Rear shock recomendations for a Kona Stinky 2-4

rick79

Likes Dirt
Hey fellas,

My son is riding a 2009 Kona Stinky 2-4 for DH (24' wheel grom version)

...Currently run 130mm Recon Gold up the front @ 45psi (nice and supple for his 8yr old feather weight)

And a Fox RP2 Float on the rear @ min psi which is 50.

...Problem is, its not supple at all how a DH bike should be, and also its just not active at all!
I can be following him down , and his rear is skipping left and right all over the place when he going over rough ground and rock gardens! The bigger drops etc will see the suspension work...but thats about it.

Any suggestions on a setup that will be more active???
(its running rebound as fast as it will go) and eye to eye is 165mm

HEEEELP!!!
 
What tyre pressure is he running? Try dropping it way down if it's not already..

What sag is he getting? Also, what settings are available on the shock? And what has he got them on? Does he look like he's getting bucked at all with the max rebound setting?

If all else fails, you could get him to wear a 3L hydro filled to the brim.... Hehe :)
 
What tyre pressure is he running? Try dropping it way down if it's not already..

What sag is he getting? Also, what settings are available on the shock? And what has he got them on? Does he look like he's getting bucked at all with the max rebound setting?

If all else fails, you could get him to wear a 3L hydro filled to the brim.... Hehe :)

Tyre pressure is really low...i think its around 10psi?

He gets ZERO sag at 50psi

the only setting on the shock is rebound...which i have set as fast as it'l go, and yeah hes gettin bucked around bu the fist sized loosish rocks mostly.

LOL..yep...think ill have to strap a hyro pack to him until we can figure somthing out...but even when i pump the shock up to for me to get 25% sag....and then take it up the street and do some bunnyhops...it bottoms out harshly! What the??
 
Put some of them rocks in the li'l dude's backpack, it's the only way to get him heavy enough to get the shock in its best performance range.:evil:
 
Tyre pressure is really low...i think its around 10psi?

He gets ZERO sag at 50psi

the only setting on the shock is rebound...which i have set as fast as it'l go, and yeah hes gettin bucked around bu the fist sized loosish rocks mostly.

LOL..yep...think ill have to strap a hyro pack to him until we can figure somthing out...but even when i pump the shock up to for me to get 25% sag....and then take it up the street and do some bunnyhops...it bottoms out harshly! What the??

Have you tried getting some sag @ less than 50psi? like 0psi :) Does the shock rebound slowish even though you've got it set to the fastest setting? Does it stick? When was the last time the shock was serviced/tuned? Might be worthwhile having a chat to someone like NS Dynamics and see what they can do with regards to service/tune. Other than that, rear suspension is over rated anyway... hehehe

Not really much you can do if you get no sag and the only dial you got is rebound..... look into a new shock if all else fails, but if I was your son... "Time for a NEW bike dad"..... hahaha :)
 
Have you tried getting some sag @ less than 50psi? like 0psi :) Does the shock rebound slowish even though you've got it set to the fastest setting? Does it stick? When was the last time the shock was serviced/tuned? Might be worthwhile having a chat to someone like NS Dynamics and see what they can do with regards to service/tune. Other than that, rear suspension is over rated anyway... hehehe

Not really much you can do if you get no sag and the only dial you got is rebound..... look into a new shock if all else fails, but if I was your son... "Time for a NEW bike dad"..... hahaha :)

yeah, talked to Aaron at NSD, and he said the rp2 needs at least 50psi to function properly...and if its set any lower the rebound circuit wont be fuctioning as intended.

anyone think this may be a better option with a custom made spring?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321062736417?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
 
All the stinky 2-4's I've ever seen had a coil shock with a super light spring so yes, I'd try the vanilla for sure. At that price you aren't out much if it's no better.
 
Only thing you can do is keep feeding him. What's he weigh - 25kg? You'll never get the suspension to work "normally" when the rider is only 8kg heavier then the bike. Furthermore, when he's that small he's better off skipping over stuff anyway, helps keep his momentum going, it's really easy to completely stall in a hole or behind a rock when you and your bike don't weigh much.

Don't be tempted to buy him a lighter (non DH) bike either, if he's riding with any sort of potential he'll just break it.

I wouldn't worry about fiddling with his suspension at his stage, just keep encouraging his riding, and make sure he's having fun.
 
Only thing you can do is keep feeding him. What's he weigh - 25kg? You'll never get the suspension to work "normally" when the rider is only 8kg heavier then the bike. Furthermore, when he's that small he's better off skipping over stuff anyway, helps keep his momentum going, it's really easy to completely stall in a hole or behind a rock when you and your bike don't weigh much.

Don't be tempted to buy him a lighter (non DH) bike either, if he's riding with any sort of potential he'll just break it.

I wouldn't worry about fiddling with his suspension at his stage, just keep encouraging his riding, and make sure he's having fun.

yeh I think hes about 25kg or there abouts, so yeah makes sense that its going to be a little difficult to get it setuo right....although I may just try that vanilla and see how it goes.
He definatly is showing PLENTY of potential for a kid who has never rode/raced BMX or anything...and he's having loads of fun! So ill just keep taking him out and encouraging him :)
 
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