My bike does not give me a comfortable or predictable feel but I have no idea what needs to change. How can I tell you what I need done to the suspension?
Do you feel uncomfortable on the bike? Things not predictable, or predictably bad? That’s about all you have to know. Traditional valving means digesting loads of information, trying to figure out where to change things to make your stock stuff match you better without screwing up what’s right. As I like to say, a little softer a little slower. With MX-TECH we go a little deeper into the suspension equation. We are not worried so much about how make changes without screwing the good up. We throw the old wheel out, and build you a new one. We improve the system, or the interaction of the various components, thereby improving performance and efficiency. That makes it a little easier for us to get you what you want.
I want to lower my bike so I can be more comfortable when I come to a stop in a technical section. How much can I lower my bike? What is involved?
We can lower your bike 1 inch, with minimal impact. As the travel reduction increases, the performance outcome decreases. So, for this reason we like to keep the reduction to the lowest value the customer can tolerate. However, in the end our job is to make you more comfortable, so we will do what you request. So what happens? We take your suspension apart and do a complete service. During the time of reassembly, we install what we refer to as a travel limiter inside the suspension that reduces the available stroke, without altering the communication of the adjusters and valving mechanisms.
Can I revalve my forks (or shock) without doing the shock (or forks)?
Yes you can do one at a time but we recommend the changes be made as a set if possible. If springs are required to be changed then you must do the spring changes on both ends in conjunction with the single sided revalve.
Can I buy your valving and install them myself?
No. Understand that it’s not that you’re not capable. It’s that our systems are not “plug and play”. They are detail oriented and we need to change a lot of things to make this happen. We have no accurate way of explaining how to do a comprehensive revalving job to our specifications. We sell selected parts to those who like to tinker, but that outcome is on you.
When doing revalving why does your company often change pistons?
We have designed our own valving systems since 1995. We continually improve our engineering and design. Our valving mechanisms allow us to coordinate the various elements of damping - swept verse displaced volumes - in a way that optimizes the self sizing characteristics of the suspension and the rate a which area is created. This in turn allows for optimal pressure balancing which makes for happy and efficient suspension performance.
Does MX-TECH replace the “Pressure Springs” when doing revlaing?
No, we will not waste your time micro adjusting your spring rate. The pressure spring functions in conjunction with fork rod movement. This slightly modifies your overall spring rate. If you need a spring change we will handle that for you, but we will do it without selling you double the springs you really need.
Does MX-TECH recomend subtanks in OC forks?
Yes a well made and designed subtank made huge improvements in the compromise between the improved feel of a lower oil ht and the improved functioning of an OC fork with higher oil levels and better bottoming control.
I generally take a complex view on things but with subtanks I think it’s pretty simple. The subtank functions as a buffer to the air spring reducing the exponential rise in force that you see with high oil volumes. This makes the fork softer feeling in midstroke bumps when the pressure is more uniformly distributed, but the high oil level is available for bottoming control when the fork cycles one time quickly as in a bottoming situation. That’s why they became so popular, and they are not voodoo when designed correctly. As Dave pointed out every Tom, Dick and Harry conjured up ways to improve a very simple buffer concept. Many of the so called improved design attributes did nothing or reduced the effectiveness of the original.
Lots of competing ideas here, and its a land mine, but I honestly think tuners tend to over think this one, while under thinking the concept of rate of change and a use of travel relative to time.
We worked on some modeling software to help Ross Maeda with his shock tanks for KTM's (2003-2004) when he was doing back door stuff for Ron Heben. Its was a fun project that never got far as I had hoped it would or could have. I will see about doing some screen captures and showing what can be possible in terms of change in force etc. It’s designed around a shock and actually uses 2 tanks, but we can set it up for one and simple modeling as well.
Does MX-TECH recommend subtanks on TC forks?
No as listed above.
