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The suspension fork
The majority of the mountain and hybrid bikes are equipped with suspension forks
(a). This feature gives you better control of your bike on rough surfaces. It notice-
ably reduces the strain on you and your bike caused by the mechanical shocks
from the terrain.
Suspension forks differ in their spring elements and in the way the damping is
realised. The suspension may be provided by coil springs, special types of plas-
tic known as elastomers or sealed air compartments or combinations of these
options. The damping is usually done by oil or by the self-damping properties of
the elastomers.
Adjustment
In order to work optimally, the fork has to be adjusted to the weight of the rider and
its intended purpose, even if the springs of your FELT bike are already adjusted to
your weight on delivery.
If you realise that the suspension forks compress totally whilst out riding
so that they hit the end of their travel hard, let your FELT dealer adjust it.
Otherwise, the fork may become internally damaged.
!!
Adjusting the fork to your needs will be easy, if you use a simple trick.
Put a cable tie onto the upper fork tube so that you can still slide it easily along the
tubes exposed section (b).
Generally speaking, the fork should compress when you sit on the bike, in order
to create sag (c). With cross country and marathon bikes we recommend a sag of
approx. 10 - 25 % of the forks total travel, with enduro and freeride bikes a sag of
approx. 20 - 40 % of the forks total travel. If this is not the case, you have to change
the initial spring tension.
The initial tension of forks with coil springs or elastomer internals can be altered to
a limited degree by adjusting the preload knob (if fitted) located on the fork crown.
In the case of oil/air forks, the spring rate is adjusted by the air pressure in the
fork. The pressure must be checked at regular intervals with a special shock pump
(d) which is normally made available by the fork manufacturer. Please follow the
recommendations of the manufacturer.
Ride your FELT bike on different kinds of surface and check afterwards to what
extent the fork’s travel was used. If the cable tie has only moved a few millimetres,
your fork is in too firm; reduce the preload (or air pressure). If there is not enough
adjustment, the springs will need replacing.
a b c d
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