[Damo]

I have the option of running either a DHX 5.0 Air or spring on my Intense M3.
Has anyone had any run-time on an airshock on this bike?
Is it worth it for the weight savings?
I live in the French Alps, so it will need to hold up to long descents...

Cheers in advance.

Damo

 

[downhillracer]

i was wondering the same thing. but i already run a dhx coil with Ti spring so it doesn't make much sense for me to get one.

 

[RaID]

most likely for long decents your going to run into overheating problems which leads to lack of dampening.
Stick with the spring

 

[RMboy]

yeah i ride alot in the alps mate, and i have heard alot of bad heat up issues with the DHX air...

I think it only works ok if your light and a smooth rider, then its excellent...but the alps are hardcore..i love the gully run in les gets..

 

[BKQuill]

most likely for long decents your going to run into overheating problems which leads to lack of dampening.
Stick with the spring

From everything that I researched, I would have to agree with RaID, stick with the spring.

 

[ckooi]

go with the coil, as M3 is without the rear fender, mud, sand will get into the rear shock from the rear wheel. IMHO coil shock would be a better option.

 

[AlexYuen]

 

[hungryleprican]

that fender is tight

 

[Damo]

Coil it is then.
Cheers guys

 

[jonKranked]

old tubes make the best fenders. period.

 

[altix]

if we assume this, it would mean the same for the v10 as well right?

 

[readingracing]

Several of my team mates ran the fox air last year,two M3's and an astrixs, alot of race time and a ten day trip to Whistler in between,not one single issue with the shock.any one who hasn't used this shock shouldn't have an opinion and has no say.

 

[Superdeft]

here's one of the guys in question:

 

[SteezyWeezy]

if we assume this, it would mean the same for the v10 as well right?

sketch, the v10's leverage ratio is stupid big for an air shock

 

[xy9ine]

sketch, the v10's leverage ratio is stupid big for an air shock

i've heard of a couple people that have had good luck with 4 way airs on v10's. no idea about long term reliability though.

 

[Damo]

Im thinking the general concensus here is that air is good for racing, but coil is better for long alpine runs where the shock will heat up...

 

[downhillracer]

Im thinking the general concensus here is that air is good for racing, but coil is better for long alpine runs where the shock will heat up...

yah i'm thinking about getting an air shock for racing only and use my coil for everything else

 

[dropmachine]

Why would you swap out a shock for another with arguably lesser performance on the only run that counts? In that case, why not put road wheels on too? Its completely ridiculous, all for a minimal weight savings.

Go get a Ti spring for your DHX, and ride it.

 

[AlberTop]

I have an M3 and I've used a DHX Air and a DHX Coil 5.0 with 450lbs Ti spring. I am heavy (180lbs) and I used both shocks on diferent trails. The DHX Air OK, but did not perform as good as the coil version on hard core trails with lots of big bumps, jumps and rocks. It just did not fill the same, but again I am heavy. Maybe with someone not as heavy it will perform better. The biggest advantage of the Air shock is with lite DH courses, were you can tune your air spring.

I am using the coil version...

 

[SteezyWeezy]

In that case, why not put road wheels on too?

i tried

 

[Superdeft]

I have an M3 and I've used a DHX Air and a DHX Coil 5.0 with 450lbs Ti spring. I am heavy (180lbs) and I used both shocks on diferent trails. The DHX Air OK, but did not perform as good as the coil version on hard core trails with lots of big bumps, jumps and rocks. It just did not fill the same, but again I am heavy. Maybe with someone not as heavy it will perform better. The biggest advantage of the Air shock is with lite DH courses, were you can tune your air spring.

I am using the coil version...

That's interesting, I am 160 and I use a 450 too. We may be at the far reaches of that spring, though.

 

[jonKranked]

I have an M3 and I've used a DHX Air and a DHX Coil 5.0 with 450lbs Ti spring. I am heavy (180lbs) and I used both shocks on diferent trails. The DHX Air OK, but did not perform as good as the coil version on hard core trails with lots of big bumps, jumps and rocks. It just did not fill the same, but again I am heavy. Maybe with someone not as heavy it will perform better. The biggest advantage of the Air shock is with lite DH courses, were you can tune your air spring.

I am using the coil version...

hate to break it to ya buddy, 180 lbs ain't that heavy... unless you're 4 feet tall.