Since switching to coil I’ve really enjoyed the plush stuck to the ground feel, currently I can’t see myself going back to air anytime soon

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Right on thanks for sharing! Glad you found a better fit for your style.

Less maintenance with coil and it looks cooler. Chicks dig coil

I have been talked out of coil shocks for a long time. I just bit the bullet and put a rockshox coil ultimate with bottom out feature on my decoy. Best shock I have ever had.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

That’s awesome to hear!

Both is definitely the way to go! This makes your bike more versatile and makes you likely to actually get your shock serviced and rebuilt when needed because you have a backup to keep you riding

@darrinkulyk9560

10 ай бұрын

Theres no comparing Coil To Air One Is Excellent the Other Is OK .

@jaysealenduro5618

7 ай бұрын

Coil being better is a myth it's just different not better but Air is better overall it's more tunable and can have the best of both world's infinitely adjustable, the top 20 best EWS riders both men and women most of them are on air shocks. But in general fact the best shock will be the one Specifically tuned by the brand for that MTB that will be better, but by personal opinion people can have personal preference by their own liking and feeling.

Evil Offering V2 Went from the stock X2 to a custom tuned Push 11.6 I noticed only improvements, it’s more alive, more fun, more grip, more everything! And didn’t notice the weight honestly as it even climbs better

Really digging coil with a progressive spring here on the SoCal chunk. It’s a touch under the recommended spring weight to start which leads to an extra plush initial stroke. But it ramps up smoothly to provide tons of support and a bottomless feel. That said, I’d be really interested to see you guys do a review on both progressive springs and the Sprindex adjustable rate coil. 👍🏽

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Nice thanks for sharing and does sound like a solid option for loose and chunky SoCal terrain! Our personal favorite!

I worry less about maintenence and service ever since I switched to coil shock. I don't know why but it kinda feels more plush.

@jdmbeaner182

11 ай бұрын

It should feel more plush because it has less seals.

Switched to an air from a coil and love the new set up. Easy dialing it in. Way more playful and a faster set up. Feels better on long climbs too.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Great to hear!

Switched to coil on my 2021 Mach 6 and couldn't be happier. I ride mostly bike parks, lotta air, more flow than tech, but was curious and just wanted to see what I was missing. I was a little nervous about staying more planted on jump trails, but I haven't noticed any limitations at all. If anything, it's a lot more plush on the landings and more predictable. Tech trails feel a lot more comfortable and stable, and overall it's better than air. If you're riding bike parks and debating, don't get caught up in the marketing jargon and buzzwords. Coil is better than air, you won't notice a single difference in weight and you'll be a better rider as a result.

Switched to a coil a year ago. As a small 120lbs person I prefer it over the air. It just feels less harsh for me and I feel like I can get it set better for my weight. Maybe it’s in my head but I love it.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Nice thanks for sharing!

Great comparison and info. thanks again.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

As a 200+ pound rider coil just makes sense my air shocks on the same frame went from 160 Travel, to which felt like 120 by the time I was done with my run runs and the reply I got from Fox, was with an air shock. You’re just gonna have to take more breaks. Let your shot cool down. Or good or coil. So I went to coil Push 11 Six with 2 settings I get the progressive feel I need and the stuck to the ground feel.

@marm7335

9 ай бұрын

I'm 220 pounds and rode coil setup on a trail I'm familiar with, I had to work so much harder to clear jumps as a pose to what I usually would when I ride air. I think if you ride lots of gravity/ downhill coil all day apart from that for what I do mostly an airshock is the ideal choice.

Great explanation of the two suspensions!

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Thank you! 👍 glad you liked it.

I own a Switchblade that came with an air shock. Last year I bought a coil. So now I run both depending on the season. I like the coil for bikepark riding because it’s linear suspension. Especially after landing jumps to get that extra plushness.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing

@DoubleNation

10 ай бұрын

Same bike same setup for me. For my quite easy and flowy hometrails I stick with the float x and for park day or rougher stuff I switch to a DHX2. Combined with a sprindex spring I also keep a bit of adjustment possibilities.

