Coil Shock Shootout

9/30/2025 3:15pm
johnsogr wrote:
I do like that Sprindex springs are adjustable, but they're often not close to the actual number they're set to. Additionally, they're progressive and that plastic...

I do like that Sprindex springs are adjustable, but they're often not close to the actual number they're set to. Additionally, they're progressive and that plastic adjuster can break.

ballz wrote:

If they are good enough for Vorsprung, they are good enough for me. #coilshockforlife

Agreed, I've had good luck them. I'll add: if they're good enough for the Norco factory/Gracey, they are good enough for me. 

image 451.png?VersionId=yU

 

3
yzedf
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10/1/2025 3:24pm
Good eye, the Avalanche Racing CR does have a shorter reservoir. It was shortened to clear Transition frames such as the Sentinel. There were no issues with...

Good eye, the Avalanche Racing CR does have a shorter reservoir. It was shortened to clear Transition frames such as the Sentinel. 

There were no issues with the longer stock reservoir and the Specialized Enduro. The FF tuned Bomber CR has the stock reservoir length and did not have any issues running at the full 65mm stroke.

The standard reservoir did not fit my Enduro. 

2
10/1/2025 4:41pm
johnsogr wrote:
I do like that Sprindex springs are adjustable, but they're often not close to the actual number they're set to. Additionally, they're progressive and that plastic...

I do like that Sprindex springs are adjustable, but they're often not close to the actual number they're set to. Additionally, they're progressive and that plastic adjuster can break.

ballz wrote:

If they are good enough for Vorsprung, they are good enough for me. #coilshockforlife

Agreed, I've had good luck them. I'll add: if they're good enough for the Norco factory/Gracey, they are good enough for me.  

Agreed, I've had good luck them. I'll add: if they're good enough for the Norco factory/Gracey, they are good enough for me. 

image 451.png?VersionId=yU

 

I've had great success with sprindex - they're probably more accurate than some other springs out there at the moment, and I've never seen a broken adjuster. I can only guess someone tried to force it when there was too much preload on the coil

4
10/1/2025 7:42pm
yzedf wrote:

The standard reservoir did not fit my Enduro. 

Interesting, what size frame? Where you running it in the low or high position?

yzedf
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10/1/2025 7:58pm
yzedf wrote:

The standard reservoir did not fit my Enduro. 

Interesting, what size frame? Where you running it in the low or high position?

S5 in low position

1
10/3/2025 1:30pm
yzedf wrote:

The standard reservoir did not fit my Enduro. 

Interesting, what size frame? Where you running it in the low or high position?

Also doesn't fit mine, just barely scrapes (took the paint right off lol). But I'm running the WRP mullet link, and have to run in the low position, S3.

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Suns_PSD
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10/8/2025 8:29am

I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it off a lot to increase spring rate it seemed to make the spring super progressive.

I struggle with coil suspension due to the spring rate issues. The springs have large gaps, are inaccurately labeled, I change weight and gear, etc. 

1
10/8/2025 9:55am
Suns_PSD wrote:
I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it...

I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it off a lot to increase spring rate it seemed to make the spring super progressive.

I struggle with coil suspension due to the spring rate issues. The springs have large gaps, are inaccurately labeled, I change weight and gear, etc. 

I thought it was the opposite of that the softer the setting the more progressive it is.

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Suns_PSD
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10/8/2025 11:24am
Suns_PSD wrote:
I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it...

I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it off a lot to increase spring rate it seemed to make the spring super progressive.

I struggle with coil suspension due to the spring rate issues. The springs have large gaps, are inaccurately labeled, I change weight and gear, etc. 

thegromit wrote:

I thought it was the opposite of that the softer the setting the more progressive it is.

It's been 3 years Since I used one, but it was when you bound up some of the coils which I thought made it more firm.Opened up, well it's just a straight rate spring at that point.

10/8/2025 11:43am
Suns_PSD wrote:
I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it...

I found Spingdex to work really well when the spring rate was open or only closed a few clicks, but when I tried to close it off a lot to increase spring rate it seemed to make the spring super progressive.

I struggle with coil suspension due to the spring rate issues. The springs have large gaps, are inaccurately labeled, I change weight and gear, etc. 

thegromit wrote:

I thought it was the opposite of that the softer the setting the more progressive it is.

