First impressions w/ Stratos shock

[chainsaw]

I finally got to go out and test drive my new Stratos Expert on my K2 5000. I was riding with a smart shock that no longer had any dampening, due to the fact that the circuitry was corroded.

I wanted to notice a huge improvement. I have heard reports here about shock upgrades making huge improvements in ride.

I noticed some improvement in ride. I noticed that it never shook or rattled or bounced back there. I finally had some dampening again.

I also noticed that it did not absorb the bumps as much as my old smartshock. its a much stiffer shock. not plush at all.

I told Stratos that I wieghed 210 lbs. so they set it up with a 700lb spring.

I tried to adjust the sag. I wrapped the shaft with zip tie, snugged it up to the shock body. Sat on the bike with my full weight. got off, and took a look at how far the zip tie had been pushed up the shaft. I would guess about 20 percent. MAYbe 25 percent. and I am talking about 20 to 25 percent of the entire length of the shaft. it would seem that it would be impossible for the shock to be able to absorb the full lenght of the shaft, because the thickness of the compressed spring would bottom it out way before the shaft bottomed out.

So... is the sag adjustment really supposed to be 25 to 30 percent of the entire length of the shaft? I see a lot of unused thread beneath the preload ring. I don't think I keep keep backing it off a lot more. but I am not sure. when I have backed it off, it hasn't seemed to increase the sag much at all.

what should I do to get a little plusher ride?

1. keep adjusting the preload?
2. decrease the air pressures?
3. get a 600 lb. spring?

[IFO]

what should I do to get a little plusher ride?

1. keep adjusting the preload?
2. decrease the air pressures?
3. get a 600 lb. spring?

get a FOX vanilla Rc... or a Romic...

haah, seriously if memeory serves me corectly the Airchamber is for end of travel bottom-out protection only... so a softer spring is your answer...

i could be wrong thou, cuz i havent/WONT own a Stratos suspension peice..

at least a softer spring is a realitvly painless swap..

[slowride]

IFO is right... the air chamber is for end of travel bottom out. Get a lighter spring. On that note, Stratos has a habit of specing the wrong weight spring.

[GaryF52]

i'm also running a Helix Expert on a K2 5000, but mine has a 300 lb spring.  I weigh about 163.  Changing the air pressure effects the feel of the shock throughout the travel on mine.  Sounds like your spring might be too heavy.

Here's what I'd suggest:
- Don't worry too much about the sag.
- Set the air pressure at your body weight.
- Run minimum spring preload.  

Ride it and see if you can get good performance by adjusting only the air pressure and rebound.  If not, you probably need a lighter spring.  Good luck.

[GrimJack]

The air chamber on Stratos shocks absolutely affects the entire stroke.

It will have even more effect on the ending stroke, but only by virtue of air chambers being progressive springs.

Run it with less air pressure, see if you can tune it that way - failing that, you need a lighter weight spring.

PS - you should be running at least 33% sag on that shock.

[Prowler]

Set mine up in this manner:

Back preload off until spring is loose. Now tighten just until spring is tight enough not to rattle.

My weight = 160lbs
Shock air pressure at 120psi
Spring = 500lb x 2.25" stroke

Its very plush.