PUSH ELEVENSIX Shock: S-Series Specs, Tuning, Fit & Real-World Trade-Offs
The current PUSH ELEVENSIX S-Series is a custom-built coil rear shock with two independently configurable compression modes, hydraulic bottom-out control and bike-specific tuning. This guide explains what those features actually mean, what has changed from older ELEVENSIX versions and who is most likely to benefit.
What is the PUSH ELEVENSIX, and is it still relevant?
Yes. The ELEVENSIX remains PUSH Industries' highly customised coil-shock platform, but the current S-Series should not be judged by specifications from older ELEVENSIX reviews.
The important distinction is generation. The current manufacturer specification lists a Dual Overhead Valve design, 24 clicks of external low-speed compression, 28 clicks of high-speed compression, 16 clicks of low-speed rebound and independent speed-sensitive hydraulic bottom-out control.
That differs from early ELEVENSIX versions reviewed years ago. If you are comparing articles, used shocks or forum advice, check which generation is being discussed before using old click counts, weights or setup guidance.
The ELEVENSIX makes most sense for riders who have a supported bike and want a shock developed around that application rather than a universal damper that is simply adjusted after purchase.
ELEVENSIX S-Series: the specifications that matter
For current buying and setup research, use the S-Series specification rather than copying figures from older ELEVENSIX generations.
| Feature | Current S-Series specification | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Compression architecture | Dual Overhead Valve with two selectable ride configurations | Each mode can use a different compression setup instead of forcing one compromise tune for every trail. |
| Low-speed compression | 24 clicks of external adjustment | Used to influence chassis support at lower shaft speeds, including weight transfer, pumping and cornering loads. |
| High-speed compression | 28 clicks of external adjustment | Changes damping response during faster shaft events such as sharp roots, rocks, landings and square-edge impacts. |
| Rebound | 16 clicks of external low-speed rebound adjustment | Controls how the shock returns after compression and affects recovery, grip and stability through repeated impacts. |
| End-stroke control | Independent speed-sensitive hydraulic bottom-out control plus progressive, stroke-specific bumpers | Adds resistance near the end of travel without relying only on a conventional bumper. |
| Mount formats | Standard eyelet and trunnion versions | Fitment still depends on the exact supported bike, year, dimensions and frame clearance. |
| E-MTB version | Dedicated damping piston assembly and high-strength Melonite QPQ-coated steel shaft | PUSH lists e-bike-specific hardware rather than treating every application as identical. |
Check the current ELEVENSIX S-Series specification on PUSH Industries.
Technical riding is also a visibility problem
Suspension helps the bike follow rough ground; clear, stable vision helps the rider read that ground early enough to choose a line.
What the ELEVENSIX adjustments actually change
More clickers are useful only when you understand which problem you are trying to solve. Compression and rebound influence different parts of the bike's behaviour.
Low-speed compression
"Low speed" refers to shock-shaft speed, not bicycle speed. This circuit is especially relevant when the suspension is moving relatively slowly under rider inputs, braking, pumping, cornering loads and smoother compressions.
More low-speed compression support can help a bike hold its attitude, but excessive damping can reduce sensitivity and grip. The useful setting is the one that supports the chassis without making the rear suspension reluctant to move.
High-speed compression
High-speed compression responds to faster shock-shaft movements produced by sharper impacts. Roots, rock edges, holes, hard landings and repeated rough terrain can all drive the shock rapidly through its stroke.
Too little support can make the bike use travel too easily; too much can make impacts feel harsh. The correct range depends on the bike's leverage curve, spring rate, rider mass, speed and terrain.
Rebound
Rebound damping controls how quickly the shock extends after it has been compressed. If rebound is too slow, the shock can remain compressed through a sequence of hits. If it is too fast, the rear wheel can return too aggressively and make the bike feel unsettled.
The ELEVENSIX S-Series lists 16 clicks of external low-speed rebound adjustment. Start from the supplied baseline rather than assuming that a setting from another rider or another frame will transfer correctly.
Two ride modes do not mean "climb" and "descend" by default
The ELEVENSIX's signature feature is the ability to switch between two different compression configurations. The useful distinction is that the modes are configurable, not that one is permanently assigned to a specific terrain type.
Hydraulic bottom-out: why the final part of the travel matters
A coil spring is fundamentally different from the progressive air spring used in many air shocks. End-stroke management therefore becomes an important part of how a high-performance coil shock controls hard impacts.
