2004-12-01, 23:02
Home Contact Mailing List Site Search Site Map Links Home > Progressive > 5th Element Coil Set-up Mittwoch, 1. Dezember 2004 22:02:54
5th Element Coil Set-up ... made simple
You should adjust your shock in the order set out below, in conjunction with your owner's manual
Before you Start...
The most important thing is to ensure you have the right spring. Sort this out first before touching any other settings. To do this put 80-100 psi into the shock & sit on the bike in your normal riding position & measure the sag. Sag must be between 25-40% for freeride & 30-50% for DH (see below on how to determine this). If it's more or less than this you will need another spring.
5th Element
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Factory Setup PDFs
Coil Setup Tips
Air Setup Tips
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1 - Spring Preload & Sag - Use the 25-40% freeride/30-50% downhill sag rule. To determine sag, measure the distance between the centres of each shock mounting bolt (eye-to-eye length of your shock) & record this. Next, sit on the bike in a normal riding position near a wall to steady yourself. Without bouncing on the saddle, distribute your weight on the saddle & pedals in a normal riding position whilst holding the handlebar grips. Get a friend to measure the distance between the centres of each shock mounting bolt again & record this second measurement. The difference between the first and second measurements is the sag. To get this measurement as a percentage you need to know the stroke of the shock which is marked on the spring (e.g. 350 x 2.75 = 350 LB/in springrate x 2.75 stroke). Then check here
Spring preload fine-tunes the amount of sag & is done with the spring preload adjuster collar. Adjust the spring preload adjuster up or down to achieve the desired amount of sag. If you reach the maximum spring preload (8mm) & the sag is too much, then go to the next harder spring. Turning the spring preload collar to compress the spring will decrease the amount of sag & vice versa. Never exceed 8mm/0.325" preload of the spring (6 turns from when the collar contacts the spring).
2 - Rebound Damping - The rebound damping controls the return rate of the shock & rear wheel after it has compressed to absorb a bump. As a general rule, adjustments that are too fast (anti-clockwise adjustment) will produce a springy ride with excessive pedal bobbing & kick-up of the rear end when launching off a jump. Adjustments that are too slow (clockwise adjustment) will cause packing of the rear wheel that is identified by a low ride height & stiff ride feeling over small ripples ( e.g. braking bumps) when the rear wheel can't return fast enough to absorb the next bump. Proper adjustment will achieve a return movement of the shock somewhere between a "snap-back" and "sluggish" motion. As all shocks vary with bike type, springrate, rider weight etc it is not possible to recommend a precise setting although for some bikes we can make recommendations. Contact Tim for this. Also note that the last 5mm of shaft extension will be very slow because the hydraulic top-out circuit controls this portion of shaft travel & cannot be adjusted. To feel the rebound speed you need to push the shock at least halfway through it's travel before releasing. Rebound damping is a personal thing & if in doubt always err on the slow side as this does not usually result in a trip to hospital which a too-fast rebound can!
3 - Air Pressure - The air pressure controls the sensitivity of the compression damping of the shock. Air pressure sets the compression threshold between the pedaling platform & hi-speed blow-off. The air pressure range is 50-175 psi. Lower pressures (70-100psi) will provide a softer ride & lower blow-off threshold for sharp hi-speed bumps (large & small), & are ideal when the going is on the slippery side & predominantly downhill. Higher pressures (110-175psi) will provide a firmer ride control, firmer pedaling & a higher blow-off threshold for sharp hi-speed bumps (large & small) & work well when it's dry & pedally.
NOTE - Some people damage the shock pump by screwing it in too far. As soon as the gauge registers pressure, screw ½ turn more and pump to the desired level. Use the black button on the pump to reduce air pressure. By the way, you know that hiss you hear when you unscrew the pump? That's the air from the pump, not the shock! Likewise, when you attach the pump, the opposite happens and air from the shock fills the pump, reducing the pressure between 20-50 psi. All perfectly normal and no need to change your desired pressure!
