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I've got an Ohlins RXF 36 m.2 which I'm struggling a bit to set up... It's very supportive and handles big hits well but at speed over rough ground - roots / rocks etc I find it a bit fatiguing.
I've just been riding my other bike with a Lyrik Ultimate and back to back that is much less jarring on the arms, although not as good other places.
The set up info suggests only 10-15% sag. Other than reducing the pressure to increase sag, which may have other detrimental effects, does anyone have any tips for set up please? Increase ramp up pressure and reduce the main chamber considerably?
I'm going to have a day playing next week and see what I can do with it.
The next step if it still feels harsh is to get the damper adjusted by someone?
Cheers
Remove the volume spacer from the negative spring chamber.
Thank me later.
The set up info suggests only 10-15% sag
I'd imagine any fork set up with 10-15% sag is going to feel a bit harsh
I had exactly the same, got it tuned with a much softer rebound and compression. the servicing guy said it was set up far too high. Feels a lot better now. Strangely not as good as my helm mk2 but it is great for interesting trails now
What Sharkattack said, I just did this on my RXF38 M2 and it makes a noticeable difference.
I also found it harsh and tiring.
This is what I did
Ignore the recommended air pressures.
Sag at around 30%
Experiment with ramp up air pressure
Run with little or no compression
Adjust rebound to suit
&
Regularly service the lowers (30min job)
Now they are almost perfect (For me)
For reference they are set at 170mm on a Transition Spire
This thread has reminded me that I was about to abuse my credit card now that the m.3 is out.
I have a Lyrik Ultimate on a Druid which is super sensitive and feels light and lively but it blows through the travel everywhere and it's downright scary on steep trails. I love the way the Ohlins rides higher and doesn't dive around unnecessarily.
https://j-techsuspension.co.uk/products/ohlins-rxf36-m-3-air
same setup as Manitou right? main chamber, ramp up chamber
The Manitou guides are way out for the majority of people. but to me it sounds like you should be dropping to 20-25% sag and tweaking the ramp up chamber.
It depends on how old your fork is, but there has been a number of running changes internally, where they have messed about with air spring volumes, compression tunes, whether it came with a negative volume spacer or not, etc. But generally they take a lot of faffing about with setup, and I find the balance is a knife edge of harshness, or a soggy mess.
You can get them retuned, as they do tend to come quite heavily damped as standard, but I doubt you will get it right first time, which can get expensive, and then you will get the world renowned Ohlins stanchion wear. 😆
My suggestion, sell them, buy a Lyrik with the latest Charger 3.1. It’s easier to set up for 98% of use cases, works really well & is easier to look after.
Remove the volume spacer from the negative spring chamber.
Thank me later.
Just googled this, might have to try it. Looks easy ish to do DIY?
Any special tools needed?
The set up info suggests only 10-15% sag
I'd imagine any fork set up with 10-15% sag is going to feel a bit harsh
I think I tried it softer initially but went back to the recommended pressures / sag.
But yes 10-15% does sound like not enough.
I need to have a day of tweaking.
Remove the volume spacer from the negative spring chamber.
Thank me later.
Just googled this, might have to try it. Looks easy ish to do DIY?
Any special tools needed?
I would be very surprised if your 36 actually has a negative spacer in. They don’t tend to & only did it for a very short period of time (unlike the 38).
I removed a volume spacer from the 36 that came on my Privateer and from the 38 which is on my Airdrop. It makes a huge difference and the new versions don't come with it fitted at all.
The increased volume make the fork much more eager to use that first part of the travel. Mine isn't Lyrik plush off the top but it's far superior everywhere else.
I can't remember what tools I used but it'll be on YouTube. It's fairly simple to remove the air spring.
The hardest thing for me both times was actually removing the tiny plastic spacer. It's not fixed but it's slathered in grease and held in by suction. It took a long time to make it drop out. You might need a collection of long, pointy things to wiggle it around.
Easy job apart from actually getting the thing out, as sharkattack said!
It’s easy when you know how though… I had a google and found a suggestion to blast the air compressor down the side which worked straight away.
I’ll have a ride this week and see if things are better.
@Ben_Haworth 75kg
My suggestion, sell them, buy a Lyrik with the latest Charger 3.1. It’s easier to set up for 98% of use cases, works really well & is easier to look after.
I’m going to see how I get on and if I’m still struggling I’ll give the Lyrik from my other bike a go - it’s the right travel already so will be an easy swap.
Sub 80kg riders will struggle with that fork IME. Loadsa compression damping which is fine if riding 100mph. At mortal speeds, not so great. Retune required to unleash the performance. Or flog it and get something a bit more 'open'.
Sub 80kg riders will struggle with that fork IME. Loadsa compression damping which is fine if riding 100mph. At mortal speeds, not so great. Retune required to unleash the performance. Or flog it and get something a bit more 'open'.
I’d like to keep it if possible so a tune might be the way forward. I think J-Tech say they’ll do it for £85 which is less than I’d lose selling it and buying a Lyrik. Although that would be on top of a service.
Presumably with a custom tune it’ll be great (assuming the chosen tune is correct)?
In hindsight maybe I should have specced the bike with a Lyrik but I fancied trying something different.
Might not be quite the advice you’re after but I’m in love with mine and it’s a stock tune with a coil spring.
I feel like the spring is very active but kept in check by the lots of damping. Rides nice and high in the travel, doesn’t dive but has a very plush feeling.
I know they stopped the coil conversion kits for a while but I think they’re available again now and the total weight is quite reasonable, something like 2200g total if I remember correctly.
I know they stopped the coil conversion kits for a while
My fork is one of the ones that says Air Spring Only on the side and apparently the coil doesn't fit, not sure why.
I wouldn't mind trying a coil on the bike, fork & shock.
So I had a ride on it yesterday, without the negative air spacer & had a play about with pressure.
It's ended up feeling much better than it was, I could happily hold on without it killing my arms.
I've got slightly less pressure in the main chamber than I originally had and slightly under the recommended for my weight, the ramp up is at about the recommended.
I might still get the damper tuned, I've been in touch with J-Tech and it's "only" £50 if you do it with the service - they reckon it should make a decent difference.
They also suggested the Smashpot coil - I am tempted but not sure I want to add 500g to the fork and remove £340 from my bank.