It's for a Super Deluxe Select R+ shock on a Vitus Sommet. Not sure how many tokens are currently in it (looks like the complete came with 2 as standard) but it feels like it blows through the travel really easily and I've bottomed out on what I'd consider pretty mild stuff. Just feels a bit wallowy and lacking in support/"pop" compared to other FS bikes I've owned. Still getting this with 20% sag as well as the recommended 30%.
Was going to just put more tokens in there but got reading about the MegNeg and the increased mid stroke support seems like it might be more what I'm after? Not really sure though, in the past all I've had to do with shocks is set the sag with air pressure/spring weight and ride it, this one seems really fussy!
What do the volume bands actually do? Obviously decrease/increase negative air volume but what does that translate to?
I have one and it seems it may achieve what you want.
I have a 2022 Super Deluxe Ultimate. Previously I had three volume spacers and was still bottoming out. Installed a MegNeg, went down to two volume spacers (no bands in the negative chamber) and increased the pressure by nearly 20psi. Bottom out far less frequently and still get the feel I want at the start of the stroke. Obviously does depend on the leverage ratio/ curve of the frame and personal preference.
One thing to note is that the first one I had (replaced under warranty) leaked from the negative chamber (where the bands would be installed).
Before messing with the negative air chamber, a better idea would be to remove all tokens and then increase the pressure (re-set sag).
Installing a megneg and doing nothing else will actually give you less mid stroke support than your current setup - it's only the increase corresponding increase in pressure that provides the support. The megneg will soften the initial/mid stroke quite a lot, and the end will go the opposite way and become much firmer. So the suspension curve may actually go slightly digressive in the mid stroke to harshly progressive in the end stroke. Not what you want if you like plenty of mid stoke support!
On the other hand, removing tokens and increasing the air pressure will increase breakaway force, but it will also increase the midstroke support and it will decrease the end stroke bottom out resistance - i.e. more linear from 30% -100%. Support mostly comes from the resistance of the air pressure after all. When setting up suspension, it's always worth trying things without (or with fewer) tokens, especially if you are at the lighter end of the spectrum.
If you don't like the reduction of initial plushness when running no tokens and an increased pressure, or if you find yourself bottoming out too often, then consider fitting a megneg as that should make the initial part of the stoke more linear whilst making the end more progressive.
Is it one of those new old stock vitus's? If so it might have a newer air can and these come in linear or progressive. You would have to swap to the progressive air can, not megneg iirc. Or if sticking with a linear air can then more pressure and add positive tokens to give bottom out resistance to suit.
new old stock vitus’s
It's a 2020 27.5 frame from the CRC sale earlier in the year that came with the Super Deluxe shock, how do I see what air can it has?
My favourite feeling previous shocks/frames have all been coil so you'd think I like linear but I guess it depends on the frame/suspension design too? Too many bloody variables haha
Try the rockshox trailhead app with the serial number.
Also the linear can has a taper at the stanchion end where the progressive has a bulge. These newer air cans are model year 2023+ but don't be surprised if they come on a 2020 old stock frame.
Yep you were right it's a Debonair Linear model. So you think the progressive air can would be a good shout? It says 1 positive token so I should probably try more tokens first as it's a relatively easy/cheap thing to try first.
I don’t know about MegNeg compatibility with shocks that can be fitted with either linear or progressive air cans, but I can tell you that adding a MegNeg to my 2021 Deluxe solved some of the issues you describe.
I wasn’t blowing through the travel easily, but I did hate the soggy/wallowy behaviour and how it would simultaneously feel harsh around the sag point.
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/rockshox-technology/rear-shock-debonair
In the link you can see that progressive spring curve is actually more linear than the linear one around the sag point and mid stroke, so it gets moving more easily but supports you better as you start getting into the travel. It’s only more progressive in the last 3rd.
If you don’t get where you need to be messing with tokens, I wouldn’t hesitate to change the air can. I run my MegNeg with no tokens or bands, and it’s great. Supple, poppy, and a nice progressive ramp-up for landings.
Yeah, positive tokens are cheap so worth trying first. Make sure you use MY23 tokens as you are not meant to use the older MY22 and earlier ones or the gnardog.
If you can't get hold of original ones, J-Tech and other suspension places do identical copies, they just aren't purple.