Installed a Rock Shox on my Trek XM700+

[John from Connecticut]

I very recently had my LBS install a Rock Shox ( Paragon Gold RL ) on my Trek XM700+ . The stock basic spring pre-load is better then nothing, but not much better...And it rattles.

My goal was to soften up the harshness of the front end and eliminate the high frequency vibrations. Simply put, adding the Rock Shox was fantastic ! The feeling and handling of the bike has significantly improved...My upper body, arms hands etc no longer have to take the 'pounding' that is typical.

The bike seems to be less twitchy, and handles closer to my Powerfly which I really like. I've only ridden 25 miles, but I'm so glad I made the investment....For me, money very well spent. I wish I made this mod miles ago.

 

[Alphbetadog]

If anyone else wants to do this to theirs, I have a Rock Shox Recon Silver for for sale in this forum's classified ads.
https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/rock-shox-recon-forks-27-5-wheel.21693/
Would need to make sure the axle spacing (100mm) and diameter (15mm), as well as the stem length (210mm tapered) is compatible.

 

[Velome]

My XM 700+ had the same problem as your unit with poor roads, except my rattle was the front fender. I moved the XM 700+ to Florida where the roads are relatively smooth and the suspension is fine there. I then purchased a Powerfly 5 2018 to handle the road irregularities generated by cold winters and added a Bodyfloat, which I also have on the XM 700+.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

I know you’ve got some big hills down there in Connecticut, John... where’s the 11-42 cassette upgrade? That one comes first for me, though I like that shock! I guess that’s next.

Nice clean bike, too! Interesting modification on the rear fender also, while we’re at it. Was that rattling too? Haven’t had any problems with mine.

 

[John from Connecticut]

I know you’ve got some big hills down there in Connecticut, John... where’s the 11-42 cassette upgrade? That one comes first for me, though I like that shock! I guess that’s next.

Nice clean bike, too! Interesting modification on the rear fender also, while we’re at it. Was that rattling too? Haven’t had any problems with mine.

Dave...The 11-42 cassette upgrade, hmm, you've got me thinking. The rear fender 'mod' aka cut down accommodates my Saris Bike rack.
https://www.saris.com/product/superclamp-ex-2 .

I've ridden my XM 50 miles with the Rock Shox...My observations... The shock does exactly what I'd hoped. Smooth out the road jarring road
crack /bumps etc that really got to be annoying. Quite unexpectedly the shock has changed the handling of the bike for the good !

With the Trek stock solid fork I always felt the XM700 was a 'big' bike, somewhat gangly, quick turns seemed a bit unwieldy.....Like it was a straight line fast commuter bike, which is exactly what it is, Duuuh. My Bike now seems less twitchy, it feels 'smaller', more in control of quick turns and twists. A lot like my mountain bike.

Obviously this is all subjective, but I could not be happier with this change. I share this should others be considering a similar change.

 

[Bluside]

I want to do this mod to my XM700+. I really do not like the mono shock for the same reasons you listed. Any particular specs to the shock that I need get. Do they make more than one model of this shock? Any other info you can give on the change over would be helpful. Thanks

 

[christob]

Curious... is there any workaround to permit a front fender with a suspension fork?

 

[hurricane56]

Curious... is there any workaround to permit a front fender with a suspension fork?

This fork has attachment points on the crown and stanchions for fenders. Some companies like Bulls use this shock as OEM for their commuter bikes. I installed one of these forks on my Haibike Trekking and it was totally worth it.

 

[John from Connecticut]

I want to do this mod to my XM700+. I really do not like the mono shock for the same reasons you listed. Any particular specs to the shock that I need get. Do they make more than one model of this shock? Any other info you can give on the change over would be helpful. Thanks

The shock on my XM 700+ is a Rock Shox Paragon Gold RL by SRAM. It does not come with a remote (Handlebar) lockout. The Shock and the stock Trek fork are identical in weight.

