When the RockShox "Vivid Air" shock came onto the market a few years ago, it was immediately clear that it represented a new generation of air shocks. As thick as a can of cola and closer in weight to a coil shock than an air shock. The technology inside corresponded to that of modern DH shocks: separate rebound stages for the start and end of the stroke, external low-speed compression adjustment. The real highlight: the special material of the adjustment pin of the shock absorber needle expands when hot and thus compensates for the lower viscosity of the hot oil. This ensures consistent performance at high temperatures.
This year, US suspension manufacturer Cane Creek is entering the race with the "Double Barrel Air", a shock designed to wrest its monopoly position from the "Vivid Air". The steel spring version of the "Double Barrel" has long been an insider's tip because it is said to offer unprecedented tunability with its independently adjustable rebound and compression stages for high and low speeds and the separate oil circuits for the low and high-speed ranges.
ConclusionThe Cane Creek "Double Barrel Air" works sensitively and offers a wide range of compression and rebound adjustment. However, the characteristic curve is progressive as is typical for air springs and does not get the maximum out of the rear end of the test bike. The winner of the duel is the "Vivid R2C Air". The RockShox shock is well-engineered, fully suitable for downhill riding and offers steel spring-like performance. Apart from the slightly higher susceptibility to failure, it is on a par with a coil shock and a genuine, lighter alternative. In the bike tested, it noticeably improves the rear-end performance compared to a "normal" air shock.
The whole test is available as a PDF download below.
