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BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension Advantages

BikeCo Pro Tune Advantages

Check out this video to learn more about BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension for FOX forks and FOX shocks from Pro-Rider Cody Kelley and BikeCo’s Joe Binatena!

Keep reading for more details on BikeCo’s proprietary FOX suspension tuning.

BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension Advantages

For years we’ve has been providing riders access to the best performing Fox Suspension through our proprietary Pro Tunes designed by BikeCo.com owner Joe Binatena.

BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension is designed to maximize damper performance to your riding specifics. Rear shocks are built chassis specific, we don’t offer a Pro Tune shock for every bike, but do for Ibis, Yeti, Mondraker, Specialized, Santa Cruz, Intense, YT, Giant and more.

BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension Advantages

BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension

There are many aspects to BikeCo.com that separate us from the competition. One cornerstone the competition simply can’t imitate is our BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension. Available on FOX forks and rear shocks these individual tunes narrow the adjustment window from the stock “works for everyone” to a more finite setup based on your size, riding style, bike, terrain, speed and aspirations.

BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension

There are many aspects to BikeCo.com that separate us from the competition. One cornerstone the competition simply can’t imitate is our BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension. Available on FOX forks and rear shocks these individual tunes narrow the adjustment window from the stock “works for everyone” to a more finite setup based on your size, riding style, bike, terrain, speed and aspirations.

Pro Tune Suspension: What’s Changed?

BikeCo Pro Tuned Forks

Well, without giving out all the ingredients to the secrets we can look at some aspects that help BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension outperform the stock setups.

The fork’s upper and lower mechanical fit is improved on Pro Tune Forks. Reducing the slide friction between the stanchions and fork lowers helps minimize sticktion in both compression and rebound for better bump compliance and damper setup.

Proprietary lubes based on rider details provide better internal oiling while accounting for heat generated by ground speeds and terrain.

Another major aspect of BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension is the improved damper bleeds. After many years working on a wide range of suspension with the fastest racers in MTB our team has developed bleed techniques, tools and lube additives. Eliminating air trapped in the dampers as well as off-gas of settling hydraulic fluid takes longer and involves additional tooling – but the results are well worth it!

The last aspect of BikeCo Pro Tuned Forks we’ll get into (like I said, can’t give you all the secrets) is the support from our team. Everyone on-staff rides. All of us are familiar with suspension setup advantages and disadvantages. And we all have access to the suspension tuners if there’s a question over our heads. As your riding advances adjustments to the PSI, rebound, compression and volume spacing will help continue to fine tune the bike. Our team is here to help you better understand all of those adjustments and how they work together.

BikeCo Rear Shock Pro Tunes

Like our fork services BikeCo Rear Shock Pro Tunes utilize proprietary lubes and additive packages. These are designed to improve the shock’s consistency during heat variations.

Also, like Pro Tune Forks, our rear shock damper bleeds are more precise which improves the damper’s consistency. Any air that cavitates a hydraulic system compromises the fluid flow by producing a compressible pocket as well as having different heat properties from the hydraulic fluid – ie – that cool air bubble is going to behave differently mid-way down the hill as it heats up and increases in PSI pushing against the fluid on both sides.

Improving how the compression and rebound dampers behave allow us a wider range of rider setup options in PSI and volume spacing.

Again, FOX makes a great “works for everyone” product, but chances are your bike’s not being ridden by a 145lb who’s tip toe-ing across the trail and a 300lb rider smashing through every bit of chunk they can find. So, if you have the opportunity to fine tune your suspension for your specifics it makes a lot of sense to right?

Our team’s expertise balancing air pressure, volume spacing, compression as well as rebound settings goes a long way in dialing in a bike’s performance.

Things You Won’t Find in Pro Tune Suspension

If you do something well, for any length of time, you’ll see some imitation. Well with the years of expertise you can see how far along their own journey some of the other tuners are. You can also see how far out in the weeds some are!

