Author Topic: Shock comparison: Custom AXIS & PEP (Read 4661 times)

CADWELL · « **on:** September 05, 2013, 04:13:29 PM »

I'm in the middle of my rebuild and soon enough I'm gonna have to address my shock situation and I need some input. Currently I'm running Custom AXIS dual adjust(Comp & Rebound) on my T-Pin and rear Custom AXIS single rate Noleen spring, CR500 linkage. These shocks were never valved for me personally when I bought this bike, but with a little tuning, they performed very well for me at the track. So I figured I'd go ahead and throw a little money at them and get a piggyback upgrade, possibly a front Ti upgrade, rear dual rate upgrade and PRS for the rear.

What comes to mind though after adding up what it would cost to have these current shocks set up nicely for me is I've always wanted to run a set of PB1's. I know Wayne does an amazing job at building a damn good shock and people that have PB1's rave about them. I guess you can say they are on my bucket list, but I really don't know how much better they would perform than a nicely built Custom AXIS shock. Are they even worth the 2 G's?!?!?

I've ran FOX Evols, PEP ZPS ARC's, ELKA's and now these Custom AXIS. The Evols were OK, but they had a little to much body roll for me in the corners so I know for a fact I want a sprung shock, plus I'm not to crazy with having to spin on and off air caps to set air pressures. I've just never ran PB1's so if anyone has had experience with them and Custom AXIS please share!

05450r · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2013, 05:29:44 PM »

I really want to try Pb1's,I think troy had them on Elly so maybe he will chime in. I have tried every Axis,several sets of Zps,Floats,Stadium and Tcs..lol.. IMO having a set of Axis setup for you and your combo will far out perform everything I listed. PB1's are the only ones that would come close to the "higher end" Axis,and Im looking fwd to feedback also. Andy at Maul Tech will tell you that Pep's(except pb1) cant internally "flow" like Axis can. The two best sets of shocks Ive owned were dual adjust piggyback Titanium Axis,and the Axis X-Link's with Prs and Hi/Lo I currently have. Big bottle 8 click Pep's are a really good shock when set up correctly but I feel not as good as Axis. Now I will say that on my 450r's,I liked Axis up front and Pep big can zps in the rear with JB link. And I have found that same issues you described with Floats,had 3 sets and they all performed the same,and I would rather ride than play with shocks. I was always nervous about them and checked pressures every ride,and the fitting would come loose constantly. Just my .02 though

CADWELL · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2013, 06:27:45 PM »

The more and more research I do, the more I realize that a lot of people try to make honest evaluations about the shocks they own, but most of the time they embellish so much that it seems they just justify their purchase thus giving not giving any honest feedback haha.

I think I'm just gonna send these Custom Axis to Micah and have them give them some love. I think with the correct valving and years of building ATV shocks in the MX industry, Custom Axis will hold up to anything.

Ill still be wondering exactly how well those damn PB1's perform lol....

havinnoj · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2013, 09:40:24 AM »

Quote from: CADWELL;11349

The more and more research I do, the more I realize that a lot of people try to make honest evaluations about the shocks they own, but most of the time they embellish so much that it seems they just justify their purchase thus giving not giving any honest feedback haha.

I think I'm just gonna send these Custom Axis to Micah and have them give them some love. I think with the correct valving and years of building ATV shocks in the MX industry, Custom Axis will hold up to anything.

Ill still be wondering exactly how well those damn PB1's perform lol....

How about you be the guinea pig and test out the PB1's and then compare for us?! I've through the same debate twice now and both times ended up with Axis triple rate piggy backs (one set of single adjust and one set of triple adjust). I'd love to get a set of PB1's but I never became fully convinced I'd see an improvement to justify the added cost over the Axis I had.

ryanowarrior · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2013, 05:02:23 PM »

I've got the PB1's on my crf and a new set of axis waitin to go the R both t-pin front ends so maybe I can give ya feedback soon! I've never rode axis but I can sure tell ya the PB1's are some bad mofos!! I actually loved the fox shocks just like the others I hate checking the air pressures lol