Air pressure, high-speed compression, low-speed compression, high-speed rebound and low-speed rebound, air chamber size - if you can still keep track of these, you've almost got what it takes to be a World Cup mechanic. But these adjustment options are not only available on professional bikes. However, those who don't have the experience or time for extensive test rides are often overwhelmed by the setup of modern shocks.
The online available Cane Creek Tuning Guide makes the step-by-step suspension set-up process understandable even for laymen, but you have to work your way through a 26-page PDF document. Hellooo, a PDF! Not very modern.
The Americans from North Carolina have also realised this - and have now introduced their own setup app for the double-barrel shock. DIALED is the name of the app, which is designed to achieve the individual optimum and thus utilise the full potential of the shock.
Right at the start of the setup process, the user is asked to select their rider type and bike model - which should be possible in almost every case given the more than 6000 options. This is followed by some information about the shock type before the rider's weight is requested - don't cheat!
The app then outputs the standard setup according to the values entered for each parameter (HSC, LSC, HSR, LSR, SAG). Once the negative suspension travel (SAG) has been explained in detail, it can be set using the air pressure.
Then comes the really interesting part of the setup. The user is asked to ride a familiar route that corresponds to their normal terrain. The first test ride is followed by questions about the riding impression. A parameter is then changed - the recommended value is displayed. Only one parameter should be changed per test ride in order to notice the difference.
So it takes less than 30 minutes, minus the test rides of course, to achieve the optimum shock setup. And if, after an extensive descent, the full suspension travel has not been utilised or the rear end is a little too slow, the impressions can be entered in the saved profile at a later date.
The entire setup is surprisingly simple. So it is actually surprising that Cane Creek is the first manufacturer to offer such an app.
DIALED is now available free of charge for iOS and Android available. Unfortunately only in English for the time being.
Further information on the Cane Creek website: www.canecreek.com