Highlights of things you won’t see our team do: there was a fork years ago that had basically a fast food straw and some zip ties trying to extend the fluid volume between ports. That one, well, ya. Wow. Another more recent rear shock came in after another tuner worked on it. Upon disassembly there were a handful of bent shims. Rather than designing a shim stack to achieve the goals these were simply “lighter” shims I assume to improve bump compliance. Well, the stack bent and that was that for basically any damping control. But, the shims were oil slick color – so that counts right? No? Ya, I didn’t think so…

What You Feel with Pro Tune Suspension

Alright, you hung in through the description of the non-secret ingredients. But what will you actually feel on trail with Pro Tune Forks and Rear Shocks?

If I tell you you’d have a more plush feel with better support you’d say that’s what every suspension ad for ten years has promised right? Well, BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension has the individualized balance to make that happen.

First, let’s look at something that has created more than a little bit of confusion over the years. The difference between what you and I likely mean when we say “small bump compliance” and what a lot of the engineers in the industry mean.

If you’re like us, when you think of small bump compliance you’re picturing the trail chatter that begins to compress your suspension past the point of sag. Makes sense right? Like the sag point would be your “zero” and the beginning of travel past that would be the “small bumps”?

Most suspension designers disagree. That’s why your last four forks all with “improved small bump compliance” feel similar. Generally they are assigning the “small bump compliance” area of travel to the section between full extension and sag.

The way these designers have marketed improved small bump compliance is by utilizing more aggressive ramp rates through volume or compression settings. So the suspension IS “lighter” until it has to pick your weight up. And then, from there, it’s going to frankly be harsher. Which, is the “more support in the mid-stroke”.

We see it a little different.

When our team is chatting with clients we reference Small Bump Compliance as the area of initial compression past the point of sag. We feel that this is what clients are referring to when they tell us about small bump issues and we agree.

Understanding that riders want support to minimize brake dive as well as to provide additional support in fast corners without creating hand numbing abuse over the small stuff has driven our tune philosophy.

Narrowing the rebound and compression damper’s performance window also gives each click a more finite adjustment window. This makes your suspension more precise and easier to tune to your ideals.

Improving the fork’s upper and lower fitment eliminates a good deal of sticktion allowing riders to run a higher main PSI which improves support while minimizing brake dive. A softer feeling fork at a higher PSI.

Improving the compression circuits also allows more finite tuning with both the hydraulic dampers as well as volume tuning options to change ramp rate. Pro Tune riders tend to find they are able to run more clicks of compression in order to dial in mid and end stroke support without losing suppleness and traction.

Once again coming back to the support from our team – our staff is trained to help you define how tire sidewalls, rim width and volume, rim protection options, tire PSI, brake setup and other attributes will critically effect your suspension’s performance.
Are Pro Tunes only for Racers?

Absolutely not! This is one of the compromises of naming something I suppose. But BikeCo Pro Tune Services might have even more impact for less experienced riders.

That’s because with suspension designed to work in a more finite window as well as having access to our team to help you tune and adjust the tune as your riding improves you can concentrate on riding techniques, reading terrain and worry less about the myriad of adjustments required to dial in your bike.

 

Read more about BikeCo Pro Tunes below!

Pro Tune Design Factors

Pro Tune’s shift performance windows taking into account CHASSIS, RIDER SIZE, EXPERIENCE, DISCIPLINE, TERRAIN, STYLE as well as RIDING GOALS.

Rider Size:

Different size different setups, easy right? Stock suspension is designed for a wide range or riders. Suspension is significantly over compressed for even average size riders “out of the box”.

As a result Pro Tune suspension is an eye opener for lighter riders. Compression controls are shifted to be effective. One click of low speed compression is no longer the equivalent of a lock out!

Experience:

As your riding progresses your suspension needs change. A pro racer will pump hard into a hole in a steep chute to keep the bike at maximum speed, while an advanced rider may pull up or air over it, and a more novice rider may plow into it altogether on the brakes. These all require different tunes and setups.

