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Dec. 16, 2024, 1:40 a.m. -  RoboDuck

Please don't read this and then go and run your rebounds wide open. That is also not the answer. Yes Richie Rude runs VERY fast rebound. No you don't ride like Richie. Yes faster rebounds speeds can be an asset up to a point. That point it where the speed of return starts to disrupt the rider position. Some points: 1\. Pro level riders on good setups run faster rebounds (1-2 clicks typically) than normal expert level riders like your typical North Shore regulars. This is a compromise because at race pace your fork packing is more of a detriment than a slightly rougher ride. Pro level riders also react quicker with body language to the bike and can manage the faster return speeds better. With WC DH riders I always saw about 1 click faster rebound being desired for quali/race runs instead of just practice. Without the additional speed this faster rebound just tends to feel rough (and tiring). 2\. To much rebound can disrupt your body position if you can't react quick enough to the bike. It can be especially bad with shock HSR and flat pedals. If you find yourself blowing feet off all the time in the rough then slow your shock HSR a little bit.  3\. Motion instruments (and some other DAQ systems) always tend to suggest faster rebound than is optimum, especially for terrain like the North Shore where you get a lot of lower speed, very technical moves. This is just a nature of trying to distill a very complicated system down to a couple of directions using fairly simple algorithms.  4\. Terrain and speed make a huge difference. High speed (think California, not a moist JD lap) means faster rebound. Many large American brands have settings that point you in that direction. Lower speed technical means slower rebound (think Arizona and North Shore).  5\. Lighter riders (<140lbs) are the only people who should be approaching the limits of wide open on fork. Even then modern Fox and RS are usually adequate for most skill levels. I do know of several elite woman requiring lighter Grip2 rebounds tunes for race usage. Having fresh oil in your fork can also make a big difference to how the rebound behaves.

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