Should I be bouncing so much (rear susp)?!

[spokewench]

Yes, you should have a shock pump - get one that works for your shock.

It is usually a poundage measurement. A good way to see if you are using all your travel, using it too much on an easy ride, etc. is to:

Most rear shocks have a little rubber ring on the shaft of the rear shock. Push it up to the top. as you use the travel on the shock, the rubber ring will move down on the shock showing you how much travel you got on a ride. If you used all your travel on a ride where there weren't many bumps, then your shock may not have enough air in it and you may need to increase the pressure. If you did not get much movement out of the shock you should let some air out. This is sometimes tricky so just play with it a little.

Shock adjustment is different for everyone. Some people just like a stiffer shock, some people don't. Some people are very aggressive and need a stiffer more pressure shocks, some people are not as aggressive and enjoy more movement. It is a personal thing. The weight to pressure is a good place to start but then you have to monitor that and also find what you really like with your forks shock and rear shock.

[bcipam]

Not certain what shock comes on your bike but mine has the Fox Float with Pro Pedal. Frankly I don't like the feel of the "Full Squishy" setting. I generally leave the shock on "pro pedal" which means the bike rides as a hardtail (so great during climbing) but will release if I hit a bump etc.

Also shocks can be adjusted for "feel". Alot of my friends don't like the Full Squish feeling so they put in more air than recommended. If you have a shock pump, it allows you to air and release air - to play around until you find a setting you are comfortable with.

There is a whole other argument that if you are boucing your pedal stroke is not smooth. Occasionally I release the Pro Pedal and just practice riding (with full squish) and try not to bounce. I admit my stroke is choppy so it's been hard. Takes practice and practice. Keep at it - you'll find a happy medium.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow - thanks for all the great advice!

Now to find out exactly what pump I need to pump up my shock. It's a Fox Float R Race shock, model year probably 2000. It's a proprietary shock that Titus used to use. And there ends my very limited knowledge!

I have been riding on the road for years and am a spinner rather than a masher, plus use clipless pedals, so I think my pedal stroke (at least on rolling fire roads) is fairly smooth. Since I haven't pumped the shock since I brought Artemis back from the shop (a month or so), I suspect it's lost air.

Time to go do some research!

Thanks again - you gals are the greatest.

Emily

P.S. I don't think the shock has lockout.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I have the Fox RP3 with ProPedal too. I really like it. I set it on firm for climbing smoother fireroad, middle for more technical uphills, and plush for bombing down. I recommend it.

[madisongrrl]

You might want to consider a lock out for your mountain bike. You can get one that will lock out your front and rear. It is just a little lever that sits on your handlebar. The advantage of having this is that you don't have to set your suspension (air pressure, compression, rebound) so stiffly. When you are doing climbs or flat double track, switch your suspension off. It will increase you efficiency.

[emily_in_nc]

You might want to consider a lock out for your mountain bike. You can get one that will lock out your front and rear. It is just a little lever that sits on your handlebar. The advantage of having this is that you don't have to set your suspension (air pressure, compression, rebound) so stiffly. When you are doing climbs or flat double track, switch your suspension off. It will increase you efficiency.

I thought you had to have lockout shocks to get this functionality? This is a separate device? I'm confused. It sounds great, but I am not ready to upgrade both front/rear shocks yet if that's required to get lockout -- I've put a lot of $$ into this bike in the past couple of months and need to wait awhile before I upgrade anything else. But a rear shock pump is certainly within my budget!

Tell me more about this device, if you could, so that I can understand it. Or a link, perhaps?

Thanks!

Emily

[madisongrrl]

I thought you had to have lockout shocks to get this functionality? This is a separate device? I'm confused. It sounds great, but I am not ready to upgrade both front/rear shocks yet if that's required to get lockout -- I've put a lot of $$ into this bike in the past couple of months and need to wait awhile before I upgrade anything else. But a rear shock pump is certainly within my budget!

Tell me more about this device, if you could, so that I can understand it. Or a link, perhaps?

Thanks!

Emily

Yes it is a separate device. It is a switch that sits on your handle bars. It connects to your rear and front shock (not all models do) and you can lock out all your suspension with the flip of the switch. It is probably something you would want to talk to your LBS about to make sure it is compatible with your current set up.

An example....http://webmountainbike.stores.yahoo....floatrlre.html

If you don't have the money for it right now...then you don't have the money. But is is a consideration for the future. I find it comes in handy when I race, but it is also nice for riding technical single track that is mixed with hills.