Video Comparison of RockShox Bottomless Rings in a Monarch Shock 10

Bottom out your rear shock too easily? Wish it rode higher in the travel? RockShox Monarch shocks offer the ability to adjust how much the air spring ramps up using red colored volume spacers known as Bottomless Rings. These Rings add bottom-out support and alter the ride height, which can be great for aggressive riders.


We rode multiple trails at the Whistler Bike Park with two and five Bottomless Rings installed in a Monarch RT3 shock on a 115mm rear travel Transition Smuggler. This side-by-side video shows the impact they have on a shock's suspension performance. All other settings were kept consistent with the air pressure set to 160psi, open compression, and 0-clicks of rebound (clicks are from closed). The test rider weighs 175-pounds.




To learn more about Bottomless Rings, how to install them, and how to choose a number that's just right, be sure to watch our in-depth RockShox tuning feature. This video is an extended version of the videos you'll see there.


Visit www.rockshox.com for more details, and visit your local dealer to pick up some Rings of your own. Happy tuning!

Credit:

​Brandon Turman // Photo: Adrian Marcoux
Related:
Suspension
Rear Shocks
RockShox
Whistler Bike Park
Trail / All-Mountain
How-To / Instruction
10 comments

View replies to: Video Comparison of RockShox Bottomless Rings in a Monarch Shock

avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
David_P
9 years ago
This is a great video with a major flaw. By adding rings you change the volume of the air can. Therefore with more rings you need less psi. You should have run the comparison with the same sag. I'm guessing you were at least 5-10% less sag with the 5 spacers over the 2. No wonder you were getting bucked around in the chatter. This is my understanding please let me know your thoughts.
c50 profile 1487817150
bturman
9 years ago
Hey David, cheers for chiming in! You're right, the air volume is decreasing as you add more spacers, however it has less effect at sag than you think. Most of the impact the spacers have is felt near bottom out. Here's a graph from RockShox that illustrates this. The static pressure in the shock is constant.



For a more visual explanation, take a few minutes to watch our full RockShox tuning feature. It may clear things up a bit more: http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/How-To-Get-The-Most-Out-Of-Your…
1
c50 profile 1487817150
bturman
9 years ago
The 2015 Smuggler comes stock with 0 rings installed. For 2016, though, they are moving to 2 rings for the stock tune.
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
Alon
9 years ago
Hey everyone I need your help!

I bought 6 months ago a RockShox Monarch Plus Debonair.
I wanted to install these ring in the shock so I contacted the distributer where I live.
long story short he said these are not available anymore as they are not compatible with some of the new models.
I couldnt find reference to that anywhere else! sounds really weird...
Anyone knows if it is true?
c50 Sharp jedi 3 copy
Mr. P
9 years ago
Hi Alon, I've been adjusting volume for years with different materials. The latest, a thin plastic packaging that comes with Specialized tires. Some say use part of a tube, but I wonder about the compressiveness of the material. Others say P-tex ski base repair material, which would work very well. Just don't use oil as it can migrate to the negative spring.

Don't use anything that can dissolve in oil.

Cut to fit, then cut to how you want the spring to behave.

Obviously the manufacturer's parts are the best solution, but in their absence these solutions work well.

P
1
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
Alon
9 years ago
Thanks a lot Mr. P!
Do you have any experience specifically with the shock I have? Monarch Plus Debonair 2015.
I was told this model specificaly isnt compatible with this upgrade, sounds really weird to me...
c50 profile 1487817150
bturman
9 years ago
The Monarch Plus Debonair is indeed compatible with the Bottomless Rings shown in this feature.
1