PUSH states that the ELEVENSIX hydraulic bottom-out system acts over the final 15% of wheel travel. A secondary hydraulic piston increases compression damping as the suspension approaches the end of its travel, while a progressive stroke-specific bumper provides an additional mechanical layer of control.
The practical objective is not to make the whole stroke firm. It is to preserve usable movement earlier in the travel while adding more deceleration near the end, where a hard bottom-out would otherwise occur.
This distinction matters when comparing shocks: "bottom-out resistance" can come from spring progression, damping, bumper behaviour or a combination of all three. The ELEVENSIX uses hydraulic and mechanical end-stroke strategies together.
Will a PUSH ELEVENSIX fit your bike?
Do not buy by eye-to-eye length alone. ELEVENSIX applications are developed around specific frames, and fitment can involve more than nominal shock dimensions.
Compatibility checklist
- Exact bike model and model year: confirm that PUSH supports the specific generation of your frame.
- Mount format: standard eyelet and trunnion are both offered, but the correct application matters.
- Eye-to-eye and stroke: these must match the supported configuration, not merely look similar.
- Reservoir and spring clearance: frame and linkage movement must be checked through the travel.
- Rider and spring information: the shock is supplied around the intended rider/application rather than as a generic blank setup.
- E-MTB application: use the version specified for the supported pedal-assist platform when required.
If you are also deciding what kind of bike best matches your terrain, see our guide to 120, 130 and 140 mm trail-bike travel.
What you gain — and what you give up — with a coil shock
The ELEVENSIX is still a coil shock. Its sophisticated damping does not remove the basic trade-offs between a coil spring and an air spring.
Why riders choose coil
- Spring behaviour is mechanically simple and does not depend on changing air pressure during the ride.
- Coil shocks are often chosen for a smooth, consistent feel and strong traction on rough terrain.
- Spring rate can be selected precisely, especially when springs are available in small rate increments.
- The ELEVENSIX adds substantial damping and end-stroke control around that coil platform.
Where air can be easier
- Spring rate is easy to change with a shock pump rather than by replacing a coil.
- Air springs can offer useful progression and bottom-out resistance through their spring curve.
- Many air shocks are lighter and easier to adapt when rider weight or use changes frequently.
- A good air shock can be the more practical choice when simplicity, weight or broad compatibility matter more than bespoke tuning.
What current independent testing says about the S-Series
DEMON has not presented this article as a first-party suspension test. Where ride impressions are useful, they should be attributed to publications that actually tested the current shock.
In a 2024 comparison, MTB-MAG tested the ELEVENSIX S-Series and SV Eight over roughly a year on a Santa Cruz Nomad V6. The tester reported that the S-Series felt livelier than the previous ELEVENSIX generation while retaining strong traction and improved end-stroke control. The review also highlighted the practical value of configuring the two compression circuits for very different terrain or using one as a firmer climbing-oriented mode.
That is useful context, but it is not a universal promise. Rear-shock behaviour depends heavily on frame kinematics, spring rate, tune, rider mass, speed and terrain. A result on one Nomad setup should not be treated as proof that every compatible bike will feel identical.
Read the independent ELEVENSIX S-Series vs SV Eight test on MTB-MAG.
How to tune an ELEVENSIX without getting lost in the clickers
The safest way to use a highly adjustable shock is to preserve a known baseline and change one variable at a time.
Who should seriously consider the ELEVENSIX?
The question is not whether the shock is premium. The question is whether its expensive engineering solves a real problem on your bike and trails.
Strong match if you...
- Own a bike with a verified ELEVENSIX application.
- Ride enduro, aggressive trail, bike-park or repeated rough descents where suspension consistency and support matter.
- Can feel and use meaningful differences in damping setup.
- Ride terrain varied enough to benefit from two distinct compression configurations.
- Value a spring rate, hardware package and base tune developed around the intended application.
Probably excessive if you...
- Ride mostly smooth trails where the bike rarely challenges its current shock.
- Want the lightest possible setup or easy spring-rate changes with a shock pump.
- Prefer a simple fit-and-forget damper with minimal tuning involvement.
- Change frames frequently and do not want compatibility to constrain the next bike.
- Are trying to fix poor tyres, incorrect spring rate, bad bike fit or weak technique by buying a more expensive shock.
