RockShox Deluxe - 2018 Rear Shock

(discontinued)

I have been using the RockShox Deluxe RT for a little bit over year and have a fair understanding on how the shock rides. In my opinion this is one of the best shocks that money can buy. The damper is really nice offering enough support without being to harsh, and big plus in my opinion. The shock is also very supple which surprised me. I expected it to have somewhat ok sensitivity as it isn't the most expensive option on the market, but this shock is on par with the best of the best. Another plus, is the rebound adjustment, each click does enough to slightly notice a change in damping without doing to much. This way you can dial in your rebound for the perfect ride. The last pro could also be a con depending on the suspension kinematics of the bike or your preference. If you prefer ground huggy linear suspension that tracks the terrain even while deeper in the stroke, this is the shock for you. This shock is very linear, even with max volume reducers fitted. If your bike's suspension is linear you will find the shock staying too deep in its travel which could cause harsh bottom outs of huck to flats or big compressions. While my experience with the shock has been pretty positives there are a couple of Cons I would like to mention. Since this shock doesn't have a piggy back, the lack of extra oil causes the shock to heat up. This isn't very noticeable as the shock handles the heat well, but in some instances, you might find the damping to be a little off at the end of a long downhill run especially if the trail is rough. While linear feeling suspension might be a pro to some, it is a con to others. Depending on your riding style and rear linkage this could be a deciding factor. Lastly, due to the overall linear feel, the shock doesn't have a lot of pop. It takes more effort to pop and bunny hop as the shock absorbs a lot of the force you input. Although, this creates a ground huggy ride, it is more difficult to jump as it requires more energy to do so.

If you're in the market for a new shock for your trail bike and have a limited budget, the RockShox Deluxe RT is a viable option, with good damping, very good sensitivity, and lots of adjustment which could compete with the best, look no further.