I have no experience with the reliability of Cane Creek's information. I was just suggesting that by comparing their base tune values, you might be able to learn a bit about the underlying suspension design by way of extrapolation.
But maybe not.
The one place that you have to be careful with Cane Creek's base tunes is that for some bikes where, between their test riders - manufacturers - and forums, they haven't finalized a ~ tune the "Base Tune" will often just show a neutral tune (something like LSC +13, LSR +15, HSC +2 Turns, HSR +2 Turns).
That said, if you know the ~ rates and characteristics of a bike's suspension it is pretty easy to borrow an established base tune from a similar bike as a starting point.
…
Without stating a personal bias/preference or making any claims about performance relative to other shocks, I will say that of the brands we carry at work (SuspensionWerx: Fox, Cane Creek, BOS) a very common reason that Cane Creek's shocks are chosen as replacements/upgrades the vast majority of the time is that they are 100% user tune-able (LSC/HSC/LSR/HSR external + Air Volume internal).
We do a significant number of re-tunes a year custom valving aftermarket//used shocks to work with specific bikes OR stock shocks to work for specific riders and generally this does require specific tools (as well as nitrogen charging capabilities in many cases), access to parts, specialized knowledge (the 1% as mentioned above), and experience with a vast array of suspension designs. If you get the tune wrong you have to crack the shock again and then bleed it//charge it all over again.
With Cane Creek's shocks you start from a Base Tune and dial the shock to your preference from there. Locally, compared to the base tunes, most riders prefer to run ~LSC +2 clicks, ~LSR +2 clicks, and less sag. If, in tuning your shock, you end up with performance that is totally wonky you just go back to base settings.
…
I wouldn't attempt to speak for mountain bicyclers in general; however, I would say in my specific experience that WAY more than 1% of riders (that I see) are interested in being able to tune their own suspension… easily more than 50%… just not to the extent of tearing down dampers to re-valve the shim stacks (that would be way less than 1%).
I would be very surprised if more suspension products going forward don't offer a higher degree of external adjustment as I think it is something the market wants (along with base settings specific to your bike so you have a starting point).
I would suggest that one of the reasons Cane Creek's shocks hold their value on the used market compared to other dampers is that they work with any bike with their dimensions (E.G. 8.5x2.5 = 8.5x2.5) without requiring a re-tune.
Mean People SUCK! Nice People SHOVEL!
Trails For All; Trails For Weather
…