suspension question - what and why

Thanks Luke. I will do just that. And I also thought that springs can be easily changed later if I will find it too soft.

Originally Posted by Domas

Thanks Luke. I will do just that. And I also thought that springs can be easily changed later if I will find it too soft.

Yep. To install the emulators you have to remove the forks, but a spring swap can be done with them in situe.

Any suggestions where to buy the emulators? Tried writing to PDQ but didn't get any response yet. Is it worth it to order them from the states or are there any other options in UK?

[flymo]

Originally Posted by Domas

Any suggestions where to buy the emulators? Tried writing to PDQ but didn't get any response yet. Is it worth it to order them from the states or are there any other options in UK?

Phone up PDQ with a credit card in your hand, you'll get pretty fast response then

[flymo]

Some very interesting views on what suspension does on this thread, some fairly accurate and some pie in the sky.

Adjusting preload simply puts the spring at its correct 'starting position' in terms of how much it compresses at standstill. If you are lucky, the spring is suitable for your own weight and the weight of the bike such that it compresses a given amount when you hop on board. If it doesnt fall within a suitable limit then you probably dont have the right springs for the job.

Adjusting preload to compensate for a lack of damping adjustment is nothing more than a compromise on a suspension unit that just does not have the type of adjustment necessary.

A bike can run wide for a wide variety of reasons, suspension is one of them obviously but dont forget speed (yeah really!), incorrect lean angle, crap tyres, wrong tyre pressures, unsprung weight, target fixation, road surface, wind speed etc etc.

Essentially the potential for suspension to influence a run wide is down to grip or lack of it. A good quality suspension setup provides the ability for it to be setup to an optimal level for the conditions you throw at it, if you can keep the tyres in good contact with the ground you'll have the grip to give you confidence in a corner.

The laws of physics still apply though so you will eventually land on your **** if you are going too fast for a corner.

Originally Posted by Domas

Any suggestions where to buy the emulators? Tried writing to PDQ but didn't get any response yet. Is it worth it to order them from the states or are there any other options in UK?

I think PDQ are the only importers in the UK. I bought mine direct from racetech in the US, but my sister was living in NY at the time so I had them sent there. She just repackaged them up and sent them on to me.

[punyXpress]

[quote=flymo;1856722]Some very interesting views on what suspension does on this thread, some fairly accurate and some pie in the sky.

As you say, Flymo.
I know f'all about the subject, but it worries me that some of the suggestions appear to even me as rather dubious, if not downright dangerous.

Originally Posted by punyXpress

As you say, Flymo.
I know f'all about the subject, but it worries me that some of the suggestions appear to even me as rather dubious, if not downright dangerous.

Which ones

Only suggestion ive given is set-up SAG.

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

Which ones

Only suggestion ive given is set-up SAG.

I don't think anything dangerous has been suggested. Even setting damping settings to max or min isn't dangerous, but will allow you to get a better understanding of the effects these things have.

People always say suspension is a dark art, but how are you suppose to learn anything if you don't try things out? In this day and age, people just pay some suspension guy to 'sort' their bike but you don't learn anything from it and even then, what feels good for your suspension guy, may feel horrible for you.

The are some general rules though worth noting. As Greek says, first off setup up your sag. There are a load of tutorials avaliable on the web to help you do this. The tech section on sport rider is a good resource:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/index.html

Secondly, if you change something - note down the value BEFORE you change it. That way, you can always go back to where you were if you don't like it.

Lastly, change ONE thing at a time otherwise you'll have no idea how the changes you make will affect the ride.

You don't have to be riding at 100% of your ability to feel the difference, so take it easy, warm your tyres and ride over the same course so you can feel the difference at the same points on the road.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Even setting damping settings to max or min isn't dangerous, but will allow you to get a better understanding of the effects these things have.

People always say suspension is a dark art, but how are you suppose to learn anything if you don't try things out? In this day and age, people just pay some suspension guy to 'sort' their bike but you don't learn anything from it and even then, what feels good for your suspension guy, may feel horrible for you.

+1