Prophet MX rear shock RP23 / DHX coil

coolatt · 06-04-2008, 08:09 PM

My Pearl is hooped and I was told it is not serviceable so I am looking at an RP23 or DHX coil. I was recommended not to get a DHX air as it is not suitable for this type of rear end and after reading some forums that seems to be true. I want to be fully active/plush/compliant going down with a bit of platform going up. Has anyone compared these two on their bike and can give me some feedback. The major drawback I see with the coil is weight but I can sacrifice some weight for performance.

onepunch · 06-05-2008, 05:11 PM

DHX coil is pretty proven. Seems that it can perform on single pivots as well as 4bar, or mutly pivot designs. RP3 may work well in most every application except for the huge stuff, but an air spring is as adjustable as possible. I cant see the RP3 holding up to as much abuse as the DHX coil though...

Mitch · 06-05-2008, 07:07 PM

Out of curiosity, how is it hooped?? The new RS are fairly dealer serviceable...

coolatt · 06-05-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

Out of curiosity, how is it hooped?? The new RS are fairly dealer serviceable...

Well the shaft travel is short by a couple mm with no air and even with the floodgate off there is some compression damping that prevents it from getting full travel and it's not plush initially, at least on this type of rear end.

I emailed suspensionworx and james replied that this shock is not servicable. Maybe that means the oil could be changed but there is no way to alter the damping characteristics (shims). If anyone knows somewhere that can alter it let me know.

Also while searching for service kits I read on a website that pre 2008 pearls are not serviceable

Hack On Wheels · 06-05-2008, 10:15 PM

Do you know if your bike has a progressive or regressive nature? If it is progressive, go with coil for sure... if it is regressive, air might work for you, but in that case I would recommend DHX air with low volume air can, or something similar. I would lean away from the RP23, in my experience, the low speed/initial compression damping is far too harsh, and the lack of any high speed compression or bottom out control is a pain (and that is for my trail bike, not even a full on freeride bike).

Znarf · 06-06-2008, 09:13 AM

Fancy or not. I actually liked my SPV Swinger 4 way Air best on my Heckler (which is really a bit similar suspension wise to your Prophet)

I also had a Swinger Coil, a Fox DHX 5.0 Coil and a 5th Element Coil on there.

The SPV works best for single pivots, as its a bit stiffer in the beginning, reducing bob. But it opens up really nice on all sizes of hits. Also the volume control is essential for bottom out adjustment!

I didn

coolatt · 06-06-2008, 05:10 PM

[QUOTE=Znarf;1954985]Fancy or not. I actually liked my SPV Swinger 4 way Air best on my Heckler (which is really a bit similar suspension wise to your Prophet)

I also had a Swinger Coil, a Fox DHX 5.0 Coil and a 5th Element Coil on there.

The SPV works best for single pivots, as its a bit stiffer in the beginning, reducing bob. But it opens up really nice on all sizes of hits. Also the volume control is essential for bottom out adjustment!

I didn

Znarf · 06-07-2008, 02:42 PM

=)
personal preference.

But I agree, the 3way feels shitty. The 4way air however feels really different!
I loved that shock. Never cared about the 3ways though!

0_o · 06-08-2008, 01:26 AM

If you run any lower than 40psi in the SPV chamber you risk locking the SPV valve shut which will hinder performance greatly. Perhaps that was the issue with your 3way.

06-04-2008, 08:09 PM	#1
coolatt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I'm over here Posts: 849 Rep Power: 95930	Prophet MX rear shock RP23 / DHX coil My Pearl is hooped and I was told it is not serviceable so I am looking at an RP23 or DHX coil. I was recommended not to get a DHX air as it is not suitable for this type of rear end and after reading some forums that seems to be true. I want to be fully active/plush/compliant going down with a bit of platform going up. Has anyone compared these two on their bike and can give me some feedback. The major drawback I see with the coil is weight but I can sacrifice some weight for performance.

06-05-2008, 05:11 PM	#2
onepunch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Van city Posts: 3,066 Rep Power: 9715198	DHX coil is pretty proven. Seems that it can perform on single pivots as well as 4bar, or mutly pivot designs. RP3 may work well in most every application except for the huge stuff, but an air spring is as adjustable as possible. I cant see the RP3 holding up to as much abuse as the DHX coil though... __________________ WTF, Over?

06-05-2008, 10:15 PM	#5
Hack On Wheels Team Ewok Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Searching for the Holy Grail Posts: 3,767 Rep Power: 188858	Do you know if your bike has a progressive or regressive nature? If it is progressive, go with coil for sure... if it is regressive, air might work for you, but in that case I would recommend DHX air with low volume air can, or something similar. I would lean away from the RP23, in my experience, the low speed/initial compression damping is far too harsh, and the lack of any high speed compression or bottom out control is a pain (and that is for my trail bike, not even a full on freeride bike). __________________ 22 Pride

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06-05-2008, 07:07 PM	#3
Mitch Heavy Hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Van City Posts: 193 Rep Power: 879	Out of curiosity, how is it hooped?? The new RS are fairly dealer serviceable...

06-06-2008, 09:13 AM	#6
Znarf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 372 Rep Power: 493452	Fancy or not. I actually liked my SPV Swinger 4 way Air best on my Heckler (which is really a bit similar suspension wise to your Prophet) I also had a Swinger Coil, a Fox DHX 5.0 Coil and a 5th Element Coil on there. The SPV works best for single pivots, as its a bit stiffer in the beginning, reducing bob. But it opens up really nice on all sizes of hits. Also the volume control is essential for bottom out adjustment! I didn

06-06-2008, 05:10 PM	#7
coolatt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I'm over here Posts: 849 Rep Power: 95930	[QUOTE=Znarf;1954985]Fancy or not. I actually liked my SPV Swinger 4 way Air best on my Heckler (which is really a bit similar suspension wise to your Prophet) I also had a Swinger Coil, a Fox DHX 5.0 Coil and a 5th Element Coil on there. The SPV works best for single pivots, as its a bit stiffer in the beginning, reducing bob. But it opens up really nice on all sizes of hits. Also the volume control is essential for bottom out adjustment! I didn

06-07-2008, 02:42 PM	#8
Znarf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 372 Rep Power: 493452	=) personal preference. But I agree, the 3way feels shitty. The 4way air however feels really different! I loved that shock. Never cared about the 3ways though!

06-08-2008, 01:26 AM	#9
0_o .tpiR Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 7,540 Rep Power: 4169911	If you run any lower than 40psi in the SPV chamber you risk locking the SPV valve shut which will hinder performance greatly. Perhaps that was the issue with your 3way.