Discipline:

BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension covers riders from cross country, trail, endure, park to downhill. Each style has unique requirements and cross over points. Ramp rates and compression settings are particularly important. An XC racer may not want to sacrifice a firm lockout while an Enduro racer could utilize a lockout more as a “trail” compression setting.

Terrain:

Type and size of terrain that a rider is comfortable in make a difference in final setup. Riders in flatter terrain appreciate more “pop” in their setup. On the contrary the same level of “pop” maybe disconcerting to a rider blasting chunky chutes as they bounce down trail!

Style:

Are you a basher? Smooth as silk? Somewhere in the middle? Pro Tunes have you covered across the board. Even riders in the same terrain, with similar ground speeds as well as size may have quite varied setups based on style. Personally I have tried to rider smoother as I’ve aged. Even being heavier than our racers I prefer a lighter compression tune since I’m not longer smashing into holes at full speed!

Riding Goals:

Where are you going with your riding? Working hard to improve skillset? Let’s get a tune setup to ensure it takes you where you plan to go. Racing? Improving speed? More confidence? Of course we’ve got you covered.

Pro Tune Advantages Novice Riders

Rider Goals for Tuned MTB and eMTB Suspension

Common Tune Goals CONFIDENCE, PREDICTABILITY, TUNE-ABILITY

Confidence:

Pushing your riding to the next level is always easier when you’re confident in your equipment. Confident riders concentrate on riding technique as well as improved trail vision.

Better small bump compliance, traction, and support from Pro Tune Suspension improve confidence.

Predictability:

Tied in with confidence, the more predictable your suspension is the less you’re concentrated on components and the more you’re trail aware.

Proprietary oil blends as well as personally tuned oil flow rates produce suspension much less susceptible to heat (or cold) temperature saturation or issue.

Tune-Ability:

Pro Tune suspension shifts performance bands to maximize external control availability. Particularly high and low speed compression controls become more useful.

Light rider? BikeCo Pro Tune’s are designed to allow lighter riders to fine tune additional support through compression without creating an overly harsh platform.

Going to the bike park? In this situation add a click or two of low speed compression to support the front end through high speed berms or steeper chutes.

Pro Tune Advantages Experienced Racers

Some Pro Tune Modifications

Some of the modifications for suspension improvement include FITMENT, OIL FLOW / PERFORMANCE and VOLUME SPACING.

Fitment:

Aligning the upper and lower fork legs drastically minimizes sticktion. Less sticktion without a doubt means better small bump compliance.

Oil Flow / Performance:

Pro Tune suspension uses a variety of proprietary oil blends to maximize additive packages depending on use. Rider size, ground speed and aggressiveness are reviewed to determine the best oil package as well as modifications required to adjust the ideal flow rate.

Minimizing the stress on the oil improves its service life expectancy. Less stressed oil is less apt to create performance issues due to temperature.

Volume Spacing:

Changing the characteristics of air spring performance effects ramp rate, travel usage as well as PSI at sag. Different leverage ratio suspensions require different ramp characteristics.

Pro Tune Advantages for Racers

Notable Improvements with BikeCo Pro Tune

What are some of the most notable improvements? Let’s glance at  SMALL BUMP COMPLIANCE, RAMP RATE, HEAT SATURATION and SUPPORT x 2.

Small Bump Compliance:

Better small bump compliance equals improved traction. Most stock dampers are over compressed. Improving the oil flow characteristics, fitment, as well as sag PSI allow maximum traction through small bump compliance.

Critical in cornering, braking and holding lines traction gains are notable from the beginner to expert rider. The difference between the beginner and expert rider’s ground speed means that the setup as well as tune will be different to balance a comfort level on traction and ground speed.

Ramp Rate:

Tuning ramp rate to a particular suspension system’s leverage ratio and rider size allows a more predictable trail feel through the travel.

Using too much or too little travel? In that case along with compression controls ramp rate is available to fine tune air spring progression through volume spacing.

