Merida BIG.NINE E-LITE 600, Руководство пользователя

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e
f
g
h
Rear shocks
Full suspension MERIDA bikes are not only equipped
with a suspension fork
(e)
but also with movable rear
stays
(f)
which are sprung and damped by a rear shock
(g) . This feature gives you better control of your MERIDA
bike when riding cross-country or on rough road surfac-
es and ensures more ground contact for the tire. It no-
ticeably reduces the strain on you and your bike caused
by the mechanical shocks from the terrain.
Rear shocks differ in their types of spring elements and
damping. The rear shock normally works with an air
spring element or – less frequently – with coil springs.
Damping is usually done by oil. Depending on the sys-
tem, they have one or more bearing axles.
i
Rear shock manufacturers normally include
instructions with their deliveries. Read them
carefully before changing any settings or do-
ing any maintenance work on your rear shock. You can
find the instruction of the rear shock manufacturer on
this MERIDA CD-ROM.
I
Also observe the suspension glossary at the
beginning of the chapter “Suspension”.
What to bear in mind when adjusting the saddle
Depending on the adjustment of the rear shock, the sad-
dle may tilt a little backwards when mounting, which
you should keep in mind when adjusting the saddle tilt.
If you have trouble sitting, try lowering the saddle nose
a little relative to the usual position.
I
Full-suspension MERIDA bikes have a mark-
edly greater ground clearance than bikes
without suspension. If the saddle is adjusted
to its proper height, you will not be able to reach the
floor with your feet. Set the saddle a little lower to begin
with and practice getting on and off the saddle.
Adjusting the spring rate
To work perfectly, the rear shock has to be adjusted to
the weight of the rider, the sitting posture and the intend-
ed use. Be sure to have this adjustment carried out by
your MERIDA dealer at the time of delivery.
Note in general that the rear shock must give in a lit-
tle even when you are just sitting on your MERIDA
bike – this is the so-called negative suspension travel
or sag
(h)
. If you ride over a pothole the spring is de-
compressed and the rear shock compensates for the un-
evenness. If the air pressure or the spring preload is too
high, this effect is lost because the rear shock is already
fully extended. This means that an important comfort
and safety factor is lost if the tire briefly loses contact
with the ground.