I put it back in for argument's sake and with the built frame, rear wheel has enough leverage to compress the block and allow full travel, but it still adds resistance and I'm lost for ideas why that would even be necessary when you have a shock and a leverage curve that is very linear (not regressive)
The resistance also peaks before bottom out and lets off a bit after that point so Apex Creative rep's argument (yes, I send the same question to the address listed here:
http://www.apexcreative.com.tw/ since I thought they're the original designers) that it's there to "help with bottom-out", doesn't really hold
Due to this fact the frame locks itself in bottom-out position as well if you compress it without a shock or with a deflated one
it's f'n late-midstroke bumper is what it is and it makes no sense
i don't think a full refund is in order (unless I ship it back to them) because the frame isn't broken, it's just that whoever assembled it did a crappy job and the rep doesn't know what she's talking about
I suppose I can push for the cost of making new shims, which is not much really