How reliable are the avalanche shocks?

[icewax]

How often do they need maintainance? Have they been known to blow up and leak oil like romic and fox rear shocks?

I havent seen to many reviews on them and mtbreview.com doesnt list avalanche shocks so its hard to find user opinions. Everyone raves about them, but really how much better are they than romics?... my decision is pretty much down to those two. Both have external rebound and compression adjustments but I want to be positive that the extra $200 for the avvy is really worth it.

Thanks.

[How]

They need to get rebuilt about every year to recharge the nitrogen and change the oil (if you ride them hard)... mine was perfect until I stepped it down, then I got bucked really hard and the shock hasn't been the same, this is after a season of heavy abuse, so i'm just going to send it in, but yah... they don't leak oil at all or blow seals, I'd definitely take one over a romic.

[GrimJack]

This is like comparing apples to oranges.

One is a shock for people who like to pedal, and therefore is nowhere near as tough. Stable platform technology really helps on the climbs though, and they are durable enough for smooth riders.

The other is a big hit shock, built to be bulletproof under heavy abuse. These types of people don't ride their bikes up anything, and could care less about pedaling efficiency.

[nick1111]

GrimJack, good analysis. However, I have an Avalanche on my Scream and I still ride up lots of hills. But obviously it's leff efficient than a SPV shock.

[GrimJack]

Without a doubt, it's possible to ride up with an avvy, or do big hits with a romic - however, if you were running a romic, your ride up would improve a lot, and your durability would suffer.

It's all a matter of compromise, picking what options are important for your personal riding style.

[Monsta]

i've had an avy on every DH bike ive ever owned, and they're fuckin SICK. i've sent my shocks in for rebuilds on 2 occasions in the past 3 years, and the turnaround times are super fast, and the shock comes back NEW. they're awesome. I havent bottomed the avy on my Cortina once, even on overshot 12-15 foot drops, close to flat, and 8 to flat drops. they're awesome shocks, and craig seekins, the guy behind that company is awesome to work with. support the little guy and get an avy! you wont be disappointed at all.

[How]

You can set up an Avalanche to pedal very well, just adjust the low end compression and you're dialed, I think they're superior to SPV

[Universe]

Not true. The Avalanbche with its valving pedals better than most shocks. I'll go as far as to say it pedals better than a Romic.

Originally posted by GrimJack
Without a doubt, it's possible to ride up with an avvy, or do big hits with a romic - however, if you were running a romic, your ride up would improve a lot, and your durability would suffer.

It's all a matter of compromise, picking what options are important for your personal riding style.

[GrimJack]

Have I missed some technology updates in the Avalanche line? Have they added some type of anti-bob tech while I wasn't looking?

[IFO]

Originally posted by How
You can set up an Avalanche to pedal very well, just adjust the low end compression and you're dialed, I think they're superior to SPV

you can do the same thing with a RC... but then your shock loses small bump absorption...

who wants to have to constantly adjust your shock setting whenever u climb....

if u want a SPV style ride, u need to knuckle under and buy one...

[nick1111]

If the climb isn't long enough to warrent adjusting a knob, then you probably don't need any sort of pedalling aid anyway.

[icewax]

sweet thanks for the replies!... I asked my rents for a romic for xmas but im gonna throw in the extra 200 and get an avvy... pretty friggin stoked to get one.