I recently purchased an Ignition 2, and like the bike overall, but would like a more 'plush' ride, especially in the rear. I have rented expensive full suspension bikes many times in the past, and I have experienced as much travel in the rear as the fork, but not with this bike (the rear moves on hits but not so much on small bumps).

Is the issue the rear shock or limitation of frame design?

Would replacing the rear shock (currently coil spring) with an air shock, or going to the Apogee series get to the 'plush' ride I am looking for?

My first reaction is to recommend swapping out the rear shock. You can pick up a Fox Vanilla R on ebay for about $50.00+shipping. Given the fork and component selection on the bike, this would be a nice upgrade, but I don't know that I would invest more than that.

On the other hand, if you really sense the limitations of the Ignition 2 (it's a nice bike and an excellent value, but it does have it's limitations) the Apogee LX would be an excellent upgrade. Yes, it's a huge jump in investment, but you will definitely see an increase in performance.

Best Wishes,

Bob

Try a softer coil spring first.

Jack sent me a #400 spring. I bottomed out almost continously (which Jack said would likely happen). I know the spring was too light in comparison to the #650 spring (stock), but wanted it for comparison purposes. I certainly cannot complain about product support, Jack / Ibex have been there for me every step of the way.

The shock should have some sort of collar that can be turned around the threaded part of the shaft to adjust the tension of the spring. If you haven't already tried that with the 650 lb spring, then I would suggest doing that. If that doesn't work, I believe you're back to the idea of swapping out the rear shock for a different product.

I swapped the rear shock to 02 Fox Vanilla R on my 03 Apogee LX last year, with 550 lb spring.
It did ride a little plusher, but not a noticeable improvement.
03 model had 5" rear travel, and using 6.5/1.5 shock seems to be stretching the linkage ratio.
Other 5" travel bikes run longer than 7" shock with 2" travel, so the linkage ratio maybe the limiting factor.
I now ride Marin 6" Quad TARA and it is quite a bit plusher.

The shock should have some sort of collar that can be turned around the threaded part of the shaft to adjust the tension of the spring. If you haven't already tried that with the 650 lb spring, then I would suggest doing that. If that doesn't work, I believe you're back to the idea of swapping out the rear shock for a different product.
That wouldn't help him, since preload collar will just make the shock harsher, unless it was already cranked up from factory.
Recommened collar setting usually is two turns in once the collar contacts the spring.

That wouldn't help him, since preload collar will just make the shock harsher, unless it was already cranked up from factory.
Recommened collar setting usually is two turns in once the collar contacts the spring.

Thanks Strafer, you are reinforcing the conclusions I've come to on my own. I have been test bikes with different suspension designs and am finding them to be more in line with my expectations. I should qualify this statement, the bikes I am looking at are 2.5x more expensive than the original ignition, and more 'all-mountain' designs, so it's not exactly comparing apples to apples.

I also agree, adjusting the preload didn't make much of a difference in the ride, but did change the ride height.