Elka Stage 5 Shock

The Stage 5 mountain bike shock is specifically designed, engineered and custom-tuned for downhill, freeride and all-mountain riding. It provides a well-balanced combination of plushness, pedaling performance and comfort with an ultra-wide range of adjustability for any riding style and application.

BENEFITS

* Decrease in unwanted suspension action
* Smooth absorption of harsh impacts and vibration
* Maximum traction over any type of terrain
* Optimal ride height within the travel
* Resistance against bottoming-out
* Consistent, predictable handling and jumping



FEATURES


* Bike-specific custom valving
* Intuitive, easy to use adjustments with wide usable range
* High-volume external reservoir which allows massive oil flow
* Hi-Tensile Steel Alloy Spring (10-15% lighter than standard steel springs)
* Exclusive long-lasting polymer composite DU bushings
* Hard-anodized aluminium shaft, body, main piston and reservoir
* Durable premium-quality seals, o-rings and wearbands
* Micro cellular urethane bumper (MCU)
* Detailed CNC-machining work and smooth anodized finish
* Compatible with standard size springs and mounting hardware



TECHNOLOGY


* Concentric dual-circuit high/low-speed compression device
* High-flow hydraulic internals
* Proven technology derived from our knowledge in powersports racing


HIGH-SPEED COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENT

The Elka Suspension high-speed compression circuit is an adjustable blow-off valve that momentarily relieves the pressure building up inside the shock upon a harsh impact, instantly providing additional plushness then increased resistance as needed. The adjustment controls the level of force (threshold) required to open the blow-off valve upon fast movement of the shock's shaft (high velocity) which can be caused by square-edged impacts, roots, rocks, potholes, vibration or brake bumps. When set properly, the high-speed compression circuit allows the wheel to effectively absorb all impacts without bottoming out or using too much travel.

Start with the adjustment in the fully open position (completely turned counterclockwise) and take a test ride. If you tend to bottom out often or use too much travel upon impacts or repetitive bumps, add more resistance by turning the adjuster one click at a time until you bottom out only once in a while upon major impacts.

INCREASING THE HIGH-SPEED COMPRESSION
(MORE RESISTANCE BEFORE BLOWING OFF)

To increase the high-speed compression threshold, thus increasing the level of force required to activate the blow-off valve, turn the black high-speed compression adjuster knob clockwise (screw in). There is about 22 clicks of high-speed compression adjustment. When the high-speed setting gets too hard, the shock absorber will not be able to effectively absorb impacts, thus making the ride harsh.

REDUCING THE HIGH-SPEED COMPRESSION
(LESS RESISTANCE BEFORE BLOWING OFF)

To reduce the high-speed compression threshold, thus decreasing the level of force required to activate the blow-off valve, turn the black high-speed compression adjuster knob counterclockwise (unscrew). When the high-speed setting gets too soft, the suspension will use more travel upon impacts and become more prone to bottoming out. The goal is to run as little high-speed compression as possible to have a plush and comfortable ride without bottoming out.

LOW-SPEED COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENT

he low-speed compression adjustment controls the damping level (resistance) for slow movement of the shock's shaft (low velocity), such as under pedaling, when cornering and when preloading the suspension for jumping. The low-speed compression damping level provides the overall stiffness feeling of the bike's suspension, making it either plush and comfortable or firm and fast-rolling. You should start in the middle of the adjustment range.

To adjust properly, turn the adjuster one click at a time and take a test ride. The adjustment is more sensitive towards the fully in position (slowest). When the low-speed setting gets too hard, the shock absorber will not be able to absorb low-velocity impacts and weight transfers, thus making the ride harsher. When the low-speed setting gets too soft, the shock absorber will be too active, will wallow more under pedaling and will become more prone to bottoming out.

INCREASING THE LOW-SPEED COMPRESSION DAMPING (STIFFER SUSPENSION)

To increase the low-speed compression damping, thus making the suspension stiffer, turn the red low-speed compression adjuster knob clockwise (screw in). There is about 22 clicks of low-speed compression adjustment.

REDUCING THE LOW-SPEED COMPRESSION DAMPING (SOFTER SUSPENSION)

To reduce the low-speed compression damping, thus making the suspension softer, turn the red low-speed compression adjuster knob counterclockwise (unscrew).

REBOUND ADJUSTMENT

The rebound adjustment controls the speed the shock will return to its initial extended state after being compressed upon an impact. If the rebound adjustment is set properly, the rear wheel should keep maximum traction by tracking the ground without catapulting the rider off the bike. You should start in the middle of the adjustment range.

To adjust properly, turn the adjuster one click at a time and take a test ride. The adjustment is more sensitive towards the fully in position (slowest). When the rebound setting gets too slow, the shock absorber will not have time to resume to its initial position when a series of close bumps is encountered. In this case, the bike will run out of travel (packing), possibly bottoming out, and may give the impression of a too soft compression adjustment. When the rebound adjustment is too fast, the rear end of the bike will kick and move from side to side after hitting a series of close bumps and the rider will feel catapulted by the bike.

INCREASING THE REBOUND DAMPING (SLOWER RETURN)

To increase the rebound damping, thus making the shock return slower upon an impact, turn the rebound adjuster knob clockwise (screw in). There is about 16 clicks of rebound adjustment.

REDUCING THE REBOUND DAMPING (FASTER RETURN)

To reduce the rebound damping, thus making the shock return faster upon an impact, turn the rebound adjuster knob counterclockwise (unscrew).

SPRING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT

Spring preload is the compression applied to the shock's spring when at rest, using the preload adjuster ring. The preload adjustment is used to achieve the optimal amount of sag and proper ride height.

INCREASING THE PRELOAD

To increase the preload on your spring, turn the preload ring clockwise. Increasing the preload will increase the ride height, thus reducing the sag. This will result in a more responsive ride. Be careful not to apply too much preload. This can cause "coil binding", which is when the coils of the spring rub against each other under compression. This can damage the spring, the shock and can be dangerous for the rider.

REDUCING THE PRELOAD

To reduce the preload on your spring, turn the preload ring counterclockwise. Reducing the preload will decrease the ride height, thus increasing the sag. This will result in a more comfortable ride. Make sure to apply enough preload so the spring is firmly held in place and doesn't spin freely on the shock.

For our owners manual download, please click here - http://www.elkasuspension.com/downloads/ELKA-MTB-MANUAL.pdf

When ordering, please specify in the comments section, your bike model, year and travel. We can then custom valve the shock correctly for your bike.