Just wondered if you get in a fix over best PSI settings on the rear.

I find I can never settle. Manufacturers figures are okay but I find the arse-end is over the shop and the travel gobbles ups quickly.

I am now running at 25psi higher than spec and this "feels" better.

Same with rebound - on the faster setting (say 7 clicks out from full fast) it tracks the ground well on little stuff, but then throws you off on deeper stuff.

I know its all a compromise but I can't seem to get the best compromise.

Any suggestions?

I weigh 11.5 stone, and run with only 90psi in the back. Any more, and I don't use the full stroke. Have rebound at fastest minus 3 clicks.

Saint, do you knot find with this little amount of rebound on.

a) it springs of loose rocks.

b) throws you off on deep holes when going fast.

even though it tracks the overall landscape better ..

Someone borrowed my bike a few weeks ago and slowed down the rebound. Bike felt really dead. Not sure if there's variation in the amount of damping from one shock to another?

Bucks a little when bouncing over something big, but it's not too bad - those 3 clicks make all the difference!

If you're running lower pressure you can get away with lower rebound damping too. Try here for starters.

Mike, why would you say that out of interest.

Sorry, say what? The damping thing? Lower pressure = softer spring which doesn't rebound so fast. Therefore you don't need as much rebound damping. My old Heckler (essentially the same design as the SL but with a coil shock) runs a soft spring and just three clicks of rebound damping.

What do you weigh? If you're at the upper end of the weight range and you favour a firm ride you might possibly be pushing the abilities of the damping.

Thanks mike that's what I wanted to know. I didn't know a low air pressure affected damping. Interesting.

I am pushing just under 14st.

I don't find a problem with big and medium hits. Just that I'm sure sutter bump performance could be better.

It's just a question of making small adjustments and changing one thing at a time. SLs aren't the supplest bikes over the little stuff, but you should be able to find a happy medium. Bear in mind that if it doesn't bottom out occasionally it's probably too hard...