[bing!]

Ive got a recon 351. Ive got it set at 65 pounds to get proper sag, 10 less than recommended.

When i clean the stanchions after every ride, I notice that i am only using 80 mm of travel from the dirt lines. This is on xc rides with 1 to 2 foot jumps at around 28 mph (says the cellphone gps) on the descents.

The shock has 130 mm of travel. At the most, i use 100 mm. If i really pusuh down on it, i can make it do 110mm. If it let the pressure out of the shock and collapse it, i get the full 130.

Is this normal? Is this the bad side of an air spring with a progressive rate? Maybe, i dont need a bike with more than 120 travel after all? Im just thinking out loud. Thoughts welcome.

Old school ridgid rider just discovering shocks.

 

[Deerhill]

Are you using all the travel in the rear?

 

[bing!]

Ive bottomed out the rear cornering on berms while seated. Normally, about 75-80% on an xc ride.

 

[mtnbiker72]

Sounds like you may have a hydro-lock issue, either too much oil in the damper or too much splash oil in the lowers. Sometimes the damper can leak into the lowers causing this issue. I would remove the lowers and only 10-15ml of oil should drain out of the leg. If it's a lot more then that could very well be the issue.

 

[Deerhill]

Ive bottomed out the rear cornering on berms while seated. Normally, about 75-80% on an xc ride.

Does the front end feel balanced while you're climbing a steep hill?

If it becomes harder to balance you might want to lower it to 120mm

 

[bing!]

Sounds like you may have a hydro-lock issue, either too much oil in the damper or too much splash oil in the lowers. Sometimes the damper can leak into the lowers causing this issue. I would remove the lowers and only 10-15ml of oil should drain out of the leg. If it's a lot more then that could very well be the issue.

I dont think thats it. I replaced the seals on the fork only 10 hours worth of saddle time ago. I measured the oil in the lowers with a syringe. The oil in the damper was put in with the expressed intent not to hydrolock it. I also get all the travel when i take out air, which tells me the resistance is coming from the air spring. It will go the full 130 given a big enough hit. I am wondering if this is normal.

I have a cannondale with an 80 mm fatty fork. That will bottom pretty easy. It has less progressive and more linear.

 

[bing!]

Does the front end feel balanced while you're climbing a steep hill?

If it becomes harder to balance you might want to lower it to 120mm

Sounds like a good idea. I can lower the front, climb better, and theoretically get a bigger air can at bottom. I just mat try it.

 

[nov0798]

Im a 200+ lbs rider on Recon 351's and also dont come close to using all the travel. If you wanna use more travel, then let some air out of the air side. My fork feels fine, and I know that Ive got more if needed, but just dont use it. I wouldnt worry about it, and if it feels good then definately dont worry.

 

[bing!]

Im a 200+ lbs rider on Recon 351's and also dont come close to using all the travel. If you wanna use more travel, then let some air out of the air side. My fork feels fine, and I know that Ive got more if needed, but just dont use it. I wouldnt worry about it, and if it feels good then definately dont worry.

Yeah, if feels fine. Im 160.

 

[trailville]

Yeah, if feels fine. Im 160.

I'm165 and my 130mm Recon is currently set between 50 and 55 psi, and I've yet to bottom it out at that pressure. So go ahead an lower the pressure a little more.

 

[bing!]

I'm165 and my 130mm Recon is currently set between 50 and 55 psi, and I've yet to bottom it out at that pressure. So go ahead an lower the pressure a little more.

how is your sag?

thanks, will try that out.

 

[trailville]

how is your sag?

thanks, will try that out.

That puts me at about 30% sag. I honestly don't pay that much attention to sag though. I use it as a starting point when 1st set a new fork up, but then adjust based on how much travel I'm using and feel.

 

[bing!]

That puts me at about 30% sag. I honestly don't pay that much attention to sag though. I use it as a starting point when 1st set a new fork up, but then adjust based on how much travel I'm using and feel.

Thanks for the advice. I rode the fork today at 60 pounds and it felt really good. Small bump/high frequency compliance was much better. Bigger hits felt plushier. Am a little concerned thst the fork had about 10 mm sag without me on it. But i can live with that. I was not able to measure max travel. Next time.