View Full Version : DHX air vs. DHX coil
DTLogic
11-20-2006, 08:09 PM
I am switching out my Gemini's 5th for a new shock. Is there much difference between the DHXcoil & air in performance. I am using the bike for trail riding, freeriding and downhilling. I like the idea of having the ease of propedal adjustments but am open to any other shock suggestions. :cheers:
hungryleprican
11-20-2006, 08:22 PM
I would say the DHX although I don't have any experience on the DHX air but I'd guess it should only be used for xc and light freeride
Is there much difference between the DHXcoil & air in performance.
Yes, internally the coil and air version are different, the air version lacks the mid-stroke damping of the coil (so there are things on the coil version that are not present with the air). I find the coil to be far more consistant in terrain, especially at high speed. I find the air to be somewhat misleading, as it feels REAL plush at slow speed, but it uses too much travel for the size of the bump (due to the above difference and size of the air chamber) and this leads to a real choppy feeling at higher speeds and some harsh action on some impacts. I don't feel the air is a good replacement for the coil if someone is doing any real abusive or high speed riding.
mandown
11-20-2006, 09:53 PM
i've never riddent the air. i've got the coil and i like it. the propedal does make the pedaling better without much of a noticeable impact on bumps at speed. a great feature on the trails.
i fear the air shock. too many stories about it getting stuck down.
kona-ryder
11-20-2006, 10:05 PM
I would say the DHX although I don't have any experience on the DHX air but I'd guess it should only be used for xc and light freeride
There is no way a DHX air should only be used for xc or light freeride. They are just as lethal as the coil over version, just not intended for people over 250lbs. I agree that they arent as plush as a coil at high speeds and repeated hits, but if you are looking to lighten your bike up, then look no further.
arboc!
11-20-2006, 10:09 PM
One downside to the dhx air is that when you blow it out, which you will, there is nothing else there to to get you down the mtn, so you are screwed. With the dhx if you blow it out, which isnt as likely to happen, you still have the spring to get you down to the car.
bent^biker
11-20-2006, 10:10 PM
^^^ there are multiple shots of Hill racing with the air, it can stand the abuse
kona-ryder
11-20-2006, 10:18 PM
My freind has ridden a DHX air on his race bike all season. Never blew it out. Rebuilt it a few times. Ohh yeah, and did I mention that he lives is Whistler and has a season pass, i.e. he rides the mountain almost everyday, from 10-8. This thing help up phenominally. The only time he didn't like it was when we were ripping down trails like crack-addict. His ride was a little bit harsher than my coil over shock.
_*sTiTcHeS*_
11-20-2006, 10:32 PM
my friend went out to whistler and rode with kyle strait for a solid week and he said the baby powder dust and ruts killed 2 guys' shocks but not his brand new dhx air on his sx trail. he had just replaced the 5th and the 66 with a 36talas. his shock is still holding up.
this is just a story i'm passing along to help you make your decision. it has helped me on deciding.
Gonna have to agree with Jm here the Air version lacks the dampning of the coil version. I had a discussion w/ Push Industries about the air & coil they said the air didn't have the hyd. circuitry like the coil. I'd go coil all the way on a Gemini. I ran a custom Fox RP3 AVA on my SC Bullit - blew thru the travel and was harsh on fast stutter bumps.
.:Jeenyus:.
11-20-2006, 11:01 PM
^^^ there are multiple shots of Hill racing with the air, it can stand the abuse
Hmmm.
One race run vs a season of riding.
Not a good comparison.
bikerpunk98199
11-20-2006, 11:01 PM
get a coil way more reliable
After running an air dhx for awhile I've come to the conclusion that air shocks dont belong on purposely used Dh or FR bikes.
of course, unless its a one run wonder...and the course is ultra smooth.
dhkid
11-21-2006, 08:04 AM
dirt mag has a test on a bike with a dhx air, they said on 10min dh runs the shox looses all rebound. while shoxs like the rp23 still work ok.:clue:
Hmmm.
One race run vs a season of riding.
Not a good comparison.
word, you think hill runs a whole season on one shock? prolly gets em changed each race if not each run.
Spunger
11-21-2006, 11:37 AM
word, you think hill runs a whole season on one shock? prolly gets em changed each race if not each run.
Probably each run I'm guessing.......if anything atleast at each race!
