Enduro was showing off their Needle Bearing Insert to replace the DU bushing in Fox shocks, and they’re looking at making them for other brands, too.
Cory Caldwell, an Enduro engineer, says they can improve shock feel so much you end up needing to run the air pressure 10-15 psi higher because they reduce movement drag. Depending on the frame, and how much rotation a shock mount sees, you may only need one. For example, they say in a Niner Jet 9 you’d really only benefit from replacing the top bushing.
They’re $25 per bearing, and they’ll need a special tool to remove the old bushing and put the new stuff in. Well, to do it right anyway…and after Caldwell explained the process, you should just talk your shop into ordering the tool.
Thirty five widths are offered and they have a database of frame measurements, so they can likely get you set up with the right one for your bike.
