VPS: does changing travel settings change shock settings?

[Straw]

Hello;

So I have a question that I'm sure I know the answer to, but I just want to make sure.

I am playing around with my bike, and changed the travel on my 05 shore from 8.2 to 7.4. Since it's a blizzard outside, I can't take a ride to test it out.

Will this change also change my shock (DHX 5) settings? I'm wondering if maybe less or more force is put on the shock, and maybe my rebound or compression should be changed accordingly. It felt different while I rode it in the house (all 1.5 pedal turns!), but I'm pretty sure that just has to do with the travel change.

I woudln't think the travel change would affect the shock's performance, but maybe it does.

Thanks for the input!

[SubPlop]

I'm going to say yes it does. When I switch my Six from 6.1 to 5.3 inches of travel it feels alot more like a forgiving hardtail than a sponge.

Austin

[Chunk]

I'm going to say yes it does. When I switch my Six from 6.1 to 5.3 inches of travel it feels alot more like a forgiving hardtail than a sponge.

Austin
granted, i dont own a VPS nor have i ever riden one, but generaly, on most full suspension bikes with travel options, changing the travel setting will change the progression curve (i think thats what ya call it).

i.e. more progressive in a short travel setting, more linear in a long travel setting.

Thats kind of a big generalization though

[pete]

Yes it does.

The shock's stroke (how much it will compress) remains the same at probabaly 2.8 inches. The bike on the other hand gets less travel. This changes the leverage ratio.

If your shock is 2.8... the the leverage ratio goes from 8.2/2.8 = 2.92 to 7.8/2.8 = 2.78. This means you must put on more force to compress the shock because your lever arm shrunk.

Think of it as an allen key. You use the short end to pull, you have a small leverage ratio (maybe 3:1) and can't get much torque on the bolt. You use the long end, you have a large leverage ratio (maybe 20:1) and can really cinch that bolt up!

In general, the lower the leverage ratio, the easier on the shock it is too.

[Straw]

Interesting...

Thanks for the input! I'll definitely look at the settings more closely now, and figure things out all over, as far as rebound, compression, etc go.

[Timmigrant]

You notice this on air shocks. On my Fluid last year when I changed from one travel setting to another I had to adjust the air pressure so that I still got all the travel out of the shock. When you do that you have to change all the other adjustmens accordingly!

[Rat]

I switch my bighit form 6.8 to 8.1 all the time. I have to switch springs on the shock or it feels like crap.

[buzzes]

I switch my bighit form 6.8 to 8.1 all the time. I have to switch springs on the shock or it feels like crap.


Yup, my old VPS was the same and my Bighit now is too.

The travel settings definitely change the leverage ratio etc.

A new spring weight is usually require to componsate for the change.

I have also found that even just a geometry change (taller front fork
or 24" rear wheel etc.) can really change how the shock is effected by
the trail and your rider weight.

Blizzards are well spent tuning. I was doing the same thing.

[Straw]

So Rat, would you reccommend a softer spring, by 100lbs or so?

I don't know if my rebound and compression adjustments are going to make it as soft (but not too soft!) and active as in the longer 8.2 inch mode.

[Tom]

I switch my bighit form 6.8 to 8.1 all the time. I have to switch springs on the shock or it feels like crap.

I found the same when switching my Giant AC from 5.3 to 6.6. I run a way lighter spring for the shorter travel mode.

[hard_core_biker]

AHEM

on my 4by..it is NOT plush in 4.3" mode..but is 3.7" setting it just feels like a bloody HT with a soft rear tire..:( and thats with the shock as soft as it goes without being slack....(ps: 600lb spring; 115lb rider)...........dotdotdot

[switch]

If the DHX has an air resevoir that behaves similar to the 5th Element, you might be able to use the same spring and just run lower air pressure in the resevoir.

[pete]

AHEM

on my 4by..it is NOT plush in 4.3" mode..but is 3.7" setting it just feels like a bloody HT with a soft rear tire..:( and thats with the shock as soft as it goes without being slack....(ps: 600lb spring; 115lb rider)...........dotdotdot

what was the purpose of your post? I really couldn't understand any of that.

[Straw]

If the DHX has an air resevoir that behaves similar to the 5th Element, you might be able to use the same spring and just run lower air pressure in the resevoir.

HOpe so...I'll try it out when I get home from work today.

[hard_core_biker]

what was the purpose of your post? I really couldn't understand any of that.
mhmm..looking back at it now, neither can I...:crybaby:

[Straw]

Yuck!

I messed up my shock. It felt terrible at speed, as I think my rebound was way off.

Generally though, I like the shorter travel setting.

I looked at my spring, and it's only a 450. I doubt going for a 400lb spring would do anything. Plus, I weigh in on the light side of 180, so I'm not grom-sized, so I figure I should keep this spring. Anything lighter may be too light.

I played with the air resevoir, but it doesn't seem to do much. It was initially at 150lbs, and I took it down to 75 or so, but didn't notice much difference. What's it supposed to do exactly? Is it like preload?