Push Industries, a suspension modification and tuning service in Loveland, Colorado, has been massaging suspension components for close to 10 years. We challenged them with the RockShox Vivid 5.1 shock that earned MBA’s five-star rating because of its user-friendly design
with beginning and ending stroke rebound adjustments and low-speed compression tuning. What could Push possibly do to improve on this shock? Making the challenge tougher, we used a rider of average size and weight (a rider that the stock shock is already closely dialed to work for). The all-inclusive Factory Tuning System parts and rebuild cost $199.

Tech features: Push’s Factory Tuning System is designed to have a smooth initial stroke while feeling plush throughout, but still have big-hit compliance when you really need it. To customize the shocks, Push takes rider weight, riding style, and the bike’s suspension leverage ratio into consideration. Push starts the Factory Tuning System with a complete Factory Rebuild. This includes a performance urethane shaft seal installation, proprietary Push urethane shaft wiper installation, 0-ring replacement, oil viscosity and volume change using Maxima Racing shock fluids, nitrogen gas fill, eyelet and DU bushings replacement; all shock functions are then checked by technicians and a settings card is completed and signed by a Push technician. The Factory Rebuild service costs $129 if you pass on the complete Factory Tuning System. The goal of the Factory Tune is to reduce friction and increase bump sensitivity. The Factory Tuning System involves the installation of Push’s own high-flow piston and multi-stage shim stack with MX valve configuration, plus their asymmetrical valve piston bolt, which eliminates crossover of external adjusters. Push then revalves the compression and rebound according to the rider weight and intended use (for example, downhill racing or trail riding) and installs their conical bottoming bumper. Push Industries can be reached at (970) 278-1110.

Test Results: We’ve given you the details as to what Push does to the shock, but what’s the process like? Having your suspension worked on by Push is simple. Visit their website and select the desired service. For the Vivid, we selected the Factory Tuning System and then answered a few questions about the bike, model year, suspension design, rider weight and riding style. Push then offers a variety of shipping options with instructions and service lead-time, explaining when you can expect your fork or shock back. We submitted our shock through the standard procedure, and it was tuned and ready to ride just a few days later. What does a customized shock, race-tuned for a rider’s weight, suspension design and intended use, feel like? The first thing we noticed on our Santa Cruz V10 downhill race bike was reduced fatigue on familiar courses. The rear suspension tracked the trail better, and it took less rider input to navigate the terrain. The custom-tuned shock soaked up big hits smoothly without blowing through the travel or going farther into the travel than necessary. This allowed us to focus on the next quickly approaching terrain feature. We noticed improved small bump performance and traction at speed, which resulted in faster and more confident cornering. Don’t think that Push’s suspension tuning is for racer types only. They can tune your equipment for every riding style, from plush trail riding to cross-country racing to downhill performance. Push offers a variety of tuning services for both RockShox and Fox Shox suspension, and after experiencing the difference of a custom-tuned shock, we give two thumbs up to having your suspension “Pushed.”  
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