Heat Saturation:

Changes in oil temperature notable effect damper performance. A shock may start a downhill run feeling plush but at the bottom may be so harsh a rider has a hard time holding onto the bars.

Improving the flow for specific riders means BikeCo Pro Tune Suspension doesn’t over stress oil properties. Controlling the oil flow through additive package blends, shim stacks, etc balancing rider size, speed and aggression are critical to Pro Tune performance.

Support:

Pro Tune suspension is designed to maximize small bump compliance without compromising air spring pressure or sag percentage. This provides a more supportive platform, particularly under braking, reducing dive. Modifications to the system also improve low speed compression controls allowing riders to fine tune performance on trail. Dropping into your favorite steep trail? Add a click or two of low speed compression to keep your bike riding taller in the travel. Feel like the bike is a bit low in high speed berms? Same thing. A click or two of compression will help stand the bike up without sacrificing too much small bump compliance.

Support x 2:

To get the most out of your Pro Tune Suspension with BikeCo’s team. Staff will reach out to each rider assessing on trail performance and setup needs. Our expert team will explain the basics of your setup along with common tricks to dial in your bike. A series of phone calls after pickup allows our team to get inside your head on trail to make finite adjustments as required.

Warranty:

Pro Tune Suspension offers disposition re-tunes for 30 days. (example, from time to time we have riders who are much faster than they let on and require a more aggressive tune). We stand behind all suspension service for 90 days.

Ready to go? Have additional questions? Reach out to our staff today by phone, email or chat. Check out other BikeCo Service Rates Here


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4 Common Reasons Your MTB Shock is Losing Air

4 Common Reasons your shock is losing air

You’ll hear this a lot from MTB and eMTB riders: my shock (or fork) is losing air. Every time I check it it’s lower than I left it.

Well there are a few reasons that a functioning shock will show lower PSI.

Are you Pre-Charging your Pump?

The most common is not pre-charging the pump line prior threading the pump on and opening the Schrader valve.

This one is pretty easy to explain – the gauge is located at the end of a volume of hose. If you do not pre-charge that hose to approximately what you have in the shock when you open the Schrader valve to your air spring you increase the volume of the main chamber which will lower the overall PSI.

The smaller the suspension’s main chamber the more dramatic the PSI drop will be.

That’s why it’s a good idea to pre-charge your suspension pump. Thread the pump on until it makes a seal with the shock but hasn’t yet opened the valve.

Charge the pump to approximately what is in the main chamber.

Finish threading the pump onto the fork or shock. It will show a more accurate pressure of the main air spring as it doesn’t have the volume loss as a non-charged pump.

Like I mentioned this is the most common cause for “air loss” in suspension. It is seen in both the fork and rear shock.

Did You Cycle the Shock and Charge the Negative Air Chamber?

Another common cause for lower pressure, particularly in rear shocks, is setting the pressure and not charging the negative air chamber.

This is typically seen when large PSI jumps are made in the shock such as a brand new piece of equipment.

What does it look like? You set the pressure to the suggested PSI. You jump on the bike and go ride. Bike feels soft. You check the air and it’s dropped from the beginning of your pedal.

Unlike most forks, which usually charge the negative air chamber at full extension and thus see less of this, your rear shock most likely has an air divot to charge the negative chamber somewhere a bit into the stroke.

That means it takes a few compressions of the suspension to engage the negative air chamber. And once the piston allows the negative air chamber to fill it effectively drops the volume of the main chamber. Then when the shock extends and you check the PSI it will be lower.

It is a good practice to give a rear shock a few bounces during setup, especially when large PSI changes are made to ensure that the negative air chamber has charged and the shock will have the support you expect.

Does it Need Seals? Or Just Had Seals Installed?

It is actually more rare for a shock to be truly bleeding off PSI than for one of the above two to be the culprit on new suspension.

As the suspension ages seals may degrade and can be the cause of air loss. Suspension manufacturers have suggested service intervals based on hours of operation, but if your more aggressive on your equipment, such as a racer, you may find that shortening the service window keeps your bike running smoothly.

