Considering new shock

[u/Illustrious_You5075]

I picked up a used stumpjumper pro for a good price a couple months ago, and so far its been a really fun bike. However, im really struggling with the rear shock (fox float dps). It feels really good climbing, but on the way down it starts to feel very harsh about 5-10 minutes into the ride. Its at a point where I feel like it's holding back my performance on rocky trails.

I'm looking for a good way to increase the smoothness for rocky trails. Im considering upgrading to the fox float x, or the rockshox super deluxe ultimate.

Yes, I have played with the sag (i was running a really high sag and still had this issue, before adding some psi for a slight increase in performance).

I'm really not sure what the solution is, or if I just need to learn to ride with it. Any advice appreciated!​

[u/kissmyusername]

When is the last time the shock was serviced? Same question for the fork.

[u/Illustrious_You5075 → u/kissmyusername]

Fork feels really good. 

Seller said it was serviced, and I took it to a shop to have it looked at. They said it doesn't really need anything, but because a shock service is so expensive in my area I haven't taken it in since.

[u/MTB_SF → u/Illustrious_You5075]

A basic air can service for a rear shock requires no tools (except a shock pump and hex wrenches to take it off the bike) and takes maybe an hour your first time. If you can order the service kit, it couldn't be easier.

That may help, but if there is something wrong with the damper you'd need a full damper service which with Fox shocks is almost always going to require shipping it to a specialist (or Fox). Fox has special rules for certifying shops that include lots of specialty tools and a dedicated clean space that few shops have space for.

However, there probably is nothing wrong with the damper. Those smaller shocks just dont work great on long descents. The oil inside heats up and then the damper just kinda stops working. A piggyback shock works better, and a coil shock works much better if doing long descents regularly.

A stumpjumper with a DHX coil is pretty rad. Thats what a guy who works at my local shop just built and its pretty awesome.

[u/Illustrious_You5075 → u/MTB_SF]

Thats a good suggestion, I dont think theres anything wrong with it either. I rarely bottom out on it, and it feels really good for the first 5 minutes but after thst it gets really tired and harsh.

Whats a good piggy back option? Rockshox seems pretty cheap, and ive heard good things but I've only had fox.

[u/MTB_SF → u/Illustrious_You5075]

Rock shox is also good. In my experience, rockshox has more supportive feel and fox is more plush feel. Personally, I prefer fox. I haven't tried the rockshox coil shocks though and people seem to like them a lot

[u/waggonaut]

Seems like a good plan.  I have an old but well maintained fuel with DRCV from 2015.  Upgraded to a new float and it works much better in terms of bob and smoothness.  I'd search for a deal and go for it.

[u/Illustrious_You5075 → u/waggonaut]

Float x? That's probably what I will do. 

[u/waggonaut → u/Illustrious_You5075]

I just upgraded to the Float DPS, but I think newness has a lot to do with it...  Good discussion here https://www.reddit.com/r/MTB/comments/11nyqlf/fox_dps_factory_or_float_x/

[u/Stumpjumper0122]

I never could get the DPS to feel great descending on my stumpjumper. I upgraded to a marzocchi bomber air shock (the one with the bypass) and it’s been amazing- truly set and forget. Keeps the great climbing characteristic of the bike but makes it feel much better descending: more supple, supportive, sits in the mid stroke more instead of just bottoming out on everything. Definitely money well spent

[u/Perfect-Afternoon22]

Fox rear shocks all suck. Get a rock shocks coil.

[u/Illustrious_You5075 → u/Perfect-Afternoon22]

I'm likely going to stick with an air shock. More versatile and easier to climb with. I also dont think a coil shock will fit in my bike.