I recently bought a Pivot Firebird that was supposed to come with coil but turned up with air 🙄. As a Moto Mechanic by trade I embraced the air / new technology on my last 2 bikes but really wanted to try coil and with the DW link geo with anti squat the Firebird ticked all the boxes ! The LBS where quite apologetic about the cock up and ordered a coil for me & said take the bike and swap once the coil turns up 👍👍 Cool 😎, so I got to test the air , dial it in and ride every different type of terrain for 3 weeks then bang the coil with a Springdex adjustable coil and after a bit of tweaking it is perfect 🤩,with so much traction on slippery climbs and pedals that well I don’t need to use climb platform lever . Plenty of support on jumps and so much smoother on the small to medium chunk , breaking bumps etc . I actually ended up with both as the LBS sold me the air at cost but I’m that happy with the coil I can’t see it going back on until the coil needs a service 😎🤟Cheers 🍺

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Thats awesome to hear thanks for sharing your experience and glad you got a sweet deal and some time on both! Score!

My bike was surprisingly stock with a coil. It’s only 150mm travel and a trail bike geo (Occam LT). But I love the coil! So glad I have been able to ride it. I noticed the traction immediately and I love the plush ride, feeling glued to the ground, and the set and forget setup. Also I am a weight weenie and would have never tried one unless it came stock. Now I want to add one to my orbea wild.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Sounds great!

Another good day when the loam wolf posts a video about my favorite MTB subject good stuff bro

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Thanks very much!

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Maybe we’ll get one?? 🤷🏻‍♂️ We’re not on the cool kids list…maybe one too many bad Sram brake reviews?? 😂

@topchoice1621

11 ай бұрын

@@TheLoamWolf cool kids lmfaooo come on bro you guys are the coolest but I get it your channel isn’t about a specific thing it’s about the bikes as a whole

@topchoice1621

11 ай бұрын

@@TheLoamWolf I get it lmfaooo haha 😂 hahahaha

My LBS explained it to me that more bikes would come with coils but the setup on air is so much simplier since they don't need to carry a few dozen different coils in shock for each time they sell a bike and doing that swap. The bikes that do come with coils they tend to bought by riders who understand they are going to need to buy a different coil but trying to done that on the entry/middle range bikes would be annoying.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

That’s absolutely a factor as well! We addressed that in our written feature on the site to go with this video.

I ride an e bike. I’d rather have a coil for pedaling up chunky trails. And almost rather have the air shock for descending for the reason you said of popiing off stuff and playing. But I have huge spring on my coil shock and ramped up the rebound my two clicks over the air shock settings. Both shocks are the rc2t models. Definitely use the air shock more on xc trails then the coil

You guys need to do a back to back comparison on AIR or COIL FORKS!!!!

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Yeah that could be fun.

@K1ngJame5-mtb

11 ай бұрын

@@TheLoamWolf specially the Vorsprung Smashpot, PUSH ACS3 and Marzocchi coil forks!!!

I've found which shock is better to me largely depends on the progressivity of the suspension curve. I've had bikes with progressive rear suspensions that came with air shocks and the bikes all performed vastly better with a coil. Most recently was my 2022 Propain Tyee, I was about to return the bike until I swapped the Super Deluxe Ultimate air for it's coil counterpart. Bike immediately was much more composed, fun and balanced. Niner RIP 9 RDO, same deal. DPX2 sucked, DHX2 was vastly superior on that bike. Evil Wreckoning, same deal, coil is way better. Caveat might be an air shock that are higher volume and more linear in nature than most other air shocks, like the Fox X2 or the new Rockshox Vivid. I have been running the stock X2 on my Canyon Strive CFR and it has been quite good and I have not felt I needed a coil. Just run it with 1 volume spacer so it is less progressive and it has felt supple, yet still supportive and has enough pop. Which is surprising to me as the CFR has a 33% progression rate. Caveat 2 is if I was running smooth flow and jump trails all day long, the progressive nature of an air shock might be preferred because you can really tune for those big hits.

Finally, the new Vivid air shock is here to fill the gap!

