Catalyst suspension settings.

[Vern]

Why does everyone think they need to soften the front shocks? Without a swaybar these sleds need a stiff ski shock to sidehill predictably.

Stiff suspension front and rear makes sleds work in powder.

That is what I figured out over the 5 years of riding my ascender alpha. I gradually increased the ski shock pressures over the years and felt it side hilled better and kept the front end up out of the snow.

As for the catalyst, I’ve only got one ride so far seems how it doesn’t want to snow here in Utah, and I started out similar to what I was running on my ascender with around 70-75 psi and shocks in the medium setting. I don’t know if the shocks are valved differently or it’s just the lack of weight on the front end compared to the ascender, but it was throwing me all over the place. I dropped the ski shocks to the soft setting and it was significantly better.

 

[WhiskeyTee]

With the base IFP shocks. How much sag do you look for in your initial setup?

 

[turboless terry]

That is what I figured out over the 5 years of riding my ascender alpha. I gradually increased the ski shock pressures over the years and felt it side hilled better and kept the front end up out of the snow.

As for the catalyst, I’ve only got one ride so far seems how it doesn’t want to snow here in Utah, and I started out similar to what I was running on my ascender with around 70-75 psi and shocks in the medium setting. I don’t know if the shocks are valved differently or it’s just the lack of weight on the front end compared to the ascender, but it was throwing me all over the place. I dropped the ski shocks to the soft setting and it was significantly better.

Ran my 19 at 70 psi. I thought it was a big difference over a friend's that was set at 60. My 20 was a hardcore. Never even looked at 858 yet. I did add 10 pounds to front track shock. People should do what they like whether it's wrong or right. My wife likes her front shocks softer, which i hate, so it rolls on edge easier. Then you blow through your travel fast when on edge.

 

[MTN_VIPER]

Yeah, suspension set up is definitely not one size fits all. We all ride differently and in different snow conditions.

 

[MTN_VIPER]

Trying a couple of different things, I installed a Hygear dual chamber on the rear skid shock.
It's a little more work to install one on an IQS or QS3 shock. Due to the remote reservoir, you have to remove the air cap end of the shock in order to be able to slide the Hygear billet aluminum clamp over the shock body. The air cap has Loctite on the threads that attaches it to the shock shaft, so you have to use heat to release the Loctite. Just takes time/care and some specific tools, so that you don't damage the shock shaft and related components. But at least you're working with the air side and not the gas/oil half, so you don't have to have the shock re-charged.

Once installed, I like to fully compress the rear skid without any air in the shocks to verify that the Hygear chamber clears the Alpha rail. If necessary, the chamber clocking on the main shock body can be adjusted for proper clearance.

I have mixed feelings on using the lock-out feature, for me it's fine as long as I don't hit a hard patch of snow or old tracks during a climb. If I do hit some hard snow, it can pitch me around pretty good and I can get fouled up. As a work around, I think that I will change my driver's 1 and 2 settings.

Currently I have driver's 1 at skis medium and rear shock soft, while driver's 2 is skis firm and rear shock medium.
I think what I'll try is just the opposite, driver's 1 skis soft and rear shock medium. Driver's 2 would be skis medium and rear shock firm. My thoughts are that this would give me a "partial lock-out" feature option, so in the event of hitting a hard patch of snow during a climb the rear skid would have some give to it.

 

[bcsnowdog]

I haven’t got my 858 yet, but on my ascender I’ve been actually increasing ski shock pressure the last couple years. Think I was around 75 psi last season and think it handles better and helps keep the front end up out of the snow. Also ran 45-50 psi in the front track shock and around 150 in the rear. All on setting number 2. Not sure how the catalyst will compare.

The tech at my dealer recommended 20-40 psi in front track shock in new mountain cat. I weigh 170 tried 60 was very unstable on the trail. From what I remember my 20 alpha ran way more psi

 

[Mafesto]

My pressures from the factory were all very high. Have not yet ridden, but lowered ski shocks to 60, front skid to 50 and rear skid to 140 (Not that anyone cares, but I can look back at this post for future reference)

 

[koolaid]

The tech at my dealer recommended 20-40 psi in front track shock in new mountain cat.

I'm starting to lean that way. I pumped FTS to 50# but thinking I went the wrong way. I did however pump up skis to 75# and think that was a correct move. RTS hasn't changed at 140#. I like it there. Need some fresh to mess around more.
Thinking next outing will be:

Skis-75
FTS-35
RTS-140

Not looking to wheelie, want a predictable sled that jumps onto the deep and keeps pushing forward. ATTAC still doesn't work!

 

[Vern]

First off sorry for the long post, but here it goes.

Finally got out on a second ride today. Snow finally had a base with about a foot of new snow, but pretty tracked up. With 70 psi in skis and shocks set on soft, which I liked on the last ride but in softer snow conditions I was still getting thrown all over the place in the ruts and hard spots, so dropped the ski pressures down to 60, but didn’t notice much change. When we got to the sun baked side of a hill where the snow was pretty set up I was getting my butt kicked trying to keep it on edge. I could pop it up easy enough, but as soon as I touched the brake to keep it under control the front end would slam back down on two skis costing me my line. Not sure if I should keep going down on the ski pressures to combat this or if maybe the rear is causing issues. I set the fts to 50 and rear track shock to 150 both on the medium setting at the beginning of the season because that’s what worked in my ascender and I’m a bigger guy at probably 300lbs geared up, but wondering if it’s to much on this chassis like has been discussed. The rear feels pretty good when climbing and I can keep the front end down for the most part, but wondering if it’s hurting my ability to keep it up on edge in crappy snow. I just don’t wanna soften it and have an out of control wheelie monster, but if it helps my side hills maybe I need to make a compromise. What say you guys that have more time on these sleds?