That is correct - they are technically a progressive spring when in the softest setting, and turning the dial closes the soft "section". So you have the stiff part for the whole travel. So it probably didn't feel too progressive when closed up, it was just feeling harder

5
10/8/2025 11:51am

The adjuster is on the progressive wind. So by setting it to the higher spring settings you’re “deactivating” the progressive portion of the spring.


In short

Lighter spring rate = more progressive 

Heavier spring rate = less progressive 

IMG 1386.jpeg?VersionId=u2b8
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ebruner
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10/8/2025 12:49pm

One more thing to throw out in this discussion... is that with progressive coils, the spring length vs the stroke length of your shock starts to become something to look at.  Meaning that if the progressive rate spring is the constant in this thought process, that a 57.5, 60, 65mm stroke shock are going to dip into that progressiveness at different points in the travel.  It makes using progressive springs a bit of a moving target and a non-exact science.  It would be really nice if providing spring dyno sheets was common for aftermarket springs.  

I realize this is "no shit sherlock" information, but it's easy to miss.  

3
10/8/2025 1:19pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

2
ballz
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10/8/2025 3:55pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

DO IT!

That said, I am super happy with the SV8 on the Bronson. Head and shoulders above the Avalanche Bomber.

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TEAMROBOT
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10/8/2025 4:34pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs. The base settings are good, although the recommended spring rate was maybe 30 pounds higher than what I settled on (YMMV). The ability to fine tune the shimstacks on HSC and HSR without taking the shock apart is amazing to me, saves $250 on a retune every time I want to play with the Rapid Revalve settings. Super cool shock. Only gripes so far are price (duh), weight (don't care), and I've gone through more spherical bushings than I'd like in the test period. Luckily the spherical bushings are super easy to replace, so buy a few extra. And FYI you'll need a torque wrench that can do 14nm to do the Rapid Revalve.

12
10/8/2025 4:58pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

TEAMROBOT wrote:
I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs...

I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs. The base settings are good, although the recommended spring rate was maybe 30 pounds higher than what I settled on (YMMV). The ability to fine tune the shimstacks on HSC and HSR without taking the shock apart is amazing to me, saves $250 on a retune every time I want to play with the Rapid Revalve settings. Super cool shock. Only gripes so far are price (duh), weight (don't care), and I've gone through more spherical bushings than I'd like in the test period. Luckily the spherical bushings are super easy to replace, so buy a few extra. And FYI you'll need a torque wrench that can do 14nm to do the Rapid Revalve.

Is that in the megatower? Keep in touch with Vorsprung on that one if you're not already, the Santa Cruz bikes often have shock hardware problems for anything thats not a ball bearing design. While sphericals are generally the best option they might need a different solution

Otherwise they're great shocks, I don't see much reason not to get one - if you're especially a fan of tweaking and customisation then its one of your best options. If you want something thats bolt in then set and forget, its still better than most with only the Elevensix topping it IMO. 

I don't think you would see as much of the bearing wear issues in a Spire as you would in a Santa Cruz or Forbidden either

 

2
10/8/2025 6:43pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

No reason not to, other than the price. The Telum is simple to re-tune and move from bike to bike and the Vorsprung Tuning Hub is a great resource.

Currently running it on a Spire + Cascade Link with the recommended tune, it works very well.

 

3
DServy
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10/8/2025 8:00pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

TEAMROBOT wrote:
I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs...

I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs. The base settings are good, although the recommended spring rate was maybe 30 pounds higher than what I settled on (YMMV). The ability to fine tune the shimstacks on HSC and HSR without taking the shock apart is amazing to me, saves $250 on a retune every time I want to play with the Rapid Revalve settings. Super cool shock. Only gripes so far are price (duh), weight (don't care), and I've gone through more spherical bushings than I'd like in the test period. Luckily the spherical bushings are super easy to replace, so buy a few extra. And FYI you'll need a torque wrench that can do 14nm to do the Rapid Revalve.

I've been on a Telum since they first shipped them and can honestly say that it was worth every cent I've spent on it. The base tune and the tuning hub are pretty amazing and give you a really really ridable shock right out the gate. I did do the rapid re-valve once just to try it out, but outside of maybe a click here or there I've left the shock pretty much as is. It's really only now as my entire riding style has changed that I'm even thinking about changing anything on my shock.

