Cane Creek's Dialed Tuning App - First Look

Jul 17, 2016
by Mike Levy  
Due to the fact that they have more dials than most, all of which offer a relatively wide range of adjustment, Cane Creek's shocks have always had a reputation for being difficult to both understand and set up. However, the company's new app aims to bury that rep by turning your iOS or Android smartphone into a tuning guru that guides riders through the setup process from start to finish.

To be honest, I've never agreed with the "hard to understand,'' logic as Cane Creek is the only suspension company that offers base tunes online for pretty much every single bike that their shock could be bolted to. Not only that, the Cane Creek shocks that come stock on bikes actually have their dials set to the recommended spot, unlike pretty much everything else out there that is likely set up by the shop... or not at all. But what if you need a bit of guidance when it comes to turning the dials?

This is where the aptly named Dialed app comes in.

I've been tinkering with the free Dialed app, which is available for iPhone and Android phones in iTunes, the App Store, and Google Play, for a few weeks now, running through the tuning process and saving individual profiles for different bikes and shocks. It's a slick system, with a simple question and answer process that starts off with you selecting your bike (there are over 6,000 of them, so yours is probably on here), the type of shock, and entering in your weight. Don't fib.

Next, you'll be asked if you want to save and exit, meaning that you're fine with the base settings or how the shock is performing. Or maybe you want to do some custom tuning?



Cane Creek Dialed app
Cane Creek Dialed app


The app takes you through the tuning process, beginning with entering sag before moving on to high-speed compression and asking if you want to go with the base tune or enter a personal setting. This is where it gets neat: the app asks you to ride a familiar section of trail while paying attention to whatever sort of impacts are relevant to the damper setting that you're working on. For HSC, it tells you to take note of big impacts, g-outs, hard landings, etc..., and to note where the o-ring sits on the stanchion after those type of hits.

Next, you'll answer a few question, and the app will tell you if you should make an adjustment or if you can carry on to the next step, as well as reminding you to only make a single adjustment at a time.


Cane Creek Dialed app
Cane Creek Dialed app


This step-by-step adjustment exercise should make it easy for even the most amateur of riders to end up with a decent performing shock, but Cane Creek went one step further by adding a tactile touch to the Dialed app in the form of interactive sliders on your phone's screen.

I know that I prefer a bit more low-speed rebound than a lot of riders, and the app ended up recommending five additional clicks of LSC because I selected "The bike feels bouncy and loose," during a second run through of the process. A slider wheel then shows up on the screen with the suggested change above it, and it even makes an audible click as you use your finger to make the change on the "dial" on the phone's screen. I added five clicks of LSC to my shock and then saved the new setting. This slider wheel, as well as suggested changes, will pop up for any of the four damper adjustments if you select any of the complaint options that come up as the app runs you through the setup, and it's a way for Cane Creek to have riders mentally connect making changes on the shock with those that the app proposes.


Cane Creek Dialed app
Cane Creek Dialed app


The whole deal takes maybe five minutes if you don't do any custom tuning, longer if you do, of course, and then you can save that profile in the app just in case you need to revisit it down the road. Cane Creek even has tutorial videos online, linked up through the app itself, that show riders how to set sag or make air volume adjustments.

There's no doubt in my mind that this sort of app is going to be a boon to any rider who is even the slightest bit curious about what the dials do on their Cane Creek shock, and I'm a bit surprised that other suspension companies don't already have something similar out.

A lot of us have phones that are full of useless apps and games, but riders with a Cane Creek shock on their bike are much better off having Dialed on their phone than the latest Angry Birds or Pokémon Go.


MENTIONS: @CaneCreekCyclingComponents



Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

113 Comments
  • 95 1
 I like this. A tinkerer's dream.
  • 53 0
 And also a non-tinkerer's dream. It seems to me that, while this might be fun for those who already know how to fiddle with their suspension, it will be most useful for those who have no idea what they're doing.
  • 19 0
 @Bluefire: I fall into the latter. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to my suspension.
  • 8 1
 @anchoricex: me too!

