5th element air for light freeride?

[east coast]

I've seen dirt jumpers, DS and even some DH-ers using rear air shocks every once in a while. If you stay relatively smooth, can a 5th air take some abuse on a Heckler 5" type bike?

[Kye]

next years for sure, i'm not certian on this years

[corey@nsmb.com]

Why not?

[Col. Craig]

buddy of mine rides it, and he cant stop talkin about. i my self will always stick with a spring but i never did try out the 5th, so basically at least someone has had success with the shock

[Oldfart]

I don't see why not. XC racing and trainning is pretty hard on parts too. More miles and if the shock is set up right, it should bottom out every now and then. The big difference I think would be in feel. Air shocks will not be as supple although they are pretty good these days and I don't think the stroke is as long as what one can get in a coil. Although I seem to think Manitou are making a longer stroke air shock, like 2.5 or 3 inch stroke??? I think the most I have seen for a 5th Air or Fox float is 2 inch stroke.

[east coast]

Your all leading me right down the path to buying another bike. I love my Bullit w/ the coil over 5th and have heard alot about the air 5th being sweet. I gotta give up my P.3 frame cuz my lanky lower back can't take it but I still wanna have a light, flickable bike to burst around on and catch air on the trail bumps.

[counterpoint]

i've seen some of the syndicate santa cruz guys go pretty damn big with that shock...

[Stinky_Rider]

Originally posted by east coast
Your all leading me right down the path to buying another bike. I love my Bullit w/ the coil over 5th and have heard alot about the air 5th being sweet. I gotta give up my P.3 frame cuz my lanky lower back can't take it but I still wanna have a light, flickable bike to burst around on and catch air on the trail bumps. \

Same here, I'm goign to seriously consider the new SX with the 5th coil over, amyeb the 5th air, depending. But I want something smaller, lighter, and with sufficient travel for shore, whistler, dj, and urban. Otherwise I love my bullit :rolleyes:

My 2 cents

[Matu2K4]

Check out the '05 Cannondale european models. The Gemini DH has an air spring shock, it's manitou's Revolver.