[DachshundBiker]

I've been looking at and riding a bunch of full suspensions recently as I'm looking to buy one. Most rear shocks feel buttery and smooth except Trek. Trek bikes I've gone to the shop and seen have very rough feeling rear suspension. It feels like there is lots of resistance. I've gone to 3 shops with Trek bikes, even the most expensive ones feel this way. Has anyone else seen it? Could it be the pivot system is not greased?

 

[Sparticus]

You’ll take a lot more flak if you post this question over in the Trek forum.
=sParty

 

[Blatant]

Uh … at the risk of the obvious: Was the suspension set up for your weight? And are these parking lot rides?

I am not a Trek fan, but their bikes are not generally harsh when set up properly.

 

[Jayem]

A parking lot test won't tell you how it will react on the trail at the speeds you'll be experiencing impacts. Parking lot and bike shop "push down tests" are pretty meaningless.

 

[r-rocket]

What model of bikes are you looking at? If you are talking about a Supercaliber, then yea, they are on the stiff side because the carbon stays flex to replace the ball bearing pivots. Any other frame with air suspension and the ball bearing pivots are going to be smooth when new, even it they need lubricated fairly soon after riding it (Trek is known for having only just enough grease in the bearings, and needing re-greasing after a short time of riding, but nothing you would notice new).

How much do you weigh? Go to Trek's website and see what they suggest for your weight, and bring a shock pump and check before you ride, and check the rest of the settings. The air shock that feels hard is usually the one that is set to be the hardest.

Now if you are comparing air to coil spring bikes from other makers, yea, even if the shock is set on the soft side it won't feel like a coil.

 

[PhillipJ]

Some of their bikes have a proprietary compression damping setup that provides lots of low speed damping and very little high speed damping. If the shock was in the middle or "lockout" position that could feel quite firm on the shop floor.

 

[racebum]

unless you set the bike up yourself, tune the compression, rebound and air pressure to your preference you will never know. you're better off renting a potential bike for a day and doing at least a 10 mile trail ride with a shock pump and hex keys in your pack to experiment along the way