I currently have a pdf on my phone with the manuals for my Talas and RP23 Shock to remind me what does what. An interactive tuning guide giving suggestions based on products and rider feedback would definitely get my $1.
  • 23 0
 Cane Creek is always a step above the rest when it comes to taking care of their consumers.
  • 4 0
 @properp: they really are.especially if you go there.you wont get through the door but they will come outside and talk about anything you need help with.very cool guys too.
  • 35 0
 This should be the norm for all mtb suspension companies!!
  • 7 4
 Cane Creek is just that much better. That's it.
  • 18 10
 @properp: No they're not.
  • 2 3
 @properp: but do they offer shim kits and print outs on how to custom valve your shock?
  • 10 4
 @properp: Can Creek rules if you like shocks that blow the f*ck up.
  • 3 1
 @myfriendgoose: really? Everyone I know and myself included with DBAIR have had great reliability. I ride hard and often and just took mine in for service after a years use. The DBAIR inline on the other hand doesn't seem great though...
  • 2 1
 @myfriendgoose: Its possible to blow up any thing MTB. Its called Rampage . Just test it out their.
  • 3 0
 @BDKR: Just deal with Fux service a time or three and you quickly learn about poor poor service.
  • 1 0
 @properp: Oh I've dealt with them! They suck!

BTW, I'm not saying CC's service is bad. But that begs the question: what are we comparing? Design, quality and performance or service?

My experience with the CC DB Air CS is that it's too linear and doesn't have enough range of adjustment to stop it from using crap loads of travel and bottoming out. It's fine if your wafer thin and not at the bike park pressing on. It's also cool if your frame provides some progression as it moves through it's travel. If it doesn't, get a different shock.

Sure, you can put volume spacers in, but that means you lose sensitivity and you have to pop it open or send it off.

A better idea would be to keep using a large can but add a reservoir for bottom out control. Like say the Rocco Air, Vector HLR (my next choice), Groove 200, DHX4, etc....

Oh well....
  • 1 0
 @myfriendgoose: agreed me and 3 friends had ours go..then found out there's 2 or 3 places in Canada that service and fix them... none being whistler or the coast either.. absolutely rediculous to find a place found out
  • 1 0
 @wolferrepublic: well except suspension werx which isn't very far from Squamish or Whistler.....
  • 13 0
 Downloaded this app a few days ago. Waiting to get to the bike park before I start to tinker with my adjustments. Can't wait to try it out rather than carrying a pencil and paper and trying to remember which way you spun your dials!!!
  • 22 2
 Just so you know, you can take notes on your smartphone Wink
  • 18 0
 @Mattin: Not only will DIALED record setup notes, it will also provide base tunes/adjustment recommendations/suspension education videos and more. check it out Smile
  • 5 0
 @Mattin: just as likely to take notes on a smartphone as we are on pen and paper... not very...
  • 2 3
 @CaneCreekCyclingComponents: haha I know (hence my other comment where I say I like what you guys are doing), just purely stating that using a pen and paper to take notes (in general) is very 80ies Smile
  • 2 0
 @Mattin: im pretty most of the time ive seen the fox dudes do their pro factory rider testing its pen and paper. Just sayin
  • 2 2
 @jo1212man: I hope they at least used organical paper and biologically degradable inc. *takes a sip of his coffee and rides away fashionably on his fixie*
  • 17 9
 Before they make an app for their shocks, why don't they make shocks that work? I'm on my third DB Iinline in four months. The first one broke in two days, the second broke in 3months. I will never buy a cane creek shock again.
  • 4 3
 Same experience for me: broke the first one on the first run and the second in 4 months...
  • 4 1
 @Oldgerald: Just for balance, I had an early inline arrive on my HD3 a few months ago, yep it died just like every other one, sent it to TF Tuned and they fixed it up, updated the internals and sent it back - now running lovely! They've also just updated my CCDBA Smile
  • 24 1
 @BudGreen & @Oldgerald : We apologize for the frustration you experienced. Everyone at @CaneCreekCyclingComponents has been working hard to provide the best possible products to our customers. Feel free to contact us at info@canecreek.com or 1-800-234-2725
  • 5 0
 Seems like the Inline has had its share of issues, especially with the Specialized Enduro. That said, Cane Creek took care of me and upgraded my shock to a DB AIR CS. I've put 1 year of VERY hard use on it including bike parks. It still feels amazing and when it's time for my new build this shock will be on it.
  • 6 0
 Don't get an inline. If your bike can't handle piggyback, get a different bike. If you ride XC, I think they are making a new shock to replace the inline, but Ohlins and Fox make good substitutes for that crowd. I have been running CCDBs since they came out, and every time I try something different, I always end up disappointed, but I never stop experimenting. VERY happy with my CCDB coil CS on my v3 Nomad, though equally happy that this app will make it that much easier to tune it.
  • 1 0
 Yeah I made that mistake. Unfortunately my bigger mistake was buying one that had just been rebuilt. Now not to long after getting its blown up and needs $160 service. I have had a number of DB coil shocks over the years and neve had an issue so though I was good. Guess not. I have also heard a few friends having DB airs being fixed quite often too, may want to avoid their air shocks all together.
  • 2 0
 I've had 3 and never had a single issue inside of the 100hr rebuild window.
  • 1 0
 Ahh, sounds like you have a bike with some heavy linkage, the fulcrum of the rear triangle and the shock can also affect how much pressure is needed in order to not put stress on your seals, guidance and in general keep your shock healthy. I ride a Cane Creek DB Air CS on my Knolly Podium, Delirium, and an Inline on my Endorphin, and each one needs to be adjusted differently to allow for proper shock function. I've pushed my shock to the limit, taking on some Cruz Fest laps and some backcountry Montana road gaps, and the shock never complains when taking the hit, and never fails. Try adjusting the shock according to the App! It's specific to each bike, so you can find your proper setting. Cheers!
  • 1 0
 @ryan83: I came to second what you said. My DBACS has withstood a year of constant abuse, and is still holding up strong. I haven't had a chance to deal with the company, so I can't comment on their customer service, but the product is top notch, as far as I'm concerned.
  • 7 0
 Man if you integrated this app with some of the newer accelerometers that can transmit via Bluetooth you could have an "auto-tune". like strap one accel to the swingarm near the axle and one on the frame and you could tune at just about the F1 racing level...
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: haha, I guess I wasn't the first to think of that!
  • 1 0
 @patrick2cents: I did a similar thing with an adruino and an accelerometer at school, sadly due to deadlines, and a poorly mounted adruino, I only got a little data, and never followed up on it. It would not be a stretch at all to take it to Bluetooth levels.


