75
e
f
g
h
Suspension
Glossary
Suspension forks
Bicycle fork
(e)
absorbing and damping shocks through
moving components. The most common among these
forks are the telescopic suspension forks. What is des-
ignated as stanchion tubes are the thinner tubes press
fitted or screwed to the fork crown of a telescopic fork.
What is designated as lower leg are the lower tubes in
which the stanchion tubes slide in.
Rear shock
The rear shock
(f)
is the element combining the spring
as well as the damping in the rear frame of a full sus-
pension bike. Often the rear shock is also designated as
shock absorber.
Spring rate or hardness
The force that is required to compress the spring by a
certain suspension travel – measured in Newton per
millimeter (N/mm) or pound per inch (lbs/in). A higher
spring rate requires more force for the travel. In pneu-
matic spring elements this corresponds to a higher pres-
sure.
Spring preload
In the case of the widespread air suspension systems,
the air pressure in the fork
(g)
is crucial for the spring rate
and the spring preload. Observe the recommendations
of the manufacturers. Within a certain range a preload
can be applied to the coil springs. Then the suspension
only reacts when a greater load is applied. However, the
spring rates are not changed as a result. Heavy riders
cannot compensate a too low spring rate with a higher
preload.
Negative suspension travel (“sag”)
The suspension travel that is taken up by the rear struc-
ture or the fork when the rider takes up his or her usual
riding position at a standstill. This is usually specified as
a percentage of the overall suspension travel.
Suspension travel adjust
In most case the suspension travel of the sus-
pension fork is reduced by turning a knob.
There are some forks where the reduction is
only realized after a deep spring compression.
In the case of full suspension rear frames this is typically
done by screwing off segments on which the rear shock
is mounted or by loosing or readjusting screws.
Compression damping
(h)
In most cases a blue adjusting knob.
Delays or brakes the initial compression. Prevents the
suspension fork from bottoming out when compensat-
ing very fast impacts. Especially high-quality suspension
elements distinguish between “high speed” (for hard im-
pacts = rapid spring compression) and “low speed” (for
slow compression, e.g. bouncing when riding out of the
saddle) compression damping.
Summary of Contents for BIG.NINE E-LITE 600
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