I've got a Monarch shock on my Scalpel and as title I'm struggling to get more than 80% travel from it. I've done a fair bit of tinkering from a full service to playing about with the ifp pressure. I'm 73kg (11.5 stone) so not exactly heavy and I can do the same quite rough segment of trail on my other bike and get full travel every time so its not just a case of riding harder. I'm running 30% sag which is borderline too soft and would prefer 20-25%. I have read the substantial thread on mtbr about tuning but wondered if anyone had any ideas. Shock is Monarch xx 165 x38 on a 2015 Scalpel 29er with 100mm travel. Hydraulic lockout is working properly so its not that. Can I reduce/ increase ifp oil level from recommended level to help?. Can I fit the larger air can upgrade to make it more linear although it doesn't seem to be available for shorter shocks. Any tips or experiences appreciated.
Will it give what you think is full travel with no air in the shock?
I’ve got the same bike. The stroke is shorter than the shock (it’s been reduced from standard). You won’t get the the full travel of the shock but you will get the 100mm off rear travel regardless.
Used to think the same thing. The shock has spacers in it.
As r8jimbob88 says, the stroke is less than the shock itself. IIRC it's marked underneath as to what the stroke length is, otherwise lets all the air out and compress it to see where you get to.
I know this as I thought exactly the same with mine. It even went back to RS to look at under warranty....
Without air it pushes the o ring right to the end of the shaft.?
In that case, disregard what I said! Apologies mine is a newer Scalpel Si.