Rock Shox Monarch 4.2

[The Llama]

OK, I got to play with the setting on my shock that came with the VooDoo frame.
First off I have heard there are issues with it loosing air during a ride.  I have yet to see it, But it's only been a week of riding.

SO far I do like the shock, But I don't love it. There is a good bit of tweaking to get it to ride in the way I like, which some people might like but personally I find simpler is better. I do think it will "grow" on me as I get it fine tuned to my preferred settings.  The pivoting air tube is kinda nice feature but not necessary and feels wimpy, I'm constantly thinking I'm going to brake it when filling with air.
One thing I am growing to like a lot is the Gate.  I like a nice plush ride when cruising down the rocky trail however like everyone I don't want to work my butt off because of pedal bob going up a hill. Once you get the Gate adjusted to your preference you can fairly easily reach down and flip the switch to go back and forth. There is a nice feeling when you go from a stiff climbing ride with the gate locked to moving on down some rocky single track with a fluffy pillow under your butt, all without getting off the bike. It's a little awkward the first few times to find the lever that controls it but it quickly became 2nd nature to me by just riding up and down a fire road for 5 minutes while training myself where and how to do it. The lever is plenty big enough to find with gloves on also.... big plus!!

All in all it's a decent shock. I personally find it a little stiff at it's recommended air pressure/sag setting and have it at over 30% sag right now.  There is a squeak also, but not sure if it's the actual shock or the linkage and mounts in the frame... a few drops of oil will hopefully take care of that.

I do think someone who knows a little bit more about how to set it quickly to their likings will get more out of it than I have so far.

[The Llama]

the final

well, to the short, I sold the shock and replaced it with a Risse Racing.

in a tad of detail...

The Rock Shox monarch is just too stiff for me. Setting up the sag to my weight and such at 15-20% made for a shock that basically was useless. To get any real movement out of the thing I had to drop the sag to 30%ish. This caused the  shock to bottom out pretty much all the time, there was just no in between  . 

there were a few good things about it, one it never leaked, popped, or gave me any mechanical issues.

the gate worked very well, I could set it up to have a little 1" bob but if I hit something hard enough it would pop the gate and go full squish again.

I do believe someone weighing much less than me (say 150lbs or less) would find this shock fine if not down right great. the issue I believe was that the higher pressures I needed to support my 180+ weight made the shock stiff.  someone lighter wiould need less pressure, there for get a better/smoother movement.... just a theory though.


final rating... 2 out of 5 whatevers