Mountain Biking - mtb newb - psi in shocks, maintenance...

Hi guys...

By the end of the week A 2003 Santa Cruz Blur will be added to my collection, and will be my first mtb.

Up front its got a Rock Shox Reba Team w/ poploc, and in the rear it has the Fox Float R-AVA.

Im wondering how to set these up properly as far as pressure. I already did a google search and I didnt really find any information. Is there a general rule for the PSI in shocks or are there certain manufacturer specs? I am about 160-165 lbs right now.

Also... when the bike arrives how can I check that the shocks are in good condition and do not need to be serviced? Is there anything special I need to do to maintain these shocks?



Thanks

You might find some info on your shock here: http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/manuals.htm (http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/manuals.htm)
Here's a Rock Shox Reba User Manual that was printed in Feb 04, it might be of some use: http://manualer.happymtb.org/rock%20shox/RS%20Reba%20English.pdf (http://manualer.happymtb.org/rock%20shox/RS%20Reba%20English.pdf)

thanks! any tips?

You might contact Santa Cruz about their recommended settings for that shock/bike (I don't believe there's an archived setup guide on their website, but I really haven't looked for one), they are somewhat bike specific. They do great phone and email in my experience. It's hard to look at a shock or fork and tell if it needs service unless there's something obvious like a leaking oil seal or valve. I'd hope you've already had a chance to inspect the stanchions on the fork and the shaft on the shock to make sure they're not scratched/gouged. Hopefully the last owner has done regular maintenance on them, did you request that info?

If they do need service, your local shop may or may not be able to handle it. There are some places like Push Industries, Dirtlabs, HippieSuspension and others that do service and, sometimes, modifications to customize it for you/your riding (especially Push for Fox shocks).

Its was an ebay auction put up by a "bike shop". He also has a return policy....so im not too worried.

Here is the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=110298456785

I feel like I got a really good price. The only thing I dont like is the bonty race lite cranks which will be replaced. The wheels have mixed reviews, but they will be the next to go. All the other components are certainly up to par.

Looks like a fair price indeed and the bike looks to be in good condition, good score! I wouldn't change crank or wheels until they needed replacing but YMMV....

BTW if you want to do your own basic service, Fox has good info on their site, not sure about SRAM/Rockshox...

I'd say try the reba at 90-100 psi then just adjust from there

On the maintenance, the manuals/manufacturer's web sites have enough information to do it yourself. That not only saves $'s but down time. I did have a problem understanding a step in my Fox fork reassembly, so I called their tech support. Very helpful.

Al