Why am I getting so many more snake bites when riding my Hemlock than I did from riding other bikes? Same rear wheel, same tubes, same tyre (make). Previously used a Five and then a 5 spot for riding techy/rocky/roots/fast trails with no problems. These were both 140mm ish rear travel whilst the Hemlock is currently 150mm at the front and 120mm at the back - could this be causing it? Other thoughts are that my old bikes were bigger frame sizes and so I had less weight over the rear? Could it be something to do with the suspension itself, stuck pivot etc? Guess I could just MTFU and buy chunkier rear tube and tyre...
You're not running too little pressure and bottoming the shock are you? Can be quite sensitive to shock set up.
I haven't a clue 😆 Less travel will make a slight difference I suppose but not much- I run mine 120mm most of the time and I can't remember the last time I properly banged the rear. Last August I think. Is it possible you're riding faster and more like a bad-ass? Or changed pump or something? Just changing ride position could account for it...
I'd definitely check the pivots, there's quite a lot of leverage so they can be pretty seized before you notice. Don't ask me how I knows. But that shouldn't really cause pinches, it's just a good idea.
You're probably shredding 13% more gnar due to the inherent radness of the Hemlock, so that could be it.
Definitely worth keeping an eye on the pivots, for the reasons Northwind states. And don't replace them with cheap ones, you'll just have to do it again a couple of weeks later.
And don't overtighten the pivot axle. That's definitely a bad idea.
Could be shock set up although I have managed to snake bite with travel to spare. Will check the pivots as I put the frame together from separate components and may have bodged something. I definitely hang a lot over the rear which may upset it. I guess I may have suddenly become gnarsome but I haven't noticed a change. Loving the bike but it is starting to take the shine off.
Probably not shock pressure then. Have you tried a new tube? Could be the old (repaired?) one has a slow puncture, so the pressure drops leading to a pinch.