As soon as new suspension elements come onto the market, we editors start to tick like full-throttle consumer junkies, camping outside the app store just to be the first to have the new iPhone. Especially my colleague Chris Schleker. He MUST have the things then. Immediately. Regardless of whether the old muffler has only been in service for six months. And regardless of whether it does it well. Because the successor model is certainly lighter, better and more beautiful.
The "Monarch Plus" with "Debon Air" air cartridge is just fatter for now. Not fat, but there is obviously a bit of flab around the hips. Everything else is the same. Wait no, the sliding surface of the piston is black! Cool, but that's no reason to spend hundreds of euros. You notice the difference when tuning: we had to pump longer to achieve the desired 30 per cent sag. The larger positive and negative air chambers swallow a whopping 70 psi more compared to last year's model.
Second change: The rebound is much faster in the open position. While we usually rode the predecessor completely open at 150 psi, it now took 6 clicks on the rebound knob. The adjustment range has become wider - a good thing, as this means that even light riders can find a suitable setting. However, the effect of the blue compression lever has remained more or less the same.
The shock responds more smoothly and lively than the classic "Monarch Plus". On the test bike (Specialized "Enduro S-Works"), it was quite firm and insensitive on small, fast hits. It is precisely in this area that the "Debon Air" chamber provides more comfort and sensitivity. It's not a huge difference, but it is noticeable. After a longer test phase, we inserted four chamber spacers into the large tube for enough end progression on hard hits. The air chamber is also available as an upgrade for old "Monarchs".
Test time: 2 months
PriceDamper from 499 euros, upgrade from 116 euros.
CONCLUSION Okay, the "Man in Black" look alone is reason enough to buy. But the damper is also a small improvement on its predecessor in terms of rebound tuning and spring behaviour. Not a must-have, but in our eyes the most harmonious enduro shock on the market at the moment. Old "Monarchs" can be upgraded.
PLUS Damping adjustment, response behaviour, beautiful black
MINUS nothing
Info www.sram.com
