Help with rear shock

p3eps

Firstly - Hi everyone! I've been looking over the forum for a while for help in buying my bike and equipment - and now I'm in need of a bit of advice!

I've decided to get back into biking after many years of absence - so have bought a new bike as mine was ancient.

After reading reviews and getting advice, I opted for a 2011 Specialized Stumpjumper Elite.

It has the Fox Brain rear shock - but I'm having doubts as to whether I've got it set up right, as this is my first full suspension bike.

On Saturday I went out for a ride and ended up jumping off a 3 foot wall - which bottomed out the shock. I originally set it up as per the manual - and weighing approx 13 stone, it suggested about 220psi.
I discovered when I got home on Saturday by messing around in the street that I could get the shock indicator (rubber band) to go from none to full by simply bunnyhopping. I assumed that the pressure was too low - so I stuck another 10psi in it. Again, the same thing - so I kept topping it up in 10psi increments until I'm currently at 250psi. I can still move the indicator from top to bottom my bunnyhopping - and am dubious about inflating it much more.

The sag seemed to be about right as per the manual at about 15-20% when I had it set at 220psi... and now I've got it up to 250psi its not too much less.

Any ideas? Is this normal? Should I keep pumping it up? I *think* it can go to about 320psi if I want (although my shock pump will only do 300psi!).

robertpb

The initial set-up is for your riding weight not your standing starkers in the bathroom weight.

Then adjust the sag as per manual for fine tuning.

Shocks are designed to bottom out.

p3eps

robertpb wrote:

The initial set-up is for your riding weight not your standing starkers in the bathroom weight.

Then adjust the sag as per manual for fine tuning.

Shocks are designed to bottom out.

Thanks for the reply...

I did weigh myself in my riding shorts, top and shoes - so it should be about right.
I've been on the Fox website trying to find out more info - and they recommend about 10mm of sag... and going up in 5psi increments.
The Specialized manual suggests my weight should be approx 220-230psi.

I was just a bit concerned about how easily I can get it to bottom out. I suppose in most trail riding I'll rarely be dropping on it like I did on Saturday.

shm_uk

Shock set-up is a very personal thing.

I've had several Fox air shocks & have always found the suggested manufacturers settings are usually ok as a 'starter for 10', but ended up with a significantly higher pressure once I'd tuned it to my preference.

Personally, I would not expect to be able to bottom out a shock just by bunny-hopping.

A shock set up optimally for general XC/Trail use will be very likely to bottom out on big drops - if you're regularly dropping off of 3-foot walls, run the shock at a higher pressure.

02gf74

it is possible you may have damaged it by jumping off a 3 ft wall when it was not pumped up enough.

if it is giving the right amount of sag for the air pressure corresponding to your wieght, then all is ok - depending on the shock and how hard it is compress i.e. how heavy and how hard you jump you can expect it to bottom out.