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Suspension setup and spring rate survey

Steve M

Turbo Monkey
Mar 3, 2007
1,991
45
Whistler
Socket - I just checked the RS manual.

Yellow spring is aimed at 140-160lbs
Red (stock) is 160-180lbs

Bit confused now, as i'm running the red. Rear spring is fine, correct amount of sag, so maybe RS spring weights are way out on the forks?

Any suggestions?
Ah crap... just checked the RS manuals, they've gone and changed the freaking colours for each rating for 2010 :rant:

So assuming (which is the mother of all f**kups haha) that the actual rates are equivalent to the old ones, the Red '10 spring should be ~40lbs/in, the Yellow 35lbs/in. If that's the case (and I suspect it probably is, especially since it's also the same increments Fox use in their forks), with the yellow spring your results would be as I listed above for the "silver" spring since I calculated that with 35lbs/in spring anyway. I think that is most likely the correct spring for you.
 

TrumbullHucker

trumbullruxer
Aug 29, 2005
2,284
719
shimzbury, ct
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 150 LBS
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5' 11"
Bike (brand/model/year): Morewood Izimu 2006, Large
Rear travel (in): 8.5"
Shock stroke (in): 2.75"
Shock model: Manitou Swinger 6Way (teh ghey)
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 500
Fork model: 2006 Boxxer Ride
Fork spring: Standard
Class you race: the race for your life!!!!!!
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Rider weight.....262 with gear
Height .....6'0''
Bike....08 blindside
Rear travel..... 8.3
Shock stroke.... 2.75
SHock Model.... Fifth element
Shock spring rate....550
Fork Model... 07 66eta, 180mm travel,
Fork spring, one heavy, one medium.......nine pumps of air in the air assist
Class...Sport

that gives me right at 40 percent sag for me, Im more of a bomb down the hill than I am a get up and throw style rider, so I set it up more for sticking to the ground over making it popy.
 

Udi

RM Chief Ornithologist
Mar 14, 2005
4,915
1,200
My BOS is OK but it's not great. It feels only slightly more damped on my frame than a DHX (which felt like it had pretty much nothing on my frame). I think it's because my frame is halfway between 2 BOS tunes, and I reckon I got the less damped of the two.
Curious, what tune do you have and where are your settings roughly? I had an ST04 in a ~2.6:1 frame and thought it was damped a bit too heavily, enough that I couldn't really use the compression adjusters (they sat almost all the way out).

Personally I think that they should either have more tunes, and cater them for rider weights as well as leverage ratios (currently they only do the latter), OR put more tuning range in the user's hands.

Could be really nice shocks if that happened.
 

spocomptonrider

sportin' the CROCS
Nov 30, 2007
1,412
118
spokanistan
Rider weight...160lbs
Height .....5'9"
Bike....09 SC V10
Rear travel..... 10
Shock stroke.... 2.75
Shock Model.... 09 DHX 5.0 Propedal (worthless) all the way off
Shock spring rate...450 Ti
Fork Model... 09 Fox 40RC2
Fork spring... Blue Ti (just switched from a purple Ti last season, may switch back)
Class...Poseur

Hey buckoW I saw you were running a DHX air on one of your uber sweet rides, was it stock? How did it work out for you? Any problems with it heating up and not working on long descents etc?
 
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Viv92

Monkey
Jan 31, 2009
204
0
Australia
Curious, what tune do you have and where are your settings roughly? I had an ST04 in a ~2.6:1 frame and thought it was damped a bit too heavily, enough that I couldn't really use the compression adjusters (they sat almost all the way out).

Personally I think that they should either have more tunes, and cater them for rider weights as well as leverage ratios (currently they only do the latter), OR put more tuning range in the user's hands.

Could be really nice shocks if that happened.
I've got the ST01 I think, which is one under the ST04 compression wise (as you would guess... 1 is just before 4:think:). My frame is ~2.73:1 and it's definitely too light. I can feel the LSC if I crank it fully, but only just. HSC is the same deal. The problem is the Izimu is in between the 01 and 04 tune I think, so there is really no 'good tune' (did I already say that? amnesia...). It seems to have a bit more mid speed compression, but it's not amazing.

Also I dunno about the maintenance levels of the needle bearings. After less than 10 rides one of the through axle pins in my shock seized and pitted really badly, so now I'm up for a new bearing and one of those as well. Also mine makes a really loud knock on rebound now, should probably get that checked.

