Noleen Mega Air Rear Shock - How to?

[jman]

I just purchased a 2002 K2 Razorback from Supergo and I got it home last night.  After assembling the bike I noticed 2 things. 1.  When I sit on the bike the rear shock grounds out (I am 5'10"/170)  2.  The bike did not come with any manuals or accessories for the rear shock.



I assume that the rear shock needs air and that is why it grounds out.  With out the correct pump I can't fit my regular mini pump onto the top valve of the shock with out taking apart the tuning dial.  I have been searching all over the web and I can't find too much info on the Noleen shock, never mind accessories for it.  Any ideas how to correctly adjust this shock and/or where I can find information on it?

[DCepp]

You need a shock pump. Like this one:



http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=17604

[DCepp]

And go to www.k2bikes.com. You can find all the mamuals for all K2 bikes, with manuals specific for the Noleen shock and fork. The mini pump I showed you in the previous reply will also work on the forks. You can find all the recommended psi for each in the manuals. Please, keep asking questions...

[jman]

Thanks for the reply.  Looks like I will have to invest in a pump.  I have also heard some extremely negative comments about this shock.  I am an intermmediate XC riding and dont plan on bombing down mountains.  Is it worth upgrading this shock?

[DCepp]

Take care of it amd it will last. Purchase a Lizard skins shock boot for the shock. I wraps around the shock and keeps dirt, water and grime off the shock. The main reason I didnt have a problem with the shock for 2003 (in my opinion).  You can always upgrade to a Fox Float down the road for ~$275, but it is not worth it until you have a problem with this one.

[jman]

Good advice.  I cant wait to ride it, and the Lizard skin boot is a must with the muddy/snow conditions that we have here in MA.  I will let you know how I make out.

BTW - this site has been extremely helpful.  I am new the K2 world and this site definately helped in my purchasing decision.
THANKS!

[DCepp]

What part of Mass? I live in the Worcester Area.

[Scott]

I'm from Pittsfield, here on the border of N.Y. and next door to the PedroFest. 3 feet of snow in the forest too!

[jman]

Wow - Worcester!  Thats pretty stange.  I just moved to Westboro.  With the recent +50 temps do you have any trail recommendations?

[DCepp]

Trail recommendations lets see...

1. Vietnam in Milford off of I-495 is good, but I do not go their often (kind of a free-riders, British Columbia kind of park). THere are ladders and stuff to play on. Not my cup of tea.

2. I ride alot in Oxford/Charlton. Green Briar Park/Hodges Village Dam is good. Lot of good XC trails.

3. Buffumville State Park. There is a 7 mile loop around the reservoir that is a hiking trail but we MTB it every 2 weeks. This is our teams training area. We run the loop, bike from here to the aforementioned Hodges Village Dam area, then canoe/kayak the reservoir. Our 3-person adventure racing team finished first in the mens division of the Racingahead.com Adv race series in northern New England (12 and 24 hr adv races). Check out there website.

4. The Mid State Trail...its a 92 mile hiking trail from RI to NH. We have hiked sections of it every sunday morning this winter. We are now in Ashburnham, 15 miles from our end point. A great trail that we are going to bike in the spring from NH to RI (I live in Webster, right on the border of RI and CT). We are going to bike it in 24 hrs or less. Kind of a training thing. I am actually building my house on the Mid State Trail (actually a cul-de-sac off of a road that the trail follows) in Charlton.

5. Douglas State Forest. Mid State Trail runs through it. Alot of XC stuff. Fairly flat. Rocky (like most Massachusetts trail systems).

6. I used to ride at the Middlesex Fells area near Wakefield, north of Boston. Nice loop arouond the reservoir. I dont work in Wakefield at the present time, so I have not been there in over a year. Thats enough for now.



As far as other areas to MTB, check MTBR.com. Oh, and pleased to meet ya! Nice to see a local K2/Proflex guy around these parts.

[jman]

Dcepp - thank you for the trail update.  I will definately be checking some of these out.  If the weather stays like it is now then we will be out riding in a few weeks or sooner.  I'll let you know how I make out with the shock.  
Thanks again for the advice