The old Radium R has finally (almost) given up, after three years of being hammered up and down the country. They can be had for as little as £50 these days so they are not worth servicing. I always wanted something a bit plusher anyways, so what are the recommended shocks these days? I've not kept up with such things because I have mostly been riding the hardtail.
I've just fitted the Dt swiss Ex200 (£212 @crc) to the enduro, this is afaik the plushest shock on the market, the damping and air spring are waaaaaayy better than the old fox float I took off and uphill traction has been improved significally due to the compliance and control, even out the saddle sprints. Unlike the usual manufacturers claims, it does feel very much like a coil shock indeed when set up right, but without most of the downsides. I also get 51mm from the claimed 50mm stroke as opposed to 47mm from the claimed 50mm of the fox, making the bike 135mm at the rear instead of the stated 132mm or actual 123mm(!) with the fox.
Highly recommended!
Does feel very soft though, so if you don't like the rear to feel too squidgy even if it is efficient, look elsewhere.
I'd recommend Clockys Shock to, infact I want 1, Just run with more Pro Pedal/Air than Clocky does and job done, back it off for rocky descents if you really must, really does feel plush like a coil shock impressive.
Alot of money, but sure it'll give years of service free service!!
Manitou Swingers are a very reliable and well built shock, but are not very "plush". Great pedaling performance but chances are they will never give the full travel even with zero air in them.
Ive got a swinger x3 07 model on my orange 5 and ive never had any problems and found it does the job but after trying an orange with the RP23 i now want to change it seems to transform the bike, plusher and firmer, i want one now
Mate of mine has just had exactly the same dilemma as you on a prophet. He put a Van R on it (suggested by tftuned). Obviously there's a weight penalty but performance should be good. He's been away riding in the quantocks this weekend, so will have had a good chance to assess it. I'll post up again once I've heard from him if you're interested.