Bitubo shocks adj
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
Bitubo shocks adj
I recently installed 13in bitubo shocks. I'm trying to get them dialed in. I ride mostly 2up. Im 190lbs and the girlfriend is 160lbs.
The way they were set up qhen I got them, I would bottom them out riding by myself
I have the adj collar 2inches down from the top of the threads and they still bottom out.
The roads I ride on are not very bumpy.
How far have you had to adj the collar to keep from bottoming out
The way they were set up qhen I got them, I would bottom them out riding by myself
I have the adj collar 2inches down from the top of the threads and they still bottom out.
The roads I ride on are not very bumpy.
How far have you had to adj the collar to keep from bottoming out
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 248
From: Sterling IL.
Im 225 and wife 150. Mine are about .5 inches down from the top and we have only heard the thump once, only 200miles logged on them so far. This is part number of mine on the box. Maybe they got too light of spring on those. ..typo in order?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
You need to set the sag to 1/4 to 1/3 the travel with static full load. If you can't get it close to less than 1/3, you might need to go up on the spring rate. If you can get 1/4 and it still bottoms you need to go up in spring rate or increase compression damping.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
Contrary to popular belief, preload adjustment isn't ideal to prevent bottoming--you may not have correct springs for your application in which case you'll want to send them back and have higher rate springs installed. That said, I wouldn't assume that a proper setup will NEVER bottom out, and wouldn't try to accomplish that as it will likely be too harsh 99% of the time. If you're bottoming solo when they're ostensibly set up for 2 sounds like springs maybe aren't up to it.
***BUT*** Follow advice in earlier posts and try to set sag properly; I've been told by a suspension "expert" that what people think/feel is happening re suspension isn't always what's actually happening, and you could be experiencing problems from having too much preload that makes it feel like bottoming when it isn't--just a thought. Should prob check in w/DK and see what they have to say about it.
***BUT*** Follow advice in earlier posts and try to set sag properly; I've been told by a suspension "expert" that what people think/feel is happening re suspension isn't always what's actually happening, and you could be experiencing problems from having too much preload that makes it feel like bottoming when it isn't--just a thought. Should prob check in w/DK and see what they have to say about it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,894
Likes: 8,002
From: poway
Contrary to popular belief, preload adjustment isn't ideal to prevent bottoming--you may not have correct springs for your application in which case you'll want to send them back and have higher rate springs installed. That said, I wouldn't assume that a proper setup will NEVER bottom out, and wouldn't try to accomplish that as it will likely be too harsh 99% of the time. If you're bottoming solo when they're ostensibly set up for 2 sounds like springs maybe aren't up to it.
***BUT*** Follow advice in earlier posts and try to set sag properly; I've been told by a suspension "expert" that what people think/feel is happening re suspension isn't always what's actually happening, and you could be experiencing problems from having too much preload that makes it feel like bottoming when it isn't--just a thought. Should prob check in w/DK and see what they have to say about it.
***BUT*** Follow advice in earlier posts and try to set sag properly; I've been told by a suspension "expert" that what people think/feel is happening re suspension isn't always what's actually happening, and you could be experiencing problems from having too much preload that makes it feel like bottoming when it isn't--just a thought. Should prob check in w/DK and see what they have to say about it.
Add:
Once the shock is set up properly, you'll bottom the shock but it really won't feel like it's bottoming except for the really hard stuff.
Last edited by Max Headflow; Jun 15, 2019 at 08:53 AM. Reason: Add
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Seeing that your shocks are new, call where you bought them, they should be EAGER to work with you to get it right.
Who knows, there may be an issue where they want you to send them back...
Who knows, there may be an issue where they want you to send them back...
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
I did get ahold of them. I was told to keep adj untill I got proper sag, so I'll try that first and see what happens. I had to turn the collar alot to get the proper sag but havent gone for a ride yet to see if they keep bottoming out.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 92
From: ny
You really want to use say 95% if the travel for common riding conditions and let the suspension bottom on the real hard stuff (potholes and steep driveway entrances). I've been setting up the suspension with the help of specialist and his thing is to use a ziptie on the shaft to validate travel. On a normal rough road, the ziptie should end up close the bump stop but clear. The heavier stuff will push the tie into the stop. I do this for the forks often but it help in diagnosis on rear shocks also.
Add:
Once the shock is set up properly, you'll bottom the shock but it really won't feel like it's bottoming except for the really hard stuff.
Add:
Once the shock is set up properly, you'll bottom the shock but it really won't feel like it's bottoming except for the really hard stuff.
I did the zip tie around the shaft,and the zip tie was buried in the bump stop. I'll have to keep adjusting untill I cant adj anymore and then look at sending them back for a heavier spring if needed
Thanks all for your advise