[yogreg]

Been trying out a new rear shock on the MK for the last couple of days. Running a non-platform shock on this bike, as many of you know, is an eye opening experience. So smooth and plush. The bonus with the AVA shock is you can adjust the air chamber size to resist bottoming. Still playing with different settings. More to come.

The real good news is that there is absolutley ZERO play in the hardware. I am using the same hardware except for reducers as on my 5th Element. Take the 5th out of the equation and play goes away as well.


Greg

 

[westin]

Been trying out a new rear shock on the MK for the last couple of days. Running a non-platform shock on this bike, as many of you know, is an eye opening experience. So smooth and plush. The bonus with the AVA shock is you can adjust the air chamber size to resist bottoming. Still playing with different settings. More to come.

The real good news is that there is absolutley ZERO play in the hardware. I am using the same hardware except for reducers as on my 5th Element. Take the 5th out of the equation and play goes away as well.

Greg

Definitely keep us up to date!!

 

[Acadian]

I've been running an AVA for a while now..it's been fantastic!! :thumbsup: very nice shock for the MkIII.

 

[yogreg]

Interested in your settings Luc?

AVA volume and air pressure

Thanks
Greg

 

[Acadian]

Chamber is fully open..

I weight between 145lbs and 150lbs

if I ride without my fully loaded pack (usually my morning pre-work rides) - I'll set the pressure to 115psi.

With the pack full or gear and water – closer to 120psi

 

[westin]

Chamber is fully open..

I weight between 145lbs and 150lbs

if I ride without my fully loaded pack (usually my morning pre-work rides) - I'll set the pressure to 115psi.

With the pack full or gear and water - closer to 120psi

How does it compare to the 5th Element? Any advantages or disadvantages?

 

[Acadian]

How does it compare to the 5th Element? Any advantages or disadvantages?

I didn't even bother trying the 5th. When I first got the bike I mounted the RockShox Pearl, then tried the AVA. so I can't tell you how it compares.

 

[yogreg]

Did a longer ride on the AVA yesterday so I have some feel with the shock.

First off the bat I have to use 20-30 more psi with the AVA than the 5th Element. SPV type shocks due to their nature allow the use of lower pressures. The AVA is very smooth. Keep in mind here that there is no compression dampening of any type on my AVA. So the DW-Link is free to do it's magic.

So far I see zero disadvantages compared to the 5th Element. The advantages are many. Air chamber volume adjust, for bottom out control. The eyelet play is gone with the AVA. This was a huge issue for me. Even though I could not feel the play while riding it killed me to know it was there.

I plan to run this shock stock for a few and them send it to PUSH for the rebuild and custom valve.

Greg

 

[Ryan G.]

Nice bike and even better trail, Game 1 or 2?

 

[Acadian]

Nice bike and even better trail, Game 1 or 2?

hell if I know. I didn't know there was Game 1 and 2? it was right after Jethro's. we took a left on Road 300 then past the intersection with 100.

 

[yogreg]

Ava update

Another ride, even more tweaks to the shock. Tried increasing the volume of the air chamber by 1/3 rd. Felt super smooth and controlled. Handled a four foot dropper very nice. Got full travel but no bottoming.
In comparrison to a previous ride when I had the volume in the smallest setting. The initial travel was the same. As speeds increased and hits got bigger, the small volume setting really took away a lot of end travel feel. The ramp up was to severe.

Greg

 

[yogreg]

another ride

Dropped air pressure by 5 psi. Rode in very wet and slippery conditions tonight. Traction was amazing. Still very impressed with a non-platform shock with the DW-Link.

 

[g-funk]

what size shock does this bike take?

 

[Acadian]

what size shock does this bike take?

7.5" x 2" with 30x8mm hardware

 

[g-funk]

where do I get one? after running my 75 psi 5th element at 50 for the last few weeks. I'm convinced that the cvt thing is not for me. I can't find one online and it looks like fox doesn't make one anymore? I'm going to d-ville for a week in august and want to experience the dw-link love in it's full glory, and stomp the shiot out of my pals on their blur/fsr/heckler/pos's, more than usual of course....................

 

[yogreg]

Your best bet is to find one on e-bay or in classifieds.
I just got super lucky and got a never used one.

There are other non-platform shocks out there.

 

[g-funk]

what other bikes use the same size shock as the mk?

 

[yogreg]

very common sized shock. Too many bikes to list.

 

[g-funk]

I just received my AVA today. 50 bucks on e-bay. I figure it's worth the experiment.
where are you guys running the AVA levels now. I probably weigh a bit more than you guys-230 lbs, and ride like i weigh 500 lbs. just interested in a decent jumping off point.

the shock is in great shape for $50.00 I didn't really know what I was going to get

 

[g-funk]

bummed

shock I got was 7.0x1.5 wtf?????