Well, This shock is amazing and I have had no problems with it. I do downhill flat out and it obviously see's to alot of bumps, roots, drops and jumps... Mine has my "Correct" Spring for my weight and has been TF Tuned also... For those who complaining, Try TFTuned.com to tune your shock, it's not too expensive and give the ultimate feel to your shock... I have never had a problem with the shock and it's perfect for my weight and riding style. Correct sag 30-40% for Downhill purposes. I wouldn't say hesitate to purchase one of these as mines wicked!! And from trying other bikes with Fox DHX 5 and Manitou Swingers and Revox, etc... I must say I prefer this... Excellent Product and 10/10!!!!
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Submitted by
jj cov
a Downhiller
from poway Date Reviewed: December 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
off camber
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
looks wicked!! very adjustable, doesnt bottom out easily
Weaknesses:
none so far, but would probably rather have a dhx 5.0
Similar Products Used:
fox dhx 3.0 5.0, vanilla r, swinger 3 way
Bike Setup:
05 sx trail
Bottom Line:
seems nice for jumping and downhilling, but i havent used it all that long, i would probably be happier with a dhx 5.0 but i dont really have and complaints about this shock,o ya and did i mention it looks reslly sick
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Submitted by
M
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Date Reviewed: August 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Shock feels OK when it's working.
Weaknesses:
Unreliable. Leaks
Bike Setup:
Stock '05 SX Trail
Bottom Line:
Started leaking (dripping onto the frame) w/in 10 min of ownership. Sent off for rebuild. Still weeping. Rode it a few months and sent it off again for another rebuild. Still weeping. Eventually it'll be dry of oil. Now Progressive is out of the MTB biz. Hopefully I can get it rebuilt again if parts are still available. This shock is the biggest downfall to an otherwise nice bike.
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Submitted by
Billy Anderson
a Downhiller
from Newfoundland Date Reviewed: July 14, 2006
i dono what the last 2 guys are talking about saying this shock sucks.. or that it is like having no travle... because mine is AMAZING could not complain one bit! the shock it holding up to everything i do. I use my bike for DH and Freeriding, and the shock works wicked!! THIS REAR SHOCK IS AMAZING the response is wicked the adjustments are wicked, and it looks friggen sweet in the sx frame... The bottom line for me is i LOVE this shock!!
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Fort Collins Date Reviewed: April 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Horsetooth
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
It was a very plush nice shock while it was working
Weaknesses:
The rebound adjuster broke, so now I basicly have no rebound at all.
Similar Products Used:
Fox DHX
Bike Setup:
Stock Enduro SX Trail
Bottom Line:
It is a nice shock if everything is working on it, but mine stopped. I've heard that other people have had problems with 5th element shocks and the trend seems to be continuing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rob
a Downhiller
from chch, nz (now boston, usa) Date Reviewed: March 23, 2006
Favorite Trail:
lynn / Nam / anything with a lift!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
with bike / LBS
Strengths:
Displacement and adjustability
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
other 5th elements
Bike Setup:
sx trail
Bottom Line:
not sure what those other guys are doing wrong, coz this shock is the balls.
Ability to tune the top of the stroke independent to the bottom allows for awesome fine tuning and a "bottomless" effect.
I set mine up super soft at the top of the stroke and super stiff at the bottom - I love the feeling of sag and negative travel but could never achieve that with my previous shocks without setting the thing so soft that it would bottom out. I know what the other reviewers mean by the dead feeling - you should be able to achieve that with any shock as adjustable as this. I suggest they tune their shocks properly, or get someone else to do it for them (or go back to the rock-shox pogo stick or whatever it was they were riding before).
I'm hammering through the roughest sections at twice the speed I used to, and although I have a separate DH bike I would recomend this for anyone who rides mostly freeride trails with a few DH days thrown in for good measure.
Not sure whu, but I've always worn through the teflon coated rings in the eyelets of my previous shocks every three months or so (I am a bit of a fat ass and I do ride freeride trails all the time). For whatever reason this shock has stayed rock solid so far - maybe its the floating / self centering set -up oif the sx trail ? not sure ... but it works for me!
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Submitted by
asp
a
from italy Date Reviewed: December 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
all of them
Similar Products Used:
fox vanilla
Bike Setup:
sx trail 2005
Bottom Line:
rubbish. no way to make it working a little. stiff and completely feeling like you have a piece of wood instead of a shock...
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Submitted by
Rizzo
a Racer
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: October 31, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
Makes your 6 inch travel bike feel like it only has 2 inches of travel. Dead as a doornail.
Similar Products Used:
Fox, Manitou and the other 5th Element models
Bike Setup:
2005 Specialized SX trail
Bottom Line:
My guess is the Progressive guys skimped on materials in spec'ing out this shock for Specialized. I've previously rode and enjoyed other 5th Element rear shocks, but this one is a complete dud! No end of tinkering seems to help. Note that specialized has moved to FOX for 2006, and it's no wonder. Don't buy this product!
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