A more general question on rear shock choice. In particular, choosing between 2pos and 3pos shock. What are your experiences with your setup, have you tried both options (not necessarily on the same bike) and what led to choosing one way or another (other than lighter 2pos weight).
Looking at most other models, NS synonym, orbea oiz, vitus rapide, bmc fourstroke, etc tend to use 2pos shock, but scott spark is with 3.
In my case, primary riding conditions will be forrest, sometimes a bit hilly and rooty, but no mountains whatsoever, unless I would go stage racing abroad. Bike would be used for XC, havent decided on 120 or 100 front.
Thank you.
For the 936, 120 up front is very nice. I may try 130, easy change for a pike.
As far as lockout, for modern shocks you don't need to really use it for most riding. I think the exception is racing, where you have some gravel road climb that is long or something. Otherwise a properly tuned modern shock should be ridden open.
I had a fuel 90 back in 2002. The performance was so bad, that I ended up riding it super high pressure most of the time because the pedal bob was terrible. It was so bad that I sold it and started riding hard tails only. A friend of mine convinced me a few years ago to give full sus another try and that they are so much better now.
I bought a cheap bxt type frame to test it out. He was 100% right. It is so much better. I have Fox shock on that and it is just smooth, I never lock it out. I built up the 936 with a rock shox over xmas this year, just took it out. Again, awesome, never need to use the lockout.
FYI, my friend is a road cat 1 racer and one of the top amateur mountain bikers in Washington. He tells me he never uses the lockout, I think he said he used it maybe one race that had a super long gravel climb.
So my point in all this, I think the use of a lockout is not really necessary with modern shocks except for the most elite riders/racers and I think most people use it either for piece of mind or they have an improperly set up/bad shock.
Just my take.
