Since there's always recommendations for the SW when people ask about rear shock rebuilds and services, I thought I'd give my opinion regarding them. This is obviously a personal opinion based on my experiences between dealing with SW and Avalanche.
Overall, they do provide a great service with the exception of being hard to contact. I understand they have a business to run but the lack of available contact caused my first dissatisfaction with them, which was more my lbs' fault than theirs, was having to come back for the "fitting". This is definitely where Avalanche has the points over SW which I'll get into in a minute. My experience was this. Drop off the Swinger 4way at SW. 2 weeks later I had my the fitting appointment. I couldnt make this due to the fact my lbs couldnt finish my build in time (this was after I told the lbs I needed the bike by this date and time, totally different story in itself). I called SW only to receive their voicemail saying they werent accepting voicemails at this time. I emailed them asking if we could reschedule. No response. I decided I wanted to ride and get shock on the bike. I went into NV from Surrey the day after the Apt., picked up the shock and spoke with Arthur. He mentioned I missed the Apt, gives me a speech how about important the setup is and how I might actually damage the shock or shaft while riding it improperly setup for myself. My thoughts were "you guys just rebuilt it to my weight - what the sam hell are you talking about?". I didnt saying anything but 'ok', took the shock put it on the bike and soon got up to whistler.
I didnt realize this and was not told that the shim stack rebuild option on the Swinger 4way they offered actually removed the compression adjustment. I was not impressed with this as I found out up in Whistler trying to fine tune it myself before that oh so needed 'fitting' from SW.
Two park days in Whistler later I finally had the fitting appointment. I bring the bike into NV again and close to 1.25 hrs later, I had a new spring (for free) and the rear did feel noticeably better - which I would hope since if I could tune this thing better… Anyways, that was mid Sept and they said I still needed an even lighter spring which they didnt have in stock, would order me one and call me when its in. No call to this date yet.
So while they provide a great local service, it's not a simple drop off and pick up situation. My experience with Avalanche was quite different and had to be since they're located in Connecticut. You either order one of their shocks, or ship them your old shock to rebuild (if its on their list), give them your weight, riding styles and what you want the shock to do, it comes back ready to go on the bike and you ride. That simple. From all the user comments who have used SW, I was thinking it was along the same lines. Obviously the lbs put a flaw in the system with my situation but that's besides the point. I had the bike with me when I initially picked up the shock, didnt really want to come back for another appointment, and while I understand they have other apt's, I was essentially told I'm SOL - which if they picked up the tele or answered an email, wouldn't have been an issue. Yet when during my fitting Apt., they answered the fone all the time - just my luck. Whereas with Avalanche, it's a system that can't really be messed up by external forces.
So does SW offer a good valuable service? Yes.
Is the finished product good? For the most part, yes. If I was informed that I'd lose the Ext Compression adjustment, I wouldn't have gone with them. I like adjustments and those matters to me.
Does SW compare to Avalanche? Honestly, no. Not only is the Avalanche "ordering" system much more streamlined, the finished product is actually superior. I don't care how much of a SW fanboy you are, Avalanche simply makes better rear suspension products and upgrades.
On the final note about my time driving into SW for these appointments and the cost between SW and Avy since SW's locale factor is almost always mentioned. For pretty much $100 more (or assuming SW ever orders me the proper spring, that difference is only $40), I could've shipped my 4way to Avy, waited for the turn around time which after the missed appointment should've been less or the same as dealing with SW, I could've been riding a product that was setup exactly for me and would've felt better. I can honestly say that b/c I've owned an Avy product in the past before and STILL, the SW final product is not on the same level.
After all the reviews and raves regarding SW, especially with James' being a Manitou gawd, I'd expect them to know that a Swinger 4way needs this rate spring for a guy my weight on this brand bike, I'd expect them to have it in stock for me whenever that appointment is scheduled for as well. I also have come to despise any place in any industry that says we'll order this part for you at your cost and call you when it's in.. and then they do not call. If I'm willing to pay and spend even more of my time driving into NV to get my bike 'dialed', then you better keep your customer's happy. It's not that I hate them or the product, it's just after all the fan fare, I expected something more or on par with Avalanche, which the final product is not.
Yet oddly enough, I'll give them another shot when my Totem Solo Air needs an overhaul. For rear shocks in the future, I'll go with Avalanche again or give Elka a shot.
protect tom mcdonald at all costs