Check out andrextr on YouTube, great suspension videos as well...
  • 4 0
 Unreal. Other companies take note. It's my first season of DH and suspension tuning is something I've been trying to wrap my head around. I'll be looking for Cane Creek suspension on my next bike.
  • 3 0
 I don't run their shock and I'd probably have to be ashamed to say that I probably wouldn't be able to tell the poor phone (which I don't have either) whether my rear wheel did follow the terrain or not. Maybe on hard packed terrain I can tell, but if it is muddy, loose with ruts and roots the rear wheel has a life of its own. I just make sure the front wheel goes where it should.
  • 2 0
 I have a DB Air, I also have a Kona Process 153. But as far as I can tell there is still no base tune for the Kona Process line? That's ok, I've had 3 years to dial mine in. It would be great to see what a "base tune" is though for those bikes. It's not like it's a rare or new bike either???
  • 4 0
 @JDFF : We can only provide base tunes for companies we have collaborated and tested with. Check out the Cane Creek Lounge @ www.canecreek.com/products/suspension/lounge to share your setup and see what tunes other Kona Process riders are running.
  • 1 2
 @CaneCreekCyclingComponents: So this new app helps me by storing my settings on my phone? Nothing more?
  • 2 0
 @JDFF: You are correct! The DIALED app will help riders like you and I store our suspension settings on our phones. But thats not all.. other neat features include; guidance while establishing base tunes for new bikes, different racetracks, and trail conditions. Assistance while tweaking your established settings, instructional videos and a visual and auditory representation of how your Double Barrel adjusters operate. Thanks for checking it out! See ya' on the trails
  • 1 0
 @JDFF: after initial setup, go back in and click "set ups" then click on the bike you entered. It should take you through a series of questions with suggestions on how to improve the feel according to the answers you provide.
  • 4 2
 I tuned my Cane Creek Double Barrell CS coil thanks to BFG Suspension. There's no way I'd manage that Behemoth without their help. After it's been setup about right it made my 160 bike pedal better than my 125 bike and it rips descents better than I could wish for. Amazing design guys! This app is great
  • 4 0
 A roald Dahl tune up then
  • 2 0
 After seeing this last night I immediately downloaded the app, but I can't get past the first page of Set-up. I enter Norco, Sight Carbon, 2015, and then can't go any further. It won't let me select the type or progress to the next page. So I tried my brother's Canyon Spectral CF and had the same issue. Is it me or the app at fault? What's going on?
  • 1 0
 I have same issue on Iphone. On my google tablet - no problem-o. I need the IPhone version to work tho- no way I'm lugging the stupid tablet around during my dial-in riding.
  • 3 2
 Couldn't find a link anywhere is the article? Maybe it's because I'm on a phone.

