Kona U'HU (1998) dead rear shock - alternatives?

[Joebristol]

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. Discovered it whilst searching for info about the bike I've got. I bought it on ebay about 3 years ago now, but haven't really used it much. Got back into mountain biking the last couple of weeks and loving it.

The shock has always been a bit iffy (a Fox Alps 5R) and I understand that Fox no longer support them (neither do Mojo etc - although Risse might do for a large cost). It has a little bit of oil seep that shows on the piston and at the very top of the travel there is a few mm of play. From what I've read the negative spring might have snapped inside - so the shock is probably in the middle of eating itself.

So a new shock is required - I think eye to ey is 165mm and stroke is 38mm (quite a standard size). I want to pay as little as possible for either a 2nd hand or new shock. Bear in mind I paid maybe £150 for the bike and want another air shock.

I have found a new shock on ebay called 'DNM air shock with lockout' - comes in pretty much the right size (165mmx35mm), but it gets posted from Australia. Reviews on American Amazon site seem really good, but I can't find any UK reviews. Has anyone got one / got any experience of one?

If they're not meant to be great then I guess I'll keep looking on ebay for an air shock with the right dimensions from rockshox / Fox / Cane creek etc.

Any comments welcomed (or anybody who has a suitable shock they want to sell on the cheap!).....

 

[DominicH83]

I have a pair of DNM forks that are surprisingly good, but rather heavy.

I recently found myself looking for a rear shock for a Kona Mokomoko, looked at the DNM offerings but they looked pretty cheap and budgetish.

My advice would be trawl eBay for bargains, I ended up with a Fox RP2 for £26. Hopefully your existing bushes fit, that can get expensive quickly.

 

[Joebristol]

Re:

Thanks for the reply. I emailed the eBay seller to ask what their thoughts are on the dnm shock (they sell other makes). They said it's pretty good, but not as good as a Fox shock. Main downside is they're fairly heavy (for an air shock).

Decisions decisions! Tempting to do a new bike to work scheme in October and get a new £1k full suss bike. Suspension would be better, but it would be heavier than the Kona, as its only 27.5lbs in weight. Plus there is something something appealing about riding a fairly retro / rare bike and beating people on much newer bikes.

 

[DominicH83]

I'd stick with what you have. A good bike is a good bike. Shopping around should land you a decent Fox shock for under £50.

Saying that, if you do sell it let me know, wouldn't mind one of them!

 

[Joebristol]

Re:

My problem is patience (or lack thereof) and how long my existing shock will last. I'll try and wait a few weeks and see what comes up on eBay!

If I decide to seek the bike I'll mention it on here. Depends if I get really into it and start going to big trail centres etc. Back in the day I liked jumping and downhill, but think I'm a bit past that now..... Just normal xc riding for me.

 

[Joebristol]

Re:

So I've been looking online and second hand rear shocks aren't coming up much in the size I need (165/3, apart from a couple that seem to be going for strong money. And as I see it you are always going to be taking a gamble with a second hand shock.

I think I've discounted the DNM one as probably being really cheap pap, and a risk as it's coming from Australia - ie if it doesn't fit / is faulty etc.

So now looking at budget new shocks from brand names I've actually heard of. Still trying to stick with under £100 given the value of my bike etc.

I've found the following:

Suntour:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/REAR-SHOCK-RAID ... rear+shock

Above is a Raidon Lo - no idea what this is like.

Below is an Epicon which just squeaks over £100

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SR-Suntour-RS12 ... rear+shock

Via amazon obviously - can't find many reviews of the shock - what I have found suggests they are just 'ok'.

Rockshox Monarch R:

http://www.alltricks.com/mtb/shocks/sho ... 74232.html

Any thoughts / suggestions?

Never heard of all tricks, but after converting from Euros and including posting it just squeaks under £100. Cheaper than any of the UK retailers I've found - and I have used a retailer in France before (Acycles) for some Mavic Aksium wheels for my racer and they were perfect.

 

[Joebristol]

Re:

Picked up a Rockshox Bar air shock for about £50 from eBay. Arrived really quick and got it on and went out yesterday on it. Night and Day difference between that and the old fox shock. Bike flowed massively better along the trails at ashton court and Leigh woods in Bristol. Left the other guys I was with a long way behind on a number of trails. Just need to up my fitness and improve my front brake.

Currently on original avid v brakes - back is fine, but 1 fingered braking on the front isn't quite powerful enough. A guy I started riding bikes with recently reckons he has an old magura hydraulic rim brake somewhere

 

[Joebristol]

Re:

Picked up a Rockshox Bar air shock for about £50 from eBay. Arrived really quick and got it on and went out yesterday on it. Night and Day difference between that and the old fox shock. Bike flowed massively better along the trails at ashton court and Leigh woods in Bristol. Left the other guys I was with a long way behind on a number of trails. Just need to up my fitness and improve my front brake.

Currently on original avid v brakes - back is fine, but 1 fingered braking on the front isn't quite powerful enough.

A guy I started riding bikes with recently reckons he has an old magura hydraulic rim brake somewhere at home that I can have for free. From the description it sounds like an hs11 but can't be sure yet. Think it's a back brake, but guessing I can shorten the hose if I bleed it all down and refill the fluid after?