@AC-ws8yv

11 ай бұрын

Look at the spring curve of a coil shock vs an air shock. No matter how they market it, air won't be coil. Period.

X2 Air shock for my enduro, RockShox ultimate coil for my downhill can’t fault either, I would like to try an air on my downhill but they are different sizes so expensive to try

If one of the choices is an X2, go for coil unless you want unreliability and expensive service you can't easily do at home. I love a good air shock, but it needs to be reliable and easily serviceable.

just returned to air after a few yrs on coil…liking the tunabilty , especially being able to control the stroke from linear to progressive with an air can/token/compression change…forgot how versatile they are…

Currently on a '22 switchblade and a cane creek tigon. Traction is unbelievable and pop is a little diminished, but I'm changing up springs to see.if I can get it just a little better

Running a Cane Creek Kitsuma Coil shock on my GT Force Amp+ (MX) Shock has climb switch... sort of redundant on an E-Mtb (may slightly mitigate range anxiety ymmv). 600lb spring for 240lb rider. Calculators, suggested a 750lb spring!? Matched w/ a Fox Factory 36 up front. Re, rear shock... it just made sense for a heavy bike/rider combo - to have something that could cope with the demands that are being placed on it. Also of note, I've set bike up Mullet w/ the 36 fork @160mm travel. Rig is capable and it's just had a weekend hitting some of the most technical trails one can find. Amp+ lapped it up & never felt sketched out. Particular shock has high and low speed rebound and compression, adjustable via small external dials. I sort of disagree w/ the air is quicker to set up... air is certainly more adjustable - but that often leads to endless adjusting. If you know your preferred ride style a coil is super dependable and easier to find that sweet spot. I'm technically challenged and can break things just buy looking at them... but, popping on or changing out a spring on the Kitsuma is so easy. The tool free adjustment, also made finding my preferred config quick and stress free. On my analogue AM rig, I run a Float X2. It took longer to setup... but suits that bike to a T. Which is also another caveat. What is the bikes intended purpose/nature. Gotta love mtb'in 🤙

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Right on thanks for such a detailed post and sharing your experiences.

In the 00's I switched from coil to air, air just worked better. Last year I started to move back. If I know I'm the only person that will ride a bike, coil. If others might ride, air

Air shock ! So easy to tune

It does really sound like youre describing me when it comes to the shock. But my riding spots is probably way more suited for an air shock. And im also running a 120mm Fox Float DPS something something product name something. I have no idea really.

I love this. Thank you! So for instance, if I went to coil from my Fox Float X Performance Elite, how much weight am I really adding?

Been considering a Push ElevenSix for quite some time now. About to bite the bullet and just buy one.

@LastAphelion

11 ай бұрын

I hear from people who own both that the RS coil is so close to it that you might as well save yourself the $1000 if it's a concern

@JJMassar

11 ай бұрын

@@LastAphelion Wish I could. Push is the only company I can find that has the proper spring for a 270lb person.

I think it’s safe to say that most people who buy full suspension bikes, are looking for that plush ride. A rear coil shock is just the best option for that. If weight doesn’t matter, don’t toil. Get the coil…

I bought 2023 Norco Sight A 2 a few weeks ago. I have the bike set at recommended pressure for my weight: just under max at 295 psi. The bike came stock with a spacer in the air shock and none in the fork. I'm going to try two spacers each. as the fork bottoms out on the tech but air shock does not. I still don't much rebound as I feel like getting bucked on jumps, with this and rental bikes at bigger parks. The local bike park has 1-5 minute runs. Would there be a happy middle ground setting for steep races and jumps or only tune for one? Former Hard tail newbie here.

I used a couple of air shocks in the past (mainly Fox CTD and Brain) and I am kinda new in the coil world. I wanted to try it for ages, but I have never had a proper frame for it. I did a couple of hunders km's with dhx2, and we are not friends yet. I have got around 35% sag with the factory spring and I def. need a stronger spring. I had barely time for park riding last year, so I was really disappointed when the shock leaked oil. This is a top of the line shock and really unreliable. With less than 200 KM of riding (half of it was basically pushing up the hill) the shock already had its 2nd service. Adjusting sag with coil is much more difficult and expensive. I think 90% of people will be more satisfied with an air shock. Coil looks cool, but they def. need more care.

