[SLAYER2003]

I was hoping that we could have a thread of people posting their 5th Element set-up. This is probably not necessary to the majority of you, but it may help me along with others. I have had mine for awhile now and have it where I think it is good, but I am not real technical on this stuff to really notice slight differences in feel if I do this or that to the shock.

Perhaps people can post their weight, spring rate, shock settings and type of terrain they ride the majority of the time.By comparing settings against one another I or somebody else may be able to adjust their shock to be better and this could become sort of a quick set-up guide or cheat sheet based on peoples similar weight and such.

Like I said, I think mine feels good, but I really do not have anything to compare it to, so how do I know without tweaking it forever how much better it can really get. Can it be better? I get pretty overwhelmed with the adjustments when it comes to the lo and hi-speed compression and such.


Me: 6'2" and 220# .I ride typical fireroad and or singletrack up. Down is a mixture of rocky bumpy technical singletrack with drops generally no bigger than probably 3 feet. For those familiar with Bellingham, I primarily ride Galbraith.

Bike: '03 Lg Bullit/5th Element w/stock 350# spring.
Shock sag = 1 inch
Air pressure = 140#
rebound = 2.5 ccw
Volume adjust = 3.5 ccw
Begin & End stoke comp = 2 ccw

CCW = turns counterclockwise from max clockwise position (per Santa Cruz quick start guide)


(Volume adjust, along with begin & end compression stroke are per Santa Cruz guide because I do not know any better.)

 

[EBasil]

I went to Progressive's website and downloaded both their detailed setup guide and a setup article they posted from someplace in Europe. I found it more useful than Santa Cruz's quickie guide (although SC's is still "right").

Check that out.

 

[Kornphlake]

I know an AS-x is going to be different but I run way more volume, like 3 turns ret., meaning 3 turns from fully counter clockwise, slightly more ending stroke compression and only 120 psi with a 350lb spring and I only weigh 155. It seems to me that a heavier spring might be in order considering a bullit is a falling rate.

The problem with having everybody post their setup is that bikes are different in terms of shock actuation and stroke. It'd be nice to say that any rider who weighs this much with this spring will use these settings but I just don't think it's that simple.

Somebody else posted a real good guide saying that the heavier you are the more spring preload/ heavier spring you need. Generally singlepivot bikes use less air volume to make the shock more progressive and prevent bottoming whereas linkage bikes are inherently progressive so less volume is acceptable. Ending stroke compression mimics the air volume setting and can be used to fine tune how the bike feels when it bottoms, beginning stroke compression and rebound can be set to your preferences. Getting to know the manual and playing with the settings in small increments is the best way to tune the shock. Although baseline settings are a good place to start.

If all else fails call progressive and ask them, that's what I had to do since my bike was too new when I bought it to have a quick setup guide. They looked up the leverage ratio and stroke and gave me an idea of where to start with the settings.

 

[BRacing]

Here's a good baseline for bullits (may work for other bikes too):

Spring weight is twice the rider weight. (If you weigh 200lbs, get a 400lbs spring)

Air pressure is 100 less than rider weight. (if you weigh 200lbs, adjust airpressure to 100psi)

Adjust from there, and enjoy!

-Brad

 

[DHracer1067]

well i have it on a bighit

i am about 115 pounds probly
the spring is too heavy i know but ill eventually get around to getting a new one. but in the mean time here are my settings currently for just like freeriding. drops jumps stairgaps.

spring 400lb
volume adjuster 3 turns out
air pressure 50-55psi
Beginning stroke 2.5 turns out
ending stroke 2 turns out
Rebound 2 turns out
and no preload