To be honest for the money the shock is pretty 'meh', do you still have that double barrel for sale? :rofl:

EDIT: got sweet stickers though, high quality and a choice of 3 colours, and you get loads of them. Nice work BOS!
 

buckoW

Turbo Monkey
Mar 1, 2007
3,787
4,733
Champery, Switzerland
[/QUOTE]Hey buckoW I saw you were running a DHX air on one of your uber sweet rides, was it stock? How did it work out for you? Any problems with it heating up and not working on long descents etc?[/QUOTE]

That one had a pretty firm tune by Suspension Center and was far from stock. I never had any problems with too long runs and heating. It is a 3 in. stroke shock for 210mm of travel so maybe the lowish ratio helped. It was really firm and set up for going fast. I liked it a lot. The 10.5" RC4 I am riding now is better though.
 

Commencal-guy

Monkey
Nov 25, 2007
341
0
Massachusetts, US of A
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 170 lbs
Rider height (ft/in or cm):5'11"
Bike (brand/model/year): Intense M6, 2009
Rear travel (in): 9.3
Shock stroke (in): 3.5
Shock model: Vivid, Push-tuned
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 300
Fork model and year: RS Boxxer Team 2010
Fork spring: Yellow
Class you race: Sport

How do you like the Push'd Vivid? is it the Factory rebuild or the Actual tune you got?
 

Tayrob

Monkey
Jan 3, 2008
105
0
Rider weight (lbs or kg):240 lbs.
Rider height (ft/in or m):5' 10''
Bike (brand/model/year):Commencal Supreme DH 2009.
Rear travel (in):8''.
Shock stroke (in):3''.
Shock model:Elka Stage 5.
Shock spring rate (lbs/in):550 lbs.
Fork model:2010 Fox 40.
Fork spring:Purple.
Class you race:Cat 2.
 

CoyoteRun

Chimp
May 29, 2008
56
0
SF, CA
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 150lbs
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5'10"
Bike (brand/model/year): 2005 Intense M3
Rear travel (in): 9.5
Shock stroke (in): 3"
Shock model: Fox DHX 5.0
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 350Ti
Fork model: 2009 Fox 40RC2
Fork spring: Purple
 

Wobbler

Monkey
Jan 22, 2006
128
0
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 110kg
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5ft 11
Bike (brand/model/year): Cove Shocker 2007
Rear travel (in):8.875
Shock stroke (in):3
Shock model:dhx 5.0
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 500
Fork model:2008 boxxer team
Fork spring:yellow (stock)

I guess my rate must be getting close to stiffer in the rear than the front, I've got a red boxxer spring I've been meaning to try for a while.
 

fl1ppo

Chimp
Mar 15, 2009
37
0
Frankfurt, Ger
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 155lbs 70kg
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5'11" 1,80m
Bike (brand/model/year): Commencal Supreme DH 2009, now 2010
Rear travel (in): 8
Shock stroke (in): 3
Shock model: Fox DHX 5.0 close to full pressure in piggy and propedal fully tuned in...
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 250
Fork model: Boxxer Team 2008
Fork spring: silver (soft)
Class you race: elite, but not one of the fastest guys...

I'm going to order a Vivid Damper tonight, as I'm not really satisfied with my DHX. It's blowing through the travel and feels like it just has a too soft compression damping. Bottoming out was never an issue.
Don't know if I should even switch to a firmer 300lbs spring, or if the firmer compression of the vivid will be enough...

Any suggestions?
 

Commencal-guy

Monkey
Nov 25, 2007
341
0
Massachusetts, US of A
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 155lbs 70kg
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5'11" 1,80m
Bike (brand/model/year): Commencal Supreme DH 2009, now 2010
Rear travel (in): 8
Shock stroke (in): 3
Shock model: Fox DHX 5.0 close to full pressure in piggy and propedal fully tuned in...
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 250
Fork model: Boxxer Team 2008
Fork spring: silver (soft)
Class you race: elite, but not one of the fastest guys...

I'm going to order a Vivid Damper tonight, as I'm not really satisfied with my DHX. It's blowing through the travel and feels like it just has a too soft compression damping. Bottoming out was never an issue.
Don't know if I should even switch to a firmer 300lbs spring, or if the firmer compression of the vivid will be enough...

Any suggestions?
250lbs seems alittle under-sprung for your weight. I'd try a 300lbs spring. First
 

fl1ppo

Chimp
Mar 15, 2009
37
0
Frankfurt, Ger
I already had an borrowed 300lbs spring at the beginning, and it felt flabby too. But I got a 250 for cheap and I have 33% sag with it. So I sticked with it. And generally it feels good, just when I try to push the bike around or when I get into an compression, I sink into the travel.
Never had this feeling with Vivids I've been test-riding on other bikes. But I don't have any comparison concerning the same spring rate to travel and leverage ratio.

I think I'm going to get it with an 300lbs spring. If it is too firm, I'll have to get a softer one again. :)
 

shorerider

Chimp
Apr 9, 2010
18
0
North Vancouver
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 155ish
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5'9"
Bike (brand/model/year): 06 Devinci Ollie
Rear travel (in): 7
Shock stroke (in): 3
Shock model: Fox DHX 5.0
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 250
Fork model: 06 888 RC2
Fork spring: medium
Class you race: --

I'm not getting enough sag in the front. I need to get soft springs. People have advice on setting up the 888 for my weight?

