Cane Creek has released the 2012 Double Barrel Air shock. Available in a multitude of sizes, this shock has been quite anticipated. It features Cane Creek’s external 4 way adjustment (high/low compression, high/low rebound) in an air sprung package. Check it out inside.

DBAir Boxed Up

We posted a detailed video with Josh at Cane Creek earlier this year about the internals of the DBAir. It’s a good watch to see and learn more about the DBAir.

One more video discussing some more details of the DBAir we also shot last year during Interbike that also has some good information on the shock as well.

DBAir retail box contents include:

• DB Air
• Manual
• DB tool
• Volume reduction spacers (blue)

DBAir size options include

• 190 x 50mm (7.5? x 2?)
• 200 x 50mm
• 200 x 57mm
• 215 x 63mm
• 222 x 63mm
• 222 x 70mm
• 240 x 76mm (9.5″ x 3″)
• 267 x 90mm (10.5″  x 3.5″)

DBAir

Internal Volume Adjust Spacers

DB tool and manual

The air sleeve can be rotated without any disassembly when there isn’t any air in the shock. This helps make it easier to orient the air canister. There is no predefined positions for the air canister so as long as you don’t line the air valve up with the reservoir and ensure you can bottom out the shock safely, you can have it in just about any position.  The blue volume adjustment spacers can also be installed to adjust the internal volume of the air shock.

We bolted the DBAir into our 2012 Turner DW-DHR that we built up. We oriented the air sleeve as central as possible to allow for the most clearance to install/remove the air pump easily while still allowing for clearance with the reservoir.  The DBAir is similarly sized as a coil shock so fittment shouldn’t be a big deal with most frames.  Our DHR doesn’t have a ton of extra room in the rear linkage but it all fit.

DBAir mounted

The DBAir features a similar head on top of the shock that features high and low speed compression as well as high and low speed rebound adjustment.

DBAir on DW DHR

Weight wise, the DB Air came in at 559.0g on our scale for the 9.5″ x 3″ size. This is the lightest air shock we’ve laid our hands so far that is downhill/gravity ready.

When you consider that a coil shock is significantly heavier with a steel spring (~1000g +/-) or even a titanium spring it certainly wins the weight comparison. Check out our verified weights section to see more weights to compare.

So far our we’ve been pretty impressed with the DBAir. It feels similar to the DB Coil and the external adjustments allow for a very wide range of adjustability much like the coil version.  Be sure to check out our interbike post from last year to see more detailed shots as well. More information as we get additional time on it.

learn more at canecreek.com