K2 Bike manual Mp ing, Measuring Optimum Suspension Sag Setting Spring Preload

Measuring Optimum

Suspension Sag

Setting Spring Preload

Preload

Preloadistheamountofloadplacedonaspringtoincreasethespringrateintheinitialpartofthetravel.Allofourshocksfeatureadjustable preload. Preload is used to achieve the proper amount of suspension sag for your bike or fork. Remember: You must first start with the proper spring rate in order to get the correct amount of sag.

Preloadisgovernedbyafewguidelines:

1.All springs should be preloaded at least 1-2mm in order to hold the spring in place firmly.

2.The correct amount of preload can only be achieved with the proper suggested spring rate. See the spring ratechartstofindthecorrectspringforyourweight.

3.Never increase the preload on a spring past 5 full turns of the preload adjuster. If you have tightened the preloadadjusteroverfivefullturnsandarestillgettingtoomuchsag,moveuptothenextspringrate.

SpringPreloadAdjustment

1.Tighten preload adjuster until the spring is held firmly (1 - 2mm) and measure the distance between the preload adjuster and the bottom containment washer.

2.Positionthebicyclebesideawallandgeton.Placeyourfingerslightlyonthewalltosteadyyourself,andputyour feet on the pedals and sit on the seat. Have a friendre-measure the new distance between these two points. Subtract the seated measurement from the unseated measurement to find the amount of sag. Refer to the Suspension Sag chart for the proper amount of sag for your bike or fork.

3.If the bike compresses under the rider more than recommended, tighten the preload a bit at a time and re- measure the compression until you hit the right amount. If the bike is compressing less than recom- mended, loosen the preload to get the right amount of sag.

4.If the preload is at full loose and the bike still won’t compress enough, you probably need softer springs. If you have preloaded the spring more than five full turns, try stiffer springs.

D a mp ing

Dampingistheactionofcontrollingshockshaftspeed. Therateatwhichaspringcompressesandextendscanbecontrolledbyanumberofways. OurNoleenShocksusehydraulicstocontrolthemotionofourshocks.Therearetwotypesofdamping:reboundand compression.

Thefirsttypeofdampingthateffectsshockperformanceisrebounddamping. Rebounddampingcontrolstherateatwhichthespringextends backtoitsoptimumsaglength. Ifthespringextendstooquickly,thesuspensionwillexhibita“bouncy”or“overlylively”feel.Toomuchrebound dampingwillcausetheshocktofeel”dead“or“unresponsive”. Thechartbelowprovidesguidelinestoadjustingyourshockdamping.

The second type of damping is compression damping. Compression damping assists the spring to control the rate of shock compression.

Adjusting Damping Adjustingthecompressiondampingwillmaketheshockfeelessentiallyharderorsofter. Compressiondampingbecomesmoreimportantas suspension travel increases and as shock shaft speed increases. Refer to the chart below to see when more or less compression damping is preferred.

Rider Variables	Rebound Damping	Compression Damping
LighterRiders	needless	needless
HeavierRiders	needmore	needmore
AggressiveRiders	needmore	needmore
Recreationalriders	needless	needless
manysmallbumps	needless	needless
bighitsandbumps	needmore	needmore
CrossCountryriding	needless	needless
Downhill riding	needmore	needmore

Thedampingactionthatariderislookingforisacontrolledsuspensionaction. Thiscontrolledfeelingmayvaryaccordingtoriderpreference, terrain, and may other factors. Experimenting with different levels of damping helps a rider "dial in" their preferred level of suspension damping. Withshocksthathaveadjustabledamping,liketheNoleenNR-2andNR-4,ridersshouldtryridingwiththedampingdialsatthefulloff positionandthefullonposition. Thedesiredadjustmentwillprobablyfallsomewhereinbetween,endingupclosertothefullonposition.

Noleenshockscanalsobe”revalved“or”customized“tosuitaparticularrider'sneeds.ThisworkshouldonlybecompletedNoleenorbyanother authorizedNoleenServiceCenter.Donotattempttoworkontheinternalsofanyshock.

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