More Progressive 5th element questions/problems...

[BRacing]

To LISTEN to my struggles with this thing, click here: http://web.csuchico.edu/~bb40/crap.wav

I'm still trying to figure this thing out. I'm pretty mechanicly competent, so I think I know how it *should* work. I've also been racing bikes for almost 10 years now, so I know what is should be doing. Here's my deal...

Stock 5th Element on a new SC Bullit. I'm a big guy, so i've got the 425# spring on there, as well as a bit of air pressure (between 100psi and 150psi).

My problem is with the dampening, all 3 adjustments don't seem to work correctly. They've never seemed to work correctly, and I don't have another bullit to compare it to, so I can't tell if it's working.

The Compression dampening (both beginning and ending) doesn't seem to do anything. I've adjusted them from all the way in, to all the way out, and anywhere in-between. Once I *think* I noticed a difference when I dramatically changed the settings during a long ride, but it could have been a fluke.

The Rebound dampening is wierd. Screwed all the way in should provide the most dampening, right? And all the way out should be the least? That's what the manual and the sticker says on the shock. Well, all the way in IS the most dampeing, AND all the way out is ALSO the most dampening. Only about half-way out does the rebound feel like it's at its fastest. I get exactally 7.5 turns from all the way in to all the way out. Does anyone else get this many turns and these results?

I'm starting to think that I may have recieved a defective shock. But, since I don't know what it's supposed to be like, I'm not positive. What do you all think?

How is Progessive's customer service? Should I call them, or talk to them at Sea Otter? I don't want to be without a shock too long and miss important races such as GGG and Sea Otter.

Thanks guys.

-Brad

[East Bay Rich]

Link here!

I also have a Bullit and I still have trouble remembering all the adjustments. I usually forget about adjusting it anyway when I go out and ride. I posted a quick guide that CraigH also linked to. He is one the lucky ones that has a floating disc brake.

Edited by DLo: Sorry guys, I was going to edit this earlier but I totally crashed. See if that works.

[BRacing]

fix that link dude!

Thanks
-Brad

[East Bay Rich]

I guess it's too long. It works for me when I copy and paste.

http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?viewall@146.h53caaJItI5^0@.ef95b8c

:?:

http://forums13.consumerreview.com/c...tI5^0@.ef95b8c

[DLo]

Software doesn't seem to like it. I tried to edit it to work, but it won't go. Try copying and pasting that entire link into your address bar. I think it's the ^ character that destroys it - if you need help, just let me know and I'll help you get it. Make sure you copy and paste the last part of it, that entire line, or else you won't get the entire link.

[Ben]

All the 5th Element for Bullit documentation in one thread..

By: CraigH

"All the 5th Element for Bullit documentation in one thread.."
Progressive Suspension's site is here:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/5th-element.html

The SC quick start set up guide is here:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdf/3099-002.pdf
But this is out of date, (I've emailed PS about this, asking them to update it.)

The new version is here: http://www.tftunedshox.com/progressive/pdfs/5th-SC-Quickstart-03.pdf

Shock application page:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/5th-element-apps.html

Spring part numbers:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/5th-element-spring-apps.html

Brochure is here:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdf/PS-5th-Elem-Brochure-11-02.pdf

Set up guide is here:
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdf/5th%20Element%20Guide%20-%20English.pdf

Tim Flooks in England has an easier to understand guide here:
http://www.tftunedshox.com/progressive/FAQs.html

Mountain Bike Action published a one page guide last year.
http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?viewall@247.PMdKa7QSv6Q.0@.ef7f569

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My set up:
Rider weight is 200lbs, on a large frame.
My spring is a 375lb x 2.5", part number 05-1015
My shock part number is 51-0850-20

The spring weight & shock part numbers don't match the lists above, probably since it was one of the very early shocks.

Currently I'm using the shock setting from the Quick Start Guide dated 02/02, large Bullit with 200 rider, except for the 375lb spring instead of 325lb listed.

Next time I get a few minutes, I'm going to give the 11/02 guide settings a shot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo by AlanB, taken last Sunday on Cypress Mtn., North Vancouver, BC.





Source [Copy & Paste]: (http://forums13.consumerreview.com/crforum?viewall@146.h53caaJItI5^0@.ef95b8c)