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5th Element Coil Over
Shock
Air Pressure
Settings
The shock depends
on air pressure to function properly. Use of the shock with improper air pressure will cause damage & failure of the
shock. The air pressure settings control the first
position sensitive damping feature of the shock. Air pressure adjustments vary the starting compression force that affects the
pedaling platform & hi-speed blowoff.
The air pressure range is 50-175 psi. Never use
a pressure outside of this recommended pressure range.
Use an average starting pressure that’s 50-70% of your weight. The air pressure also affects the sag, so you should set the air pressure before
setting the spring preload & sag. The air-pressure
settings will vary according to rider weight, spring
rate, your bikes leverage ratio & your personal
preferences.
Lower pressures will provide a softer ride
& lower blowoff threshold for sharp hi-speed
bumps. Higher pressures will provide a firmer ride
control, firmer pedaling & a higher blow-off
threshold for sharp hi-speed bumps.
Installing Air
Pressure
Remove the air cap from
the Schrader valve on the end of the reservoir. Attach
the pump to the Schrader valve. Some people damage their pumps by screwing
them on too far.
As soon as the gauge registers pressure, screw
1/2 turn more and pump to the desired level. Use the release button on the pump to reduce air pressure. The hiss you
hear when unscrewing the pump is only the air from the
pump and not from the shock! Likewise, when you install the pump again,
you will also hear a hiss as air from the shock fills
the pump and reduces the registered pressure you previously installed. All perfectly normal when pressurizing the shock! After
removing the pump, be sure to reinstall the Schrader
valve cap. If the shock does not dampen properly after
pressurizing, the air pressure was lost during pump removal as a result of a worn pump fitting o-ring that needs
replacement. Do not ride the bike until the shock is
properly pressurized.
Air-Volume
Adjuster Settings
The air volume
settings control the second position sensitive
compression damping feature of the shock. The
air chamber volume adjuster is a blue 16mm nut
that is also located on the end of the
reservoir.
The volume adjuster controls the shocks
bottoming resistance by varying the rise in
compression force during the last one half of the shock stroke. We
recommend a 1/4” drive ratchet with a 16mm six point
socket to adjust the volume adjuster. The volume
adjuster has six turns of adjustment range. Turning the adjuster out
(counterclockwise) decreases the bottoming resistance
& turning the adjuster in (clockwise) increases the bottoming
resistance.
As a general rule,
you will use a smaller air volume (clockwise)
adjustment with lower pressures and a larger air volume (counterclockwise)
adjustment with higher pressures. The air pressure
will change when adjusting the volume adjuster, so
always readjust your air pressure to your preferred
setting after adjusting the air volume. When the volume adjuster assembly has reached its counterclockwise stop limit,
continued force on the adjuster may cause damage to
the adjuster mechanism.
Spring Preload
& Sag Adjustments
Spring preload
adjustments are done with the spring preload adjuster
ring. Because your air pressure adjustment (outlined
above) also affects your starting spring force, you
should always adjust your air pressure before adjusting the spring preload & sag. You can refer to the quick-start guide
for accurate preload & sag settings matched to
your bike model & weight. Preload & sag
adjustments will vary according to a riders weight, the bikes leverage
ratio, the type of bike, the type of riding, the
riders ability level and personal preferences. As a general rule, the 5th
Element shock works best with slightly more sag than
conventional shocks. The recommended amount of sag is
30-40% for downhill, 30-40% for free-ride and 25-35%
for cross-country. Never exceed 8mm/.325” preload of
the spring.
Measuring
Preload & Sag Adjustments
Measure
the distance between the centers of each shock
mounting bolt (eye-to-eye length of your shock) &
record the first measurement. 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 while holding the handgrips.
Have a friend measure the distance between the centers of each shock
mounting bolt & record the second measurement. The
difference between the first and second measurements is the your sag. 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 higher
spring rate.
