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SB5.5 shock replacement options

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#21 ·
Crit Rat said:
5.5 owner here. Great bike but it's not the be all, end all.

Just rode a '17 Norco Range C9.2 and it was a beast descending, better I think than my 5.5. The Norco did pedal pretty well but not quite as good as the 5.5. 5.5's biggest forte is that it is good at everything. I think it's let down by the stock Float X. Point of the thread is that I'm ordering a '18 Float X2 for the 5.5. Hopefully that fixes my issues with square edge hits but keeps suppleness.
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No bike in production is the be all end all but the SB5.5 is probably the best all around 29'er made.

The Rallon might take that title depending on its climbing efficiency.

Regarding Shock choice I'd highly recommend the DVO Topaz. You can find new ones for around $360 with discount code applied.

The bladder adjustment is awesome and the ability to add volume spacers to either side of the air chamber is money in the bank.
 
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#22 ·
I'd say the best 3 descending LT 29'er are:
1- 2018 Intense Carbine
2- 2016 Evil Wreckoning
3- 2017 Spec Enduro

Intense Carbine - Just the Chain stay length and wheel base alone will make that bike an absolute plow

3 best Climbing LT 29'ers
1- Yeti SB 5.5
2- YT Jeffsy
3- SC HT LT



I've ridden the Enduro, YT Jeffsy and SC HT and own the SB5.5

I'd say that the Orbea Rallon will be really really good
 
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Discussion starter · #23 ·
Thanks for the feedback on the shock replacement for the 5.5. Other than the Push 11-6, are there any other shocks worth considering? Anybody try a Cane Creek DBAir CS, or DBCoil CS?
 
#24 ·
mpress said:
Hey all. I'm thinking about replacing the shock on my 2016 SB5.5. I currently run 280psi with the largest reducer on the stock Float X. The trouble I'm having is the rebound adjust is at full slow and it still feels too fast. Also feels like it blows through its travel pretty quick. Seems to be a common problem with this shock under heavier riders. I'm considering the following options and would love some experienced feedback if possible...

1- Send the Float X in for custom tuning. Avalanche, Push, or the new Fox Factory Tuning option.
2- New Float DPX2- Happy with the DPS ON MY 4.5, thinking this would be the easiest swap...
3- New Float X2 w/ climb switch- needs custom tune to match leverage ratio and not certain if I can get enough psi for sag (250psi max)
4- New Float DHX2 w climb switch- Coil might be overkill and would need similar tuning as X2(?)

I primarily ride all mountain around Asheville, NC. I'm not super aggressive, but not afraid to tackle rough trails and catch some air.
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You need to talk to Dan or David at FastBike Industries in Hendersonville, Dan is former Cane Creek suspension guru and David Ohlins USA. They've helped dial in my SB5.5 quite swell!
 
#25 ·
mpress said:
Thanks for the feedback on the shock replacement for the 5.5. Other than the Push 11-6, are there any other shocks worth considering? Anybody try a Cane Creek DBAir CS, or DBCoil CS?
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None of the above,...Ohlins TTX coil. It will be tuned to your weight and riding style for your bike model as part of the purchase price. Plus the best service shops for it are right in your back yard in Hendersonville with FastBike Industries and Ohlins USA. You'll not regret it one bit!. And with FastBike you should even be able to get the Ohlins with a Super Alloy Racing coil in grey that almost matches the grey SB5.5 and be .5lb lighter than all steel coil.
 
#26 ·
some dude said:
None of the above,...Ohlins TTX coil. It will be tuned to your weight and riding style for your bike model as part of the purchase price. Plus the best service shops for it are right in your back yard in Hendersonville with FastBike Industries and Ohlins USA. You'll not regret it one bit!. And with FastBike you should even be able to get the Ohlins with a Super Alloy Racing coil in grey that almost matches the grey SB5.5 and be .5lb lighter than all steel coil.
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I'll throw in an opposing view.

Tried a TTX on my enduro. Hated it. Climbs horribly. HSC switch does nothing. Removed it immediately. For descending it's great. I have a custom tuned TTX on my Demo 8 DH bike, but the shock pedals horribly.

Based on your OP it sounds like you aren't super into hammering descents. I'd stay away from a coil cause you're going to add a pound on to your overall weight. If you were doing bike park stuff, enduro racing, etc. Coil hands down, and then nothing compares to an 11-6.

My vote is to have your float x reworked or see if you can get an X2 to tune.
 
#27 ·
Send the Float X to Avy, Craig does good work. My 5.5 has been Avy tuned as has the Float X2 on my SB6. The coils will feel good on the small to mid size hits and have great traction on roots and such while climbing, but won't handle the big stuff or G outs too well. My tuned Float X eats it all.
 
#28 ·
Streetdoctor said:
I'll throw in an opposing view.