Im curious as to know what my stiffness ratio is?
 
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Aug 4, 2008
328
4
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 210lbs/95kg
Rider height (ft/in or cm): 6'2", 188cm
Bike (brand/model/year): Stab Deluxe, 2009
Rear travel (in): 8.0
Shock stroke (in): 3.0
Shock model: Fox VAN R
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 450
Fork model and year: RS Boxxer Team 2007
Fork spring: Red
Class you race: Elite
 

captainspauldin

intrigued by a pole
May 14, 2007
1,263
177
Jersey Shore
I'll play:

Rider weight (lbs or kg): 230lbs / 104kg
Rider height (ft/in or cm): 6'3.75" / 192cm
Bike (brand/model/year): Cove Shocker 2007
Rear travel (in): 8.875
Shock stroke (in): 3.0
Shock model: Marzocchi Roco WC
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 450 (ran 500 last year, wanted to expirement with 450 this year)
Fork model and year: RS Boxxer WC 2008
Fork spring: 70psi I think?
Class you race: Amateur
 

Kntr

Turbo Monkey
Jan 25, 2003
7,526
21
Montana
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 175 lb
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5'9"
Bike (brand/model/year): 2010 951
Rear travel (in): 8"-middle setting on G3 dropouts
Shock stroke (in): 3"
Shock model: Roco WC-Pushed
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 425-Obtainium
Fork model: 2010 Boxxer Team
Fork spring: Soft with 1/2" cut off bottom out
Class you race: Depends on the race

Bike (brand/model/year): 2009 Slope Style
Rear travel (in): 6.6"
Shock stroke (in): 2.5"
Shock model: DHX 5.0
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 450 or 475
Fork model: 07 66 ETA
Fork spring: stock with no air assist
 
Aug 11, 2009
71
0
halifax
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 180
Rider height (ft/in or m): 6'2"
Bike (brand/model/year): Canfield Lucky 2007
Rear travel (in): 203mm
Shock stroke (in): 8.75x2.75
Shock model: Elka stage 5
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 400lbs
Fork model: Boxxer WC
Fork spring: 115PSI
Class you race: Sport/Expert
This is kinda crazy. Pretty much exactly the same bike/rider weight.

I have maybe 10 pounds on you (190ish).

the frame came with a 450lb spring which felt super plush but I was also dragging my pedals on the ground.

Running a 550lb was much better, but had to run a lot of preload to get the sag right. Now I just put on a 600lb spring, with no pre load and the sag/squish test in the basement is good, for dedicated shuttle/lift DH I'll probably throw the 550 back on though...

What I'd like to know is how the hell you get on with a 400lb spring?!

Oh I guess my info
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 190
Rider height (ft/in or m): 6'3"
Bike (brand/model/year): Canfield Lucky 2007
Rear travel (in): 203mm
Shock stroke (in): 8.75x2.75
Shock model: DHX5 coil
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 550/600lbs
Fork model: 07 888 RC2X
Fork spring: one heavy one stock
Class you race:
 

Spahman

Monkey
Dec 13, 2006
502
0
Arlington
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 147 lbs
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5'11
Bike (brand/model/year): Turner DHR 2005 modded
Rear travel (in): 8.4"
Shock stroke (in): 3
Shock model: DHX 5.0 with remote piggy 85 PSI
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 300
Fork model: 2009 Fox 40 RC2
Fork spring: purple 120 - 150 lbs
Class you race: Sport if i raced :\

A lot of my buddies think the bike is too soft.. but they don't weigh nothing like i do.
Bike really springs out of corners and points and plows really well. It'll even get nibble when i want her too
 
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scottishmark

Turbo Monkey
May 20, 2002
2,121
22
Somewhere dark, cold & wet....
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 133lbs
Rider height (ft/in or m): 5,9"
Bike (brand/model/year): Commencal Supreme DH 2010
Rear travel (in): 8
Shock stroke (in): 3
Shock model: Marzocchi Roco WC
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 250
Fork model: Boxxer WC (coil upgrade ;)
Fork spring: silver
Class you race: Senior (UK)
 

timo12

Chimp
Mar 29, 2008
30
0
Rider weight (lbs or kg): 62 kg
Rider height (ft/in or m): 171
Bike (brand/model/year): Transition TR 450
Rear travel (in): 8,25
Shock stroke (in): 3
Shock model: Cane Creek
Shock spring rate (lbs/in): 400
Fork model: Bos Idylle
Fork spring: hard (yellow)
Class you race: Elite