Rear shock for a fat bastard

[FST4RD]

The rear shock on my Merida 140 trail blew up after many years of faithful service. It was an X-fusion shock that was going to cost moonbeams to fix. It just happened that a friend had a mint Fox Triad, which seems to be a specialised branded RP23 or similar. It was the right dimensions all round so bought it dirt cheap and threw it in the old girl. Only thing is that it recommended you can run them up to 300psi, due to the suspension design of the Merida I have it pretty much at maximum and it's a little leas than a third sag. I want it at 1/4.
Local mechanic said he can make it a low volume shock by pulling it apart and putting a plastic reducer in it.
Is this going to fix my problems?
I tend to run my suspension quite hard and if this is the go it would suit perfect!

 

[GSB]

You can try the low volume reducer method yourself, it's very easy and you'll find that you can experiment with different volumes on the bike for the sake of a quick trip to B&Q. You'll need some plastic pipe, a hacksaw, and a Stanley knife. Work out what volume of plastics suits your needs, and then if you want, you can have your mechanic friend make up a permanent replacement.

Low volume adjusters just cause the pressure to ramp up faster as the shock goes through its travel. Increasing the air pressure and the spring rate as the shock compresses. If you're a bit in the weighty side, this could well be the ideal solution.

 

[FST4RD]

Thank you very much!