Tried a TTX on my enduro. Hated it. Climbs horribly. HSC switch does nothing. Removed it immediately. For descending it's great. I have a custom tuned TTX on my Demo 8 DH bike, but the shock pedals horribly.

Based on your OP it sounds like you aren't super into hammering descents. I'd stay away from a coil cause you're going to add a pound on to your overall weight. If you were doing bike park stuff, enduro racing, etc. Coil hands down, and then nothing compares to an 11-6.

My vote is to have your float x reworked or see if you can get an X2 to tune.
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I hammer descents decent enough if Strava is of any validity when visiting destination trails like Teocali or what not but what I primarily do is XC and AM riding,...I'd do coil over and over again, particularly the TTX as it works exactly as it should for my bike from the down hill position to the firm position.
 
#31 ·
Any more specifics on the Avy tune (which tune option) and what is specifically changed about the ride? I've ridden an X2 on a SB6 before and didn't love the muted feel. I like the overall feel of the Float X but wonder what an Avy tune could do. Figuring that I'm running 285 psi for the proper sag and a proper tune wouldn't be much more expensive than a normal service.
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
Streetdoctor said:
I'll throw in an opposing view.

Tried a TTX on my enduro. Hated it. Climbs horribly. HSC switch does nothing. Removed it immediately. For descending it's great. I have a custom tuned TTX on my Demo 8 DH bike, but the shock pedals horribly.

Based on your OP it sounds like you aren't super into hammering descents. I'd stay away from a coil cause you're going to add a pound on to your overall weight. If you were doing bike park stuff, enduro racing, etc. Coil hands down, and then nothing compares to an 11-6.

My vote is to have your float x reworked or see if you can get an X2 to tune.
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Thanks for the perspective. A coil on an Enduro or DH bike will pedal much differently than on a SB5.5.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#36 ·
mpress said:
Ummm...
Not a Specialized Enduro or Specialized Demo DH bike as originally used for comparison. They both have a much different suspension design compared to what's on the 5.5.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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My bad, didn't catch the quoted reference from my phone.

Personally, for all mountain trail riding only I would pass on the coil for this bike. And this is coming from a 5.5 owner with an 11-6. I'm VERY happy with mine but ride a wide range of trails where the benefit of 2 tunes is awesome. Especially since I'm a heavier rider as well. I think you can get close to the trail performance at a much more wallet friendly price with tuning your current Float X via Avy or Push. Not sure Push is working on Float X's yet though.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #37 ·
rondre3000 said:
My bad, didn't catch the quoted reference from my phone.

Personally, for all mountain trail riding only I would pass on the coil for this bike. And this is coming from a 5.5 owner with an 11-6. I'm VERY happy with mine but ride a wide range of trails where the benefit of 2 tunes is awesome. Especially since I'm a heavier rider as well. I think you can get close to the trail performance at a much more wallet friendly price with tuning your current Float X via Avy or Push. Not sure Push is working on Float X's yet though.

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk
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No worries man. I'm inclined to think a coil is overkill for my riding and would prefer an air shock. However, all options are on the table given a RTR of 230lbs. Unfortunately, Push wasn't tuning the Float X last I asked.
 
#39 ·
DriverB said:
Never ridden one with coil but interesting people seem to like the match w coil given a LR curve that is pretty linear. Curves never tell the whole story but looks like an air shock bike on paper

Yeti SB5.5C 29'' 2016 - Linkage Design

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The engineering analysis and conclusion of the leverage curve data set that you refer to supports a high end coil damper.

"... in these cases the choice of cushion becomes extremely important and even Yeti equips this model with a Fox float-X EVOL of 200x57mm, I think there is room for improvement and ideally use an air cushion type CCDB air, FFX2, RS Vivid air, or even a spring damper high - end. A greeting."

...And then there's the more recent data point of Richie Rude racing on an SB55 with a Fox X2 last weekend at Rotorua.

I guess I'll keep riding and tuning my DPX2.
 
#40 ·
Slayer45 said:
The engineering analysis and conclusion of the leverage curve data set that you refer to supports a high end coil damper.

"... in these cases the choice of cushion becomes extremely important and even Yeti equips this model with a Fox float-X EVOL of 200x57mm, I think there is room for improvement and ideally use an air cushion type CCDB air, FFX2, RS Vivid air, or even a spring damper high - end. A greeting."

...And then there's the more recent data point of Richie Rude racing on an SB55 with a Fox X2 last weekend at Rotorua.

I guess I'll keep riding and tuning my DPX2.
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Big boy (230lbs) here and my Push 11-6 was the single biggest improvement I've made for my 55 when it comes to riding higher speed chunky sections. For XC and buffed out trails it has taken some of the pop away but it has made rides so much smoother.

I'll never go back to air shocks if I can help it.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
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