4 - Position-Sensitivity/Air-Volume Adjuster - The air volume settings control the position sensitive compression damping of the shock. Use a 16mm, six point socket to adjust the volume adjuster. The volume adjuster has 5 turns of adjustment range (but no more). Turning the adjuster out (anti-clockwise) decreases the bottoming resistance & turning the adjuster in (clockwise) increases the bottoming resistance. As a general rule, to get the smoothest suspension action throughout the shock's stroke keep the adjuster as near 5 turns out as possible (see red note below). If you find you are bottoming harshly or blowing through the travel (assuming you have the correct spring & air pressure) then screw it in a turn or two to overcome this. When the volume adjuster assembly has reached its anti-clockwise stop limit (5 turns back from maximum clockwise), continued force on the adjuster can cause damage to the adjuster mechanism.
5 - Beginning Stroke Compression Adjustment - Lighter (anti-clockwise) adjustments provide a more supple/active ride but less chassis motion stability. Firmer (clockwise) adjustments provide a less supple/active ride, but much greater chassis motion stability & control. For DH riding it is advisable to keep the Beginning Stroke Adjuster on minimum (anti-clockwise). If you are a BSX* or XC rider then after getting your air pressure & volumes right you can start the tuning of the beginning stroke compression adjustment for your riding preferences. *When riding BSX adjusting the begining stroke to maximum will help you get the best snap out of the gate. When reaching the minimum & maximum stops of the adjuster range, do not apply excessive force to continue turning the adjuster, or damage to the adjuster will occur.
6 - Ending Stroke Compression - Start with minimum (anti-clockwise) adjustment until you have established a preferred air pressure & volume adjuster setting. To get the smoothest suspension action throughout the shock's stroke keep the adjuster on minimum unless you are experiencing bottoming off jumps, then you may need firmer (clockwise) adjustments to provide more hi-speed bottoming resistance. When reaching the minimum & maximum stops of the adjuster range, do not apply excessive force to continue turning the adjuster, or damage to the adjuster will occur.
5th Element Coil Set-up ... made simple
You should adjust your shock in the order set out below, in conjunction with your owner's manual
Before you Start...
The most important thing is to ensure you have the right spring. Sort this out first before touching any other settings. To do this put 80-100 psi into the shock & sit on the bike in your normal riding position & measure the sag. Sag must be between 25-40% for freeride & 30-50% for DH (see below on how to determine this). If it's more or less than this you will need another spring.
5th Element
Buy a 5th Element
Service Charges
Service FAQ's
Factory Setup PDFs
Coil Setup Tips
Air Setup Tips
Current Stock
Used Sales
Does it fit your bike?
1 - Spring Preload & Sag - Use the 25-40% freeride/30-50% downhill sag rule. To determine sag, measure the distance between the centres of each shock mounting bolt (eye-to-eye length of your shock) & record this. Next, sit on the bike in a normal riding position near a wall to steady yourself. Without bouncing on the saddle, distribute your weight on the saddle & pedals in a normal riding position whilst holding the handlebar grips. Get a friend to measure the distance between the centres of each shock mounting bolt again & record this second measurement. The difference between the first and second measurements is the sag. To get this measurement as a percentage you need to know the stroke of the shock which is marked on the spring (e.g. 350 x 2.75 = 350 LB/in springrate x 2.75 stroke). Then check here
Spring preload fine-tunes the amount of sag & is done with the spring preload adjuster collar. Adjust the spring preload adjuster up or down to achieve the desired amount of sag. If you reach the maximum spring preload (8mm) & the sag is too much, then go to the next harder spring. Turning the spring preload collar to compress the spring will decrease the amount of sag & vice versa. Never exceed 8mm/0.325" preload of the spring (6 turns from when the collar contacts the spring).
