Rear Shock

[mxmann]

Hi!

I was playing with the suspension settings and I realised that the rear suspension's damping seems less than the front suspension's damping.

I mean, if I turn the bolt on the rear totally in (until it stops) and I turn the bolt on the front totally in, too, then the rear seems still faster than the front. If I want the suspensions to move at the same time, then if I turn the bolt in fully on the rear, then I need to turn the front only 18 clicks, which is on the half way of the setting (30 clicks is the maximum). I can't see any leaking oil on the rear shock.

Is this whole thing normal? The rear suspension moves faster than the front because it's linkless?

Thanks,

Cheers.

Edited August 10, 2008 by mxmann

[neta160]

Mxmann,

I never made the comparison you made, but I can say that the shock can be set to have very hard damping, if it is in good working order. You want to have the front and back damping and preload about the same. The Beta shock is a progressive one due to linkless suspension.

In any event, how old is your bike? On average how many hours are you riding it? What level are you riding at (Novice, Expert, etc.)?

For comparison purposes, I ride year round. In the Spring, Summer and Fall I average around 10 hours a week and in the Winter months around 5. I ride at the local Expert level. Shock oil begins degrading slowly from the time the shock is put to use. Often riders change their fork oil a few times a year but not the shock oil. As the shock wears and oil breaks down, the shock gets faster until there is practically no damping left. My Beta is 11 months old and when it was new I had the damping set at 4 clicks in from all the way out. As of yesterday, I have the damping set at 3 clicks out from all the way in--Opposite end of the range. I doubt I can finish the season on the shock without investing in a rebuild kit ($50 USD) and sending the shock out to be serviced. Shock maintenance is a necesasry for good performance. Keep in mind that other things affect the damping and wear and tear on the shock, like the outside temperature, your body weight, etc. By the way, most bikes use 5wt fork oil. Are you sure your forks are set up right?

The good news is the Beta shock (Paoli brand) is one of the few (only?) stock shocks that is designed to be rebuildable. There are a few suspension shops that can rebuild non-rebuildable shocks at a higher cost. Compared to other stock shocks on various trials bikes, the Beta shock (Paoli) is good quality. Servicing a rebuildable shock is better than buying a new one periodically.

[mxmann]

Thank you very much for the great help.

I didn't knew that this is the situation with these shocks. The bike is a Rev3, 2001. I am only a novice, and I ride every weekends.

I tried the bike out today, and I realised that the damping is totally gone on the rear shock. Doesn't matter how much is in the bolt, there is absolutely no damping. And actually I found signs on the bottom of the shock that it's leaking oil, too.

I will try to find some service and have it rebuilt.

Thanks again.

[mxmann]

I need to get serviced my rear shock. Can somebody recommend me a service or shop in UK ? I heard about Lampkins, but actually they exchange the shock to a reconditioned one, and this way it's a bit expensive.

Do BVM service this kind of shocks? If not, then what other suspension shops are in UK?

Thanks,

Cheers.

Edited August 19, 2008 by mxmann