth the trouble.
and K2 does not help they just keep giving you false promise's and junk to put on you're bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geo
a weekend warrior
from chicago
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i am a weekend warrior because my noleen shock are out for repair all the time. please test this shit before you sell it. listen everybody that likes to ride with damping. if you think your shocks are working guess again your dampening probably never worked in the first place | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darwin
a downhiller
from NY
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding on for the last 3 months The best rear shock I've ever road. They are fully adjustable (dampening, rebound, and compression) and offer a wide range of shock absorbtion. I haven't noticed any squeeking or stiction yet. No problems with the shocks yet and it's a smooth ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JONATHAN KEMBLE
a downhiller
from USA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A 97 PROFLEX ANIMAL THAT IS EQUIPED WITH THE NOLEEN NR-4.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD ABOUT IT. IT VIRTUALLY RUNS STICKION FREE. THE GREATED THING ABOUT THE NR-4, IS THAT THEIR IS 3 WAYS OF ADJUSTABILITY TO SUIT YOU. WITH MY EXPIEREANCE WITH THE NR-4 I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMEND ANY NOLEEN PRODUCT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee V. H.
a cross-country rider
from BC Canada
Date Reviewed: March 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I can't say that I have tried too many other shocks to compare this one to, but I've ridden a couple bikes equipped with Fox shocks (Kona and Heckler)and whether it was the bike design I dont know, but my KHS with the Noleen NR-4 was the plushest. Although my bike only gets 2.5 inches of travel, its very soft and responsive, and I've had it for almost 2 years and never had a problem with it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
me
a cross-country rider
from usa
Date Reviewed: March 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i've recently replaced the nr-4 from noleen with a stratos shock. biiiiiiig difference. I recently found out that about once a year you have to send in all piggyback shocks, no matter what model, made by noleen, to the manufacturer somewhere in New Jersey (i think) so they can rebuild it. this is due to the fact that the air-pressure inside is susceptible to leaking. since this shock uses both air and oil for rebound at such high pressures (800+ psi), the seals have to be super tight, meaning stiction. this also makes the shock more susceptible to leaking air, as i found out cuz i lacked any rebound dampening. so now i have to send it back in before i can sell it. the fact that ONLY Noleen can pump air into this shock sucks, which means maintenance is virtually impossible. noleen should make their products a bit more user friendly. i had to find out the hard way that i was riding around a 2 pound elastomer, cuz it lacked rebound. this shock sucks. check out the helix expert from stratos, it won't disappoint. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tylor Bohlman
a downhiller
from San Anselmo, CA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the Boleen shock on my KHS and it gives good suspension. The only compaint I have about it is that you cannotadjust it so it is very tight with a lot of travel. Overall I think that this shock is a cheep way to get a lot of suspension. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ramat
a cross-country rider
from sedona, Az USA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i've blown out 2 of the new nr4 on my new k2. It appears that noleen shocks don't hold up very long. My first blew on the first ride, the second lasted about 10 rides. I can't take thi any more Last years generation was just as bad. with regular use no nr4 lasted more than 2 months in sedona, what's up w/ that?? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
me
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've recently just bought a frame used which was the atx 990 team edition from giant. i've never ridden and fs bike until this one. other times, i would ride my hardtail. the rockshox deluxe that came stock on this frame was blown by the previous owner, who used the frame for downhilling. she only weighs 120 lbs., which kinda makes me wonder about the quality in r/s rear shocks. anyways, she replaced it with this one and rode it for a year trouble free. now i'm bashing the frame around, and man, do i notice it. i ride over things the size of my head and it just sucks it all up. one note of concern was the lack of slower rebound dampening. although it's a gas to ride and it's range of adjustments suits my weight, 150 lbs., the ability for me to dial in a slower rebound stroke is important, and it comes up a bit short in this area. still, a bad ass shock. can't beat it's quality either. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun Wetzstein
a weekend warrior
from Rochester, MN
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the NR-4 on a Pro-Flex Animal. the spring creaks a little as it gets compressed. Adjustments are easy to make. Only complaint is that a seal came
loose and Pro-Flex is replacing it with a brand new one with a better designed seal. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hamish
a weekend warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The NR4 works well and is very adjustable in compression rebound and preload my coil is slightly too stiff so I'm reserving a top rating till I can check it out with a softer spring | | Overall Rating: |
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