Some common causes of premature seal wear include dirt ingress, which is why it is so important to keep your stanchions as clean as you can before each ride. The less dirt the suspension pulls into the seals the less abuse on the seals, shafts, etc is incurred.

Occasionally a recently serviced fork or shock may ‘roll’ a seal or have been nicked during installation. Typically you’ll find this out when you’re setting back up for your ride or on your first ride. This is very rare on a professional level as the quality control of parts and service techniques eliminates the chance for most of this. But, there’s typically a handful of small to medium seals which make create an air-tight chamber and if one of them isn’t working you might have a slow leak.

Dirty or loose Schrader valves can cause air loss, although most shocks have a decently sealed cap these days.

Extreme temperature or altitude changes will effect your PSI and should be accommodated for. Check your sag before your chair lift day at altitude!

A less common cause, but it is out there: chemical degradation. Seal materials are susceptible to being attacked by other chemicals – so be aware of what comes in contact with your suspension.

A typical way to test for faulty seals is to set the shock at a test pressure, say 100psi, and allow it to sit overnight. Pre-charge a pump and check the pressure. A notable drop, ie more than might be expected from the pump increasing the main chamber volume, is likely worth an additional look.

Another test, although I must disclaim this one a bit, is to submerge the shock and watch for bubbles. I try to avoid this option as much as possible personally as I find it has to be a pretty decent leak for me it to be losing air visibly and can tend to be detected using the overnight pressure test. If it is leaking and pulls water in you’re going to have remove the water and any contaminated oil or grease since you don’t want water diluting or boiling in your suspension’s air chamber.

Very Rare PSI Loss Causes

The least common cause of air loss would be a crack or micro-crack in a casting. This can be a hard one to determine, particularly as it may require the shock to cycle and load up before the pressure rises enough to “open” the crack and vent air pressure.

Occasionally seals will have a similar end of service life where the air loss is occurring as the PSI increases, but, it’s fairly uncommon.

 

In conclusion, most of the air loss attributed to new or newly serviced product can be traced back to the pump increasing the volume, and thus lowering the pressure or in the case of rear shocks the negative air chamber charging.

If you’re using good practices with your setup and still noting air loss the next step is most likely to do a seal service, especially if the shock is near the service window or if its’ been used in extreme conditions.

If the new seals aren’t helping it’s probably worth digging a little deeper and possibly using a professional resource to help you locate the issue.

Local or ride in the South Orange County area? Come by and have our team service or tune your suspension. We are located at 21098 Bake Parkway #112 in Lake Forest near the corner of Bake and Trabuco.

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Factors of the Best E-Bike Suspension

Best e-bike suspension BMC AMP APS 1

Factors of the Best E-Bike Suspension

Suspension matters. OK, kind of obvious right? But let’s look at why your e-bike’s suspension design might be even more important than a pedal (or acoustic) option. The best e-bike suspension accounts for factors similar to a pedal option while adding some unique stresses as well.

There are as many suspension theories, and patents for them, and pretty much all market to be the be all end all right? Of course. But just like pedal bikes we can quickly narrow down the real deal from the fakers. Continue reading Factors of the Best E-Bike Suspension

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PreCharging a Suspension Pump – BikeCo Tips & Tricks

PreCharge Pump Blog Image

PreCharging a Suspension Pump – BikeCo Tips & Tricks

Let us show you how to precharge a suspension pump for the most accurate air suspension setup.

Many of our clients, and all of our racers, are looking to really dial in suspension. In order to accomplish this it is important to make minute adjustments to air pressure. This blog and video illustrate what’s happening in your air spring and why precharging a suspension pump is so important.

 

Continue reading PreCharging a Suspension Pump – BikeCo Tips & Tricks

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MotionIQ – the How of MTB Suspension Data Analytics

Motion Instruments MotionIQ Cody Kelley Setup

MotionIQ – the How of MTB Suspension Data Analytics

OK, you read the “why” about mountain bike suspension data acquisition (if you didn’t check out BikeCo Pro Rider Cody Kelley, Joe Binatena and Rob Pryzkucki from Motion Instruments discuss it here) let’s now look at the “how” of the Motion Instruments MotionIQ system.