What about the effect elevation has on an air shock. I find that sometimes an air shock can feel great at see level, then feel like crap at higher elevations.

A coil shock on very progressive geometry is as good as it can get

I was riding coil shocks for over 15 Years. Now, with my first E-Bike, a Mondraker Crafty, i love my air shock! So easy to adjust and much lighter.

The amount of sexual innuendos in this video is insane. 😂 loved the input. Stoked on my new coil shock for my Pivot Switchblade.

I'm torn between the DHX2 or the TTX1 Air

Holy braking bumps

Running A CC IL Coil with a Valt 450/550 Spring . I'll Never Put a Air Shock on my CF Warden again 😆

Hi, I like your video as usual but I find the way of how coil vs air usually is compared somehow unfair . You should compare playfulness at same level of confort, meaning taking a little stiffer spring , preload or lowspeed compression to get same level of compliance at initial stroke. Then coil is more playful, has same bottom out force and much less auf geometry change In steep sections compared to air

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing and your opinion. Here’s our thoughts, and likely in-line with brands as well. If we tuned the coil shock to ride/feel like an air, then many of the benefits that the industry and riders understand to be true of a coil, like comfort, compliance, traction and small bump sensitivity, are greatly impacted at which point you’re suffering a weight penalty on the bike for only reduced service intervals and better heat management, and not the ride improvements… as the old saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. But for almost al the people we’ve talked to and ridden with, when it’s time to run a coil, that softer initial feel and comfort are the big goals.

I dont care about weight i dont do crazy stunt no jump no off road all i do is daily riding for deliveroo for 17 hours a day all i want is comfort like I'm sitting in benz S class when going over normal road bump or hole so really not sure to get for my ebike my bike and it can take 155mm rear air or coil

Is it possible to lock out a coil shock for climbs?

@courtlandrollins8528

4 ай бұрын

Yes, on the Rockshock deluxe ultimate

If you plan on climbing as part of your daily/weekly rides. The Air is your friend and can mitigate pedal bob. Most Enduro riders will use the tunable capability of the air HSC/LSC etc… The Coil is a set and forget with reasonable linear repetition and progression used mostly for DH and Bike Park days. As was said here, if you cannot have both, go Air. 👍🏼

Coil all the way ❤

That 550 spring is ridiculous, Eddy Masters and Matt Walker both ride a 475, I use a custom 470 ....you're not doing freeride big air events.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

I'm not sure which bike model Eddy is riding that spring rate on as it would likely change if that's a Firebird or other model, but I do know that I weigh 30lbs more than Eddy, which would also account for a spring rate change. I checked sag and per Pivot's recommendation I am right in the window on the Mach 6.

Anyone know what coil works best on 2023 orbea wild ebike.

The answer is, there is no answer.

All irrelevant if we still can't find any rear shocks online 😠

Yes you're very spoiled.

I really hate watching videos like this. Total waste of time. People need the subjective opinion of the reviewer. Please don’t try to be nice to everyone and everything.

@TheLoamWolf

11 ай бұрын

Unclear as to what exactly you mean? Did you not think we were being subjective here? In fact I don’t think we could have been more subjective. As testers we are fortunate enough to ride hundreds of bikes on trails all over and I genuinely would choose different setups, different bikes and different shocks depending on where and what I was riding. If I owned the Mach 6 and rode whistler every month, I would own a cool for the reasons I mentioned loving the cool. Same with if I lived in SoCal still or Phx. But for Bend or areas with more berms and jumps, I’ll pick air for the extra pop and platform. Perhaps that offers a bit more clarity? In our opinion just slamming a product for the sake of appearing unbiased (BTW this video was not paid for in any way by Fox) doesn’t help anyone as there are scenarios and conditions where our personal choice and opinion would not be the best for the viewer, friend, consumer or whoever is watching and we try to stay mindful of that. Thanks for watching and hope to hear back to better understand where you think we could improve in the subjective angle.

Air shocks suck