77
e
f
g
h
Adjusting the spring rate
To work perfectly, the suspension fork has to be adjusted
to the weight of the rider, the sitting posture and the in-
tended use. Be sure to have this adjustment carried out
by your MERIDA dealer at the time of delivery.
Note in general that the suspension fork must give in a
little even when you are just sitting on the bike – this is
the so-called negative suspension travel or sag
(e)
.
If you ride over a pothole the spring is decompressed
and the suspension fork compensates for the uneven-
ness. If the air pressure or the spring preload is too high,
this effect is lost because the suspension fork is already
fully extended. This means that an important comfort
and safety factor is lost if the tire briefly loses contact
with the ground.
In general, cross-country and marathon racers prefer a
shorter negative suspension travel (sag), freeriders or
downhillers riding often in rough terrain prefer a longer one.
In the case of cross-country and marathon bikes the sus-
pension fork should yield by 15-25 % of the maximum
suspension travel, in the case of all mountain, enduro
and freeride bikes by 25-35 %.
To measure the travel you can use the rubber ring mainly
located on the thinner, plunging tube of the suspension
fork. If there is no rubber ring, tie up a cable tie around
one of the stanchion tubes. Make sure it is not too tight,
you should still be able to move it, it should however not
slip by itself.
Put on your usual riding clothing (including if necessary
a packed rucksack), sit on your bike and bring yourself
into the usual riding position. Lean against a fixed object
(railings, wall etc.) and make sure you do not fall over.
Ask a helper to move the rubber ring or the cable tie
downwards against the dust seal at the lower leg
(f)
.
Get off your bike so that the fork does not compress any
more. The distance between the rubber ring/cable tie
and the wiper is the negative suspension travel, or sag
(g)
. Compare it against the total suspension travel (as
specified by the manufacturer) to determine whether the
suspension should be set to be harder or softer.
With pneumatic suspension forks the spring rate is set
by the air pressure in the fork. The pressure must be set
before the first ride by means of a special high-pressure
pump with pressure gauge
(h)
and modified later as re-
quired due to changes in the weight of the rider and/or
load.
Note the appropriate setting values and check them
subsequently at regular intervals. Always follow the rec-
ommendations of the manufacturer and never exceed
the maximum air pressure for the suspension fork. Al-
ways make a test ride after each change to the settings.
Summary of Contents for BIG.NINE E-LITE 600
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