Trance X4 - Upgrade Giant Shock to Fox RP23?

Proutster

Thanks to a little bonus from work I've got a bit of spare cash and wondered...

I've swapped the stock Tora's on my 2010 Trance X4 for Sektor RL U-Turns and have really noticed the much better damping, stiffness and control they give. Plus the lock-out is useful on the road bits between the trails.

But now I've started to notice that the stock, Giant own-brand, rear shock wheezes away below me and doesn't seem to offer the same control or "responsiveness". Plus there's always quite a bit of "stiction" at the beginning of its travel.

The Giant shock has rebound adjustment and then the only other thing to fiddle with is the air pressure.

Not sure if it's a function of the shock or not, but when the air pressure is set right for sag I never seem to use the last 10-15mm or so on the shock - it's never even seemed close to bottoming out. As the shock is a 44mm stroke, I guess that means I'm not using the last 30mm or so of suspension travel - so does that mean I'm only getting 100mm of rear travel rather than the 127mm that it should be?

So I'm tempted to upgrade to the 2012 Fox RP23 with Kashima coating. This has Pro-pedal, rebound adjustment, compression damping adjustment and (obviously) air pressure adjustment and was, I believe, the shock that they fitted to the Trance X1 (top-of-the-range). In addition, as I'm a bit of a bike-tart, it looks bling as well

I believe that Mojo can set the shock up with the right "tune" for my bike, weight and riding style (slow uphill and reasonably quick downhill!!). For completeness, if I do it, I'll probably change the bushes at the same time.

The question is - worthwhile upgrade or not? Have I just been taken in (again) by marketing? Anyone done a similar upgrade?

1mancity2

I considered upgrading my rp3 to rp23 on my reign, I emailed mojo and got a reply telling me exactly the size of shock i needed etc, they phone you a couple of days before dispatch and tune the shock for you as you are already aware.

I asked the same question to mojo "worth while", answer "hell yeah" but they would say that! but they did explain how it would make a difference and I am still considering it.

Worth while? yeah defo, over the giant shock the difference will be :shock:

.blitz

The Float R on my Rize was pretty much as described above and I was close to 'upgrading' it but instead got it rebuilt and recharged for £80 by the lbs. They got the bits from Mojo and did it themselves.

Really, the difference is like night and day. I won't go overboard with the superlatives but it really is a different shock and I am sure that a lot of OE kit is like this to encourage us to upgrade (i.e. spend more money) when all it really needs is setting up/building as it should be.

Dirtydog11

Do it, unleash the beast!

It sounds from what your saying that things the rear can no longer keep up with the front.

The Trance is a very capable bike, fitting something like an RP23 will restore the balance and allow you to realise it's full potential.

My brothers got a Giant shock fitted to his Giant FX something or other, the Giant shock does the job but it just feels flat /unresponsive, fitting a quality fork has highlighted the problem even further.

I'd be surprised if it didn't completely transform the ride.

add595

The giant maestro suspension system, as far as I can tell, always feels a bit flat. You shouldn't have stiction though, my Trance (with oem Giant shock) certainly doesn't. It sounds like the bearings need replacing and the shock servicing or replacing.

I am sure upgrading to a better shock wouldn't do any harm though, if you really feel it lets the bike down.

p.s. I am sure you are aware, but the shock is not a standard length.