Photos: Matt Miller

Next to a set of wheels, a quality suspension upgrade tin make the biggest deviation in the performance of a mountain wheel, especially if the new shock or fork offers some optimization.

Suspension itself has come up leaps and bounds, and information technology feels similar i segment of the wheel industry where performance is noticeably better twelvemonth later yr. Even though brands, suspension engineers, and product managers work to spec bikes with the almost appropriately tuned rear shock, they fall brusk somewhat often.

Maybe a better way to put it, is that a two- or iii-position levered rear stupor, with a standardized tune based on weight and leverage bend, isn't going to be a one-size-fits all component for every rider that buys a particular bike.

Which, again brings me back to my point nearly how suspension tin can exist one of the all-time upgrades upgrades if you can beget it. And, for break upgrades, the Cane Creek DB Air CS is 1 of the best that buyers can consider.

Specs

  • Aftermarket rear daze
  • Adjustable high- and depression-speed compression, plus loftier- and low-speed rebound
  • Twin-tube independent compression and rebound
  • Aluminum shaft and air-tin can
  • Available in a multitude of sizes and mounting options
  • Weight: 546g in size 200x57mm
  • MSRP: $700

Most Cane Creek and the DB Air CS

HSC and LSC to the left. LSR and HSR to the correct. Flick the 'switch' to the right for climbing.

For those who aren't familiar with Pikestaff Creek, they are a boutique component brand based out of the Cane Creek Valley. For a more familiar location reference, that's almost Asheville, North Carolina.

Cane Creek makes a pretty diverse spectrum of cycling components, from premium headsets to $ane,500 titanium cranksets, and of course mountain bike suspension. Pikestaff Creek assembled some of the earliest mountain bike forks back in the twenty-four hours, with the Rock Shox RS1, earlier they started making their ain forks in 2017.

The rear shocks have been on the market for years though. Last year, Cane Creek released Trunnion-mounted versions of the shock, and the newest version includes a redesigned air piston with a bigger air seal and "Fifty-shaped" backup rings, along with other internals to meliorate reliability, which is something the old shocks struggled with at times. The shaft also received a sleek new black anodization, which Cane Creek says reduces friction.

The older version of the air piston pictured on the left and the new on the right, with bigger seals and backup rings.

These changes were implemented in 2017 and are supported by Cane Creek'south certified service centers, and so if an old version of the daze is sent in for service, it is updated with the newest internals.

The shock operates with Cane Creek's Double Butt Twin Tube Technology. Oil is circulated through the rebound and compression damping valves, which keeps oil in the external valves rather than the main piston. Pikestaff Creek says this allows for better tunability and easier stupor setup in the stop.

The Climb Switch was made to enhance the climbing performance of the shock without affecting how the shock performs when descending. The Climb Switch changes depression speed damping by turning on a prepare of internal "climbing circuits." With the switch on, the Cane Creek tuned Climb Switch helps the bike track amend and pedal more efficiently. By flicking information technology off, the daze returns to descending-oriented low speed pinch and rebound that the user has tuned.

Performance

My testing situation made for a adept sense of base level operation and potential. I installed the Cane Creek DB Air CS on my Banshee Spitfire. My Spitfire had it's factory-specced RockShox Monarch set before, which was a decent daze, but ofttimes felt over-damped and strong, and did non want to bike through all of its travel.

The installation, like most rear shocks, was very easy and washed in a thing of a few minutes. The DB Air CS came with a melody set up by the factory. I added a couple clicks of low speed pinch damping for pedal efficiency and upped the loftier speed pinch damping for better bottom out resistance. I volition spare giving you the numbers for my tune, because what are the odds that nosotros share the same weight, riding style, and bike? Too, the idea with a shock like this is that users should experiment with the tuning themselves and find what they like the best.

The tuning process is also something that tin can take some time and users shouldn't look to plough their hex keys in one case and settle on something immediately. Information technology took me at to the lowest degree a few rides earlier I got my rear pause where I wanted it.

This can likewise be tuned on a situational basis. Heading to the cycle park to blast jumps all day? Turn up the HSC to resist bottoming out and go a stiffer experience. Merely out for a Wednesday ride on the local trails? Turn the HSC back downward for a more than plush ride. Really, the choice is yours, merely yous might equally well accept advantage of the adjustments.

On descents with the DB Air CS, I immediately noticed the control it gained over my inline Monarch. The daze was more reactive over modest bumps, which fabricated my rear wheel feel more in line with my wheel. On the jumps mentioned in a higher place, and difficult landings, the DB Air CS just feels sooo dainty. To give more context to the overused word plush, it feels like throwing a true cat onto a pillow. Hard landings are more quiet, controlled, and forgettable.

That's partly due to the fact that the can and shaft near expect oversized. It'south a large rear shock. The size gives the shock an advantage with air and oil management however, and it stays cooler and feels smoother than most Pull a fast one on or RockShox offerings. The closest competitors to the DB Air CS are the Fox X2 or the RockShox Brilliant Air, which are typically only found on high end enduro or downhill bikes.

The DB Air CS transforms the climbing capability just equally much as the descending capability. Again, it feels more reactive to pocket-sized bumps and the increased traction is surprising, especially up rock gardens that may accept previously given you trouble. The feeling is pretty comparable to a coil shock.

The Climb Switch ups the damping when it's turned on, but doesn't but make it feel similar you "locked it out." The switch gives a more business firm pedaling platform, just is however reactive to bumps and rider input instead of just feeling viscous. Overall, it makes for a more efficient pedaling platform.

Who's information technology for?

Given the assumption that most riders are using an OEM specced rear shock, information technology'south prophylactic to say that most would do good from upgrading to a shock like the DB Air CS. However, that isn't to say that the shock is without downsides.

First, it is costly. At $700, it'southward an upgrade for riders who are serious near getting the near out of their mount bike; the most traction, adaptability, sensitivity, and back up, while saving weight over a coil daze. That'south not going to exist everyone, and I don't blame them. It'due south certainly not a necessary upgrade.

Second, people are forgoing the opportunity to overhaul their shocks at home. I've always taken a bit of pride in beingness able to disassemble my rear shock on the coffee table to replace my seals and refresh the oil, but that's not a wise thought with the DB Air CS. Riders need to ship it to Cane Creek for service and go on a spare daze on mitt or do without for a calendar week or two. Servicing this stupor is more expensive than most shocks at $195 (recommended once a year) through the Cane Creek manufacturing plant service center. There are also authorized Cane Creek service centers that may be closer to abode for riders. I'm lucky to have one in Colorado non far from my abode, but there are plenty of states that don't have one.

That said, hardcore trail and enduro riders who can conduct the costs associated with this shock will capeesh all that it has to offer, for both climbing and descending.

Final word

Although pricy, the Pikestaff Creek DB Air CS is a premium rear shock for riders who desire premium operation from their suspension. Information technology'southward a great way to make your bike stand out from the majority of others that are specced with Flim-flam or RockShox suspension, but the lesser line is that information technology's a notably great feeling rear shock. Riders do good from descending traits akin to a curl shock, while saving weight, and enhancing a bike's climbing ability. The more than I retrieve nearly it, it sounds like a dream come true.

⭐️ Observe the Cane Creek DB Air Shock at Jenson Us or other online retailers.

Thanks to Cane Creek for providing the shock for testing and review.