Steps to Podium

15/04/2026

Which LABA7 machine made the biggest difference in daily suspension work?

The Light Shock Dyno.

Once testing becomes faster, repeatable, and less dependent on manual input, the whole workflow changes. Less room for human error, no inconsistency from fatigue, and results you can trust every single time. That means better decisions in the workshop and better service for every customer who depends on your setup.

Watch the full case study with Luis on the platform with the big red play button.

04/03/2026

Stop tuning by "feel" and start tuning by data. In this Case Study, Luis Peixoto, the engineer behind Steps to Podium , reveals how he scaled his professional vehicle suspension repair workshop from blind diagnostics to a high-throughput, data-driven operation.

Before integrating LABA7 equipment, establishing a baseline required a complete teardown. Now, Luis uses a repeatable, scientific workflow to identify bottlenecks, measure cycle times, and guarantee 100% customer satisfaction across Moto and MTB disciplines.

🛠️ The Professional Workflow:
- *Pre-Test*: Identifying internal issues with the LIGHT Shock Dyno before disassembly.
- *Verif**ation*: Using the Spring Rate Tester DAILY to bypass inaccurate labels and material fatigue.
- *Consistency*: Eliminating cavitation with the Vacuum Bleed Pump DAILY.
- *Validation*: Overlaying post-service data with initial baselines to confirm results.

Key Outcomes:
- Machines don't get tired; they provide the same testing conditions every time.
- Accelerated learning curve and faster revalving iterations.
- Predictable turnaround times and higher workshop throughput.

Explore the Tools:
Light Shock Dyno: https://laba7.com/products/shock-dyno/
Spring Rate Tester: https://laba7.com/products/spring-rate-tester/
Vacuum Bleed Pump: https://laba7.com/products/shock-vacuum-bleed-pump/

17/10/2025

Monotube shocks with reservoirs are built for control, precision, and heat stability.

Learn about their Pros and Cons, as well as how they control damping, prevent foaming, and stay consistent even after hours of hard riding.

The video also shows why a vacuum bleed pump is essential for a perfect rebuild. And so it happens, LABA7 makes great shock bleeders 😇

If you like this video, don't be stingy, click 👍 or follow for more suspension-related content.

17/10/2025

What’s the difference between Emulsion and Twin-Tube shocks?

In this video, LABA7 breaks down how each design works, their pros and cons, and where you’ll find them: from entry-level trail bikes to everyday off-road machines.

You’ll learn:
✅ How Emulsion shocks mix oil and gas in a single chamber and why it's bad. Spoiler: They fade fast under heat.
✅ Why are Twin-Tube shocks more reliable and affordable for beginners? Yet where are their limits?
✅ How do damping, cavitation, and heat management affect suspension performance?
✅ Which riders benefit most from each shock type?

Whether you’re maintaining your first bike or studying suspension design, this guide explains everything you need to know about the budget-friendly side of dirt bike suspension systems. In VERY simple terms.

We make testing equipment. You test buttons. Start with “👍”

🎯 Explore professional suspension tools and shock testing systems at laba7.com/products/

08/03/2025

Learn how a single shim swap can drastically change your shock’s performance! In this testing series, we analyze key shim-stack adjustments, from boosting stability and comfort to enhancing high-speed control. See how small tweaks impact damping and why a shock dyno is the ultimate tool for precise tuning.

22/10/2024

Fresh oil is key to keeping your shock absorbers performing at their best!

Over time, oil breaks down and loses its ability to provide consistent damping, leading to reduced performance, heat buildup, and wear of costly parts.

Regularly changing your shock oil ensures smooth, responsive handling and maximizes the lifespan of your suspension system.

30/09/2024

Ready to take your suspension tuning to the next level? In this video, we showcase the LABA7 shock dyno's capabilities for testing suspension on everything from mountain bikes to heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and 4x4s.

In this video, we walk you through:
▶️ How to create a project in LABA7's shock dyno software, detailing the information you can capture for each test.
▶️ Learn the importance of calibration and how LABA7's system gathers critical data like gas chamber pressure, stroke length, and temperature.
▶️ How to set custom parameters, including a warm-up cycle that ensures you test shocks at their true operating temperature.
▶️ Watch real-time testing of a shock at different speeds and settings, showcasing LABA7's advanced data output, including live graphs for force, velocity, and temperature.
▶️ Discover how LABA7 shock dynos allow you to compare multiple tests and identify performance changes with pinpoint accuracy.

Why LABA7?

LABA7 offers shock dynos tailored for all types of vehicles, from small-scale applications like mountain bikes to heavy-duty needs such as trucks. The precision, speed, and depth of data provided by LABA7's machines will revolutionize how you test, tune, and improve your suspension systems.

Key Features of LABA7 Shock Dyno
Supports speeds up to 3000mm/s
In-depth data analysis of damper performance
Parametric testing at operating temperatures for better real-world results

Stick around for more in-depth videos, and visit LABA7.com for more details!