If you reach the minimum spring preload
(1mm) & the sag is not enough, then go to the next softer
spring rate. Optional spring rates
are available from Progressive Suspension. Part numbers and
rates are stamped on the outside of
the spring coils. Please note the make, model & year of your
mountain bike, along with the shock
eye-to-eye length, travel, rider
weight & type of riding.
Beginning & End Stroke Compression
Adjustments
The beginning & ending stroke adjustments
control the velocity/speed sensitive compression
damping forces of the shock. When the shock
compresses, these damping forces are basically
constant throughout the stroke for a given shaft
velocity/speed. Adjustments that are too firm for your
bike model are easily identified if spiking occurs. If
you experience spiking, then slightly reduce/lighten the specific adjustment until any spiking is eliminated. This
adjustment position will provide the optimal motion/
attitude stability for your model application.
Adjustments that are softer or firmer are an
individual rider preference. Found on the shock head,
these adjusters are blue knobs with inset 4mm hex.
Adjustment can be performed with a 4mm ball-allen
driver, which provides 30 degrees of angle for
insertion of the driver, or a standard 4mm allen wrench. Adjustment only requires a light force to turn the adjusters.
Turning the adjusters clockwise increases the
compression damping force & turning the adjusters counterclockwise
decreases the compression damping force. When reaching
the minimum & maximum stops of the adjuster range, do not apply
excessive force to continue turning the
adjuster.
Beginning Stroke Compression
Adjustment
This
adjustment controls the general ride firmness &
attitude stability of the bike. Lighter (counterclockwise) 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 aggressive riding or racing conditions.
A general starting point is a minimum
(counterclockwise) adjustment until you have established a preferred air pressure & volume adjuster setting. Once you have
determined your preferred air pressure/volume
settings, you can start the tuning of the beginning stroke compression
adjustment for your riding preferences. As a general
rule, firmer settings of the beginning stroke compression will allow lighter settings of the air pressure/volume settings.
The optimal performance will be achieved by balancing
this adjustment with the pressure setting.
Ending Stroke Compression
Adjustment
This
adjustment controls the general ride firmness in
higher speed, sharp edge or big hit conditions. The
effect of this adjustment has more impact during the
last half of the shock stroke. Firmer (clockwise) adjustment of the ending
stroke adjuster will also broaden the total range of
the beginning stroke adjustment. A general starting
point is a minimum (counterclockwise) adjustment until you have
established a preferred air pressure & volume
adjuster setting. Once you have determined your preferred air
pressure/volume settings, you can start the tuning of
the ending stroke compression adjustment for your riding preferences. As a general rule, firmer (clockwise) adjustments will
provide more hi-speed bottoming resistance and
accommodate lighter adjustments of the volume adjuster. The optimal performance will be achieved by balancing
this adjustment with the volume adjuster
setting.
Rebound Damping
Adjustment
The rebound
damping controls the return rate of the shock &
rear wheel after it has compressed to absorb as bump.
The rebound adjustment will vary for different spring rates, rider weights, leverage ratios, type of riding &
individual rider preferences. As a general rule,
adjustments that are too fast (counterclockwise
adjustment) will produce a springy ride with excessive
pedal bobbing & kickup of the rear end during aggressive riding or racing. 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 when the rear wheel can’t return fast enough to absorb the next bump. An average starting adjustment will
achieve a return movement of the shock somewhere
between a “snap-back” and “sluggish” motion.
The rebound adjuster is a red knob found on the shaft
eyelet mount. Some models are fitted with a finger
grip knob & other models are fitted with an inset 4mm hex allen knob.
For models fitted with the inset 4mm hex allen
knob, you can use the same ball driver or allen wrench
used to adjust
the beginning & ending stroke adjusters.
When using the 4mm ball driver, adjustment only
requires a light force
to turn the
adjuster. Turning the knob clockwise will increase (slow down) the rebound damping & turning the knob
counterclockwise will decrease (speed up) the
rebound damping.
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 that is not
covered by the warranty.
