REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

RP23 vs RPL vs DHX Air

1861 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by specialmint, Aug 25, 2011

Steve L. Knievel

Discussion Starter · Mar 6, 2011

Just curious to know what factors go into making the choice of which rear shock to choose.

Weight of rider? Type of riding? Terrain? All of the above and more?

I'm about 210 pounds, and don't do serious drops. Mostly XC, trail, some AM, but nothing freeridey.

Am I ok with the included shock, or do I need an upgrade?

Thanks for the advice. I'll be ordering soon, and would love to get some feedback first rather than have to change the shock later.

I"m also debating mostly X9 versus XT, just in case anybody wants to chime in. Have no problems mixing and matching where applicable, either. Have heard that XT for cassette, brakes, front DR, and crank, and SRAM for shifters, rear DR and chain make a good combo. Would probably get a thousand different answers on that....might be best left for another thread.

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morandi

· #2 · Mar 6, 2011

You will be fine with the RP23. It is a great shock for the HD for general usage.
The only thing is if you start getting into bigger drops or jumps is to swap the air sleeve out for a standard volume sleeve.

Steve L. Knievel

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 7, 2011

Hey, Morandi,

I'll be getting the SL....

Air sleeve/Standard volume sleeve.....both still on the RP23?

The only drops of any significance I expect are when I drop the bike. As for taking air on the downs, nothing more than a foot, two maximum.

morandi

· #4 · Mar 7, 2011

I think the HD's RP23 shock comes standard with a High Volume canister.
The HD has a slightly progressive spring curve which works great with that set up.
When you start getting into over the 200lb range, and you like to get air, it is easy to bottom out the shock with that setup, even running higher pressures.
If you plan on staying close to the ground you should have no problems with the stock set up, and its an easy/cheap switch later if you find you need a more bottom out resistance. Likewise, you can also shim the air canister to get the same results.
The DHX air would certainly be overkill for what you want to do with the bike.

Steve L. Knievel

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 7, 2011

Ok, thanks. I want to keep the weight down, and the DHX is an extra 200+ grams. No HD needed, just the SL, and no serious drops or massive air. I don't want to have to add on or upgrade later, though. So if you think the RP is enough, I'll probably stick with that.

doismellbacon

· #6 · Mar 7, 2011

RP23 is good for general use. The RPL has a full lockout position if you're into that.

akmojo

· #7 · Mar 8, 2011

I have an 09 Mojo that came stock with the RP23. I am also 210-215 without gear and found the RP23 to be great for XC but when tuned to my taste for XC it had bottom out issues on the down. I also am not into drops, but a banked turn or rolling dip would cause tire contact on seat tube. Upgraded to the DHX 5.0 Air and solved the bottom out issue, but have now created a frustrating issue of finding a setting that feels as efficient pedaling as the RP did. In summary, a well tuned DHX would make for a more versatile bike for a rider of our weight, and feel free to share your DHX setup if you go that way.

morandi

· #8 · Mar 8, 2011

akmojo said:
I have an 09 Mojo that came stock with the RP23. I am also 210-215 without gear and found the RP23 to be great for XC but when tuned to my taste for XC it had bottom out issues on the down. I also am not into drops, but a banked turn or rolling dip would cause tire contact on seat tube. Upgraded to the DHX 5.0 Air and solved the bottom out issue, but have now created a frustrating issue of finding a setting that feels as efficient pedaling as the RP did. In summary, a well tuned DHX would make for a more versatile bike for a rider of our weight, and feel free to share your DHX setup if you go that way.

While I don't have much experience on the standard Mojo, it sounds like that problem could be solved with a smaller air canister, or shimming out the current one.

castnblastut

· #9 · Mar 9, 2011

Custom Tuned RP23

Or a PUSH tune? I had a RP23 overhauled on another bike and was a much better shock, sending the RP of my SL in this week. I'll try to post up on how they do.

Steve L. Knievel

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 12, 2011

@Bacon, I used the lockout on my Genius once....made me remember why I went FS in the first place.
@Akmojo, are you saying that it would bottom out on simple drops? I mean, we're not gargantuan at 215....I've never had that problem on my Genius with its 130 mm of rear travel. I'm not questioning your tuning, just wonder why the shock wouldn't accommodate guys like us for downhill that would be described as far from extreme. What's the issue with the DHX, exactly? Too firm? Bob? My reason for not going DHX (for now, anyway) is a weight issue (go on, laugh!) and esthetics....I just like the clean line of the RP.

On another note, I wanted to ask the members about pedal choice. I use flats, and notice that the majority of Mojo riders clip on, based on pics that I've seen. Something about having to make instant adjustment decisions keeps me on pins. I dunno. I can see the logic, when it comes to roots and rocks, better transfer of energy, but is it really that big a deal?

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Steve L. Knievel

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 12, 2011

@castnblastut, Is PUSH only for rebuilds, or straight out of the box? Is the RP23 good enough for normal everyday riding, which would be road, trail, and occasional 1.5 food drops (2, maximum) for a 215 pound guy?

castnblastut

· #12 · Mar 12, 2011

I know a couple of guys that have just sent PUSH thier shocks off new bikes because they like the work. I sent them one off a Yeti 575 after a few hundred miles, the one I just sent them is off my Mojo SL, less than 100 miles. Hopefully it works out, I'll post up a review of their work when I ride it.

I ride at about 195lbs. geared up and the RP23 has been fine on two bikes now. I feel like the suspension on the Yeti "worked" the RP23 more than the DW on the Mojo does and it was still fine for XC/AM typical Utah trails that I ride. I know PUSH offers a bottom-out bumper or "big-hit kit" as an option on the RP23 tune. I've just called and talked directly to a tech, explain my riding, wieght, etc. and they tell me what to order. I see a lot of PUSH stickers on shocks and forks around here and So.Utah where I ride, take that for what its worth. The site is www.pushindustries.com Good Luck

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ftr1873

· #13 · Mar 12, 2011

SPDs vs Flats? The SPD is one of those things you'd have to try and then persevere with for a time. I normally ride SPDs but will go back to flats now and again, helps to produce better technique, especially in bunny hops etc. I do feel I have more control of the bike with SPDs, especially through the rough stuff and when jumping. Once you're used to unclipping, it can be quite surprising how quickly you'll get a foot down when needed, but there is a period when you will fall over, still clipped in! It's funny for the rest of your riding party!!

MarkMass

· #14 · Mar 13, 2011

Yep, I got the RPL for that reason. I do a lot of climbing (standing and mashing) so I need the lock-out. Propedal is a nice middle ground, but I generally find myself either on lock-out or full-open.

doismellbacon said:
RP23 is good for general use. The RPL has a full lockout position if you're into that.

jsolorza

· #15 · Aug 22, 2011

Dhx air 5.0

Hey all... Just hot a MOJO DH and LOVE IT!!!!

I need help setting up the DHX. I am 175 with gear and I ride fast tech with some 5-10 foot drops with gooD landings... Any help would be GREAT!!!

specialmint

· #16 · Aug 25, 2011

i have a started with a SL n have progressed to some AM trail with drops and gaps... really need to change to hd... but will get a M size as small size can only fit rp23 because of the geometry ... I would also probably get the dhx

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