Joined
·
119 Posts
Ideal Suspension set up for DH? I dont know how else to word this question so help me out here....What effects cornering the most when tuning a fork and rear shock?
Ideal Suspesion set up for DH?
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
That's a tough one to answer because there are so many different variables.
Basically, first you're gonna want to get your sag set on the fork and shock. Check manufacturers' recommendations and they'll give you guidelines. Adjust preload for conditions. Firmer for hardpack, softer for loose terrain for a bit more grip.
Then comes the damping adjustments. Rebound and compression should be balanced at a controlled speed, faster=livelier but blows through travel/bucks, slower=stable but gets bogged down/transmits too much feedback. I like a slow-medium speed for compression and rebound. It keeps the bike tracking, but won't feel as good in a parking lot as something with really fast settings.
Next is the stable platform. It's a balance between staying high in the travel, pedalling, and lack of small bump. For DH and better cornering go with the minimum or close to the minimum of stable platform/propedal because you'll have a bit more grip.
Now comes bottom out. Once your sag is properly set, ride the thing and see if you're repeatedly bottoming. If so, increase bottom out resistance. If not, and you feel like your shock is ramping up too much mid-hit or corner, decrease bottom out so your bike will ride a bit lower and use the travel.
Basically, first you're gonna want to get your sag set on the fork and shock. Check manufacturers' recommendations and they'll give you guidelines. Adjust preload for conditions. Firmer for hardpack, softer for loose terrain for a bit more grip.
Then comes the damping adjustments. Rebound and compression should be balanced at a controlled speed, faster=livelier but blows through travel/bucks, slower=stable but gets bogged down/transmits too much feedback. I like a slow-medium speed for compression and rebound. It keeps the bike tracking, but won't feel as good in a parking lot as something with really fast settings.
Next is the stable platform. It's a balance between staying high in the travel, pedalling, and lack of small bump. For DH and better cornering go with the minimum or close to the minimum of stable platform/propedal because you'll have a bit more grip.
Now comes bottom out. Once your sag is properly set, ride the thing and see if you're repeatedly bottoming. If so, increase bottom out resistance. If not, and you feel like your shock is ramping up too much mid-hit or corner, decrease bottom out so your bike will ride a bit lower and use the travel.
Joined
·
43,010 Posts
speed up the rebound for smaller bumps at speed
Joined
·
11,813 Posts
i've got a Swinger 6 way... is the bottom out resistance the Hi Speed compression knob? or is it the Hex Red knob where the Schrader valve is at??? Doesnt make sense for that to be it though... Also, if i run that one all the way open, will it give me a plusher feel at the same amount of pressure?
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
No, the bottom out is the red hex. All the way open will let your shock ride a bit more into the travel on hard hits, but you may risk bottoming if you're running a plush spring. For a "plusher" feel, run a light spring w/ a lot of bottom out so you can get away with a the softest spring possible.mrpercussive said:
For cornering, you want the minimum LSC possible for the max. grip. This is what makes the Sunday a great cornering bike (well, besides the low BB); it runs 1/3 the normal LSC so it's really supple and provides a lot of traction. You can mimic that by running LSC all the way open. Yes, your pedalling will get worse, but for strictly cornering run open LSC.
Joined
·
11,813 Posts
sorry khemical, didnt mean to hijack... i thought it would be related to the topic...
thanx ojai...
as for cornering in rough areas, wouldnt less slowspeed compression be better??? In the places you need to pedal out off couldnt you just preload the suspension into the corners??? But not too sure with the pedaling out though... seems a bit like a trade off...
thanx ojai...
as for cornering in rough areas, wouldnt less slowspeed compression be better??? In the places you need to pedal out off couldnt you just preload the suspension into the corners??? But not too sure with the pedaling out though... seems a bit like a trade off...
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
You pretty much nailed it, like I said above in rough areas ride low LSC, when it's smooth you can crank it up a bit for better pedalling. Everything's always a trade off, but you can generally match the settings well to a course or trail with a bit of understanding.mrpercussive said:
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
I love how you don't really answer the question, then post this.Khemical said:
What's this moron? Read the whole thread next time.Ojai Bicyclist said:
He asked about cornering, not small bumps.
"....What effects cornering the most when tuning a fork and rear shock?"
I would say add slow speed compression so you can pedal like mad out of the corners.
Joined
·
1,842 Posts
Out of curiousity, where do you race? For "real" DH I think being able to carry speed in the corners is more important. Granted, for smoother, more local-type trails a bit more LSC is good but when it's sketchy, fast, loose, rocky, and gnar I don't want my L S C.
No worries mate, just trying to restore some order but as usual, [other posters] this thread has turned into a [email protected] fest.....mrpercussive said:
Northstar (tahoe) where it's rocky, rocky, rocky, float over the rocks, turn, and blast out of the corner. You float over the rocks at high speed (low on the HSC) brake hard before the corner, turn and pedal like mad through the corner (LSC). Really, it depends on the rider's preference, skill, bike setup and the terrain but the OP asked our opinions and that is mine. Yours might be different, no worries. There is no "right" answer just what works for you and for me, this is what works for me.Ojai Bicyclist said:
Joined
·
2,781 Posts
To the original poster: it depends what kinds of corners and your cornering style. Do you like to "cut" your turns or do you like to apex? Are you looking for your suspension to help you pop out of the turns or be the most stable and predictable? Bermed or flat corners? Long or short corners? What is your weight bias front to rear?
Also what kind of frame, fork and shock are you running?
Also what kind of frame, fork and shock are you running?
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
Join the discussion
