Setting Fox DHX 5.0 air rear shock

Discussion in 'The Workshop' started by harosocalrider, Aug 4, 2009.

  1. harosocalrider

    harosocalrider New Member

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    So i got the Nomad put together and i am trying to figure out all the dam settings on this rear shock lol i am 210lb and to get about 25% sag i had to put about 230psi of air in the chamber. i also have about 175psi in the pro pedal chamber and so far all the other knobs are in the middle (3-4 of them). maybe i am just not used to the travel yet but it stills seems pretty soft to me although i have not been on a real ride yet-just cruised the neighborhood. so any input would be appreciated on how to get this thing set up. Thanks
     
  2. Soul_Control

    Soul_Control New Member

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    Put a coil on there. The DHX-A does not really pair well w/ the Nomadv1
     
  3. simonmtb

    simonmtb Digging for fun.

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    The big blue knob on the end of the PP air canister is for preventing the shock from bottoming out. The further you screw it in, the more the shock will ramp up towards the end of its stroke.
    Also call Fox´s customer service department and they will suggest some basic set up settings.

    Hope it helps a bit.
     
  4. mtnbikerfred

    mtnbikerfred Super Moderator

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    Try running a little less pressure in the boost valve, and a lot more "pro-pedal". I run mine a couple click out from max unless I'm descending. If you are running the shock with the correct pressure, for sag, and you can bottom it out, then and only then would I suggest reducing the volume in the boost valve chamber.
     
  5. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    BULLSH**.

    i have a dhx 5.0 air, and it works awesome.

    Follow Santa Cruz's baseline settings, and tweak from there

    Looks like you are a little low on main chamber, and high on boost. here is one in their manual that is close to your weight...

    220 lbs, 250 PSI main chamber, 125 PSI Boost valve, Pro Pedal 10 ret, Rebound 7 Ret, bottom out 1.5 Ret

    ret = number of clicks out from fully closed
     
  6. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    It works because your such a small guy and dont weigh much.:lol::lol:
     
  7. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    thank you for bringing something informative to the discussion.
     
  8. Soul_Control

    Soul_Control New Member

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    It didn't seem to work for me. MAybe I tweaked the settings wrong, but I spoke with three other guys who has them and they diodn't like them that much either. As long as we're on the topic of air shocks, I've had great success with the RP line-up from fox for this suspension design. :beer:
     
  9. Chewyeti

    Chewyeti Circus Bear

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    what didnt it do for you joseph?

    it does take some tuning to get it where you want....
     
  10. Soul_Control

    Soul_Control New Member

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    Couldn't use the full travel smoothly-either it was way to low and I bottomed out from a small hit or it was way too stiff that I always had around 10% stroke left even when I had a bigger friend launch it off of the La Costa drop (6ft+-)(Let me find my psi/settings so I can post it here). I also blew through the mid-stroke, but it never felt harsh, just surprising how much shock was used after going down a curb.



    edit:

    *I kept the BV constant after I felt the compression to be right @ 135psi/BOC all the way out since I read it made the shock feel more linear.


    Played with the Main Chamber starting with my body weight-psi
    (180)- 35% sag
    (200)- 30% way too soft- still didn;t use the whole stroke
    (220)- 30% always had some shock left even on "big hits" but felt ok.
    (240)-30% way to stiff

    *210psi never bottomed out/utilized full travel even on moderate hits

    *as you can see the sag remained stuck at around 30% for me at anything past 200psi- I pumped the MC to 260psi and it was still around 30% sag. I was also never able to fully utilize my travel at an acceptable psi setting according to feel. Busted shock?
     
  11. Sprockethead

    Sprockethead S.T.U.P.I.D.A.S.S. Member

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    Get rid of the DHX-A, you'll be much happier with a coil. I used to run 190 psi in the boost chamber and 160 psi in the main chamber. Bottom out adjuster all the way out, no pro pedal on the DHX-A. I used to smack rocks all the time, but after going coil, not any more. I weigh 165.
     
  12. cid`

    cid` booger flicker

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    not to hijack the thread, but how do you fill main chamber vs boost? there is only 1 schrader


    *edit* ha ha, dumb ass.. dhx air apparently has a 2nd schrader :p

    have a coil, and figured it was about the same.. only one scrader so didnt know what you guys were talking about with the 2 chambers :p
     
  13. harosocalrider

    harosocalrider New Member

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    Thanks for all the info. guy's, and chewyeti i will try those settings as a starting point :beer:

    I also came across a video that helped explain a few thing's for those of us that don't have a manual Fox 2008 DHX 5.0 Air set up Video - Pinkbike.com
     
  14. Drakethomas

    Drakethomas New Member

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    From my experience with these a new compression tunes worked the best. All shock/forks are made to fit a small range within the consumer base. Few real riders fall in this category.Sucks but is true.
     
  15. ocjiml

    ocjiml New Member

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    max psi exceeded

    Pretty sure max PSI on the 5.0 is 200, otherwise you may damage the shock. See:

    http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/owners_manuals/06_RearShock_en.pdf

    for instructions
    Jim L

     
  16. 2wheel_lee

    2wheel_lee Active Member

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