What is the difference between the AD-12 and AD-5 shocks?

The primary difference between the AD-12 and AD-5 shocks is the AD-12's addition of two external adjusters that set damping rates for compression and rebound. As such, the AD-12 is easier to tune for the desired rate of compression and rebound. The AD-5 is lighter by about 30 grams and maintains the same internal workings as the AD-12.

Most Cane Creek shocks sold to consumers are AD-12s—the performance benefit of the independent external damping adjustments makes the AD-12 a desirable aftermarket upgrade. The AD-5 is more commonly found as original equipment (OE) on new suspension bikes. Should you upgrade from an AD-5 to an AD-12? Sure, if you really think you could use the adjusting bolts for compression and rebound. But if you are happy with the performance of your AD-5, don't feel like you have to upgrade.

People say air shocks have a lot of stiction. How does Cane Creek address this?

The AD shock is a patented design that came up with a new way of dealing with air springs and stiction. Compared to any rear shock, the AD-12 and AD-5 actually have very low stiction. Stiction is detrimental on small bumps and the initial phase of travel. But the AD-12 and AD-5 use an air negative spring, keeping the shock highly supple and responsive to small bumps. Cane Creek developed the air negative spring for the original AD shock. It's been our design for four years, and now it is quite common (and imitated) on other lightweight air shocks.

How do I select an air pressure for my AD shock?

The manual for the AD-12 and AD-5 shocks contains a chart showing suggested air pressure per rider weight. Also check the OE (original equipment) manual that came with your bike for manufacturers recommendations. The chart is only a guideline for riders to work around when initially setting up the ride. The pressure settings are ultimately up to personal preference. Reduced pressure will provide a smoother, more plush ride, but with a greater tendency for bottoming out. Increased pressure will give a firmer ride with somewhat quicker rebound. We recommend that air pressure be adjusted in 5-psi increments until you feel comfortable with the ride. If you are bottoming the shock out more than occasionally, you need more pressure. Also Check OE manual

What is the proper usage of the Cane Creek shock pump?

The Cane Creek shock pump is a high-pressure low-volume pump that is pretty easy to use. Just screw it on to the shock's inflation valve, pump away, and then screw it off. There is no bleed valve to worry about. Depending on your desired pressure, it'll take 20-40 pumping strokes to get your shock inflated. When you disconnect the pump after inflation, it is common to hear a brief rush of air. In a high-pressure, low-volume situation, the hose will let out a hiss of air. Only a more extended hiss would indicate leakage from the shock itself. Always remember to replace the valve cap (which has a seal) on the shock's air valve. This prevents small amounts of air from escaping the Schrader valve over time.

What do I need to know for routine maintenance of the AD shock?

Even though it is a low-maintenance design, the AD shock, like other suspension components, requires periodic check-ups. It has been designed for easy servicing. Maintain proper air pressure (always use the metal cap to prevent long-term valve leakage). Wipe down the shaft and exposed wiper seal after mucky rides. And lubricate the seals after approximately 200 hours of use (depending on your riding conditions). The only tools you'll ever need are a pair of hands and a spanner wrench. With the AD shocks, you'll never have to wrestle with small parts and dirty oil spills on your floor.
 

How do I set the compression and rebound damping on the AD-12?

Feel free to experiment with compression and rebound damping settings until you get your ride dialed in to the feel you prefer. Turning the adjuster(s) clockwise will give you increased damping, while turning them counter-clockwise will give you less damping. For example, if you prefer a very plush ride, you would turn the compression damping adjuster (indicated with a "c", and chrome plated) counter-clockwise. For a firmer ride, you can turn this compression damping adjuster clockwise. For rebound, you adjust the rebound damping adjuster (indicated with an "r", and black in color). Turning this adjuster clockwise will give you increased rebound damping—and slower rebound. Turning the adjuster counter clockwise will give you less rebound damping and much quicker rebound. The proper settings are ultimately your choice and vary depending upon rider weight, rear suspension design, leverage ratio, riding style and terrain.

Do the AD-12 and AD-5 have a lockout feature?

At this time the Cane Creek shocks do not offer lock-out. One thing about air—it always will compress, so you can't achieve 100-percent lockout anyway. It's a sensitive subject, but lockout is only a desired factor on certain types of suspension bikes, where some riders prefer the suspension to be turned off in certain conditions. If you want to experiment with a form of lockout, you could turn down the damping rate for compression and rebound on the AD-12, thereby making the shock less active.

Does the AD-12 offer on-the-fly damping?

The AD-12's adjusting bolts are readily accessible, but probably not "on the fly," unless you are unusually dexterous. The bolts are knurled so you can turn them by hand, but their location varies depending on the bike design, and in any case, they are deliberately unobtrusive. They are not easy to turn by hand on the fly when the shock is under pressure, which is why we designed them with a 4mm hex bolt. In our experience, "on-the-fly" damping is something riders think they need but don't end up using. With the AD-12, the compression and rebound adjusters invite you to fine-tune the damping before and during a ride. But most AD-12 riders settle on one adjustment when they find what works the best.

What's the difference between the AD shocks and other air shocks?

The Cane Creek AD shocks are still the lightest shocks available. The design is all-air, so serviceability is simple and clean (no oil to mess with or spill). The AD shocks are made in more bike-specific configurations than any other shock. And being the originator of modern air shocks means that Cane Creek has the most experience with them. We believed in them then, we believe in them now.

Can I upgrade to a longer shock in order to get more travel?

No, this is not a good way to try to obtain more travel. A suspension frame is designed to accept a shock of a given length. Anything longer and you will screw up the geometry as well as add stress to the frame and shock.

Is Cane Creek going to make a shock that fits K2 (Pro-Flex), AMP or other "Mac strut" suspension frames?

Cane Creek fits the most bikes of any shock manufacturer. We are always looking to expand the number of bikes we can fit. But we run into a fitment barrier with the K2 (Pro-Flex), AMP and related suspension designs. Whereas 90 percent of the suspension bikes in the world use an eyelet-to-eyelet shock, the K2/Pro-Flex design uses a shock with an eyelet on one end and a clamp on the other. Similarly, AMP and other Macpherson strut-type bikes call for a shock that clamps on one end and acts as part of the frame on the other.

The AD shocks are eyeleted on both ends. Modifying this configuration for the non-standard suspension frames would be an expensive tooling proposition. We are monitoring the situation and hope that someday the non-eyelet shock market will be more settled so we can serve the needs of K2 and AMP riders.