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Cascade Link on SJ Evo Worth It?

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Cascade Link on SJ Evo Worth It?

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flag crashriprock
O+
Posted: Jan 25, 2025 at 21:16 Quote
Hello!
I hope this hasn't been beat to death already, but I'm trying find a way to add traction on sketchy downhill tech sections. I have a '24 SJ Evo with the stock airshock. I was leaning towards adding a coil, but then I remembered the Cascade Link. I searched the forums and see that heavier riders really seem to love it, but I'm a little lighter (~150 lbs) and don't really worry about bottoming out all that much.
So, would a Cascade Link make an appreciable traction difference for me or should I keep saving my pennies?
Thanks!!!!
-Tim
flag Mattcon20
Posted: Jan 26, 2025 at 3:22 Quote
I'm roughly the same weight as you running the cascade and a SDU coil. I really like it. it might not be as poppy but running a little higher spring weight it's glued to the ground but still has enough pop for me
flag Jennywoo
Posted: Jan 26, 2025 at 19:43 Quote
timenglund wrote:
Hello!
I hope this hasn't been beat to death already, but I'm trying find a way to add traction on sketchy downhill tech sections. I have a '24 SJ Evo with the stock airshock. I was leaning towards adding a coil, but then I remembered the Cascade Link. I searched the forums and see that heavier riders really seem to love it, but I'm a little lighter (~150 lbs) and don't really worry about bottoming out all that much.
So, would a Cascade Link make an appreciable traction difference for me or should I keep saving my pennies?
Thanks!!!!
-Tim

I ran the cascade on my sj evo for a little over a year with a super deluxe air. To be honest I didn’t love it, I felt the bike sat a little too deep into its travel for my liking and didn’t see the downhill benefits I would’ve expected. I think with a heavier compression tune or a coil shock it has a lot of potential however, so I wouldn’t shy away from it. Personally with my shock, I went back to the stock link and prefer the more supportive/efficient feel for enduro racing (CES).
flag venturavin
Posted: Mar 6, 2025 at 11:14 Quote
Have you experimented with volume spacers yet? Much cheaper and easier way to add progression. Would be curious if more spacers and then some combo of less damping and/or less air pressure would get you where you're trying to go.

edit: Small update, took my air can off on my new-to-me stumpy and sure enough it had the smallest (.1") volume spacer in there... this seems like a bizarre choice from fox/specialized
flag SoftBodiedAphid
Posted: Apr 30, 2025 at 13:27 Quote
It definitely changes the feel of the rear suspension. I'd say it's generally an improvement over the stock link but it's definitely more about what you're looking for out of your bike.

They come up for sale for between $150-200 on the exchange, for that price I think it's well worth testing out.
flag SchalkMarais
Posted: Sep 8, 2025 at 1:32 Quote
Just swopped out the stock link on my '22 SJ alloy for the Cascade link.
Have an Ohlins TTX coil on my bike and I am on the lighter side... Pretty curious about what the change will feel like.
I've accepted the fact that climbing may be a bit worse.
flag venturavin
Posted: Oct 1, 2025 at 13:32 Quote
venturavin wrote:
Have you experimented with volume spacers yet? Much cheaper and easier way to add progression. Would be curious if more spacers and then some combo of less damping and/or less air pressure would get you where you're trying to go.

edit: Small update, took my air can off on my new-to-me stumpy and sure enough it had the smallest (.1") volume spacer in there... this seems like a bizarre choice from fox/specialized

After volume spacers didn't do it I ended up buying a cascade link. As many have experienced, my problem was that I had to crank my air pressure way up to avoid bottoming out/blowing through the travel and at the point I lost a lot of suppleness/sensitivity. One ride in, not sure how much was mental, but it really did feel like a substantial change for the better. Basically just felt like the bike had a lot more usable suspension to work with in any scenario. I was definitely worried about pedaling. I do think with the cascade link you'll want to flip the climb switch more often, but that's something I can live with.
flag valleygrinder
Posted: Oct 1, 2025 at 13:41 Quote
SchalkMarais wrote:
Just swopped out the stock link on my '22 SJ alloy for the Cascade link.
Have an Ohlins TTX coil on my bike and I am on the lighter side... Pretty curious about what the change will feel like.
I've accepted the fact that climbing may be a bit worse.


Cool move , I’ve heard good things about doing exactly that swap.

You’ll probably feel a bit more progression mid-stroke (less mush, more support), and the bike might feel a bit firmer under heavy hits. Climbing might take a small hit, but if your setup is already dialed and your weight’s lighter, it might still climb pretty fine.

Would be sweet to hear how it rides after your first few laps.
flag SchalkMarais
Posted: Oct 1, 2025 at 21:59 Quote
@valleygrinder

The bike is definitely different. As expected the climbing / hard pedalling on roads take a bit of a beating and I reach for the compression switch faster. (Not as if it was great before anyway in my opinion… my 160mm Pyga climbs better out of the saddle with the fully open shock compared to a stock SJ.)

Concur with the midstroke support. Bike felt a lot faster and it “floated” a bit better…

Will take it on more chundery trails in the coming weeks.

Overall happy, but I may play a bit with spring rates.
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