Rear Shock tune question

ade555
ade555 Posts: 216
edited April 2017 in MTB general
I'm hoping someone would be able to explain me a bit more about rockshox tune setup and what it actually means, I have Rockshox Monarch r with letters in blue "H" and red "M", if I understand correctly red is responsible for rebound and is setup in medium and you use rebound dial to slow it or speed up, blue for compression but I have no idea how it effects the shock, what I would like to be able to understand what is actually the compression responsible for and how it effect that shock.

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    It's the factory setting. Compression is how fast the shock will compress, so in this case a firm setting suited probably to XC use, but it really depends on the frame it's set up for.
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  • ade555
    ade555 Posts: 216
    cooldad wrote:
    It's the factory setting. Compression is how fast the shock will compress, so in this case a firm setting suited probably to XC use, but it really depends on the frame it's set up for.


    Would this mean Firm=slower or is the other way round?
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Yep, more damping and things move slower.
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  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    Compression is firmness, shock will require more energy to move, damping is how fast it moves.
  • ade555
    ade555 Posts: 216
    Thanks for explaining.

    If I was to upgrade to RT3 model, does that blue lever adjust that compression settings slightly from factory tune? Thinking to go for MM tune and have lever set Pedal for more XC use/ open for trail/ lock on pavement, current setup feels bit stiff on more ruff staff specially when I have to run high pressure to have 25%-30% sag.

    Bike is Boardman FS 2014, I'm sure that frame is design more for XC use and don't want to screw things up to much.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The lever on the Monarch adjusts rebound only (the R in RT3) you can set the threshold for the compression floodgate (the T) the compression damping itself is set in the build and not adjustable without a rebuild by a specialist.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    JGTR wrote:
    Compression is firmness, shock will require more energy to move, damping is how fast it moves.

    Not quite, compression damping stiffens or slows the compression, rebound damping slows the rebound.
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  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    Firm/stiff......same same
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Yep as long as she's happy...
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    JGTR wrote:
    Compression is firmness, shock will require more energy to move, damping is how fast it moves.
    Compression damping is both compression and damping yet does different things? Really?

    Spring is firmness, damping controls the spring.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • ade555
    ade555 Posts: 216
    I have been reading a bit about all this compression, I run around 245PSI to get my sag 25-30% at the moment, but like I say the shock feels a bit harsh, now if I change to medium tune would this also improve small bump sensitivity but just bit worried that I will have problem blowing thru is travel and bottoming out as it won't be that hard to compress.
  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    The Rookie wrote:
    JGTR wrote:
    Compression is firmness, shock will require more energy to move, damping is how fast it moves.
    Compression damping is both compression and damping yet does different things? Really?

    Spring is firmness, damping controls the spring.

    Yes, red one to slow shock down, blue one to make it firmer, simples.

    Red even has a picture of a tortoise and hare :wink:
  • poah
    poah Posts: 3,369
    I wouldn't bother with the RT3 as it isn't really an upgrade to the R
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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    That depends on usage and bike, in some cases the adjustable threshold is quite useful, but would agree that it's not in all cases.
    JGTR wrote:
    The Rookie wrote:
    JGTR wrote:
    Compression is firmness, shock will require more energy to move, damping is how fast it moves.
    Compression damping is both compression and damping yet does different things? Really?

    Spring is firmness, damping controls the spring.

    Yes, red one to slow shock down, blue one to make it firmer, simples.

    Red even has a picture of a tortoise and hare :wink:
    The red is rebound, so doesn't affect 'stiffness' or 'firmness' at all.

    The blue adjusts the threshold so only affects the pedal platform, once open, again, the firmness or stiffness isn't really affected.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • JGTR
    JGTR Posts: 1,404
    The Rookie wrote:
    That depends on usage and bike, in some cases the adjustable threshold is quite useful, but would agree that it's not in all cases.
    JGTR wrote:
    The Rookie wrote:
    JGTR wrote:
    Compression is firmness, shock will require more energy to move, damping is how fast it moves.
    Compression damping is both compression and damping yet does different things? Really?

    Spring is firmness, damping controls the spring.

    Yes, red one to slow shock down, blue one to make it firmer, simples.

    Red even has a picture of a tortoise and hare :wink:
    The red is rebound, so doesn't affect 'stiffness' or 'firmness' at all.

    The blue adjusts the threshold so only affects the pedal platform, once open, again, the firmness or stiffness isn't really affected.

    Yes thats what I said, red to slow shock down or speed it up depending which way you turn the knob, hence Rockshox put a picture of a tortoise and hare next to the red knob on their shocks. Blue gives a better pedal platform, or in laymans terms makes it feel firmer, more solid. Great we finally agree on something :)

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