MCU replacements - Rapid Descent Scotland

MCU Hardening
Over time the MCUs that were supplied with the older Proflex's have hardened, cracked and become inoperable. The way in which they have deteriorated depends on your climate - the colder countries have seen the MCUs go hard and the warmer countries have seen the MCUs crumble.

The problem is because Micro-Cellular-Urethanye degrades over time if it is exposed to the elements. The Proflex MCU really seems to have suffered.

Replacement MCUs from RDS
The Rapid Descent Scotland MCUs use a top quality elastomer that have been expertly cut to fit the shock precisely. Quality engineered MCUs are important because using poorly cut MCUs can damage the shock spindle.

The MCUs will suit all riders since they have a progressive feel to them and will have superior performance to the old Proflex MCUs.

MCU855R
Is a hard set of elastomers for the heavier rider who demands elastomers that can withstand hard hits. We've noticed that there are a small minority of 855 bikes that have shorter shocks (around 75mm) instead of the normal 90mm. If you have a short shock then get the 656R/656RS instead. 99% of Proflex 855 have the 90mm shock. We think that proflex might have used the short shock on some of the bikes when transitioning between models and on small frame sizes.
Check here for our downloadable installation guide.

Bikes supported:

Proflex 855 (normal 90mm shock)
Proflex 955
Proflex 756

MCU855RSOFT
Is a softer set of elastomers for lighter riders (i.e. less than 75kg) and those in colder climates. One of the elastomers is thinner and so is easier to compress.
Check here for our downloadable installation guide.

Bikes supported:

Proflex 855 (noral 90mm shock)
Proflex 955
Proflex 756

MCU656R
Is a hard set of elastomers for the heavier rider - it supports the following bikes:

Proflex 656
Proflex 755
Proflex 753
Proflex 853
Proflex 954
Proflex 854
Proflex 555 - check in forum for 50mm vs 64mm kits
Proflex 455 - check in forum for 50mm vs 64mm kits

Check here for our downloadable installation guide.

MCU656RSOFT
Is a softer set of elastomers for the lighter rider (i.e. less than 85kg or those that like softer settings) - it supports the following bikes:

Proflex 656
Proflex 755
Proflex 753
Proflex 853
Proflex 954
Proflex 854
Proflex 555 - check in forum for 50mm vs 64mm kits
Proflex 455 - check in forum for 50mm vs 64mm kits

Check here for our downloadable installation guide.

Vector 1 (and sometimes 2) elastomers
We now have a new range of elastomers for the Vector 1 fork. This is the Vector that had an attachment to the stem and originally came with yellow MCUs. The Rapid Descent MVUVECTOR1 kit is a hard compound that will slowly ease up with use and provide up to an inch of travel, i.e. same as the original MCUs that came with the bike. It will get your Proflex back on the trails!

The kit comprises of two elastomers that will fit onto the shock spindle perfectly. The vector 1 shock is difficult to dismantle and we ask customers to get their local bike shop to do this work - unless you have three right hands and are a whizz at taking bikes apart.

Always use non-oil based grease and take care not to lose the little bushings on the pivots because there is no source currently to get new ones!

Vector 2 fork (Proflex 756)
We have had some customers tell us (thanks!) that the Proflex 756 came with a Vector 2 fork, but it has the Vector 1 shock in it. I'm sure Proflex meant to confuse us! Anyway, if you have a Proflex 756 Vector 2 that does not have the ODS shock in it then you will need the MCUVECTOR1 kit.

Proflex 856, 956, XP-Series, 1996 Animal & Beast

For Proflex 856, 956, 1996 Animal & Beast, X-series bikes that have the ODS (Oil-Dampening System) shock - we suggest that customers use the COR Springs to upgrade the MCU's. See the COR spring range from RDS.