moving from fox to rockshox??

jonnyashworth
jonnyashworth Posts: 547
edited January 2014 in MTB buying advice
Currently I am running a set of 150 fox RLC factory floats and a 2012 factory RP23 on my BlurLT.
I am looking at changing over to a monarch plus and a set of 160 Pike RCT3's (possibly dual position) in order to slacken off the head angle a bit stiffen up the front end and give the bike a bit more of a hardcore attitude for a some uplift days maybe even a trip to the alps.

What do you reckon???? wise move???
Yeti SB66c 2013

Comments

  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    I would keep the RP23 and get the Pikes.
    I'm not impressed with my Monarch, it's just not as good as the RP23 my mate has on the same frame.
    My monarch is the RCT3 which is a slightly lower volume version of the monarch plus.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • DCR00
    DCR00 Posts: 2,160
    would be interested to get your thoughts on the Pikes if you make the move, as I'm considering swapping out my 36s for a set of Pikes
    Tranny
    Tracey
    Bouncy
    Carbon
  • jonnyashworth
    jonnyashworth Posts: 547
    Thanks for your thoughts rockmonkey. However the monarch and monarch plus are totally different beasts.
    I wouldn't swap my rp23 for a monarch or even a CTD but I want to make my bike more all mountain so its a monarch plus or fox float X. As I'm planning on having pikes I would sooner keep it all Rockshox.
    Yeti SB66c 2013
  • DCR00
    DCR00 Posts: 2,160
    how about a coil shock ?

    i have a Vivid Coil on my Tracer

    coil works really well with VPP systems and the R2C has a great compression damper unit

    i hardly get any pedal bob, even when honking uphill
    Tranny
    Tracey
    Bouncy
    Carbon
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    The RP23 doesnt work that well with VPP bikes IMHO. Personally I would go for a CCDB-CS air on the back and a Pike on the front. I ran the CCDB air shock on a Blur LT for a little while and loved it. For anyone interested the pikes are amazing. Really, really amazing.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • poah
    poah Posts: 3,369
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    I would keep the RP23 and get the Pikes.
    I'm not impressed with my Monarch, it's just not as good as the RP23 my mate has on the same frame.
    My monarch is the RCT3 which is a slightly lower volume version of the monarch plus.

    you should reshim your compression stack for better small bump compliance since you have an issue in that area. what tune is the monarch V RP23 on these bikes. You are not the only one to this this, maybe just the tune you get from nukeproof doesn't suit your riding/size. You should get a coil anyway :P

    Why do you want to swap shock? you could get it push tuned if you think there is something lacking from the unit which would be cheaper than getting an RC3
    CCDB IL coil CS first impressions

    MTB Scotland youtube channel
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    The Monarch plus has the same damper as the RCT3 and thats where the problem is. I am getting mine tuned which basically involves replacing all the damper internals including some which can be unreliable anyway.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • DCR00
    DCR00 Posts: 2,160
    benpinnick wrote:
    The RP23 doesnt work that well with VPP bikes IMHO. Personally I would go for a CCDB-CS air on the back and a Pike on the front. I ran the CCDB air shock on a Blur LT for a little while and loved it. For anyone interested the pikes are amazing. Really, really amazing.

    what sort of riding have you done on the Pikes ? have you done any DH on them ?
    Tranny
    Tracey
    Bouncy
    Carbon
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    BPW blacks is the most DH orientated runs Ive managed so far (only had a couple of test sets for a couple of months), but even that has allowed me to realise just how good they are. As someone who's converted my previous RS air forks to coil as I didn't think the Dual or Solo air systems worked that well, the Pikes are soooo much better in every way than other RS forks, that I wont be contemplating another coil conversion again. FWIW I also have X-Fusion Slants which are a close call in terms of less testing performance, and a fair bit cheaper if you don't think you'll ever be piling through rock gardens at top speed, but when it gets really rowdy the Pikes are in a class of their own.

    Sounds like a wish list but they are:

    Stiff as hell.
    Light (for the size/stiffness)
    The new maxle is a complete revelation compared to the old cheese based one.
    Incredibly well damped
    Plusher than a plush thing
    Well supported throughout the stroke
    Look pimp.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    PS - I know they are OE only but I actually think the RC model is almost as good as the RCT3.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    I demoed a Transition Bandit with both a RP23 rear shock and Monarch and I couldn't tell any difference at all on a couple hour long ride. I had help from the shop beforehand setting it up correct before I went out to ride so I think the settings were roughly correct and both shocks felt great with no difference felt by me. I was riding mostly woodland single track so not the most demanding on the shock, the odd rooty section but no rock gardens or repeated hits. But from my quick experience if you tune them correct they can both do what you want them to.
  • lawman
    lawman Posts: 6,868
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    The Monarch plus has the same damper as the RCT3 and thats where the problem is. I am getting mine tuned which basically involves replacing all the damper internals including some which can be unreliable anyway.

    Just from looking at the RS looks like the Monarch Plus uses an RC3 damper and the Monarch uses an RT3, one sames compression, t'other says floodgate. The plus also has rapid recovery rebound as also found in the pike, so there are some differences. From the reviews I've read the Plus looks very good, but tbh I've never found that much wrong with Fox shocks once you get them tuned to your preferences, something you should do on any shock anyway. I'd go custom tuned CTD, more levels of tunability, you essentially get 5 different levels of compression damping to use with the trail adjust. On shocks I prefer an on the fly adjuster to tailor to my needs, fork's I prefer set and forget. The CCDB air looks very good, but it's twice the weight of a CTD, more possibly more difficult to set up.
  • jonnyashworth
    jonnyashworth Posts: 547
    Right so I have made the first step towards moving over to Rockshox :D:D
    I have managed to bag a brand new 2014 RC3 Monarch Plus with the correct trail tune all I need to do now is get hold of a set of pikes :D:D:D

    I suppose I should start thinking about selling my existing fox forks and shock... So where would be a good place to advertise a

    Fox Factory RP23 Adaptive logic 216x63 Kashima coated 2012 shock (with Low reboand & trail tune) (brand new seals + oil)

    Set of White Fox RLC 150 2011 150 Kashima coated 15mm Tapered Forks (Brand new seals + oil)

    ??????????????? :wink:
    Yeti SB66c 2013
  • poah
    poah Posts: 3,369
    I'll give you £150 for your forks lol
    CCDB IL coil CS first impressions

    MTB Scotland youtube channel
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    In the classifieds on here perhaps?
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • jonnyashworth
    jonnyashworth Posts: 547
    I cant seem to get the classifieds to work :(

    If anyone is interested in either bits I'm after £190 for the shock (delivered) and £275 for the forks
    Yeti SB66c 2013
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    have you read the red writing and joined the classified group in the user settings?

Categories