Bottoming Out
- Thread starter Mark
- Start date
RojoRacing
Donut Powered Wise-guy
pictures worth a thousand words, many of us don't have your exact setup
Answer was a little simple: tighten up the shock. I thought initially that I had tightened it pretty well, but it gets tighter. For the Q45s with the K-shock. Twist to the right. You will see more threads appear under the shock (bolt runs through center of the shock). It is easily adjustable. I do wonder if I load it down heavy if I will run out of adjustment room, but that is a problem for another day.
dule0911
Active Member
I have an issue with bottoming out with the stock shock after 3600km (2200+ miles). I didn't change the preload since I set it up initially, is there any chance it could have unscrewed itself over time?
Since now I bottom out on bigger bumps while riding the kid on the rack (some 15kg of load, rack + child seat + child), that didn't happen earlier this year. The kid didn't get that much heavier in the meantime
I did notice however that the scewer on the top has come loose over time. Had a rattling sound and that was the most probable cause. But it's the same after I tightened it.
First picture is when the shock operated normally. Second one is from today when I had all sorts of issues while riding on dirt/crushed limestone, every bigger bump I had to be very cautious. I don't see a difference, maybe somebody else will
The only difference between the two rides, besides tightening the scewer, is that I greased the inside of the rubber which goes arount the spring - I wrongly assumed that the squicking noise comes from there. But I think the rubber doesn't affect the shock operation in any way (other then keeping the dirt out).
Since now I bottom out on bigger bumps while riding the kid on the rack (some 15kg of load, rack + child seat + child), that didn't happen earlier this year. The kid didn't get that much heavier in the meantime
I did notice however that the scewer on the top has come loose over time. Had a rattling sound and that was the most probable cause. But it's the same after I tightened it.
First picture is when the shock operated normally. Second one is from today when I had all sorts of issues while riding on dirt/crushed limestone, every bigger bump I had to be very cautious. I don't see a difference, maybe somebody else will
The only difference between the two rides, besides tightening the scewer, is that I greased the inside of the rubber which goes arount the spring - I wrongly assumed that the squicking noise comes from there. But I think the rubber doesn't affect the shock operation in any way (other then keeping the dirt out).
super slim
Zen MBB Master
I have an issue with bottoming out with the stock shock after 3600km (2200+ miles). I didn't change the preload since I set it up initially, is there any chance it could have unscrewed itself over time?
Since now I bottom out on bigger bumps while riding the kid on the rack (some 15kg of load, rack + child seat + child), that didn't happen earlier this year. The kid didn't get that much heavier in the meantime
I did notice however that the scewer on the top has come loose over time. Had a rattling sound and that was the most probable cause. But it's the same after I tightened it.
First picture is when the shock operated normally. Second one is from today when I had all sorts of issues while riding on dirt/crushed limestone, every bigger bump I had to be very cautious. I don't see a difference, maybe somebody else will
View attachment 9429 View attachment 9430
The only difference between the two rides, besides tightening the scewer, is that I greased the inside of the rubber which goes arount the spring - I wrongly assumed that the squicking noise comes from there. But I think the rubber doesn't affect the shock operation in any way (other then keeping the dirt out).
I think the main steel spring has broken, as the length of the spring unit is much shorter in the second photo!
I would replace the standard spring only shocker(165???mm fully extended, 28 mm travel), with an air spring unit Kind dual chamber A5-RR1 165mm fully extended length, 40 mm travel!
The ride will be 200% better!!!
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/setting-an-a5-rr1.11806/#post-161390
With the longer travel, install air shocker in the bike with zero air pressure in both air chambers, and adjust rack height so the rear wheel does not rub on the rack!!!
I can't tell you how I know this!!!!
Then add the correct air pressures, as per the link above!
It is SO much easier to add a little air pressure to the main chamber, to allow for your kids weight on the rear rack, than to adjust the steel spring preload!!!
Last edited:
dule0911
Active Member
Thanks for the advice! I will upgrade at some point, once this whole corona thing blows over.
Found my issue - it wasn't with the spring. It's the rack, it has slid a bit down over time and under load, so that the rear part of the rack was hitting the tire. Adjusted it back to it's original height/position, all is fine now, just need to find a way to keep it up - the kid aint getting any lighter
Found my issue - it wasn't with the spring. It's the rack, it has slid a bit down over time and under load, so that the rear part of the rack was hitting the tire. Adjusted it back to it's original height/position, all is fine now, just need to find a way to keep it up - the kid aint getting any lighter