If you like suspension apps on your phone you can also try mine, it's free and tracks service intervals play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.drdp.servicereminderpro&hl=en_GB
  • 1 0
 Your app didn't work for me when it asked about equipment. I couldn't get it set up to begin with. Just me?
  • 1 0
 @IamZOSO: hmm that's not good. Can you PM me and I will get this sorted for you.
  • 1 0
 Looks like I didn't account for anyone who dosnt name their bikes. My bad, getting it fixed.
  • 2 0
 Thats pretty sweet. Ill check this out after I send all my stuff in for their first service.
  • 3 0
 I think www.shockwiz.com and www.sussmybike.com offer much more for not a huge cost... if / when they hit the market.
  • 1 0
 I ordered the shockwiz and get pretty regular updates from Nigel, soon!
  • 1 0
 @jfkusa: It stil works with any air shock
  • 1 0
 I had a bad run on Inlines too but CC's customer care and speed was always on point. When they are working the shocks have an amazing feel. By far the best I've ever ridden. Those two things will keep me coming back. I'm now on the DB Air CS which is fantastic but the recommended stock settings from CC were whack. The bike ended up with a dangerously fast rebound. Some tinkering solved the problem but this app will certainly help.
  • 1 0
 Rear shock adjustability has always been a weird one for me. I find with air shocks as long as you can add or take out volume spacers quickly and easily that's about all the adjusting I feel is necessary. You see so many racers just running nearly stock rear shocks in a EWS events and if it's working for them at such a high level of racing I'm sure it will be a stud for me. It took me a solid month but man once I got my monarch the way I wanted it I can't really imagine wanting to fiddle with it anymore. In saying all this, this app is a perfect thing for anyone riding the CC shocks. It will deffinitly make keeping track of incremental changes a lot easier.
  • 1 0
 This app is dope, and I love your guy's product and customer service, but it appears you still haven't put my shock on the list to choose for my bike. I have a Commencal Supreme FR, and you list only the DBCoil as an option, but I'm currently using a DBAir on it.

You have the DBAir as an option for the Supreme DH V3, which is essentially the same exact bike if you were to use the shorter wheelbase mode on the rear dropouts, and with a size longer shock in it. I'd like to fine tune my DBAir... should I use the base settings on the DBCoil for my exact frame? Or should I start with the recommended DBAir settings on the DH V3 (not sure how similar they would be with the different shock size)?

I feel like I've had my shock decent for the past year, but I'd always like to see if I could get it better.
  • 1 0
 every time i try to enter my bike it get stuck after i enter the model year - i.e. Banshee, Spitfire (or Legend), 2016....then i cannot access the next option for either of these two bikes. Is it because they are 2016 and the App is not updated for them???? Any similar experiences?? Thanks...
  • 1 0
 It would be nice if the app had a track predictor I.e I'm going to a new track, it's bumpy as hell and I want to predict what settings will work better than my current settings
  • 1 0
 that's next: suspension systems that combine with gps data. they're already on it!
  • 1 1
 That's great. Canecreek have been working on the app for quite a while, and so far, the result looks great, I can only recommend the app. A Windows version would have been great, but I do realize, that my Windows device is a minority choice.
  • 2 0
 I'm hoping cc will aggregate this data to give people the average tunes of similar riders on the same bike as yours. That would be a great way to use all this data
  • 3 0
 @xeren : great idea! You can check out the Double Barrel Lounge to see what setups other DB riders are riding at www.canecreek.com/products/suspension/lounge
  • 1 0
 @CaneCreekCyclingComponents: thanks, i've definitely checked out the lounge, but the message board style isn't very conducive to getting a large number of opinions, i can only find a few for my bike.

