How to measure coil shock usage

cantaloupe

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I have a DHX2 on my Decoy SN. It came with a 475lbs spring, the YT suspension guide recommends me a 425lbs spring based on my weight.

I've wound it off slightly to give me the recommended 30% sag, but still don't think I'm using the full travel. Haven't felt one bottom out in two months of enduro in Spain.

Is there any way of figuring out how much travel I'm using without some fancy telemetrics or something?
 
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Push the rubber bumper on the shaft up until it’s at the other end and use it like the O ring on your fork to measure sag and travel use.
 
Push the rubber bumper on the shaft up until it’s at the other end and use it like the O ring on your fork to measure sag and travel use.
That's OK for setting sag, but they're often not as tight as the fork o-ring and will work it's way to the bottom of the shock shaft during a ride.

A Sprindex Yo-yo is a pretty neat way of measuring - just not sure if they sell them separately (I got them to send me one when I bought one of their springs)
 
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You can use a small zip tie on the shaft for partial travel testing, but beyond about 80% travel it just gets squished into the bump stop and then pushed back out.

Maybe a video camera 😂
 
If there is a second person as well as the rider then the distance between top and bottom shock bolts can be measured when the bike is static (no load) and then with the rider on loading the shock. The difference between the two measurements is the sag.
 
@Zero cool method in reply #3 above is the easiest method for one person to determine sag. And it only requires a singe measurement if your math skills are lacking 😂
 
The issue isn't setting sag, it's measuring total shock usage. The reverse components thing would be great, but I've been unable to get hold of one since I've been travelling for the past 9 months! I'm pretty sure I've never bottomed out, and I've cased a load of jumps 😆

It feels almost bottomless when deep in the travel, but could it feel even better?!
 
The issue isn't setting sag, it's measuring total shock usage.
Reading is hard for some people.

The reverse components thing would be great, but I've been unable to get hold of one since I've been travelling for the past 9 months! I'm pretty sure I've never bottomed out, and I've cased a load of jumps 😆

It feels almost bottomless when deep in the travel, but could it feel even better?!
Get one of those Reverse Components indicators if you really want to know, but the Decoy SN was well known to be extremely hard to bottom out due to its highly progressive suspension design and the tune on the shock.

What you are feeling is what you should be feeling. If you are running that 475lb spring, then you'll likely never get to the bottom of the travel unless you really screw something up.

It could be worth looking at a Sprindex as an interim replacement if you are thinking about buying the 425lb but if you already have that and still find the suspension bottomless - it's kind of doing its job and honestly, be thankful for it!
 
I've used the Springdex, the Springdex travel measurement device, and now have the Reverse Components device.

The Springdex spring is an awesome solution on a bike that isn't already really progressive, as the last 20% of travel the Spingdex ramps up 20%. This is not a small amount. The Springdex spring worked so awesome on my '21 SJEvo and I should have left that set up on the bike. But when combined with the extra progression of the Cascade link, it wasn't a good combo.
The Springdex sag measurement device is useable but quite fragile.
I've only had the Reverse Components device for a short while, but it's been really helpful in helping me set up my Relay.
 
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I've used the Springdex, the Springdex travel measurement device, and now have the Reverse Components device.
There's a Sprindex travel measurement device?!

Can you link to one?
The Springdex spring is an awesome solution on a bike that isn't already really progressive, as the last 20% of travel the Spingdex ramps up 20%. This is not a small amount.
Good point, well made - something a lot of people don't realise or understand about the system.
 
Attached is a picture of the Reverse Components on my Relay.

I'll post a photo of the Springdex device this evening although I'm not certain it ever became commercially available.


1000025425.jpg
 
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I will add another suggestion that works okay for measuring shock travel. If you get a Q-tip and use it to smear a bit of grease on the shock shaft in a line, you can generally pretty clearly see how much travel you have used, at least up to the bumper.
 
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I have a DHX2 on my Decoy SN. It came with a 475lbs spring, the YT suspension guide recommends me a 425lbs spring based on my weight.

I've wound it off slightly to give me the recommended 30% sag, but still don't think I'm using the full travel. Haven't felt one bottom out in two months of enduro in Spain.