15/05/2024

This is how you cross the best offroad trails has to offer in 900km! 🤩
Breathtaking lanscapes, endless trails, challenging and fun terrain, and most of all not a single hickup for that many miles 🤯
Hell of a ride 😎
There's no country like Portugal for Offroad and the video speak for itself. Tou combine this with great food and weather, and you are set for offroad PARADISE 😏

Full video here:
https://youtu.be/34aGyZwObFQ

Congrats to the guys from The Best Offroad for putting this together so beautifully, everything was top notch from start to finish! 👏🏻

A shoutout to MX-Tech, Scotts Performance Products and SmartCarb, the bike was dialed and could not have ridden like a hero without it. Helluva products you're making 👌🏻
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E assim foram 900kms do melhor offroad que 🇵🇹 tem para oferecer! 🤩
Paisagens de cortar a respiração, trilhos infindáveis, terreno duro e divertido e o mais importante de tudo, sem qualquer tipo de percalço durante tantos kms 🤯
Que viagem em pêras 😎
O nosso país é o PARAÍSO do todo-o-terreno, por isso estimem-no! 👀

Vídeo completo aqui:
https://youtu.be/34aGyZwObFQ

Parabéns à organização The Best Offroad do Portugal na Diagonal, tudo esteve 5 estrelas, e é um autêntico prazer divulgar o vosso trabalho! 👏🏻

Um agradecimento ao Pedro Duraes da Motolazaro racing por ter deixado a mota afinada como um relógio... 🙏🏻 não é qualquer um que deixa uma Beta a fazer 900kms sem problemas 🤣

19/03/2024

As promised, I’m gonna give you my full review on the Raven cartridge kit from MX-Tech!
Right of the bat, I truly believe the Ravens are the next technological leap in front forks🤯
It is quite a statement, but you’ll understand where this is coming from after watching the video! 👀
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Como prometido, aqui f**a a minha review na íntegra do kit de cartuchos Raven da MX-Tech!
Sem margem para dúvidas, acredito genuinamente que o kit Raven são o próximo salto tecnológico nas suspensões da frente 🤯
É uma afirmação em pêras, mas irás perceber ao que me refiro após dares uma vista de olhos ao vídeo! 👀

As promised, I’m gonna give you my full review on the Raven cartridge kit from MX-Tech.Right of the bat, I truly believe the Ravens are the next technologica...

13/02/2024

(English below)
⚠️Primeira data de 2024 dos cursos de suspensões S2P já disponível! ⚠️
24 de Março na 🤩

Cada vez mais os praticantes de todo-o-terreno têm percebido que aquilo que vem de origem é bastante bom, e em muitos casos, mais do que suficiente para o que fazem... apenas precisam de perceber como tirar todo o partido dos seus ajustes! 🤓

As suspensões e amortecedores não têm que ser algo complicado, místico e intocável 😱 Com o conhecimento certo, podes aprender a mexer nas tuas suspensões como se fosse afinar uma manete de travão - tão simples quanto isso! 🤯

Garante já o teu lugar no link do primeiro comentário 👇

🧠
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⚠️First date of 2024 of S2P suspension courses is now available!⚠️
March 24th at 🤩

There is a growing trend in the offroad community that people are starting to realise that what they have in stock form is quite good, and in most cases more than enough for what people do... they only need to understand how to get the most out of the adjusters! 🤓

Suspensions and shocks don't need to be complicated, mystical and untouchable 😱 With the right knowledge, you can learn how to fiddle and adjust your suspensions as if it was adjusting your brake lever - as easy as that! 🤯

Secure your spot now on the link in the first comment 👇

🧠

11/02/2024

A shoutout is always a must when safety is at play:
I can say with a big wiff of confidence that the MX-Tech 's Raven cartridge kit saved my *ss on my last ride. 😳
I came off a corner pretty much 4th gear pinned ✊️ - with Alexandre on my back wheel, and when I realised the big rock I had in front of me, I was already inside the rut heading straight to it.🙉
I grabbed a handful of brakes, leaned back, and looked to the side as in "this is going to hurt".🙈
I hit the rock, although surprisingly didn't feel much of impact, and was projected frontwards. Skidded a couple of times on the ground and luckily that was it.
Only my pride was mangled. 😅
Alexandre hit the same rock and unfortunately broke his wrist (speedy recovery buddy!)🤕
Now you might ask why do I think the Ravens saved my sorry ass. 👀
Well, at the speed I was going and the amount of braking there was, the forks were really compressed.
With the Ravens, despite being quite low on the suspension stroke, the Huck Valve System went into action on impact and absorbed a huge amount of it.🫡
If I had any other traditional and speed sensitive-only forks, like my KYBs (and I freaking love those forks!), the available suspension stroke would not be enough to absorb the hit I suffered, and I genuinely believe myself and the bike would be in a far worst shape.😬
At the end, the Excel rim was a bit bent, but nothing else.🫠
After talking to Jeremy from MX-Tech, it was interesting to find out that the Huck Valve was designed exactly for that purpose, after he had a similar experience in motocross.
I thought the Ravens were amazing for their versatility, comfort and performance, but I think safety is the most underrated feature of them 👌

Review coming out soon 💪🔥
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(Em português no primeiro comentário 👇)