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Evening all. I've recently put together a second hand Bird Aeris 1.5 with a second hand RS monarch RT3. It is the correct length / tune as it was taken from another Aeris 1.5 and is in VGC.
Yesterday was my second ride on it and I've noticed that even with the shock fully open there appears to be a bit of resistance (almost like a platform) within the part of travel. There is no binding or resistance in the bearings in the frame and the shock mountings move freely so it must be the shock. Once the shock settles into its sag, it goes beyond the point of initial resistance and moves freely. However, fully extend the travel and on compression this platform/resistance needs to be overcome again.
Although this is my first foray into RS shocks, I can't believe that this is normal and I wonder what effect if any this initial resistance is having on the performance of the suspension and if it's indicative of wider issues.
Hopefully someone understands this and can offer some advice! Thanks in advance.
Make sure you inflate the shock 50psi at time and then slow compress to fill the negative spring. Does the resistance feel the same no matter the pressure?
Thanks for the response. I followed the RS online manual to a T, partially filling then cycling the shock a few times and it made no difference. And yes, it feels the same no matter what pressure. I'll give the 50psi at a time technique a go though just to check.
Ive got an air can service kit on order so hopefully that might sort things out.
Is it filled with rubber volume reducer bands??
Also, as said, add air, cycle shock add air.... Cycle shock etc etc.
If it feels the same at any pressure then I would consider doing an air can service
I suspect it might be filled with bands! As soon as I get the chance I'll have the sleeve off to see. Whilst riding it certainly felt pretty harsh and definitely get near to using all of its travel.
im guessing the initial platform sensation I describe is not normal then?!
I had this on the same bike and same shock, notchy feeling at about 30% travel. Mine turned out to be the pivot bearing on the top tube. Also check the bottom shock eyelet bushing for wear.
i have never done this 50% air / compress thing when pumping mine up? shock feels fine.
gonna try it tho, see what happens....
Thanks all. Sounds similar to you MH84, though resistance is around 10-20% of travel. I'll re-check the frame bearings too just in case that's the source of the resistance.
Strip everything down and start again!
The bearings could be feeling free when under no load cycling through the suspension travel, but binding slightly when under load, as sounds like the case with mudhead.
Undo the linkage (noting where the spacing washers go), carefully pop the outer seal off the bearings, check, flush and re-grease them if they seem salvageable, or replace if not. I have blind bearing puller if needed.
Usually is the main pivot bearings by the BB that go first, then the two sets of linkage bearing, then the horst link ones last.
theres generally a sticky point at about 25-30% on a lot of them.
fine once in use. i really like mine
Could it be that there's not really any extra resistance but instead when you get to 25-30% sag you feel the 'softer spot where the positive and negative chambers equalize? I thought my old Monarch felt stiff at the first part of the travel but it was just the soft spot making it feel that way.
Mega, thanks all. Plenty of ideas to have a crack at there.
Mark - thanks for the offer of the puller, I'll see how I get on repacking them first but if any of the bearings are buggered I may well be in touch!
MJ - possibly, though it feels so peculiar that would have thought it would have been relatively well known if it was just a feature of the suspension design.
Poopscoop - just opened it up and found...zero bands. 🤔
Is it something to do with the ifp pressure?. I’ve got a Monarch XX and with lower ifp pressure and higher chamber pressure it locks out. Same chamber pressure and more ifp pressure and it free ups and acts as normal. Just a thought.
I've had two monarchs and they both have a notch part way into the travel. I think it's something to do with the pressure equalisation groove. At a guess as the o ring slides over it it's open at both ends and you get a funny blip as the air is equal pressure.