Fifth Element Coil Shock - How do I make it feel plush?

given we dont know how heavy you are and what type of riding, just mess with all the little knobs and air thingy until you like the feel for your type of riding.

zeroman said:

I keep reading about how plush the fifth element coil shock is. I don't know how to set it up (even after reading the manual) so that it feels plush. I've set up the shock to satisfy my weight as per Progressive's manual but I'd like to fine tune it so that it is a softer ride. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks !!

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Try lowering your platform air pressure first -I think the minimun is 50 psi. Then put the least amount of damping on the end AND begin stroke. Back out your volume adjust too. Set the minimum amount of spring preload as well. This is as plush as it gets. Now you can adjust those things to balance the plushness with efficiency and bottoming resistance-depending on how you ride/body weight etc. Hope this helps...

Thanks for the replies.

I weigh 180lbs and ride XC.

more info

How much sag are you running? What frame - how much travel? What are you comparing it to?

I'm riding a Heckler. I'm comparing with my buddies Jamis Dakar XLT 2.0. He's got a Manitou SPV 4-Way Shock and it rides really plush.

santaheckler, wouldn't I bottom out all the time at 50psi.

You still didn't say what settings you tried (or what spring you're using for that matter). If you tried the SC suggestions you'd be using about 60-70% of your weight for air pressure, try less (but not necessarily 50 psi at your weight, recommended range is 50-70% so try 90 psi). Otherwise I'd say that the more plush you make it you'll get less use of the stable platform valving, but maybe that's what you want. Increasing the air volume can also give you a plusher ride. I like it somewhat firm for climbing, so I run 125 or so for general xc riding, then change it to 100 for extended downhilling. (I'm 185 on a large Heckler with a 350lb spring). Otherwise I approximate the recommended SC settings for the most part. I ride all kinds of xc mostly, but long days at Downieville or a ski resort then I prefer to go plusher as I'm not climbing much.

I am also riding a Heckler w/ a 350lb spring. I've set the coil up for my weight as per Progreesive's set-up table for a 180lb rider (As I look at the chart perhaps my spring is a bit too stiff):

Fifth Element Set-Up Chart

zeroman said:

I am also riding a Heckler w/ a 350lb spring. I've set the coil up for my weight as per Progreesive's set-up table for a 180lb rider (As I look at the chart perhaps my spring is a bit too stiff):

Fifth Element Set-Up Chart

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Have you measured the sag? How much are you getting? This is important.

frank n. beans said:

Have you measured the sag? How much are you getting? This is important.

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Sorry. I'm a rookie, how would I measure the sag. Measure the spring when I am not sitting on it and measure it once I am sitting on it?

Plush is what you asked for...

zeroman said:

Sorry. I'm a rookie, how would I measure the sag. Measure the spring when I am not sitting on it and measure it once I am sitting on it?

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Oh yeah, 50 psi is way low. I was telling you where to start for "plushness". You can then reverse those adjustments in small increments to balance the plushness with effiency (bobbing) and bottoming resistence (progressiveness).

If you're looking for exact settings to make it "feel" like you are imagining it...you won't get that without experimenting. The SC settings are a good place to start, yes, but are not set with "plushness" in mind. Read the manual until you understand what each adjustment does, then you will be on your way to the settings that are perfect for you. Write them down as you go. And remember, plushness and efficiency are a balance you have to find b/c you determine it yourself.