Righto - finally go the bike
Before I look to buy anything, I want to try the bike out 'stock'.
I've seen on a Youtube video the baseline settings for damping on the Urban are fully locked clockwise, then 1.5 turns anti-clockwise and then for preload there should be 24mm of thread above the locknut.
To try and make the shock less 'hard' I'm assuming then I'd decrease the preload by reducing that amount of visible tread... but generally how much should I reduce it to? Just a few mm or more like a good CM or so?
Then do I change the damping or leave as is? (I don't understand how damping affects the 'hardness' of the suspension).
Basically, any advice on adjustments from the aforementioned baseline for a 85KG rider would be welcome!
First of all you need to measure (with a tape measure from Mudguard/seat to swingarm - ie 2 fixed points)
- static sag (bike at rest on side stand) you need to pull up on rear frame to extend the rear suspension to its fullest extent and then let it settle - this should be about 10% of the total travel
- rider sag (with you on it) this should be about 30% of total travel
NB - you will need a helper to achieve this work
NB - you need to measure/find out the total travel of the shock, to achieve these measurements of static and rider sag
If these 10&30% figures are not achievable then the shock spring is either too hard or too soft and you will know whether you need
- a new shock
- just a harder or softer spring
Repeat the same exercise for the forks to measure rider and static sag in the same way
Preload adjustment just alters ride height and not how hard the suspension is, as the shock & fork springs have a fixed linear/progressive hardness (maybe not the best word)
Damping controls the oil flow through the shims in the shock or forks and dictates how fast or slow the forks go up and down
You can have compression (how quick the suspension reacts to a bump) and rebound damping (how quickly suspension returns to normal after a bump, ready for compression to absorb the next bump)
Different weight of oil can improve/reduce damping speed, as can shims alterations internally
I would suggest the best improvement for your Urban would be a new better quality shock, with more damping adjustment parameters and maybe remote hydraulic preload adjustment
For the forks you would benefit from new fully adjustable new cartridge inserts
You could then fit the correct fork and shock springs for your weight too, at the same time
Depending on your height, some say a 40mm increase in suspension height improves the enjoyment of the bike no end
Brook suspension is a good place to contact