Is there any way of figuring out how much travel I'm using without some fancy telemetrics or something?
I prefer less than 30% sag with coils, as a lightweight rider we get more support for big hits and jumps and still has sensitivity because its a coil. I suggest if you aren't getting bottom outs and your feet aren't hurting (ie it feels comfortable), I think you are in good spring range.

30% sag for me would be around 425-450lb spring rate however I ride 475-490 spring rate (about 25% sag) and love it.
 
You should set your sag correctly, period. Then use the damping to manage travel and behavior. Your compression damping could be why you’re not using more travel.
 
You should set your sag correctly, period. Then use the damping to manage travel and behavior. Your compression damping could be why you’re not using more travel.
My compression is wide open to account for the heavier spring. I talked to YT about it when I picked up the bike from the mill and this was their recommendation.

I'm probably just going to get/make an indicator, then go from there.
 
A Sprindex Yo-yo is a pretty neat way of measuring - just not sure if they sell them separately (I got them to send me one when I bought one of their springs)

Sorry I totally forgot. I'll get a photo tonight.

Basically, it's a red spring-loaded Yoyo with a little rubber indicator on it.

mxh already mentioned it earlier in the thread, springdex yo-yo
Found this on it:
Give It To Me Want GIF by CBS


Do Sprindex still make/sell them?! I need one of these weird little things in my life!
 
My compression is wide open to account for the heavier spring. I talked to YT about it when I picked up the bike from the mill and this was their recommendation.

I'm probably just going to get/make an indicator, then go from there.
Sounds like your spring/sag isn’t correct. I’d be ordering a lighter spring today.
 
You should set your sag correctly, period. Then use the damping to manage travel and behavior. Your compression damping could be why you’re not using more travel.

People don't know how to set up suspension (it appears you do) and there is so much conflicting info out there. Not saying I'm amazing at it either, but at least I understand the principles.

But to reiterate a few things:

1) Set rear sag on a 140-180mm bike at very close to 30% while SEATED. Let me say that again, while SEATED. On a coil shock the spring preload MUST be between 1-3 turns. If it's outside of that you need a different spring rate. Also worth noting that on a highly progressive bike, 30% at the shock shaft is not 30% at the rear wheel (and you need 30% at the wheel). My best guess is about 32-33% at the shock shaft is 30% at the rear wheel on any highly progressive bike. Setting sag correctly is the #1 most important first step before anything else is done.
2) Set front sag very close to 21% while STANDING in the attack position.
3) Try to base the rear shock spring to compliment the rear suspension design. I.e. linear coil shock combined with long travel progressive bike or small volume air shock with linear short travel XC bike. On a YT this means a coil shock, with a linear shock spring, not a Springdex. Not an air shock. But if you must use an air shock choose one with the largest air volume possible and no reducers.
4) Rebound is mostly about matching to the final spring rate. Start by riding slowly off a curb seated and try to get a single bounce (compress, extend, then settle). Set rebound as light as possible that gives you this. If you are in between, choose the less rebound (that means faster) setting.
5) Then set compression to use all travel softly on your most extreme events, should be 1-5 non-harsh bottom out events on your best ride days. But set LSC where the bike doesn't rock or bob much at all while pedaling. That is sort of your minimum LSC setting.

GL

PS. I'd also add that I don't love coil suspension. Especially in the fork as the fork doesn't have the advantage of a linkage to create progression. I think forks should be air. But coil shocks absolutely make the most sense on e-bikes. E-bikes, first are not as weight sensitive, Secondly, they cover a lot of miles/ kms and hit more stuff, day in & day out. Thirdly they are more likely to see different altitudes/ air pressure on a single ride. Fourth, coil is more reliable as it isn't tasked with holding high air pressure. Fifth, a coil spring rate is so hard to get set up right on a 30# bike as small variances in spring rates are very noticeable, but on a 50# e-bike the margin is much greater and just close enough is fine. On a bike just adding a hydration pack alters the ideal spring rate but, on an e-bike, you won't really notice.
So, my advice is to choose an e-bike with an appropriate leverage rate for a coil shock.
 
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