You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / rear shock swapping from Fox RP2 to Fox RP23

rear shock swapping from Fox RP2 to Fox RP23


frankp's picture

By frankp - Posted on 23 September 2008

Hi there,

I'm mainly riding fire tracks on a Giant trance X1 fitted with a rear Fox RP2 shock and I'm thinking upgrading this rear shock with a Fox RP23.
Beside the fact that this operation would lighten my wallet for about $500, I would like to know if I would get a significant benefit from this upgrade.

Thanks in advance for your comments.
Cheers

F

Tags
Buck's picture

From memory the RP2 either has a Propedal on or off setting. With the RP23 there are three different levels of Propedal damping plus an off setting.

To be honest I've left it on the 2nd Propedal setting for the majority of the time and I just flick between that setting and the off setting only.

But I suppose if you want to customise your shock settings more then it is an improvement over the RP2.

I personally don't think it would be significant upgrade but I have to say I haven't ridden the RP2 so hopefully someone that has ridden both can shed some more light.

Brian's picture

I'm with Buck on this one except mine is on 3 for propedal. I only have my RP23 turned on for the road and off for the trails. I think having the right sag would more important.

ar_junkie's picture

Unless you like to fine tune your riding style to different terrains/profiles (through your shock), I would save the $$$...

As Buck said, the tuning range adjuster w/3 ProPedal positions is the only difference between the two... oh and the RP2 is slightly lighter...

valierm's picture

anyone used the specialized brain - is that an improvement over the rp23?

frankp's picture

Hi Buck,
Yeah, you are right ... That's what I thought too.
I have more interest in spending money somewhere else rather than upgrading my rear shock, taking into account that most people having the RP23 do not change the setting very often (and I won't either). So, in that case, I'll stick with the RP2.

Thanks to all of you for your valuable comments.

F

Ronster's picture

Hi about the shock change a lot of rear shocks are tuned to suit the suspension,I have a Norco fluid that came with a Float R and I change it to a RP23 and found that it would not use all it travel and the ride was harsh even with the pro pedal off.Check the compression tune on the side of the shock barrel on youre current shock before you buy the new one. I say keep your cash.
Cheers Ron

Nick R's picture

and its awesome - specialized AFR brain shock that is Eye-wink You can actually feel the shock opening up on bumpy terrain and closing out on smooth with a millisecond delay. Ride a bike with a Brain and then swap to one with a Fox RP23 in fully open position and you notice the difference straight away. The rear wheel seems to really hug the terrain especially climbing.

Downside is that you can't manually lock it out and as a result there is a very very small amount of pedal bob even when the valve is in the closed position and you are pedalling out of the seat. I guess its also slightly heavier than a standard Fox or DT Swiss rear shock given the flow control valve. Specialized have also developed a front fork with a brain inside.

delicious's picture

Go a coil! If it'll fit and you don't mind the extra weight a DHX 5 coil is a way better product and your bikes feel will be transformed. Just set the propedal with the dial and leave it there forever. Nice and plush linear suspension action.
I believe that the correct size is available, which would be 200mm X 50mm.

frankp's picture

Thanks all for your valuable comments !
Cheers

F

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Best Mountain Bike