Stuck down shock (Rockshox Monarch R) - repair or replacement

[pfm401]

It's my (well my son's) first foray into full suspension and quickly finding out it's WAY more complex than road biking - not just different sized stuff and geometry etc!

He has a 2nd hand Calibre Bossnut and the Monarch R rear shock has stuck down (I can see the shock is a 2016 model from the serial number).

Challenge is it's imperial sizing (190 x 51) and not much available in that size, and expensive (for my standards, maybe not for rear shocks) - the Monarch R which seems to have a reputation for this problem.

Can I replace it with a 190 x 45 metric one (Rockshox Deluxe Select)?? Would that just be shorter travel or affect other things? Is it worth repairing - cost is £99 but the guy said it may need parts on top of that and can't tell until he takes it apart!!

 

[Drago]

The Monarch indeed has a rep for stickimg.

Not a terribly difficult job to strip them down at home, you can habe a look and see what is going on with it. Lots of YouTube videos that walk you through it.

 

[pfm401]

The Monarch indeed has a rep for stickimg.

Not a terribly difficult job to strip them down at home, you can habe a look and see what is going on with it. Lots of YouTube videos that walk you through it.

Thanks, I'm more than a little nervous as I understand that the sticking is due to trapped air in the negative chamber which could "blow" when released. I've contacted some LBSs and they don't do the full service due to being "fiddly" so not sure I have the skills!

One LBS will do an air can service for £45 and says they've fixed this issue before, so that's an option.

 

[JonBuoy]

This might help:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1k7mRryN2k

 

[Jody]

It's my (well my son's) first foray into full suspension and quickly finding out it's WAY more complex than road biking - not just different sized stuff and geometry etc!

He has a 2nd hand Calibre Bossnut and the Monarch R rear shock has stuck down (I can see the shock is a 2016 model from the serial number).

Challenge is it's imperial sizing (190 x 51) and not much available in that size, and expensive (for my standards, maybe not for rear shocks) - the Monarch R which seems to have a reputation for this problem.

Can I replace it with a 190 x 45 metric one (Rockshox Deluxe Select)?? Would that just be shorter travel or affect other things? Is it worth repairing - cost is £99 but the guy said it may need parts on top of that and can't tell until he takes it apart!!

How about dropping 1mm stroke for a 190x50 X Fusion shock

Your son will lose a very small amount of travel, if he ever uses it all.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29483037...MIv4m36ZWEjAMVk6VQBh0KEAPgEAQYCCABEgLj6_D_BwE

 

[pfm401]

How about dropping 1mm stroke for a 190x50 X Fusion shock

Your son will lose a very small amount of travel, if he ever uses it all.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294830372600?_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339019731&toolid=10001&customid=eb:g:vms:eb:294830372600;EAIaIQobChMIv4m36ZWEjAMVk6VQBh0KEAPgEAQYCCABEgLj6_D_BwE&_trkparms=ispr=1&amdata=enc:1csPRDntiR7-BrYls4pw6Fw47&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv4m36ZWEjAMVk6VQBh0KEAPgEAQYCCABEgLj6_D_BwE

Thanks, are they any good, I've only ever really seen Fox and Rockshox, though have seen Suntour when having a look for options

 

[fossyant]

Worth having a look - the main air can is easy to service. I just cleaned mine up and applied rubber grease and the correct oil where needed (fork oil from halfords - half litre bottles for £10). All the oil seals were fine, so didn't replace any - it's been trouble free for 9 years, and one air can service.

 

[FishFright]

Stuck down shocks can fly apart when attempting to service them so be properly prepared

 

[Jody]

Thanks, are they any good, I've only ever really seen Fox and Rockshox, though have seen Suntour when having a look for options

X Fusion have a good rep for a budget shocks/forks. Especially given that it's only £40 more than the labour to service your old shock

 

[fossyant]

Stuck down shocks can fly apart when attempting to service them so be properly prepared

Quite a few 'how too' videos/instructions recommend being prepared for any service just in case, so OP, read/watch the instructions.

 

[FishFright]

Quite a few 'how too' videos/instructions recommend being prepared for any service just in case, so OP, read/watch the instructions.

Prepared for the explosive discharge of gases and parts , sorry I thought that was obvious.

 

[fossyant]

Prepared for the explosive discharge of gases and parts , sorry I thought that was obvious.

I did the precautions myself when I did the service - one end clamped in a vice, the other threaded with a cloth and aimed away from the moon or sun, just in case !