MTB rear shocks

Rock gardens, rooty sections, hard compressions at the end of a trail – your mountain bike rear shock decides whether you stay in control and carry speed – or one hard hit throws you off rhythm. As the central suspension component at the rear, it absorbs impacts, keeps the rear wheel tracking the ground, and gives you the traction you need on technical trails. A rear shock combines a spring with a damping system – the spring absorbs impacts, the damping system controls the speed of compression and rebound. Alongside the fork, the rear shock is one of the key factors in your full-suspension bike's performance. You'll find mountain bike shocks for every setup and riding style: from lightweight air shocks for XC and trail to robust coil shocks for enduro and downhill, plus accessories like bushings and service kits.

Big jumps, steep descents, and hard landings – a well-tuned rear suspension is what lets your mountain bike reach its full potential on demanding trails.

• Traction & ground contact: The rear wheel follows the terrain precisely and stays controlled on the ground even through rough sections.
• Comfort & endurance: The shock filters out hits and vibrations so you stay fresher for longer.
• Control & stability: A responsive rear shock keeps your bike stable at high speed and through technical terrain.

Mountain bike rear shocks differ fundamentally in their spring element: air shocks use compressed air as the spring, coil shocks use a traditional steel spring. Both systems have their own characteristics and each performs best depending on how and where you ride. On top of that, a range of accessories – from mounting bushings to service kits and replacement springs – so you can fit your rear shock precisely to your frame and keep it in top condition long-term.

MTB air shocks are lightweight and highly adjustable. Air pressure lets you dial in spring rate precisely for your body weight and riding style. With rebound, compression, and lockout adjustment, they cover the widest range of uses – from XC full-suspension bikes to trail bikes. High-end models split compression further into low-speed and high-speed, giving you even more control across varied terrain.

Coil shocks deliver a linear, consistent feel – regardless of temperature or long descents. As a downhill shock with a piggyback reservoir, they offer consistent performance and fade resistance on long descents. Spring rate is adjusted by swapping to a harder or softer spring to match your weight. Rebound and compression are tuned separately for riding style and terrain. The first choice for enduro, freeride, and bike park.

Mounting bushings connect your MTB rear shock precisely to your frame – as bushings or bearings for eyelet mount interfaces. Service kits, seals, and lubricants keep your shock performing reliably long-term. Replacement springs let you fine-tune your coil setup for your weight. Volume spacers change the progression of an air spring; shim stack spacers influence damping characteristics.

Which MTB rear shock suits your bike depends on your frame, riding style, and intended use. Planning an upgrade for your trail full-suspension bike? Weight and adjustability are the priority. Building up an enduro or downhill bike? Robustness and thermal stability matter most. Either way: mounting dimensions must match your frame exactly – otherwise the suspension won't work.

The right spring type depends on style, how you intend to use it, and preferred feel. Air shocks offer low weight and precise tunability – air pressure lets you dial in spring rate for different body weights, and they cover a wide range of uses from XC to demanding enduro. Coil shocks deliver a particularly sensitive, linear feel and stay consistent even on long descents. They perform best where maximum traction counts in rough terrain – enduro, bike park, and downhill.

Stroke and eye-to-eye length (e.g. 210×55 mm) must match your frame exactly. Most modern full-suspension bikes use metric shock sizing, which makes selection easier since shocks from different manufacturers in identical sizes are generally interchangeable. That said, the mount type (e.g. trunnion or eyelet), hardware, and shock tune all need to match your frame too. Check your frame manufacturer's documentation for the exact dimensions.

Your frame dictates the mount type. What matters is which interface you need at both the upper and lower attachment points.

Upper mount:

• Eyelet (standard): Classic interface with bushings or bearings in the shock eye – widely used and flexible if you want to adapt the hardware to your frame.
• Trunnion: Threaded interface integrated directly into the shock body with a lateral bolt. Common on modern trail and enduro bikes as it allows a more compact build.
• Trek Mount: Manufacturer-specific solution, typically implemented as a modified eyelet variant.

Lower mount:

• Eyelet (standard): Industry standard with replaceable hardware – bushings adapt easily to different frame widths.
  Trek Mount: Frame-specific and not universally compatible – check your frame's specs beforehand.

Rebound and compression are standard on most MTB rear shocks. High-end models split compression into low-speed (LSC) and high-speed (HSC) – letting you tune the response to slow weight shifts and fast impacts separately. Many shocks also feature a pedal or platform mode, which raises compression so you can pedal more efficiently without fully locking out the suspension. Classic lockout functions that nearly fully lock the shock are mainly found on XC-oriented models.

Your current shock is sagging, the initial sensitivity isn't right anymore, and your next bike park day is coming up – time for an upgrade. We carry mountain bike rear shocks from Fox Factory, RockShox, Öhlins, and Manitou – from lightweight air shocks to robust coil shocks with piggyback reservoirs. With broad availability and fast shipping, your new MTB rear shock arrives in time for your next trail weekend. Not sure about mounting dimensions or mount type? Our service team gives you expert advice based on real trail experience.

For your complete suspension setup, you'll also find shock pumps and bushing sets.