After riding Air shocks on my 4-5" travel bikes and then going to full blown DH bikes with coil shocks I never liked the air shocks bottom resistance (as there was none) and it'd sorta blow through the travel fast. There was no happy medium. Firmer = more air pressure which caused a harsh ride and low air pressure = softer but then you'd bottom it more often.
I'd seriously stick with a coil shock. You have more options as you can adjust both air and coil spring weight to balance things out. I understand the DHX Air shock in some applications (like racing, where cost of rebuilding is non-exsistant) vs. a trail rider. I'll take the part that will last the test of time.
joelsman
11-21-2006, 11:50 AM
I have had my dhx air since the end of feb, no problems, one thing I did was tune the air spring by adding some atf to the air chamber, this made the chamber effectively smaller so I can have small bump sensitivity and not bottom much either. the atf also keeps the seals and bushing lubed so it won't get stuck down.
I had mixed feelings about the air until after adding the atf. if you don't mind taking lots of time to tune the air, get it, other wise get the coil.
I heard Hill swaps his DHX Air and re-lubes his chain mid-run actually.
dhkid
11-21-2006, 02:17 PM
I heard Hill swaps his DHX Air and re-lubes his chain mid-run actually.
and changes his rims.
irishman
11-21-2006, 02:53 PM
I hear good things about the ROCO anyone got any feedback on that versus the DHX??
_*sTiTcHeS*_
11-21-2006, 09:36 PM
dont get a manitou. thats my advice. spv blows ass for dh and fr. why the hell would you want xc style pedalling platform for dh where you want the suspension completely active to stick your bike to the ground? it kills the traction and purpose for suspension. i just dont run the spv on mine but thats "bad" for it.
downhillracer
11-22-2006, 12:52 PM
the air shocks do seem like a cool idea for downhill, but think i will just take confidence in knowing that i have a coil under me :) .plus, isn't the service interval for an air shock more frequent?
DH Dad
11-23-2006, 11:04 AM
I have a DHX Air on my RFX and a DHX Coil on my DHR. RFX is my FR/Trail bike but I will concur that it bottoms much easier than any other shock I've ever had on the RFX (Van RC - Avy DHS - DHX Air) in that order. Avy was the best hardcore FR shock by far but I'm doing less and less drops to flat and riding uphill much more lately on the RFX so the DHX Air is ideal for my current use. Would not use it for DH though, Coil is simply reliable and more adjustable and weight isn't as big of an issue thanks to chairlifts.
derry
11-23-2006, 01:19 PM
Buy the coil, i had a dhx air and it kept blowing up, the rebound also changes as the shock heats up and it ends up feeling like a pogo stick by the end of a long run,
I have had a few dhx coil shocks and i have to say they are the best shock money can buy.
Bicyclist
11-23-2006, 01:22 PM
Yes, internally the coil and air version are different, the air version lacks the mid-stroke damping of the coil (so there are things on the coil version that are not present with the air). I find the coil to be far more consistant in terrain, especially at high speed. I find the air to be somewhat misleading, as it feels REAL plush at slow speed, but it uses too much travel for the size of the bump (due to the above difference and size of the air chamber) and this leads to a real choppy feeling at higher speeds and some harsh action on some impacts. I don't feel the air is a good replacement for the coil if someone is doing any real abusive or high speed riding.
Exactly. Having ridden the air and coil back to back on essentially the same bike, there is no comparison at all for REAL downhill. Sea Otter and the like are a different story though.
pdawg
11-23-2006, 04:24 PM
I also concur. On my Coiler, the DHX Air bottoms out way too easy compared to DHX coil. For trailriding, I don't mind so much because of the tunability (air spring) and weight savings it offers. However, for general DH or FR use I the coil shock... since I have it. Both seem about the same on small bumps, though.
dh_newbie
11-23-2006, 07:47 PM
I have a enduro 06 with which is use the DHX air as a standard, did anyone try to put the DHX coil on it? It there any modification have to do? Please give me some advice.
I didn't the Air which is lack of mid travel control and it is very easy the shock will go to mid stroke. So I have a planning to use the coil or roco on it.
pdawg
11-24-2006, 10:52 AM
I have a enduro 06 with which is use the DHX air as a standard, did anyone try to put the DHX coil on it? It there any modification have to do? Please give me some advice.
Check out this thread:
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152230&highlight=DHX
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