Can a Rockshox Recon be improved

[Chris NewbyFraser]

The Recon that came standard on my XTC is not a nice piece of equipment. It has poor small bump compliance and feels too firm when hitting bigger bumps, despite only having 70lbs pressure for my 74kg weight.

 

Is it possible to upgrade the internals to get a more compliant ride?

[Quagga]

Not really worth it, RS has never been very good with small bumps.

If I was you I would sell it and look at Fox for small bump compliance or the 2018 RS Sid

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Have you set it according to the chart on the fork legs, or according to how you want to set up your bike?

 

Those decals on the legs showing pressure readings are ballpark figures at best. You can change your fork's performance by fiddling with the air pressure, compression settings and rebound settings to get a better feel. Drop the pressure a bit, or back off on the compression damping. Don't do both at the same time, do it one at a tiome to see what does what. 

 

A good starting point is to set it so that the sag is at ~10-20% when static, out the saddle, feet at 3 & 6 on the pedals and the compression dial all the way out (all the way to the "-" ). From there, drop or raise the pressure in 5psi increments until you get to the point that you're bottoming out, then add 3-5psi. Then start playing with the compression damping to get it to behave how you want. 

 

Ballpark stuff, but you can make a Recon not suck. Won't get it to perform as well as a Lyrik RCT3 / RC2 / Fox 36 Grip 2, but you can get better than where you are at the moment without shelling out extra cash. 

[fanievb]

when last did you have it serviced?

[Mojoman]

Personally I look at the level of the dust on the uppers. After a normal ride you will see a clean section and a dusty section...adjust as needed until you get that 15 to 20% sag.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

when last did you have it serviced?

This, too. 

[Jewbacca]

Personally I look at the level of the dust on the uppers. After a normal ride you will see a clean section and a dusty section...adjust as needed until you get that 15 to 20% sag.

After any ride surely you should have bottomed out your fork and cleaned the stantions?

 

20 to 30% sag and a faster rebound will make small bump sensitivity feel better as you then have more 'preloaded' spring to fill the holes? Maybe....

 

Dunno.... I like my forks soft and my women hard

[Mojoman]

After any ride surely you should have bottomed out your fork and cleaned the stantions?

 

20 to 30% sag and a faster rebound will make small bump sensitivity feel better as you then have more 'preloaded' spring to fill the holes? Maybe....

 

Dunno.... I like my forks soft and my women hard

works for me....but I also don't hit jumps etc. I grew up with horses so I think all the years of riding taught me to absorb a lot of impact in my legs and keep my weight balanced.

[Jewbacca]

works for me....but I also don't hit jumps etc. I grew up with horses so I think all the years of riding taught me to absorb a lot of impact in my legs and keep my weight balanced.

I rode a rigid SS for a million years.

 

Having previous experience at things doesn't mean you shouldn't use things as they were 'meant' to be used.

 

Guys in SA love to over inflate things! hahahaha

 

RS recommend 20 to 30% sag on all their products. Less will completely negate any reason for having rebound and will take away small bump sensitivity. 

 

Running a 100mm fork at 15% sag is going to feel like a pogo stick. Suspension is there to relieve fatigue and 'iron out' the rattly bits without you having to work, not for the 'big hits'.

 

Absorbing the big hits with skill and finesse is essential, but having plush suspension is, well, mmmmmmm

 

I still love riding my silly bike or taking the gravel bike where it shouldn'y go, but when I have suspension I will make darn certain it's doing its job!

 

But like you say, each to their own. I'm unfortunately one of those guys who owns a 4x4 but due to work load increase and home commitments no longer have time to 4x4..... Same same!

[BaGearA]

I rode a rigid SS for a million years.

 

Having previous experience at things doesn't mean you shouldn't use things as they were 'meant' to be used.

 

Guys in SA love to over inflate things! hahahaha

 

RS recommend 20 to 30% sag on all their products. Less will completely negate any reason for having rebound and will take away small bump sensitivity. 

 

Running a 100mm fork at 15% sag is going to feel like a pogo stick. Suspension is there to relieve fatigue and 'iron out' the rattly bits without you having to work, not for the 'big hits'.

 

Absorbing the big hits with skill and finesse is essential, but having plush suspension is, well, mmmmmmm

 

I still love riding my silly bike or taking the gravel bike where it shouldn'y go, but when I have suspension I will make darn certain it's doing its job!

 

But like you say, each to their own. I'm unfortunately one of those guys who owns a 4x4 but due to work load increase and home commitments no longer have time to 4x4..... Same same!

Highly depends on who you are 

 

 

Almost any pro from enduro to DH will say its for grip and for not breaking themselves when hitting stuff at the speed they do , comfort is far down the list for them.

 

for joe public yeah I totally agree , comfort is the objective and we in south africa tend to run our suspension very hard 

[Jewbacca]

Highly depends on who you are 

 

 

Almost any pro from enduro to DH will say its for grip and for not breaking themselves when hitting stuff at the speed they do , comfort is far down the list for them.

 

for joe public yeah I totally agree , comfort is the objective and we in south africa tend to run our suspension very hard 

Thats what I'm saying but in a 'I don't hit jumps or anything big' way.

 

It smoothes out the rattly bits and makes you less fatigued/off balance/pogo sticky when you need to corner/brake/turn etc...

 

Having your suspension too hard negates this.

 

But I'm not getting into a suspension debate. I completely agree with you. 

 

By 'comfort' I am talking about corrugated roads and brake bumps being 'smoothed out' without having to do any actual work.

 

Maybe I worded it wrong?

[BaGearA]

Thats what I'm saying but in a 'I don't hit jumps or anything big' way.

 

It smoothes out the rattly bits and makes you less fatigued/off balance/pogo sticky when you need to corner/brake/turn etc...

 

Having your suspension too hard negates this.

 

But I'm not getting into a suspension debate. I completely agree with you. 

 

By 'comfort' I am talking about corrugated roads and brake bumps being 'smoothed out' without having to do any actual work.

 

Maybe I worded it wrong?

nah , i think my inner keyboard warrior just took over for A bit

[Sidersky]

Often things are about different perspectives I guess.

 

A Recon was my first fork upgrade, from an SR Suntour which I have to guess was pretty entry level. It was like driving a Rolls after a cheap car with worn shocks. I couldn't believe the difference.

 

With more hindsight the only thing I wish was different is I would love to have a remote lock out. Next time...

[Psyrax]

I rode a rigid SS for a million years.

 

How old are you? Highlander?

[Jewbacca]

How old are you? Highlander?

There can be only ONE! 

[dave303e]

They are mtb forks, they will never be that good so just ride them...