Popular Post Donald L Bucklin Posted December 1, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 1, 2020 I have a S18 (3rd batch) and fiddled with the DNM 2 chamber shock it came with. Never found the sweet spot. I switched to a Rock Shox Monarch R at 165 mm and it fits perfectly and only took a short time to swap. I have 100 km on this shock, and it is a set and forget it. I weigh 165 lbs. The Monarch R was about $220 (and worth it to me). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Boulder Terry Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 Is the rock shock better quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald L Bucklin Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share Posted December 15, 2020 It is a smoother ride and still works for bigger bumps. No hiccups so far. They recomend you rebuild them in the mountain bike application. My shock stays pretty clean so i am not rebuilding anytime soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dgtreble Posted December 20, 2020 Share Posted December 20, 2020 Would anyone care to direct me to the differences between the batches? I'd love to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 Like Donald I'm using a Rockshox RT3 200 x 57 shock. It was easy to fit although I had to make 12 x 15mm bushings because the eye size is 1mm larger. I think this shock works really well throughout the speed range. It has a firm ride and feels planted at all times, also quiet in use. A word of caution though, if you try it in the locked position the lever is upright and may catch the tail lamp lens. This is easily solved by filing a bit off to make it shorter. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dgtreble Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 (edited) I believe she's a gen 2 but I'm really not sure. https://pasteboard.co/JFXHccwQ.jpg Edited December 21, 2020 by Dgtreble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rene Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 On 12/1/2020 at 7:40 PM, Donald L Bucklin said: I have a S18 (3rd batch) and fiddled with the DNM 2 chamber shock it came with. Never found the sweet spot. I switched to a Rock Shox Monarch R at 165 mm and it fits perfectly and only took a short time to swap. I have 100 km on this shock, and it is a set and forget it. I weigh 165 lbs. The Monarch R was about $220 (and worth it to me). I am so glad to hear others having had the same Idea, I'm new to EUC and Bought the S-18 which is absolutely banging! so i changed my standard damper with the Rockshox Monarch Plus RC-3, i also had to have the bushes made. the damper the KS-18 came with is showing its seal coming away from the damper, and im not even going wild (absolute beginner) just imagine what could happen when i try to learn Jumps on a dirt track or MTB trail ?! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald L Bucklin Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 S 18 batches have evolved steadily as any new wheel does. Initial batches had some problems with the suspension assembly (lock washers where there shouldn't be. The King Song website has the details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbulkow Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 (edited) Hi! I'm on the same idea. Spent my first day trying to get the S18 suspension dialed in and coming away with the idea this shock is not ideal.... First, Y'all said you had to "have bushings made". Seems OK, I have access to friends that manufacture, although I don't myself :-) What exactly do you say to who, to get the right bushings? Second, why the Monarch RC3? I see the 200x57 size isn't super popular, but there's also the Rockshocks Vivid R2C line? Edited July 4, 2021 by bbulkow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ro.man Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 What is exactly the size of the shock? Is it 165mm or 200x57mm? What is the size of bushings? Maybe they can be found online? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bbulkow Posted July 21, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted July 21, 2021 (edited) Hi, there are two threads on this topic and I posted details on the other one. The required shock is 200x57mm. However, it's also true that "imperial" size of 7.875 x 2.25 inches is exactly the same as your calculator will say. There are shocks by Fox, RockShox, and CaneCreek in this size. It is possible slightly different sizes will work, I've stayed with the size specified by Kingsong. There are two reasons this isn't a true bolt-on. First is the eyelet size: 12.7mm instead of 12mm on the stock shock. These are the two most common sizes, and higher end shocks tend to use 12.7. Using 12mm with 12.7 shock, there is simply too much slop, don't do it. One guy from poland says use three turns of an aluminium drinks can which would work too :-). The second issue is the width of the eyelet, which determines the width of the spacers. Spacers are easier to manufacture because they are not "really" load bearing - they center the shock but they don't take bumps. You need to know the width of the eyelet for the shock you are buying, and the ID is 12.7 and the OD is whatever you like. The kit you buy, therefore, is an "8x50" kit will contain a new "sleeve" (with the axel inside and the shock on the outside) with an 8mm interior hole (8.05mm if you're getting it manufactured) and a 50mm width. The spacers will be different for different shocks, which is why you will want 8x50 for fox, or cane creek, or whatever. Or you can measure your intended shock, and 3D print (petg, something strong) two pieces - it must add up to 50mm so (50 - (shock width)) / 2 --> spacer width. Spacer too big really doesn't even assemble, spacer too small will allow the shock to get non-vertical which would greatly impede its function so accuracy is about 0.1ish, 0.2mm required. Once you have the new fit kit and the new shock it is less than an hour to change over. You expose the bolts by compressing suspension, unbolt the old shock, fit the kit and new shock, tighten those two bolts, enjoy. No need to remove the wheel or shell. The online supplier I have found is TfTuned in the UK, which is this kit: https://www.tftuned.com/tf-tuned-mount-kit-127mm-m8/p2937 . I bought the kit for Fox since I bought a Fox Float DPX2, and the part is of high quality and fits perfectly. Stainless. You will need two kits (one for each end of the shock), which for me was 40GBP including tax and shipping to the US. I am sure other suppliers might have the same but these people seem professional and have a good part at the right price so I don't need anyone else :-) Fit was flawless now I am riding on a DPX2! Do I like the DPX2 better than stock? I think so! I feel more connected to the ground, strangely, it's not as plush but I just feel more connected while also getting bumps ironed out. Is it $600 better? well, maybe not, or I guess it depends on what $600USD means to you :-) I am a road rider, was looking for more fluidity, but also better performance on the dirt roads (trails but not like singletrack) I ride. I would love to ride someone else's mod, compare, I don't think I'm going to shell out another $500-ish to experiment.... I have subsequently read the Monarch is reputed to be a better plush ride on bikes, compared to the DPX2 which is more racing oriented. Had I read those reviews first, I might have bought the Monarch.... hard to say. Edited July 21, 2021 by bbulkow 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ro.man Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Thank you! Ordered a kit and a shock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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