Noleen NR-1 vs Risse Racing Genesis

[simulatedjim]

Just pulled the 756 out of the garage after Christmas.  I bought it new in 96' and stopped riding as job changed and location changed.  Fast forward to now and the kids just got bikes for Christmas and I need to get riding with them.  Needless to say the elastomers were hard and after the garage they were all over the bike, melted everywhere.  I looked at new bikes and used bikes but I still love my Proflex.  I need to choose between the 2 options for replacement shocks.  Which is the better choice? My 756 came without ODS, just elastomers.  I am older, fatter and not nearly the shape I should be so riding will not be wild and crazy anymore.  Which is the better option?  Thanks

[Spokes]

They are both excellent. Both have their plus points but if your riding his mainly going to be gentle stuff with the kids, I would just go for the cheapest.

Chris

[Colin]

And both are quite expensive options.........IMHO, your best option is to find NOS ODS or GDT units preferrably with springs.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321289929891
or get a spring conversion from Nu-Life
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200974300360

Col.

[Carbon_Angus]

Colin has a great suggestion.

If you are bent on either a Genesis or an NR-1,  I'd get a Genesis hands down. They are more laterally stable on the strut and don't need swapping out springs if you lose or gain weight or want a different feel when you ride.

[simulatedjim]

Yes both are expensive and the same price but $20 extra for Risse because I have a 96' it says I need the "freedom plate"? I have been looking for ODS and GDT but most look old and beat and I would most likely still need a new spring.  I would spend nearly half to get an ODS and spring and don't know how long the old unit would last.

[Colin]

Air shocks need maintenance don't they?
Nu-life can provide the spring for $45 as linked below.
That GDT I linked to below is New Old Stock, so based upon the fact that I have ridden my ODS equipped XP-X for 14 years with no failure of the shock, then I'd suggest it should be good for a reasonable while, but yes, I can see your POV and the attraction of a new unit.
 
So, have you got the flat end strut or the recessed "cone end" strut?

Col.

[simulatedjim]

"Cone End"? I am assuming you mean the bottom end of the rear? I have what looks like a split cone shape as I haven't taken it apart.  Which is better and will the GTD in the link work for me with this end?

[Colin]

Yes, I mean the bottom end of the rear shock and how it fits to the upper end of the strut. on older x55 and maybe some x56 bikes the top of the strut is flat and the shock bolts to it directly.
On newer x56  style bikes the top of the strut has a recessed hole and the shock has a split collet ("cone") {Part 6 in the below diagram}, which helps to more firmly locate the shock to the strut, probably the better design imho.
http://idriders.com/proflex/resources/97_spc657_strut.pdf
Yes, the GDT uses the split collet.

Col.

[simulatedjim]

Yes I have the one with the collet part #6. And I just bought the one on Ebay.  That seller, the first time I looked before I knew exactly what I needed, had 2 springs and another ods/gds which may have been for the front but I missed out.  The search is on for the front now. Thank you for the nudge in the right direction.  I am not a bike mechanic but I can wrench on cars and motorcycles so I think I can handle the bike.

[fyrstormer]

Personally I think the NR-4 is the best shock currently available. Coil springs don't change their spring-rate when the weather changes, and they never leak. The NR-4 also offers compression and rebound damping, which the NR-1 doesn't offer. I got faster when I was able to reduce the pedal-bob on my 756 by dialing-up the compression damping on my then-new NR-4.

[simulatedjim]

Well I found some parts and pieces to buy and have acquired a bunch of stuff to try. 
ODS Risse and Noleen.  So I will have a 756 and 97 Beast when I am done.