mountain biking newbie... confused about my shock setup

mich77
mich77 Posts: 10
edited October 2009 in MTB beginners
Hi, i have just bought a Trek Liquid 55 and am a little unsure about the shock i have

i have the Manitou 3 way SPV shock and im unsure how to work out the PSi... i have it on 80psi top and bottom as i only weigh 9st... however it still seems a little too springy, is this normal or could i pump it up to 100 psi top and bottom... im too sure what im doin, can anyone simplify it for me.. im too embarrased to ask them in the shop

the mountain biking i like is off road so need it to set up this

also ive noticed that a little oil comes out of the shock, not alot at all, should i be worried?

any help and advice would be much appreciated :-)

thanks in advance

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Manitou 3 way coil or air shock?

    have you downloaded the manual?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mich77
    mich77 Posts: 10
    oooo wasnt aware there was a manual...
  • mich77
    mich77 Posts: 10
    its an air shock... a valve top and bottom
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    what year?

    have you downloaded or got the manual?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    the blue cap is the main air. set your sag to what you need.

    the SPV chamber you set to what feel you want but NOTE this.
    SWINGER SPV rear shocks depend on the SPV air pressure (pressure in the red
    Schrader valve) to create damping and function properly. The air pressure
    range is 50-175 psi (3.5 - 12 bar). A pressure within this range must be checked
    and maintained before each ride. Use of the rear shock with improper air
    pressure can cause a total loss of damping and malfunction of the rear shock.

    manuals here http://www.manitoumtb.com/index.php?page=support
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mich77
    mich77 Posts: 10
    im not sure on the year, maybe either a 2004 or 2005 model... didnt know you could download a manual but have had a look on the website and it says to work out the psi calculate it from 40% of your body weight, this has worked out at 48 psi as i only weigh nine stone ish but at the shop they said to put 80 psi in both top and bottom valve... when i sat on the bike they said it looked fine... how do you know if the shock is fine just sitting on the bike in the first place... they said the sag was fine... im so confused
  • mich77
    mich77 Posts: 10
    aaahhhhh... many thanks for the link

    sounds like 80 psi is about right then... :)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    forget the calculations it is usless.

    add air to the main chamber untill you get the sag you want with you at your riding weight and position.

    then tweek the pressure till as you want.

    different trails may need different pressures.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mich77
    mich77 Posts: 10
    ok ... stupid question... how do i know what sag i need?
    at 80psi the shock goes down half way

    told ya i was new to all this lol
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    on that bike about 20-25%
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • FatFrederick
    FatFrederick Posts: 3
    Hi,

    I have an air threeway swinger circa 2005 (I think :-) )

    If i recall its 50-70% of your body weight.
    Although some recommend starting at 75% as a ballpark.
    9 Stone is 126 pound - so the 80 PSI the shop recommends is 65% of your body weight
    Within the 50-70% recommended.

    Set the SPV first (Red)
    And then the main sprint (Black).

    Blue is the rebound adjust - at least on my shock.

    Hope this helps.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    FatFrederick wrote:
    Hi,

    I have an air threeway swinger circa 2005 (I think :-) )

    If i recall its 50-70% of your body weight.
    Although some recommend starting at 75% as a ballpark.
    9 Stone is 126 pound - so the 80 PSI the shop recommends is 65% of your body weight
    Within the 50-70% recommended.

    Set the SPV first (Red)
    And then the main sprint (Black).

    Blue is the rebound adjust - at least on my shock.

    Hope this helps.

    good but irrelevant info.

    like i have said 2 times set it on the SAG.

    there are way too many variables to use numbers.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • mich77
    mich77 Posts: 10
    im loving this forum... learnt lots already... cheers guys, all starting to make sense now
  • FatFrederick
    FatFrederick Posts: 3
    Granted setting it on sag is the easiest option.
    But figures are still relevant for the SPV pressure setting.
    Anyhow - sit on it and see what happends... Good Luck
  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    FatFrederick wrote:
    Granted setting it on sag is the easiest option.
    But figures are still relevant for the SPV pressure setting.
    Anyhow - sit on it and see what happends... Good Luck

    Nope sorry, it makes bugger all difference. I have exactly the same shock on my giant and it's set exactly the way Nick says.

    Sag first, SPV pressure second, rebound damping first. The actual pressures I use have absolutely no bearing or relevance to the formuale that Manitou suggest for setting it up.
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