Suspension setup / swap as your riding improves

[Mikerb]

The kerb test you refer to is pretty universal and merely consists of rolling off a kerb fairly slowly ( preferably seated such that you do not sub consciously absorb the impact) , and observing how the rear shock reacts. It is actually easier to have someone else watch. What you are looking for is for the shock to compress and rebound to just above the SAG point and then settle to the SAG point. If the shock sinks/compresses for a second time, it indicates rebound setting is too fast. If the shock does not rebound to a point just a bove SAG then rebound is too slow and the shock will likely "pack down" in use giving you progressively less stroke.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

update:
went to bike park wales today with the new setup and it was much, much better, I used 'just about' every mm of travel and never bottomed out front and rear.
the only thing I noticed is that the middle of the stroke blows through quite quickly so as @Forever Wild and a few others have suggested I will fit a megneg and see how that helps.