Pivot Shuttle LT air or coil rear shock?

[Babahawk]

I have a new Shuttle LT on the way and was wondering what people thought regarding using a coil or air shock? I got the base Ride/SLX model because I am swapping out drivetrain stuff with SRAM and I also have a Zeb fork and Vivid Air Ultimate on the way for it. Before I put the Vivid shock on it I was wondering if I should put the new Rock Shox coil on it instead?? Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated. (Before anyone says Fox or Push or whatever I work at a shop and I am part of the SRAM ambassador program so getting their stuff is a no brainer!)

 

[Mockcyto]

I think the first question you need to ask is since you are getting a zeb which is poppy off jumps. Do you like to play around a little then stick to air, if you are about speed and sticking to the ground and want plush then coil is your answer, but then do a DSD mod to your Zeb. Not sure if you will need a progressive spring or not however with the LT.

Congrats on the new LT!

 

[Plummet]

As above.

What to stick to the ground with ultimate traction go coil.

What poppy and playful for jumps, go air.

 

[Babahawk]

Thanks for your input-makes sense! I am 52 and prefer not to do crazy stuff so much anymore so really looking or that old man Cadillac feel!

 

[arTNC]

There are so many variables that can affect the choice of coils or air. I've always been a long travel, big hit MTB guy...SC Bullit, Nomad, etc...and I come from a long history of dirt motors. Because of the dirt motors, I've always been much more partial to coil suspension.

The main area on MTB's and EMTB's that I notice benefit from coils is trail chatter and small bump compliance. What?...why should that be a big priority on a long travel bike? For me it's always been the annoyance and even fatigue generated by the constant feedback of small trail roughness, chatter, etc., over the duration of a long ride. Air suspension doesn't usually do near as good a job as a coil setup in removing or at least diminishing it.

Now, I have had the rare experience of an air fork...Marzocchi 66SL...and rear shock...Manitou ISX-6...that came nearly as close to coil performance as anything else I tried...and I tried a lot. Working part time at a bike shop I ended up buying and trying all kinds of options. Still, overall I found coil suspension to be superior for me, my riding style, and preference.

Maybe another advantage considered by many, though secondary to me, is the benefit that once you settle on the preferred spring rate/weight on your bike, there is little to no putzing with setup other than tire pressure each time you go for a ride. Speaking of spring rate/weight, personally I think there is little advantage to spending big money on the lighter rear shock coil springs on an emtb. This was much more valid on a pedal-only bike where weight reduction was a huge benefit. Not so much for an emtb. Example, the Fox DHX2 rear shock I installed on my new Rail 7 has the standard steel spring that costs about 1/3 that of the lighter versions. I bought another steel Fox spring that is one step heavier that I'm preparing to test this weekend. On a powerful emtb I just don't think the more expensive, lighter springs are necessary. Progressive rate/weight springs can be a reasonable alternative if you find your bike's suspension would benefit from one, but that's a different situation.

 

[Mockcyto]

i am looking at getting the DVO Jade X which has a air bladder for the last 15% and you can put a progressive spring on it also. I think gives you maximum adjustment range. I run DVO on my Pivot Mach 5.5 and it's amazing if you like to really dial it in.