Couple that with just the insane reliability, and you have a winner. I beat the ever-loving piss out of the thing this year and put through as much hell as I could muster and it only started to lose performance after 150-175k vertical feet of descending, which was fairly outside the service interval Vorsprung recommended. Relatively quick and cheep service later and its back to being fantastic! 

I'm really looking forward to unlocking more out of the shock when I'm actually able to get some telemetry data out of my bike, still bitter about Motion Instruments v2 going under and I still can't figure out how to get any other system working with the tolerances on my Dreadnought.

4
10/8/2025 8:47pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

TEAMROBOT wrote:
I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs...

I'm testing a Telum right now for Vital, and I will say I'm super impressed and would recommend to anyone who's not afraid to turn knobs. The base settings are good, although the recommended spring rate was maybe 30 pounds higher than what I settled on (YMMV). The ability to fine tune the shimstacks on HSC and HSR without taking the shock apart is amazing to me, saves $250 on a retune every time I want to play with the Rapid Revalve settings. Super cool shock. Only gripes so far are price (duh), weight (don't care), and I've gone through more spherical bushings than I'd like in the test period. Luckily the spherical bushings are super easy to replace, so buy a few extra. And FYI you'll need a torque wrench that can do 14nm to do the Rapid Revalve.

I was wondering how the spherical bearings would hold up to the Megatower.

1
ebruner
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10/9/2025 9:37am

Fwiw, my nomad 6 will eat a push 11.6 spherical bearing in like 6 weeks.  Since switching to the push cartridge bearing eyelet on that same shock, it has been problem free since.  

5
sethimus
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10/9/2025 10:43am Edited Date/Time 10/9/2025 10:43am

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

don't, they hate free trade and rather their customers to pay more because they live in the wrong country

18
10/9/2025 11:31am

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

sethimus wrote:

don't, they hate free trade and rather their customers to pay more because they live in the wrong country

I should have mentioned, I’m in Canada. 

2
10/9/2025 12:05pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

sethimus wrote:

don't, they hate free trade and rather their customers to pay more because they live in the wrong country

WTF does that mean?

8
10/9/2025 12:17pm

im about to order a Vorsprung Telum for my transition spire. Why or why shouldn't I? 

sethimus wrote:

don't, they hate free trade and rather their customers to pay more because they live in the wrong country

WTF does that mean?

GHcU1Nva4AAkmdf.jpg?VersionId=wanpE6x7QgUzTGRo
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Suns_PSD
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10/9/2025 12:21pm

I might try that Telum next time around.

Have never thought of myself as a suspension tuner but being able to make back-to-back changes might be the only way I can ever get my shock exactly how I want.

1
johnsogr
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10/9/2025 12:23pm

Anyone have experience with NSR? He recommended Bos Syros or Fast Fenix 2 for his tuning - I’m intrigued…

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jalopyj
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10/9/2025 12:30pm

Folks running the Telum - are you sending your shock back to Vorsprung for servicing? Any service centers in the US that would be able to service?

1
sethimus
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10/9/2025 12:40pm

WTF does that mean?

they wanted me to buy the shock from the german distributor for way too much money when i wanted to buy the shock directly from them in canada, utilizing my inferior buying power due to the very strong swiss franc, would have saved me about 500chf, went with fast suspension instead

10/9/2025 2:33pm

WTF does that mean?

sethimus wrote:
they wanted me to buy the shock from the german distributor for way too much money when i wanted to buy the shock directly from them...

they wanted me to buy the shock from the german distributor for way too much money when i wanted to buy the shock directly from them in canada, utilizing my inferior buying power due to the very strong swiss franc, would have saved me about 500chf, went with fast suspension instead

Oh ok sweet as, so you have an issue with them following a completely normal distribution model? Were you planning on shipping it back to canada for a service every time as well? I normally wouldn't engage here but needed to clarify - The european distributors are the ones carrying shocks, parts and tools to make sure you're looked after in a reasonable time frame and the pricing is often dictated by certain things outside of their control. If that makes them too expensive for you then thats cool - you're welcome to get something locally produced if saving money if your priority. But it is in no way a legitimate argument against a product just because you feel like you should be able to bypass the local distributor. Most good overseas brands will protect their network in the same way

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