Those who’ve read a lot of BikeCo’s content know I love formulas and data. Everything is just easier when you can minimize variables with facts. So suspension data acquisition would be right up my alley right? Well sort of. Continue reading MotionIQ – the How of MTB Suspension Data Analytics

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Suspension Testing with Cody Kelley and MotionIQ

Motion Instruments MotionIQ Cody Kelley

Suspension Testing with Cody Kelley and MotionIQ

Prior to EWS Northstar BikeCo Pro Rider Cody Kelley and Joe Binatena had a chance to work with our friends from Motion Instruments, a Suspension Data Analytics company.

We could write a thesis on it, but to keep it manageable we’re going to break it down into two semi-succinct parts… This section will cover some of the “why” then jump over to the “how”.

Continue reading Suspension Testing with Cody Kelley and MotionIQ

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Confidence with Compression: Adjusting your fork

7 15 19 Compression and Confidence

Confidence with Compression: Adjusting your fork

Confidence with Compression – sort of a vague title right? Am I gaining confidence on trail from compression? Am I confident adjusting my compression? Well, both.

The abridged back story: I had a chance to move further south. BikeCo’s website has been growing at a rate that I can now work remotely mostly and come up to the shop a couple times a week. Anyhow – for the first time since I started bikes I’m consistently riding trails I don’t know. This presents some really fun challenges particularly as I tend to ride solo most the time.

Now I didn’t move and decide I was one of our pro riders looking for the most ridiculous lines possible. Nor did I move and decide I was going to find every gravel trail to take my SB130 on. I’m riding the same basic level of trails but the unknown adds quite a bit to riding. Continue reading Confidence with Compression: Adjusting your fork

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New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

New to MTB Buyers Guide Wheel Size Travel Suspension

New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

Welcome to the second section of our New to MTB Buyer’s Guide. Missed the first? Jump back to it here. Ready to start looking at the actual components? Well here we go.

Let’s go over the key differences on a mountain bike setup.

New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

Wheel Size

Modern bikes feature 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. It used to be a world of “taller than X’ Y” you’re on this wheel…” Not anymore. Updates in bike geometry and design have produced bikes which cross over height, within reason.

Continue reading New to MTB Buyer’s Guide – Wheel Size, Travel & Suspension

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44mm vs 51mm Fork Offset

44mm vs 51mm Fork Offset

Many clients use our custom builders to quickly spec the parts they need for frame swap projects. That’s awesome. We’re glad to dial in everything from frame swaps, factory builds, semi to full custom bikes with our clients. We have had A LOT of clients ask about utilizing previous generation offset forks to their new bikes. Let’s take a look at the advantages of the lower offset forks, particularly the 29″ 44mm versus 51mm offset.

I guess let’s start at the end.

29″ bikes have reached an amazing level of performance. Modern 29’s pedal amazing while being much more behaved on the descends. We see smaller riders enjoying the current generation of big wheel offerings. Compare this with the days when Small 29’s weren’t even made because they scare riders out of the sport! Continue reading 44mm vs 51mm Fork Offset

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Front End Support – Fork Air, Volume & Compression

Front End Support – Fork Air, Volume & Compression

Between our BikeCo Pro Tune services as well as working with some of the fastest racers in MTB we get a lot of questions regarding suspension tuning. Modern forks offer more ways than ever to dial in your ride. Getting the right front end support with fork air, volume and compression improves tracking, ride quality, dive, and how your bike performs in the chunk.

Recently BikeCo Pro Rider Cody Kelley was in town working with Joe Binatena on the 2019 Alchemy Arktos 29. It was an interesting opportunity to sit down and listen to Cody and Joe discuss setup. Continue reading Front End Support – Fork Air, Volume & Compression