[mkiv808]

I have a Nixon Super fork and a Swinger Air SPV 4-Way rear shock.

The shocks seem to have been delivered underinflated (which I'm assuming is the norm in delivery), and the bike shop that put together the bike and tuned it for me did not do any shock adjustments. They did not even have a shock pump on hand (last time I go there - great with road bikes, not mountain).

So I plan to buy a Manitou shock pump (or will any do?) and make adjustments. From the PDF from the instruction manual, it seems as if they suggest adjusting PSI to sag distances for the fork. Is this the best way to go? I am 175 pounds for reference. As far as the rebound and compression adjustments on the shock, I am a bit lost in what those should be set to. I am doing mostly XC right now.

The rear shock instructions say inflate the red SPV chamber to 75psi, then adjust the rest using the sag method. Rebound/compression to preferences.

Any suggestions? Would it be a better idea to take it to a good shop to have them fine tune it for me?

I am an air shock newb, so advice is appreciated!

 

[Relayden]

Manitou pumps are good, just got one last week and it works great. The settings advise on the manual are a good starting point. Ultimately riding your bike and playing with settings / knobs will help you understand the way each one affects the ride. I usually start with around 50 psi in the SPV chamber, with all the progression adjuster all the way out. On the swinger I run around 32% sag, an in the fork about 29mm. Start playing around and good luck! By the way what bike you have them on?

 

[bpotsy]

sorry to hijack, but this is a similar question...

i need to increase the amount of air in my new manitou r7 elite fork. it has a schrader valve, can i just use an ordinary air pump with a psi gage on it? or do i actually need the "manitou" pump?

 

[TNC]

Any shock pump will work.

sorry to hijack, but this is a similar question...

i need to increase the amount of air in my new manitou r7 elite fork. it has a schrader valve, can i just use an ordinary air pump with a psi gage on it? or do i actually need the "manitou" pump?

The only thing you have to make sure of is that the guage has a scale that can be useful for your shock or fork. Some pumps have a max of 100psi, some up to 200psi, and most up to 300psi.

 

[SharkRider]

Best to get a shock pump...

sorry to hijack, but this is a similar question...

i need to increase the amount of air in my new manitou r7 elite fork. it has a schrader valve, can i just use an ordinary air pump with a psi gage on it? or do i actually need the "manitou" pump?

While the forks/shocks have schraeder valves, I highly recommend getting a shock pump (any kind really). Not only will it handle the higher pressures, but also ensures that you don't get whipped by the regular pump hoses should it burst free from the valve under pressure!

I also found that generic shock pumps seem to be 10 PSI less than the Fox (possibly even Manitou) pumps. Not sure why the conservative nature of this, but something to be aware of.

 

[mattsavage]

I highly recomend getting a second pump, a Manitou SPV specific pump, for setting the SPV pressures. It's a low vloume, low pressure pump. It makes setting SPV soooo much easier. With a standard high volume/high pressure pump, you get about 60 psi with one pump, it's really hard to fine tune your SPV settings.

You're gonna be soooo stoked on that Nitrous SL. Scott's are the way to go these days. Run a litttle more sag than typical with that bike, probably 40%, and around 80-90 psi in the SPV chamber.

 

[Relayden]

Agree with Mr Savage, with the SPV specific pump is way more easier to fine tune, now I have two pumps a regular 300psi and the 175 spv to suit any shock, I think...:rockon:

 

[mkiv808]

Ok, I ordered an SPV pump.

Might be a stupid question, but can I use the SPV pump in non-SPV chambers?

PS: mattsavage - Love the Rushmore quote!

 

[mattsavage]

Ok, I ordered an SPV pump.

Might be a stupid question, but can I use the SPV pump in non-SPV chambers?

PS: mattsavage - Love the Rushmore quote!

You could for preload or a negative spring in a fork, but it'd be pretty useless for something high volume like a rear shock.

Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson are the greatest comedic writing pair this side of the Cohens, I can't believe they're so underrated! Those are two guys I'd share a couple of bottles of Mad Dog with in the park!

 

[mkiv808]

You could for preload or a negative spring in a fork, but it'd be pretty useless for something high volume like a rear shock.

Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson are the greatest comedic writing pair this side of the Cohens, I can't believe they're so underrated! Those are two guys I'd share a couple of bottles of Mad Dog with in the park!

For my weight (175#), it's plenty for the fork. The fork suggests 65-85% of body weight, so at the most I'd be running 150psi.

I can't find anywhere what the main air chamber in the 4-way calls for. All I could find was sag values, but I was hoping they'd have a ballpark for my weight to start with.

 

[mattsavage]

For my weight (175#), it's plenty for the fork. The fork suggests 65-85% of body weight, so at the most I'd be running 150psi.

I can't find anywhere what the main air chamber in the 4-way calls for. All I could find was sag values, but I was hoping they'd have a ballpark for my weight to start with.

The 4Way is about the same, 70-90%. Around 35% sag.

 

[mkiv808]

The 4Way is about the same, 70-90%. Around 35% sag.

So then I should be fine with the SPV pump (175psi)?

 

[SharkRider]

Just wanted to throw this in...

I weigh about 170lb (some days, 175!), and for my Swinger 4-way, I ride with 150 PSI in the main chamber, and 90 in the SPV (and setting 2 or 3 on my No Tools Adjust).

Answer also told me, if no pressure in either ends of the shock, to start off with 40 PSI in the SPV, then pump up the main to your desired sag, then bring up the SPV to the desired platform.

Hope this helps.

 

[mkiv808]

I set my fork at 150psi, my main chamber in the rear with 150, and SPV with 80.

Haven't adjusted for sag yet.

This seems to be a good all mountain setting, how much less should I run for downhill?

Also, it's normal for a little oil to spray out when removing the pump, right?