upping the rear shock

[cbritton]

I've found when riding two up that the steering feels very vague and really spoils the ride. I need more preload to restore the steering geometry I think.


Is it possible to put a stiffer sping onto the shock without affecting the preload adjuster ? Damping feels ok btw.


Cheers, Colin.

 

[ag1s]

you could also try to lower the front, but I believe that on max rear preload and correctly set damping you wouldn't have a problem

I've found when riding two up that the steering feels very vague and really spoils the ride. I need more preload to restore the steering geometry I think.


Is it possible to put a stiffer sping onto the shock without affecting the preload adjuster ? Damping feels ok btw.


Cheers, Colin.

 

[cbritton]

A softer front end just makes it even more vague I'm afraid. It's a shame as solo it steers well.

Colin.

 

[Muddy]

Try this

Colin,

Have you thought of fitting a shorter paralever strut? Basically it has the effect of lifting the rear end up. You may have problems getting both feet on the ground depending on how tall you are.

You can keep the existing shock and it sharpens the steering angle. Also looks better IMO.

 

[Muddy]

Got mine from www.boxer-design.de. Lifts rear end by about 15mm. I think they do an adjustable version too.

 

[brianski]

If you lift the back end using that strut do you have to change the spring length?

 

[pragmatix]

Isn't adjusting the preload the answer to the problem or have I missed something

Pete A

 

[cookie]

get a decent shock.

 

[Deleted account 220427002]

i got one of these

http://www.boxer-design.de/en/paraleverstrutr1150radv.htm

it was with the bike when i bought it

 

[cbritton]

Interesting to know that the shorter struts are available Muddy but I'm happy with the geometry solo (it does look good though). It's more preload I need.

My brother makes racing suspension units for cars so I'll probably get him to up the spring by 15-20% and see what happens.

Unfortunately I can't afford an Ohlins at the moment.

Cheers, Colin.

 

[ag1s]

preload has nothing to do with softness. The only thing preload does, is to adjust the height of the bike and the ratio of the available upward travel to downwards travel. Your front feels vague because the ir a lot of weight transfered to the back. If you set the rear to max preload and the front to min that weight transfer wiill be aleviated.

A softer front end just makes it even more vague I'm afraid. It's a shame as solo it steers well.

Colin.

 

[Muddy]

The spring length (and whole shock) can remain as standard. I guess it all may depend on whether there's enough rear preload adjustment to satisfy your steering geometry requirements when riding two up.

Can anyone tell us if 'normal' steering geometry can be achieved when carrying let's say, 28 stone (16+12...!) plus luggage by whacking the preload to max?

 

[pragmatix]

Can anyone tell us if 'normal' steering geometry can be achieved when carrying let's say, 28 stone (16+12...!) plus luggage by whacking the preload to max?

Ill let you know after this weekend will be fully loaded 18st +13st+2 tents+full system panniers with stuff lashed on top about 60lbs (estimate might be more)giving a total of 1043lbs or 29lbs over maximum permisible weight never had a problem so far.

Pete A

 

[littleredrooster]

Who ate all the pies, then.....

 

[cbritton]

well ag1s you were right.

I reduced the front preload and it did improve things. Setting the damping to max helped a lot too.

It seems I was talking bo**ocks.

Cheers, Colin.