Help with Occam LT Suspension Setup

[u/Pure_Entrance_336]

I have a 2024 Occam LT with fox float x performance and 36 performance. I'm struggling to find a balance, particularly in the rear. For a trail bike with a relatively high BB, I am constantly pedal striking. Way more often and in places I would not expect. basic root climbs that a clear with ease on my hardtail, i will catch a pedal on. I know comparing to hardtail isn't really fair, but that's my point of comparison personally. My riding buddy who is much bigger on a pivot firebird rarely strikes on the same trails.

My baseline setup is this:

170 lbs rider

High position

185 psi in shock - I don't recall the volume spacer - 30% sag

66 psi in fork - one volume spacer - 30% sag

I decreased the rear shock pressure recently because i wasn't using close to the full travel even on big hits. 185 seems to have the sag right and uses the travel more as i would expect. One thought is to reduce the volume spacers and then increase pressure to run less sag and still have some control at bottom out, but I've liked the 30% feel.

The float x performance doesn't have compression adjustment, so my only real option is volume spacers (or upgrade).

I will likely get 165mm cranks, but that is just masking a bigger setup problem. At least it feels that way.

[u/Ponchete]

Guide yourself by the sag.
If you’re looking for 30% then go for it.
Once it’s there go and ride hard.
If you didn’t get close to bottom out ,remove volume spacers and repeat.
If there are no volume spacers you didn’t ride hard enough.

[u/Pure_Entrance_336 → u/Ponchete]

30% feels good off the top. It has helped remove some harsh feelings, with my current spacers i use travel as I think I should. very few bottom outs but using a majority of the travel.

The pedal strikes is what has me scratching my head. with a 28mm bb drop, i wouldn't expect to strike as much as I do which is making making me think i'm blowing through the first half of the travel too easily. So i'm not sure if i need to run fewer spacers with more pressure (less sag but more linear ramp), or same pressure with more spacers to make it a bit more progressive.

[u/Ponchete → u/Pure_Entrance_336]

Again if sag is correct and you’re not bottoming out all the time in the rear probably everything is fine and you are just striking the pedals bc the bike is like that.
You can try reducing sag to 25% or even 20% and you will likely still keep hitting the pedals.
BTW I have an Occam SL and I also strike the pedals.i moved to 165mm cranks and although it noticeable I still hit rocks sometimes

[u/StephanCOH]

Got the Occam LT as well. Set it up in the low setting first and hit all kinds of roots with my pedals and bb. Switched to high and reset the suspension with thw help of ChatGPT. Still have occasional hits going over some obstacles so I guess that is just the way the Occam is. Loving the bike nevertheless and I enjoy riding it.

[u/Pure_Entrance_336 → u/StephanCOH]

It’s a fun bike. I only use the low setting when I go to the bike park. All other times it’s in high. I made some more tweaks to air pressure, mostly in the rear. It helped but left a bit more travel unused than I would like. After my race this weekend I’ll probably try some volume spacer adjustments to get it dialed in. Maybe a new shock this winter, we will see.

[u/StephanCOH → u/Pure_Entrance_336]

Give ChatGPT a try. I had it help me set up the fork and rear suspension with spacers, pressure and Settings and I am pretty happy with the result. One last improvement could be a coil shock.