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Shock dilemma

The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
edited January 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Took delivery of my new Attack Trail build (06 frame though - frameswap)

All is fine - however the only problem is the rear shock (RP3)

When I sat on it it used all of it's travel up and bottomed out.

When I say bottomed out - it was smooth - it didn't just shoot all the way down... sag was about 90% :shock:

It's just been serviced (Dec) and I have all of the paperwork so I don't think it's broken.

Could it be becuase the previous rider was lighter than me?

I am 14 stone - I don't know what pressure is in there as I don't have a shock pump as of yet.

I HOPE it just needs a lot more pressure added

Posts

  • norco forevernorco forever Posts: 1,177
    during the frameswap surely for fitting purposes a lot of air would of had to of been released maybe they then forget or just didn't bother to repreassure it?
    btw glad you finally got your bike :D
    If you aint in A&E, you aint riding hard enough

    http://identiti4lfe.pinkbike.com/album/Scott-Ransom
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    God knows - have emailed the seller for info..

    Check the bike out in General.. :wink:
  • norco forevernorco forever Posts: 1,177
    can't right now on college laptop so can't see pics lol 8) does it say in the reciepts what weight it was set up for? because i suppose some feather weight skinny boy who weighs as much as my big toe may havehad next to no air in there lol

    sorry bout ranti play rugby and kinda get used to nailing little peoples :oops:
    If you aint in A&E, you aint riding hard enough

    http://identiti4lfe.pinkbike.com/album/Scott-Ransom
  • omegasomegas Posts: 970
    Probably no air or low pressure in the shock. Until you put a pump and gauge on I would not worry.
    What pressure should you have it set to for your weight ?
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844902/
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1844919/
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    Well - I just phoned Mojo and they seem to think its the pressure setting.

    She recommended for my weight that I set the pressure at around 240PSI - 25% sag

    She seems to think that it's all OK and not to worry but it's my first venture into the world of a rear shock so I was a little p issed off at first.

    Just ordered a Fox pump from them so........ :?
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    That pressure is just a rough guideline - always go on sag. This varies with different bikes, shock leverages, weight distribution, travel. The marin shock rate tends to fall through the travel - too much sag can make it feel very soggy.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    Interesting....

    When I sat on the bike I obviously new something was wrong - I at first thought it was me just not used to a full susser until I looked around at the shock and saw there was about 10mm of travel left :shock:

    It was like riding a clowns bike and I didn't dare go over anything too harse (in fact I stayed on the tarmac)

    It didn't bottom out like there was no pressure at all - just glided smoothly across all of its travel. I got off the bike and just put my weight on the saddle to confirm this.

    Mojo agreed with what you said SS on sag - they reckon also about 25% sag to start. They also said an ideal rebound setting. Fully clockwise then 3 clicks anti clockwise.

    They seemed to think that it wasn't bust - more to the fact that it had either been emptied or set for a ridiculous low weight rider.

    I remember the guy saying that it was his wifes so that could have something to do with it.

    Anyway - I ordered shock pump which should be here tomorrow/friday so at least I can start playing detective by going over the basics first.

    If not and something is wrong with it then the seller will have to provide a new shock as I have all my kit on new frame (which is excellent BTW) and ain't going through anymore hassle!!
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    Oh and another thing - the BB is HIIIIGGGHHHH on these bikes! :shock:

    Although I have got it one max 6" rear travel although I think that's a little high - going to set it to around 4.5/5"
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Yes, they are noted for high BBs. Shock pumps are absolutely essential with air shocks, or you cant make any fine adjustments. My guess is there is about 100psi, far too little for yourself. Set the sag in the 5 inch setting.

    With my GT, I have 4 inches of travel, run 30% sag with 160 psi, and I weigh 160 with kit. 100psi, and it does what yours does!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    Well hopefully I can get it sorted!!

    Another thing that concerns me is the propedal - I know jack about it (or what it should feel like) and when the lever is turn clockwise (Firm) there is tension in the lever that results with a nice little 'notch' - but when you turn the lever anti clockwise it moves quite freely. :?

    by the way - did you see how high I have to have the seat post?? The size is prefect for me - but unlike the fire trail - this bike feels wrong with the saddle lower! :?

    http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18 ... C00034.jpg
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Different geometries will feel strange on the trail until you get used to them.

    ProPedal is a 'platform' damping mechanism - basically a low speed compression damper that will only move at certain shock shaft speed or a set force applied. This stops the shock moving as much when pedalling, but still allows it to react to hits. It can be toggled on/off, and on some models the degree of pro pedal can be altered. Some find it does stifle performance a little.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    This is the strangest ride I have ever had (not having a full susser) but I did ride it home with no pressure in the rear shock and my tires were running low.... all in all not conducive to a good ride! :lol:

    So... once I have pumped the tyres up (I run them high about 50psi) and have put some air into the shock... oh and when I get that lazy sod to put the CORRECT crownrace in I can finally enjoy my new bike....

    This year I am buying a stand, race setter, headset press and a few other specialist tools so I don't have to keep feckin around in my LBS as I always end up having to go back! :x
  • stumpyjonstumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    On my Fox Triad in the pro-pedal & fully active positions the lever feels nice and positive and seems to click into place. In the locked out position the lever is loose and wobbles but the shock is pretty much locked out OK. In terms of the pro-pedal, you shouldn't really notice any difference as it should be eliminating the pedal bob, put it into fully active and it will be plusher but will probably start to bob when you pedal hard. I tend to leave mine in pro-pedal (on a stumpjumper elite) most of the time, only put it in fully active on particularly lumpy downhil bits.

    Get your pump, set your sag and go out and experiment :D .
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result
  • supersonicsupersonic Posts: 82,708 Lives Here
    Specialist tool are good to have - if you can afford them! I dont have any really, but I'm sure over time they'd recoup the cost. Last headset was a block of wood and hammer job!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • BuglyBugly Posts: 520
    before you by specialist tools you really need to fork out for a shock pump :twisted:
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    edited January 2008
    Well, today is the first time I have ridden a FS - always hardtail and my Fox F100Rlcs are less than a year old and were great straight from the shop and always have been....

    Got the pump today - so NOW can I buy specialist tools?

    If it's OK with you, that is.....

    :roll:
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    Update:

    Got an email back from seller and the shock has not been used since coming back from Mojo so he thinks that maybe its set to 'factory' setting (alright if you are 8 stone)

    This explains a lot! :lol:

    So, hopefully tomorrow/Friday my shock pump will turn up and I can take her out for a few hours of trail adventure!
  • Will SnowWill Snow Posts: 1,154
    supersonic wrote:
    Last headset was a block of wood and hammer job!

    theres another way???
    i ride a hardtail
  • The Big CheeseThe Big Cheese Posts: 10,309 Forum Tart 2010
    Shock pump turned up today - kudos to Mojo as I only ordered it yesterday. :D

    Anyway - hooked it up to my RP3 let it lay for 3 mins to guauge pressure...

    50PSI :lol::lol:

    No wonder!!

    So no have it on 25% sag (approx 225psi) and sweet as a nut!

    Panic over!

    :wink:
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