 

[turboless terry]

First off sorry for the long post, but here it goes.

Finally got out on a second ride today. Snow finally had a base with about a foot of new snow, but pretty tracked up. With 70 psi in skis and shocks set on soft, which I liked on the last ride but in softer snow conditions I was still getting thrown all over the place in the ruts and hard spots, so dropped the ski pressures down to 60, but didn’t notice much change. When we got to the sun baked side of a hill where the snow was pretty set up I was getting my butt kicked trying to keep it on edge. I could pop it up easy enough, but as soon as I touched the brake to keep it under control the front end would slam back down on two skis costing me my line. Not sure if I should keep going down on the ski pressures to combat this or if maybe the rear is causing issues. I set the fts to 50 and rear track shock to 150 both on the medium setting at the beginning of the season because that’s what worked in my ascender and I’m a bigger guy at probably 300lbs geared up, but wondering if it’s to much on this chassis like has been discussed. The rear feels pretty good when climbing and I can keep the front end down for the most part, but wondering if it’s hurting my ability to keep it up on edge in crappy snow. I just don’t wanna soften it and have an out of control wheelie monster, but if it helps my side hills maybe I need to make a compromise. What say you guys that have more time on these sleds?

I just haven't had this trouble. I've rode the 154 and last time out i took the 165. I assume you have a 165. You may think I'm nuts but I think some of it is foot placement. These sleds seem to make a bigger difference front to back than anything I've rode. More planted up front and way easier when back. You could soften some and see but you lose a bunch of your travel when on edge. That will hurt you also. I like my fronts at 70. Most of my shock pressures would be meaningless since you have at least a 100 on me geared up. If your feet were back a little, as long as it's not washing you might help. No idea other than that.

 

[MTN_VIPER]

I tried 75 (in warm shop, 70 psi on the hill in the cold) today, but dropped it back down to 65 PSI (cold) as I felt that it was easier to ride in the firmer snow we had today.

 

[Vern]

I just haven't had this trouble. I've rode the 154 and last time out i took the 165. I assume you have a 165. You may think I'm nuts but I think some of it is foot placement. These sleds seem to make a bigger difference front to back than anything I've rode. More planted up front and way easier when back. You could soften some and see but you lose a bunch of your travel when on edge. That will hurt you also. I like my fronts at 70. Most of my shock pressures would be meaningless since you have at least a 100 on me geared up. If your feet were back a little, as long as it's not washing you might help. No idea other than that.

Yeah, 165, and im sure more time on the sled will help to get things like foot placement figured out. I was just getting my but kicked on the sun baked snow, felt like a rookie again. Outside of that, and the tree that took a chunk out of my hood, the sleds running great so far (only about 50 miles on it now though) but definitely needs some clutch work especially when I was getting up around 9k+ feet. Felt a bit lazy up there and was only hitting 78-7900 rpm. She ripped down around 8k or less though. I’ll have to get the Ibexx clutch kit in there that finally showed up and see what happens.

 

[turboless terry]

Yeah, 165, and im sure more time on the sled will help to get things like foot placement figured out. I was just getting my but kicked on the sun baked snow, felt like a rookie again. Outside of that, and the tree that took a chunk out of my hood, the sleds running great so far (only about 50 miles on it now though) but definitely needs some clutch work especially when I was getting up around 9k+ feet. Felt a bit lazy up there and was only hitting 78-7900 rpm. She ripped down around 8k or less though. I’ll have to get the Ibexx clutch kit in there that finally showed up and see what happens.

Mine felt decent at 8 but was only pulling 7600 at 9500. Felt like a turd. I even saw 7450 for a second. New clutching coming.

 

[Suzzy-Q]

Mid season check to see where people ended up wit their shocks. 154MC(atac) 215 lbs rider before gear.

Last couple rides I’ve had this set up and still seems like the stiffer or lockout function helps keep things down in the steeper/deeper pulls nothing super big though no chutes. And front shocks seem to change enough through the soft to hard settings.

Skis - 65
FTS - 75
RTS - 100

 

[Mafesto]

My pressures from the factory were all very high. Have not yet ridden, but lowered ski shocks to 60, front skid to 50 and rear skid to 140 (Not that anyone cares, but I can look back at this post for future reference)

Rear skid seems stiff, Backed it off to 100

 

[Vern]

Last ride I was at 60 skis, 40 fts, and 140 rts. Seemed good to me and I’m a bigger guy pushing 300lbs geared up.

 

[slyrydr]

thanks for input guys..... i'm close to what my ascender was....60 ski, 60 fts, 120 rts.....retired, so i pick & choose ride days in mostly dry Utah powder....60 in fts because i'm still a little skeptical of cracking the alpha rail...put shocks in mid position everywhere....190 lbs before gear....

 

[Vern]

I know it does happen, but I think the rail breaking thing is another one of those things that is blown out of proportion on the internet. I ran 45-50 psi in the fts for 5 years on my ‘20 and had a few pretty hard bottom outs over logs or creek hopping that I thought for sure woulda snapped the rail, but never did even with my big azz on it. After dropping the catalyst fts from 50 down to 40ish I felt it was a lot more controllable on climbs, less squirly. Still almost got mouse trapped on one climb though, even with the rts locked out, cuz these things hook up so good. Barely got out of the way in time by time I realized the sled was still climbing but we weren’t going forward anymore. So far I’m finding, for me at least, the catalyst likes about 10psi less across the board in the shocks than what I ran in my ascender alpha.

 

[slyrydr]

after several changes to pressures, settled on....55 ski, 50 fts (may come down a little more), 120 rts....moving from 60 to 50 on fts was a definite improvement both on trail with a smoother ride and in the deep and especially climbing as it made sled more controllable .....190 lbs necked....