I have a question about a rear shock for one of my bikes. how can you tell if the rear shock is charged or not? Is there a pressure we should be running (schrader valve) and if so seems there are tires shops filling tires with nitrogen now will they be able to put enough pressure in one? I am not too cheep but have 10 bikes and it sure gets expensive when changing pistons or shocks or rebuilding forks! Any real advise would be welcomed!
When was the last time the shock was serviced? If it's been a while, it probably needs a rebuild. If it's low or out of nitrogen, it needs a rebuild - not just a n2 charge.
Push on the seat. Does it feel like there's damping or just spring? If it's just spring, it needs a rebuild.
The tire shops can do it if they can regualte up to 150psi. Although some may not want to just for liability reasons.
yesterday I measured the rebound time of a shock without the spring. it depends on type of shock and rebound clicker position, but it should not take more than 5 seconds for rebound (reb-clicker fully open). then you know there's enough n2 in there.
but like the other guys said, without nitrogene it leaks and sucks air, you will notice this