if the app could account for self-reported rider weight and riding style somehow (maybe a pipe dream), the value of that data would be immense compared to a few people's posts at the lounge!
  • 2 0
 This app could also be used with the fox x2 shocks. They are very close in the way they are tuned.
  • 2 1
 This seem to do the exact same thing as the booklet; I was expecting a little bit more insight or something more than what you can already do.
  • 1 0
 Hmmm... Doesn't work for me. During bike set-up, when I get down to "type" there's no selection option and you can't move forward. Anyone else? Iphone vers.
  • 1 0
 @CarlMega : Double check you have version 1.0.1 and your cellular data and/or wifi is turned on. If you are still experiencing setup problems feel free to reach out to us at info@canecreek.com or 1-800-234-2725
  • 1 0
 @CaneCreekCyclingComponents: Thanks. Yeah, I may contact you - tried updating & even reinstalling. Version is 1.0.1 w/ cellular data but still dies in same place.
  • 1 0
 App wasn't working for me last night. Clicked on my shock size again, and again, but the app wouldn't let me push the 'NEXT' button. Hope it gets fixed soon.
  • 1 0
 @Chadimac22 : When entering your setup; make sure the "shock" is selected, the "shock size" is selected, and the "air can style" is selected (if you are running a air shock) before pushing next. If you still are experiencing setup problems feel free to reach out to us at info@canecreek.com or 1-800-234-2725
  • 1 0
 Can select my Titus elguapo Then it gives me my shock size. Can't select that and get any further with the app. Grrr
  • 1 1
 Brilliant app ....defenatly a a plus for C C when choosing a shox ...I've had a right job setting up my fox with a SC v-10...BIG HINT !!!! Mr Fox
  • 4 1
 Your move Rockshox...
  • 1 1
 Was a bit disappointed in this I thought it would be like the Fox IRD app of 2013. As my shock and frame combo are not listed this is just a note taking app
  • 1 0
 Now I need a Double Barrel so I can play with the app. Helloooo Swiss Miss pb rear shocks classifieds Nurse!!
  • 2 1
 Does this app fix the oil and air mixing or seals issues that the DB Inline has?
  • 1 0
 THANK YOU FOR IDIOT PROOFING THIS FOR ME!!!!! And thanks for spell check for making my post correct
  • 1 0
 Bummed they don't have anything for the newer YT Tues bikes. I would love to have a good baseline.
  • 1 0
 this program is crap WILLNOT go past shock length just keeps going back tried different makes, same shit
  • 2 0
 Ridonkulous!
  • 1 0
 Sounds interesting, I like what they are doing!
  • 1 2
 Hopefully someone their is working on a adding an additional chamber for bottom out tuning/control. Having to pop the shock open and add volume spacers doesn't impress me.
  • 1 0
 No option for my intense 5.5 Frown
  • 2 0
 @forteh : As long as you know the shock size, you can add your bike and DB to the app by hitting the (+) symbol in the "Enter Bike Info" section.
  • 1 0
 @CaneCreekCyclingComponents: Sweet, done that. Guess the app doesn't take into account different suspension designs and this is essentially a note keeping / tuning suggestions device?
Can it be linked to a CC lounge profile?
  • 1 0
 Dear Fox.

Make one of these for your new Air/Coil shocks.

K thanks bye
  • 1 0
 Great... Can't use it, got a windows phone
  • 1 0
 SRAM/Fox please take note...
  • 1 0
 Uh, Pokemon Go is life...
  • 1 0
 No jeffsy
  • 4 6
 I could get an fox x2 that has just as much adjustability and can be serviced in my garage and still be covered under warranty or I could buy a dbair
  • 3 6
 ...and have to ship it off and not see it for weeks. This new app totally makes buying a dbair worth it! Wink
  • 2 1
 Have you seen the X2 service guide? I've never seen a more complicated and specific tools needed service manual. At least 3 different $50 vise inserts etc. and a vacuum pump if you have one. But, at least you can do it yourself, unlike Cane Creek.
  • 1 1
 @dirtworks911:

Give DirtLabs out of Boulder, CO a shot for your Fox overhauls. The turn-around is right around a week. Much faster, they can do custom work, and doesn't void the warranty.
  • 1 1
 Why can't i have angry birds, pokemon go AND the cane creek app?
  • 1 2
 Is this App compatible with my Sony? I just can't find any pokemons, no matter where look for them :-/
  • 1 2
 Does anyone else read "DB air" and think "Douche Bag AIR", or am I just riding around with a bunch of DB's????
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