2 - Rebound Damping - The rebound damping controls the return rate of the shock & rear wheel after it has compressed to absorb a bump. As a general rule, adjustments that are too fast (anti-clockwise adjustment) will produce a springy ride with excessive pedal bobbing & kick-up of the rear end when launching off a jump. Adjustments that are too slow (clockwise adjustment) will cause packing of the rear wheel that is identified by a low ride height & stiff ride feeling over small ripples ( e.g. braking bumps) when the rear wheel can't return fast enough to absorb the next bump. Proper adjustment will achieve a return movement of the shock somewhere between a "snap-back" and "sluggish" motion. As all shocks vary with bike type, springrate, rider weight etc it is not possible to recommend a precise setting although for some bikes we can make recommendations. Contact Tim for this. Also note that the last 5mm of shaft extension will be very slow because the hydraulic top-out circuit controls this portion of shaft travel & cannot be adjusted. To feel the rebound speed you need to push the shock at least halfway through it's travel before releasing. Rebound damping is a personal thing & if in doubt always err on the slow side as this does not usually result in a trip to hospital which a too-fast rebound can!
3 - Air Pressure - The air pressure controls the sensitivity of the compression damping of the shock. Air pressure sets the compression threshold between the pedaling platform & hi-speed blow-off. The air pressure range is 50-175 psi. Lower pressures (70-100psi) will provide a softer ride & lower blow-off threshold for sharp hi-speed bumps (large & small), & are ideal when the going is on the slippery side & predominantly downhill. Higher pressures (110-175psi) will provide a firmer ride control, firmer pedaling & a higher blow-off threshold for sharp hi-speed bumps (large & small) & work well when it's dry & pedally.
NOTE - Some people damage the shock pump by screwing it in too far. As soon as the gauge registers pressure, screw ½ turn more and pump to the desired level. Use the black button on the pump to reduce air pressure. By the way, you know that hiss you hear when you unscrew the pump? That's the air from the pump, not the shock! Likewise, when you attach the pump, the opposite happens and air from the shock fills the pump, reducing the pressure between 20-50 psi. All perfectly normal and no need to change your desired pressure!
4 - Position-Sensitivity/Air-Volume Adjuster - The air volume settings control the position sensitive compression damping of the shock. Use a 16mm, six point socket to adjust the volume adjuster. The volume adjuster has 5 turns of adjustment range (but no more). Turning the adjuster out (anti-clockwise) decreases the bottoming resistance & turning the adjuster in (clockwise) increases the bottoming resistance. As a general rule, to get the smoothest suspension action throughout the shock's stroke keep the adjuster as near 5 turns out as possible (see red note below). If you find you are bottoming harshly or blowing through the travel (assuming you have the correct spring & air pressure) then screw it in a turn or two to overcome this. When the volume adjuster assembly has reached its anti-clockwise stop limit (5 turns back from maximum clockwise), continued force on the adjuster can cause damage to the adjuster mechanism.
5 - Beginning Stroke Compression Adjustment - Lighter (anti-clockwise) adjustments provide a more supple/active ride but less chassis motion stability. Firmer (clockwise) adjustments provide a less supple/active ride, but much greater chassis motion stability & control. For DH riding it is advisable to keep the Beginning Stroke Adjuster on minimum (anti-clockwise). If you are a BSX* or XC rider then after getting your air pressure & volumes right you can start the tuning of the beginning stroke compression adjustment for your riding preferences. *When riding BSX adjusting the begining stroke to maximum will help you get the best snap out of the gate. When reaching the minimum & maximum stops of the adjuster range, do not apply excessive force to continue turning the adjuster, or damage to the adjuster will occur.
6 - Ending Stroke Compression - Start with minimum (anti-clockwise) adjustment until you have established a preferred air pressure & volume adjuster setting. To get the smoothest suspension action throughout the shock's stroke keep the adjuster on minimum unless you are experiencing bottoming off jumps, then you may need firmer (clockwise) adjustments to provide more hi-speed bottoming resistance. When reaching the minimum & maximum stops of the adjuster range, do not apply excessive force to continue turning the adjuster, or damage to the adjuster will occur.