You asked if other models are available, yes. There are many within the SRAM line and there are many shock manufacturers. This particular
is made for specifically for the purpose..Road / Gravel Rail Trail riding taking the bumps and roughness out of a hard-front end. The Paragon Rock Shox is not cheap and I'm sure there are less expensive and or knock-offs. Trek uses Rock Shox as original equipment.

I don't know shocks, but wanted good results, not a science project, aka trail and error, so I went to my LBS where I purchased my Treks and they 'took it from there' and I could not be happier. I hope this was helpful.

 

[Bluside]

Thanks for getting back to me and the info on the shock. I did some more research and it looks like the 65mm travel is the one you have in the Gold RL. That's the one I'll get also. I am hoping to do this myself and that is why i was asking if the headset needs to be changed. Maybe I'll talk with my dealer first. I mentioned changing out the shock when I first bought the bike but he was saying the geometry would change too much. But that doesn't seem to be the case and you say it handles better.

 

[Bluside]

John- I just came back from my dealer and ordered the Rock Shox. He would love to be able to talk with your guy to pick his brain a bit and it should make things smoother. If you could PM me you shop's info, I will pass it on. Thanks for all your help with this.

 

[Bluside]

I dropped my bike off at the shop today to have the Rock Shox Paragon installed. They said it should be ready in a few days. I will report back.

 

[Bluside]

I picked the XM700+ yesterday with the new shock. I have not had a chance to put many miles on it, but so far I am impressed with the Rockshox. Thanks to the OP, John in Connecticut, for starting this thread and giving me the motivation to do this upgrade.

I don't see any downside at all and this is probably the single best upgrade that I have made on the bike. My LBS, Beyond Bikes in Stuart, Fl. was great to work with.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

How do you have a CX motor on an XM700+?

 

[Bluside]

How do you have a CX motor on an XM700+?

I can only tell you that is the motor that came on the bike bought in July of this year.

 

[Bluside]

How do you have a CX motor on an XM700+?

Ok, now you had me doing some research. I call Trek CS. They did their research and told me there were a few XM700 bikes that shipped out with the wrong Bosch motor cover. This is one of them. He assured me that my bike does have the proper performance motor. They are going to send the correct cover to my LBS to be replaced.

Good catch. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Just caught my eye as a happy XM owner myself. Actually, I’d like it just fine if my did have that motor... I never use the high speed abilities and for me the climbing torque trade would be great.

Looks great with that shock, also. On my list.

 

[John from Connecticut]

Just caught my eye as a happy XM owner myself. Actually, I’d like it just fine if my did have that motor... I never use the high speed abilities and for me the climbing torque trade would be great.

Looks great with that shock, also. On my list.

Dave, Great eagle eye catch on the 'CX' motor...Your years of Law Enforcement are even paying off in the eBike world... : )

You mentioned the CX motor. I have a Trek Powerfly 7 which has the CX motor and boy do I love that motor. I'm considering replacing the Performance Line
motor on my XM700 with a CX because of the extra torque...

 

[E-Wheels]

Dave, Great eagle eye catch on the 'CX' motor...Your years of Law Enforcement are even paying off in the eBike world... : )

You mentioned the CX motor. I have a Trek Powerfly 7 which has the CX motor and boy do I love that motor. I'm considering replacing the Performance Line
motor on my XM700 with a CX because of the extra torque...

I don’t believe you can change/upgrade Bosch motors from what was originally supplied. My understanding is that Bosch will only exchange like for like motors

 

[John from Connecticut]

I don’t believe you can change/upgrade Bosch motors from what was originally supplied. My understanding is that Bosch will only exchange like for like motors

I understand. I would purchasing the CX motor outright with no exchange involved. I also realize that should I replace the Performance Line stock motor with a
CX motor I would void the remainder of my two year warrantee. For the time being I'm not going to make the change because I have a 'buzz' like vibration at
certain speeds, felt in the frame and handlebars that I have to resolve.