if you ride in British Columbia, you already know the trails here are serious. From the loamy singletrack of the North Shore to the chunky tech of Squamish and the rowdy descents of Whistler, BC demands a rear shock that can keep up, and choosing the wrong one will cost you on every ride.
The air vs. coil debate has been ongoing for years, and for good reason: both setups have real strengths, real tradeoffs, and very different rider profiles. This guide covers everything you need to know to make the right choice for your riding.
Whether you're shopping for a new MTB rear shock or just trying to understand what your bike is doing underneath you, we've got you covered.
What's Actually Inside a Rear Shock?
Before we get into the debate, it helps to understand what each type of shock is actually doing.
Air shocks use a sealed air chamber as their spring. You inflate them with a shock pump to your target pressure, and the air compresses as the suspension travels. Most air shocks also feature a separate negative air chamber that helps the shock move freely at the beginning of its travel; this mechanism is what gives them that "active" feel on small trail chatter.
Coil shocks use a steel or titanium spring wound around the shock body. The spring rate is fixed based on the spring you install; there's no air to adjust, just the mechanical resistance of the coil itself.
Both connect to your frame the same way. The difference is entirely in how the spring force is generated, and that difference ripples into every aspect of how your bike rides.
Air Shocks: Who They're Built For
Air shocks dominate the trail and enduro market for good reason. They're lighter, highly adjustable, and work well across a wide range of rider weights and riding styles.
The strengths:
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Weight: Air shocks are significantly lighter than coil equivalents. On a trail bike you're pedalling back up every descent; this weight difference matters.
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Adjustability: Change your pressure by a few PSI, and you change how your bike rides. The suspension is sti ffer for jumps and rough terrain, but softer for flow trails and technical roots. You can make adjustments as you go.
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Progression: Most air shocks have a rising rate that gets stiffer toward the end of travel. This design gives you excellent small bump sensitivity early in the stroke and firm support when you land big hits.
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Compatibility: Air shocks work well on bikes with higher leverage ratios, which covers the majority of modern trail geometry frames.
The tradeoffs:
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Air seals wear out and need periodic maintenance. Skip a service interval and performance degrades noticeably.
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In frigid BC winters, air pressure drops as temperatures fall. What felt perfect in October might feel harsh by January.
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Some riders find air shocks to feel slightly "artificial," a bit springy, and less planted than coils.
For most BC trail riders, especially those doing long days on mixed terrain, an air shock from our MTB suspension collection is the best choice.
Coil Shocks: When the Extra Weight Is Worth It
Coil shocks have had a serious renaissance over the last five years. What was once considered old technology is now the weapon of choice for enduro racers, park riders, and anyone who spends more time going down than up.
The strengths:
Suppleness: The coil is the big one. Coil shocks have a linear spring rate with no friction from air seals. The result is a plush, planted feel that air shocks genuinely struggle to match. On the chunk and square edges of North Shore trails, this difference is immediately noticeable.
Consistency: A coil spring doesn't care about temperature. It performs identically at -5°C in January as it does at 25°C in July. For year-round BC riding, this feature is a real advantage.
Reliability: Fewer seals means less that can go wrong. Coil shocks are robust and forgiving of missed service intervals.
Bottom-out resistance: With the right spring rate, coil shocks support the bike exceptionally well at the end of travel. Ideal for big hits and heavy landings.
The tradeoffs:
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Weight: A coil shock and spring combination is typically 200–400g heavier than an equivalent air shock. Noticeable on long climbs.
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Less adjustability: Changing spring rate means physically swapping the spring. You need to get the rate right for your weight and bike before you ride, not on the trail.
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Frame compatibility: Some frames with very high leverage ratios don't work well with coil shocks. Always confirm compatibility before purchasing.
If you're riding park laps at Whistler, charging the tech at Fromme, or just want the most planted, confidence-inspiring feel possible, a coil setup is worth looking at seriously.
Head-to-Head: Air vs Coil for BC Conditions
| Air Shock | Coil Shock | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ✅ Lighter | ❌ Heavier (200–400g) |
| Small bump sensitivity | ✅ Good | ✅✅ Excellent |
| Adjustability | ✅✅ Highly tunable | ❌ Spring swap required |
| Cold weather performance | ❌ Pressure drops in cold | ✅ Consistent year-round |
| Maintenance frequency | ⚠️ More regular | ✅ Less frequent |
| Pedalling efficiency | ✅ Better | ⚠️ Can feel bobby without platform |
| Bottom-out support | ✅ Progressive feel | ✅ Excellent with right spring |
| Best for | Trail, all-mountain, XC | Enduro, park, DH, heavy tech |
| BC terrain sweet spot | Mixed trail, long days | North Shore, Whistler, bike park |
What Type of Riding Tips the Balance?
Here's a simple way to think about it for BC specifically:
Choose air if you:
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Ride a mix of climbing and descending
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Want one shock that works across different trails
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Ride in varied conditions and want to tune on the go
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Are on a trail or all-mountain bike with a standard leverage ratio
Choose coil if you:
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Spend most of your time descending
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Ride chunky, square-edged North Shore or Whistler terrain regularly
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Prioritize feel and compliance over weight savings
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Ride year-round and want consistent performance in cold and wet BC winters
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Are on an enduro or DH-oriented bike
Can You Switch From Air to Coil on Your Existing Bike?
Maybe, but not always. A few things to check before you commit:
Frame compatibility: Your frame's leverage ratio determines whether it's designed for air or coil. Some frames are specifically tuned for one or the other. Check with your manufacturer or ask us directly.
Eye-to-eye and stroke length: Your replacement shock needs to match your frame's mounting dimensions exactly. These aren't universal; measure carefully or bring your bike in.
Spring rate: If you go coil, you need the right spring for your weight. Too soft and you'll bottom out constantly. If it is too stiff, the shock will not move properly. We can help you nail the right rate.
If you're unsure, bring your bike into Dunbar Cycles. Our team can confirm compatibility and recommend the right setup for your frame and riding style before you spend anything.
What to Budget for a Quality Rear Shock in Canada
Rear shock pricing in CAD typically breaks down like this:
Air shocks:
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Entry level (RockShox Deluxe, Fox Float Performance): $250–$400
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Mid-range (RockShox Super Deluxe, Fox Float Factory): $400–$650
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Flagship (Fox DHX Factory, RockShox Vivid Ultimate): $650–$900+
Coil shocks:
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Entry level (RockShox Deluxe Coil, Fox DHX Performance): $300–$450
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Mid-range (RockShox Super Deluxe Coil, EXT Storia): $450–$750
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Flagship (Ohlins TTX, EXT Storia Lok): $800–$1,200+
Note that coil shocks require a separate spring purchase, typically $60–$200 depending on brand and material.
Don't Forget: Forks Matter Too
Your rear shock doesn't work in isolation; it's one half of your suspension system. If you're upgrading your shock, it's worth evaluating your MTB fork at the same time. A mismatched setup, a plush coil rear with a stiff, oversprung fork, will always feel off no matter how well you tune it.
The best-riding bikes have suspension that's balanced from front to back. Our team at Dunbar can help you align both ends together.
Shop MTB Rear Shocks at Dunbar Cycles
We carry a full range of air and coil MTB rear shocks from Fox, RockShox, Ohlins, EXT, and more, with free shipping across Canada on orders over $150.
Not sure which shock is right for your bike and your riding? Come into the shop or reach out online. Since 1928, we've ridden and fixed BC bikes, and we know this terrain well. We'll help you get the right setup the first time.