A premium shock is most valuable when it solves a suspension problem you can actually identify.
Fitment, spring rate and a repeatable setup process matter more than the price tag alone.| Decision factor | ELEVENSIX advantage | Trade-off to accept |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning depth | Two selectable compression configurations with broad external adjustment. | More settings only help if the rider uses a disciplined tuning process. |
| Application tuning | Built around supported bike applications and supplied with spring/hardware/base settings. | Fitment is less universal than many off-the-shelf shocks. |
| End-stroke control | Hydraulic bottom-out system plus progressive stroke-specific bumper. | It remains important to choose the correct spring rate and base tune. |
| Value | High level of customisation and specialist construction. | The cost is difficult to justify if your existing shock already performs well for your terrain. |
Need prescription vision correction on the bike?
For MTB, road and gravel, the optical solution has to remain stable while you read terrain, judge distance and move between changing light conditions.
Build the whole system, not just the shock
Rear suspension is only one part of mountain-bike control. Travel choice, tyres, brakes, visibility and rider technique all interact.
Choosing trail-bike travel
Understand when 120, 130 or 140 mm makes sense and why geometry and components matter as much as the travel number.
Eye protection on technical trails
Branches, mud, insects, wind and changing light can disrupt the one thing every line choice depends on: clear vision.
PUSH ELEVENSIX S-Series: common questions
These are the points most likely to create confusion when different ELEVENSIX generations and third-party reviews are mixed together.
Is the current PUSH ELEVENSIX the same shock reviewed in 2016?
No. The current product is the ELEVENSIX S-Series, and its published adjustment counts and end-stroke system differ from early ELEVENSIX generations. Use current manufacturer specifications when comparing a new shock.
Does the ELEVENSIX have two completely independent shocks inside?
No. The useful idea is two selectable compression configurations within one shock. The Dual Overhead Valve system allows different compression settings to be selected with the lever, while rebound is adjusted separately.
Is one mode always for climbing and the other for descending?
No. The two modes can be configured for different purposes. One can be firmer for pedalling, but they can also be tuned for two types of descending terrain, such as rough natural trails versus smoother jump or flow trails.
How many adjustment clicks does the S-Series have?
PUSH currently lists 24 clicks of external low-speed compression, 28 clicks of external high-speed compression and 16 clicks of external low-speed rebound adjustment.
How does the hydraulic bottom-out system work?
PUSH states that a secondary hydraulic bottom-out piston increases compression damping over the final 15% of wheel travel. The shock also uses progressive, stroke-specific bottoming bumpers.
Does the ELEVENSIX fit every mountain bike?
No. Fitment is application-specific. Confirm your exact bike model, model year, dimensions, mount type and clearance with PUSH before purchasing.
Can the ELEVENSIX be used on an e-MTB?
PUSH lists dedicated e-MTB specifications for supported pedal-assist platforms, including an e-specific damping piston assembly and a high-strength Melonite QPQ-coated steel shaft.
Is the ELEVENSIX better than an air shock?
Not automatically. The ELEVENSIX offers the feel and consistency of a coil platform combined with extensive damping control, but air shocks can be lighter, easier to change spring rate on and better suited to riders who want broader setup flexibility with less hardware swapping.
Is there a single correct click setting?
No. Start with the settings supplied for your shock and application. Rider weight, spring rate, frame kinematics, terrain and riding style all affect the useful range, so another rider's click count is not a universal setup.
The ELEVENSIX is compelling because it is specific, not because it is universal
The strongest reason to consider the PUSH ELEVENSIX S-Series is not simply that it is a premium coil shock. It is the combination of a bike-specific application, two selectable compression configurations, a wide external adjustment range and dedicated end-stroke control.
That same specificity is also its main limitation. You need a supported frame, the correct configuration and enough riding demand to justify the cost and tuning depth. Riders who want maximum simplicity, low weight or easy spring-rate changes may be happier with a high-quality air shock or a less specialised coil option.
If the ELEVENSIX matches your bike and your riding, start from the supplied factory settings, give each mode a clear purpose and make controlled changes. That approach is far more useful than chasing someone else's click numbers.
Receive your 15% reward coupon
Discover the Demon collection of cycling glasses designed for road cycling, mountain biking and gravel riding.
Use the coupon code above and receive 15% off your purchase.