i noticed where the rear shock connects to the frame on the down tube that there is a second set of hole where i can fasten the shock. would this have any affect on the travel? what are they for?

It changes the progressiveness of the suspension I believe.

The hole furthest away from the seattube makes the suspension more linear. If you're running the proper sag in the linear mode and still bottoming the rear end out a bunch or pretty hard, it's worth it to put the shock in the holes further back.

EB

The hole furthest away from the seattube makes the suspension more linear. If you're running the proper sag in the linear mode and still bottoming the rear end out a bunch or pretty hard, it's worth it to put the shock in the holes further back.

EB

would you be able to give a little more meat to that explanation? my shock knowledge is very lacking. by linear, i am assuming you mean the wheel path is more straight up and down. is that correct? what is the opposite of linear? pros/cons of each setting?

No progressiveness is kinda how the shock "ramps up", it doesn't change wheel travel or anything. When in the closest hole the shock "ramps up" faster, or maybe I should say it gets harder fastest near the end of the stroke. This helps limit bottoming ans such.

That probably didn't help much, it's sorta hard to explain in not so technical terms.

No progressiveness is kinda how the shock "ramps up", it doesn't change wheel travel or anything. When in the closest hole the shock "ramps up" faster, or maybe I should say it gets harder fastest near the end of the stroke. This helps limit bottoming ans such.

That probably didn't help much, it's sorta hard to explain in not so technical terms.

ok, i sort of get that. the question then becomes, other than stiffening(for lack of better term) towards the end of the stroke, would there be any other noticeable differences in shock performance for most applications? i get the impression that any differences would be negligible unless i am having bottoming out issues with a properly set up shock. am i in the ball park on this one?

It only takes 5 minutes to switch it out. Give it a try and see what you think....at the very least, you'll know if it feels different for you. By moving your shock to the hole closest to the seattube, you might give up a little bit in the plushness, but it'll keep the bike from bottoming in the rear.

If you're not bottoming more than a few times a ride (and pretty hard), I wouldn't worry about it - personally. Fox and the other suspension makers all contend that if you're not bottoming your shock from time to time, you're probably running it too firm and definitely not using all of the travel. I moved mine back because I was hearing a huge "clank" when I'd go off of something bigger than 3 or 4 feet (fairly often for me).

EB

i noticed where the rear shock connects to the frame on the down tube that there is a second set of hole where i can fasten the shock. would this have any affect on the travel? what are they for?
Sorry, I gave inacurate information

I have been a Kona dealer for 3 years and no Konas are set to change the rear shock positionl. The holes are for weight savings only. DO NOT change the position of the shock bolts!!!!

I think you're wrong.

I think you're wrong.

I know he's wrong. He might want to check out page 11 (I believe) of his Kona supplied 04 catalogs.

No offense....I don't care how long you've been a Kona dealer, but I own two Konas (a Bear and a Stinky Primo) and Kona's in my back yard. Both of my bikes have two sets of holes on the bottom shock mount. The hole closer to the seattube makes the suspension act more progressive and the one further from the seattube (closer to the front of the bike) makes it more linear.

Don't believe me. Talk to Joe at Kona - Joe at Konaworld Dot Com or, better yet, email tech at konaworld Dot Com (I'm spelling it out so people can't scrape it for spam purposes) and in that auto-response, it says:

"On the Stinkys and Bears, the front shock mount gives a straight rate (feels the same through the travel), and the rear gives a rising rate (feels stiffer at the end of the travel)."

Want more proof? Set up your suspension so it barely bottoms out off of something in the linear (front) shock hole. Now, move it to the hole closer to the seattube (progressive location) without changing the spring rate or air pressure in your shock. You won't bottom your shock now (or if you do, it's with less force).

The idea that Kona would drill a 3/8" hole in a shock mount area to save a few grams is laughable. :D Hope you haven't been telling your Bear and Stinky buyers that.....doh! :eek:

Cheers,
EB

The innovative details in the Dawg's tubing also get applied to its suspension design. At the bottom rear-shock mounting bracket, Kona has engineered two different points of connection for the shock. Change the position and you modify the spring-rate curve of the four-inch-travel bell-linkage rear swingarm. In the forward position, the suspension's travel is linear--- more steady and consistent throughout the stroke. Use the rear position and travel is more progressive--- starts off plush but gets stiffer as you move through the travel. this nifty design feature adds a layer of tuning and customization for your ride beyond what the fork and shock already dish up.

December 2003 review of the 2004 Kona Dawg Dee Lux in Mountain Biking Magazine.

I have been a Kona dealer for 3 years and no Konas are set to change the rear shock positionl. The holes are for weight savings only. DO NOT change the position of the shock bolts!!!!

Thats funny!!! :rolleyes:

I have been a Kona dealer for 3 years and no Konas are set to change the rear shock positionl. The holes are for weight savings only. DO NOT change the position of the shock bolts!!!!
I am sorry in regards to this last post. I miss quoted from another bike industry that does have three sets of holes on the bottom mount of the rear shock. He is right about linear and progressive movement on the Dawgs. I am sorry and did not mean to offend anyone in the board.

I'm sure the intent of your post was to help, and you made a mistake. Nobody should be offended, I'm certainly not, as I'm far from perfect.

I think I kind of came off as a know-it-all a$$hole anyway. Everyone here loves to ride and wants to help each other out so let's keep the Kona community strong ya'll.

Besides, if folks are riding Kona's, they probably shred. :D

Cheers,
EB

I am sorry in regards to this last post. I miss quoted from another bike industry that does have three sets of holes on the bottom mount of the rear shock. He is right about linear and progressive movement on the Dawgs. I am sorry and did not mean to offend anyone in the board.

No worries!!! :D