Update 2024-12-06: Added test ride video (scroll to the bottom).
Update 2024-12-07: Added IFP pressure measurement.
Note! This review is currently in progress. Check back for updates.
A new coil shock model recently appeared on Aliexpress. It appears to be branded as both EVOSID (in a highly conspicuous Öhlins-like dress-up) and Bolany. The only model name I've been able to find is STG464.
Outside of the cosmetic difference in decals, they appear to be exactly the same shock.
EVOSID version
Bolany version
The Bolany version appears to come in two different decal flavors (silver and gold).
The specs are as follows:
190 × 50 mm (900gr with included spring)
210 × 60 mm (1030gr with included spring)
230 × 70 mm (1040gr with included spring)
24mm aluminium bushings come pre-installed, and they are a bit fiddly to remove.
The 230mm version I ordered measured 440gr without the included spring.
I have measured the stroke on the 230 x 70, and it is indeed 70mm measured with a caliper (without considering the rather large bump stop). The specs for the Bolany version differ a bit (50, 55 and 65mm), but I guess those numbers are accounting for the bump stop.
The shock comes with a 550lbs spring which is way too much for me. I will be using a 450lbs spring (possibly a 400lbs).
Important note: These shocks will definitely not fit Fox springs. They do however fit Rockshox springs nicely.
You can adjust compression, rebound and IFP pressure (through the Schrader valve on the reservoir). Connecting a regular shock pump revealed a pressure of approximately 160 PSI. However, if you account for the pressure loss when connecting a shock pump and the small volume of the IFP chamber, it's resonable to think that the pressure was significantly higher. I pumped it up to 250 PSI (EVOSID recommends between 200-300 PSI of pressure).
I ordered the EVOSID version before I noticed the Bolany version, but none the matter -- I will put some vinyl tape over that conspicuous logo regardless I ordered the 230mm version for my bike, a 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70.
To mount this shock on my bike I need two 0.5mm washers at the top eyelet (the shock comes with 24mm hardware but my Altitude requires 25mm at the top) as well as 40mm bushings at the lower eyelet. These shocks have the same 12x14x14 eyelets as DNM shocks, so regular Fox/Rockshox hardware will not fit.
I use these hardware kits and these bushings, which are cheap and work very well. I use this bushing tool to remove and install the inner bushings. If you have the same bike and need the washers you can find them with a quick search on ebay.
On this install I used a MX shock mount since I'm currently running a 27.5" rear wheel.
After mounting I just bopped around a bit on the garage floor, and first impression is that these shocks have a very light tune (and/or thin oil). In fact, it feels quite similar to a stock DNM RCP-2S. Both the compression dampening and rebound dampening is quite weak until you approach the last few clicks before fully closed. I suspect that these shocks come with a very light oil, similar to DNM. Machining looks very nice and precise, much more so than DNM. Definitely comparable to my Fox DHX2 and MZ Bomber CR's.
Unlike the last version of the DNM RCP-2S, there does not appear to be any annoying knocking/clicking sounds in these shocks. On hard compressions there is a nice "kssht" sound, otherwise it appears to be very silent.
I haven't gotten a chance to fully test this shock yet, but I am going for a ride with it tomorrow evening and will record a video to see how it sounds. I'll update tomorrow with a video and IFP pressure number.
I will also deliver this shock to my LBS for an oil change and will ask him to take some pictures of the internals.
Some more photos:
Test Ride
the shock feels and sounds surprisingly good. The cold weather made the oil thicken up, which appeared to improve both compression and rebound damping. Due to the current conditions (snow + ice) I didn't feel like riding the spiciest trails, but I hope this should be sufficient to give you an idea of what the shock sounds like. Video should be embedded below. The audio on this video was recorded with a Sony ECM-LV1 stereo microphone and lightly processed to bring out more detail.