Manual Winora Algemene (page 79 of 140) (English)

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9.2 Suspension Forks

9.2.1 Adjusting the Spring Rate

Most mountain bikes as well as some hybrid bicycles are equipped with

suspension forks (a). This feature gives you better control of your bicycle

when riding cross-country or on rough road surfaces. It noticeably reduces

the strain on you and your bicycle caused by the mechanical shocks from

the terrain.

Suspension forks differ in their spring elements and in the way the damping

is realised. Suspension is provided by coil springs, special types of plastic

known as elastomers or sealed air compartments or combinations of these

options. The damping is usually done by oil or by the self-damping proper-

ties of the elastomers.

For more information see the suspension glossary heading this

chapter.

In order to work optimally, the fork has to be adjusted to the weight of the

rider and the intended purpose. Be sure to have this adjustment carried out

by your bicycle dealer before delivery. With an air sprung suspension fork

you have to inflate it before your first ride. The fork adjustment depends on

the rider’s weight and the sitting posture.

Please bear in mind that the suspension fork should sag a little under the

rider’s weight. When the front wheel passes through a depression in the

ground, the spring extends and the suspension fork will smooth out the

uneven surface. If the selected air pressure or initial spring tension is too

high, this effect is lost because the wheel will already be fully extended. This

means the loss of an important feature affecting both safety and comfort.

Cross-country and marathon racers usually run less sag than downhillers or

more comfort loving freeriders. For cross-country and marathon riding the

rear shock should yield by about 10-25 % of its total travel, for enduro and

freeriding by about 20-40 %.

Put a cable tie (b) onto the stanchion tube so that you can still slide it easily

along the tube’s exposed section.

To measure the maximum shock travel release all the air pressure from the

suspension fork. Then inflate the fork to the recommended air pressure and

measure the distance between the cable tie and the upper edge of the

lower leg.

The initial tension of most forks with coil springs or elastomer fillings can be

altered to a limited degree by adjusting the preload knob located on the fork

crown connecting the stanchion tubes. In the event there is no adjusting

device, the coil spring or elastomer filling need to be replaced.

In the case of oil/air forks, the spring rate is adjusted by the air pressure in

the fork ((c) p. 74). The pressure must be checked at regular intervals with a

special shock pump which is normally made available by the fork manufac-

turer. Please follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.

Ride your bicycle on different kinds of surface and check afterwards the

travel of the cable tie ((d) p. 74). The difference is the rear shock’s travel you

have used. If the cable tie has moved a few millimetres only, your fork is too

firm. Reduce the air pressure of air sprung forks or the initial spring tension

of coil springs. If your rear shock is still too firm, have the springs replaced.

If the cable tie has moved along the entire travel range (a) or if you can

hear the fork hit the end of its travel, the spring is too soft. In this case the

initial spring tension/pressure must be increased (b). If the adjustment range

of the coil springs is too small, have the springs replaced by your bicycle

dealer.

Check the pressure of air sprung forks at regular intervals and follow the

recommendations of the manufacturer. If the available setting options do not

cover your needs, you will need to replace the springs or dampers. Many

manufacturers have tuning and retrofitting kits on offer. If you are in doubt

or if you have any questions, please contact your bicycle dealer! When re-

placing any parts be sure to only use parts that bear the appropriate mark

and, to be on the safe side, original spare parts. Your bicycle dealer will be

pleased to help you!

Fork manufacturers include instructions with their deliveries.

Read them carefully before changing any settings or doing any

maintenance work on your suspension fork.

The suspension fork should be set up and adjusted in such a

way that it does not reach the end of its travel (known as bottom

out). A spring rate which is too soft (or too low an air pressure)

can usually be heard or felt as a “clunk” type noise. This noise

is caused by the sudden complete compression of the suspen-

sion fork as it reaches bottom out. If the suspension fork fre-

quently reaches bottom out, it will become damaged over time,

and so will the frame.

Suspension forks (c) are designed in a way to absorb shocks.

If the fork is too rigid and jammed, the terrain induced shocks

pass directly into the frame without any damping. The frame is

normally not designed to withstand such undamped stresses.

If your bicycle is equipped with a suspension fork including

lockout (d), you should keep in mind not to activate the lockout

function when riding over rough terrain, but only when riding

over smooth terrain (tarred roads, smooth tracks).

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