How to adjust airshocks?
Discussion
Hi All,
I bought a Carerra Banshee 08' about 6 weeks ago from Halfrauds. I know its pretty shocking bike but for £440 it'll do as a first bike for me.
My question is, how the hell do you set the shocks up? Especially the back one - when i sit on it i compress it about 75% which i know is wrong. Am i right in thinking the sag should be about a 1/4 of the total travel?
The shock appears to have a standard valve (like a car tyre) - does this mean i can use a standard pump to pump it up?
THanks,
Matt.
I bought a Carerra Banshee 08' about 6 weeks ago from Halfrauds. I know its pretty shocking bike but for £440 it'll do as a first bike for me.
My question is, how the hell do you set the shocks up? Especially the back one - when i sit on it i compress it about 75% which i know is wrong. Am i right in thinking the sag should be about a 1/4 of the total travel?
The shock appears to have a standard valve (like a car tyre) - does this mean i can use a standard pump to pump it up?
THanks,
Matt.
Firstly - It's a rear shock. They are front forks.
Without knowing what forks and shock is on there, it is impossible to say how to adjust them - got a link to a spec sheet? Air pressures in forks/shocks are highly dependant on who manufactures them.
Also, i wouldn't reccomend using a standard pump - they work at too low a pressure with too high a volume of air (i.e tyres) either borrow or buy a shock pump
Without knowing what forks and shock is on there, it is impossible to say how to adjust them - got a link to a spec sheet? Air pressures in forks/shocks are highly dependant on who manufactures them.
Also, i wouldn't reccomend using a standard pump - they work at too low a pressure with too high a volume of air (i.e tyres) either borrow or buy a shock pump
Edited by Parsnip on Monday 17th August 07:29
You can't use a standard bike pump, no.
Although the nozzle looks similar, the pressure in your tyres will be around 30-40 PSI, whilst the pressure in the shocks, depending on your weight, could be anything up to 180-200 PSI. What you need is a shock pump. These don't have to be too expensive - £20-30 or so. They take much more pressure, and are generally fitted with a pressure gauge.
To use it, fit the nozzle and watch the pressure dial. When the pressure registers, turn it back a quarter turn. You do not screw shock pumps on as far as they can go.
To actually set the shock up, you need to measure the sag. Take a look at the shock, and it should have a little rubber ring on it which slides up and down on the piston. Push the ring right up to the shock body (or if it doesn't have one, put a small cable tie on there, but remember to take if off after) and then sit on the bike as gently as you possibly can, and get back off again, taking care not to give the bike an extra shove down as you get on or off. This is a lot easier to do with someone else to hold it steady for you.
Once you've done this, you can work out the percentage sag. Then just add or remove air until you get to what feels right - probably around 25% travel, as you say.
The front forks can be rather more complex, as they tend to have more function to them, so I'll let someone more knowledgeable tell you about those!
Mine have to be done in increments on each of the chambers, and I generally let the LBS do that, as it seems to be something of a black art.
Although the nozzle looks similar, the pressure in your tyres will be around 30-40 PSI, whilst the pressure in the shocks, depending on your weight, could be anything up to 180-200 PSI. What you need is a shock pump. These don't have to be too expensive - £20-30 or so. They take much more pressure, and are generally fitted with a pressure gauge.
To use it, fit the nozzle and watch the pressure dial. When the pressure registers, turn it back a quarter turn. You do not screw shock pumps on as far as they can go.
To actually set the shock up, you need to measure the sag. Take a look at the shock, and it should have a little rubber ring on it which slides up and down on the piston. Push the ring right up to the shock body (or if it doesn't have one, put a small cable tie on there, but remember to take if off after) and then sit on the bike as gently as you possibly can, and get back off again, taking care not to give the bike an extra shove down as you get on or off. This is a lot easier to do with someone else to hold it steady for you.
Once you've done this, you can work out the percentage sag. Then just add or remove air until you get to what feels right - probably around 25% travel, as you say.
The front forks can be rather more complex, as they tend to have more function to them, so I'll let someone more knowledgeable tell you about those!
Mine have to be done in increments on each of the chambers, and I generally let the LBS do that, as it seems to be something of a black art.Kermit power said:
You can't use a standard bike pump, no.
Although the nozzle looks similar, the pressure in your tyres will be around 30-40 PSI, whilst the pressure in the shocks, depending on your weight, could be anything up to 180-200 PSI. What you need is a shock pump. These don't have to be too expensive - £20-30 or so. They take much more pressure, and are generally fitted with a pressure gauge.
To use it, fit the nozzle and watch the pressure dial. When the pressure registers, turn it back a quarter turn. You do not screw shock pumps on as far as they can go.
To actually set the shock up, you need to measure the sag. Take a look at the shock, and it should have a little rubber ring on it which slides up and down on the piston. Push the ring right up to the shock body (or if it doesn't have one, put a small cable tie on there, but remember to take if off after) and then sit on the bike as gently as you possibly can, and get back off again, taking care not to give the bike an extra shove down as you get on or off. This is a lot easier to do with someone else to hold it steady for you.
Once you've done this, you can work out the percentage sag. Then just add or remove air until you get to what feels right - probably around 25% travel, as you say.
The front forks can be rather more complex, as they tend to have more function to them, so I'll let someone more knowledgeable tell you about those! Mine have to be done in increments on each of the chambers, and I generally let the LBS do that, as it seems to be something of a black art.
Thank you for the detailed reply! I will purchase a shock pump as you suggest.Although the nozzle looks similar, the pressure in your tyres will be around 30-40 PSI, whilst the pressure in the shocks, depending on your weight, could be anything up to 180-200 PSI. What you need is a shock pump. These don't have to be too expensive - £20-30 or so. They take much more pressure, and are generally fitted with a pressure gauge.
To use it, fit the nozzle and watch the pressure dial. When the pressure registers, turn it back a quarter turn. You do not screw shock pumps on as far as they can go.
To actually set the shock up, you need to measure the sag. Take a look at the shock, and it should have a little rubber ring on it which slides up and down on the piston. Push the ring right up to the shock body (or if it doesn't have one, put a small cable tie on there, but remember to take if off after) and then sit on the bike as gently as you possibly can, and get back off again, taking care not to give the bike an extra shove down as you get on or off. This is a lot easier to do with someone else to hold it steady for you.
Once you've done this, you can work out the percentage sag. Then just add or remove air until you get to what feels right - probably around 25% travel, as you say.
The front forks can be rather more complex, as they tend to have more function to them, so I'll let someone more knowledgeable tell you about those!
Mine have to be done in increments on each of the chambers, and I generally let the LBS do that, as it seems to be something of a black art.Cheers.
Matt.
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