5th Element Air
Shock
Internal Floating Piston
(IFP)
Air Pressure Settings - The shock depends on
air pressure to function properly. Use of the
shock with improper IFP air pressure will cause damage & failure of the
shock. The IFP air pressure
settings control the position sensitive damping
feature of the shock. IFP air pressure adjustments vary the starting compression force that affects the pedaling platform &
high-speed blow-off. The IFP air pressure range is
75-125psi. Never use a pressure outside this pressure range.
The IFP air
pressure also affects sag, so you should set the IFP air pressure before
setting the main spring pressure. The IFP pressure
settings will vary according to rider weight, main
spring pressure, your bike’s leverage ratio & your personal
preferences. Lower pressures will provide a
softer ride & lower blow-off threshold for sharp, highspeed
bumps. Higher pressures will provide a firmer ride
control, firmer pedaling & higher blow-off
threshold for sharp, high-speed bumps. IFP air pressure is adjusted
with a Shock Pump.
Installing Air Pressure
Remove the air cap from
the Schrader valve on the end of
the shock body. Attach the pump to the Schrader valve. Some people damage their pumps
by screwing them on too far.
As soon as the gauge registers pressure, screw 1/2 turn more and pump to the desired
level. Use the release button on the pump to reduce
air pressure. The hiss you hear when unscrewing the pump is only the air from the pump and not from the shock!
Likewise, when you install the pump again, you will
also hear a hiss as air from the shock fills the pump and reduces the registered pressure you previously installed. All
perfectly normal when pressurizing the shock! After
removing the pump, be sure to reinstall the Schrader valve cap. If the shock does not dampen properly
after pressurizing, the air pressure may have been
lost during pump removal as a result of a worn pump fitting o-ring that needs
replacement. Do not ride the bike until the shock is
properly pressurized.
Main Air
Spring Pressure Adjustments
Air Spring adjustments are made by inflating or deflating
the main air spring chamber. Since your IFP air
pressure adjustment (outlined above) also affects your
starting spring force, you should always adjust your IFP pressure before
adjusting the main air spring pressure.
Main air spring pressure settings and sag will
vary according to rider weight, IFP air pressure, your bike’s leverage ratio and your personal preferences. As a general
rule, the 5th Element™
Air shock performs best when set with 25% of
the shock stroke as sag. The pressure for the main air
spring can range from 75 to 150psi. The main air spring chamber should be inflated
and deflated with a
Shock Pump.
Measuring
Preload & Sag Adjustments
Without compressing your
bike’s suspension, measure the distance between the
centers of each shock mounting bolt
(eye-to-eye length of your shock) & record
this first measurement. 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, and handlebar grips in a
normal riding position. Have a
friend measure the distance between the centers of
each shock mounting bolt. Record
this second measurement. The difference between the first and second
measurement is your sag. More On Sag Here
Note: A quick way to visually measure
your sag is to measure the difference in positions of
the travel indictor o-ring located on the shock body. Adjust the
IFP air pressure and main air spring pressure (inflate
or deflate) to achieve the desired amount of
sag.
Rebound
Damping Adjustment
The rebound damping
controls the return rate of the shock & rear wheel
after it has compressed to absorb the bump. The rebound adjustment will vary for different air spring pressures, rider
weights, leverage ratios, type of riding and
individual rider preferences. As a general rule, adjustments that
are too fast (counterclockwise adjustment) will
produce a springy ride with excessive kick-up of the
rear end during aggressive riding or racing. 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 when the rear wheel can’t return fast enough to
absorb the next bump. An average starting adjustment
will achieve a return movement of the shock somewhere
between a “snap-back” and”“sluggish” motion. You can refer to the quick start guide for an average starting setting for
your bike model, spring rate and rider weight. The
rebound adjuster is a red knob found on the eyelet cap
of the main air chamber. All models are fitted with a knurled knob for
easy notool adjustment.
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 that is not
covered by the
warranty.
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