[Closed] Cost effective shock tuning?

It is actually worth buying a new shock from the 'main players' as they offer to set it up for you / your bike as part of the purchase price.

That price sounds like it's to get the shock Push'd which includes new internals.

Simon at Loco is worth a call. Slightly cheaper than Mojo but, ultimately, there is a premium for this type of work.

A cheap mod I do is to swap the metal DU bushes for self lubing polymer ones.

Have you spoken with TF or just emailed them - Phone them, tell them what you want.

The truth is to 'custom tune' an RP23 it all needs to come apart. You are actually only seals away from a service. TF may be quoting for a PUSH tune on that shock and that is new components but will make a proper difference.

Are you sure you want (need) a custom tune, custom only really works if you know what your looking for. IE set it up for YOU. Ride the bike, enjoy the sunshine, dont worry about the suspension.

Thats a PUSH upgrade and may as well be a service, as they'll replace most things, but as its a new shock why would they service it?

Mojo / Loco will be similar. Not sure Loco does custom tuning but he'll be along soon to correct me if he does.

But why bother if it seems OK? Just ride it as it is and spend time playing around with pressures / settings first, and only tune if you can't get it "right". I went down this route with an Intense Tracer, and it cost me a fortune.

Thats a PUSH upgrade and may as well be a service, as they'll replace most things, but as its a new shock why would they service it?

My point exactly.
I'm running it firmer than recommended but still bottoming the thing out a few times a ride. Seriously considering the monarch RT3.

As long as your under the *max pressure set it up so it works properly not how the long since revised hand book suggests.

What frame is it?

You don't need a special tune to fix that!

Just get some of the these:
http://www.mojostore.co.uk/acatalog/Air_Spring_Volume_Tuning_Kit.html

As others have said, ride it first. You normally go down the tuning route if there's a something specific that you don't like about your shock. Usually things like altering the small bump sensitivity, too much wallow or not enough bottom-out resistance.

Edit: Just saw your second post. Has the shock got the extra volume can? If so, change to the standard one and buy the volume adjuster kit to fine tune.

Firmer than the Max PSI? With the greatest respect, eat less pies 😉

Seriously though, what kind of riding are youo doing / what bike? Id its freeride on a non-freeride bike for example you might expect a few bottom-outs. If you pootling though, refer to my first para 😀

As long as your under the *max pressure set it up so it works properly not how the long since revised hand book suggests.

What frame is it?

Even when it's becoming a bit choppy on the smaller stuff? It's an LTc, I've never been a huge fan of fox air shocks and cannot figure out why manufacturers insist on putting HV cans on. The reducer kit could be worth a go.

Think about a coil shock rather than an alternative air shock....

S'wat I did on on my fuel EX - still pedals great, resists bottom out good over the small stuff.

Coil FTW

Euurgh. Choppy at higher pressure's, wallows and bottoms at low pressures?

Exactly the same as my Tracer, and er, same VPP system isn't it? I went Tuning, then coil, then a Ti Coil, then eventually a Yeti ASR5.

That's what I did on the 5 spot, this isnt anywhere near as bad as that was so I'm hoping that I can have an air shock with this one. Liking the propedal too.
It's not just VPP that suffers, and I'm not even remotely interested in a SP.

Hhhmmmm Diverse Dueller coil shock.

If you send it to me, I'll do it for £25... Though depending on my mood, I'll either be using a bit of plastic milk carton or inner tube... for just £12, I could give you the instructions to do it yourself...

[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/low-and-high-volume-air-cans ]Payment by Paypal Gift is Fine[/url]

Solved my issue with my 5 spot bottoming out by doing the same volume reducing trick with a piece of drinks bottle plastic. Worked a treat. Now super plush and rarely bottoms out. Link to 5 spot mod here http://forums.mtbr.com/turner/dw-5-spot-rp23-mod-503070.html but obviously you may need to search for info on your frame make. It's alot cheaper than £125.

Ches drew, I have an '11 5 spot with the mod as standard. Still didn't like it, I recommend that you try a coil. It transformed the bike, improving it's climbing and descending. I might drop Santa cruz an email, see what they say.

Bottoming your shock out a few times per ride suggest to me that it's working exactly as intended?

Never get how some people think there's something wrong if the o-ring goes past half-way.

My Mega pops the o ring off most rides, is this normal?

Mugboo - I would say that's fine, as long as you're riding pretty rough trails at speed. Shouldn't happen if you're popping to the shops on tarmac!

Buy the monarch and tune it yourself. Easy to change the oil weight and shims. You just need a little shock pump adapter to re-pressurise the damper charge.

Full service and custom tune comes in at £90, so a bit cheaper 😉

Is it a high vol air can? (in which a volume spacer may help with mid and end of travel resitance, have these individually as well as full kits.

Also has the shock been serviced in the last 18 months, if not it's probably due one as the boost valve with probably have 'blow' along with the oil 'going off' and a bit of nitrogen seeping into the oil chamber all of which won't make the shock feel great.

Feel free to give the workshop a call to discuss what you'd like it to do better, advice is non chargable 😉