I really need to upgrade my current rear shock (Monarch R). I'm blowing through it and realistically am over-powering it from long/gnarly descents on the North Shore ...I could also use some more adjustability (i.e. climb mode).
I have been offered two options within about $50 US of eachother - a new 2014 Float X and a mostly new 2015 Monarch Debonair Plus RC3. Both are tuned pretty well to the leverage ratio of the bike.
Does anyone have experience with both that could weigh in? I've done a bunch of googling and read reviews, but could use some input from the forum.
I have a Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 on my WFO 9 and it rules. Wouldn't change it out on my bike at least. Tbh both are really great shocks. May I ask what bike you have? And what fork do you currently have on your bike as well? I'm running a Pike with my Monarch plus and I really love the combo.
Duhhhhh didn't see that you said what bike you have I apologize for my stupidity XD I have a long travel 29er(Niner WFO 9) and I find that Pike and Monarch plus RC3 combo to be killer.
transition might have an opinion on that. have you contacted them? in my humble opinion, i would just go with whichever one costs less. they're both great shocks.
I did reach out to Transition - they did not do any testing with the RC3, just an RT3 debonair, so they didn't have much comment on the 29er. However, they did spec the 27.5 bandit with the RC3, so it should be similar.
I'm running a fox 34 on the front - over-forked to 140mm.
In the end, I think I may have snagged a deal on an RT3 debonair which is too sweet to pass up.