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Suspension Knowledge: “How
suspension can affect turning”
by Quinton Cain of SUSPENSION
DYNAMICS
Bouncing out of ruts? drifting to the
outside? tucking under? It’s probably just YOU, but your
suspension and bike setup could be partly to
blame.
I will list some of the changes you can
make to your bike that will affect turning. But first, a
secret that will help you understand how these
changes effectively work.
Basically, any change
you make to the bike or to your riding position that ALTERS
the steering angle of the bike will affect turning. Having
the fork tubes at a steeper angle will make the bike turn
sharper. That is it.
The two things that have the strongest
effect on turning (shown in photos) are:
-
fork tube height (2mm increments)
-
race sag (4mm increments)
CHANGES THAT WILL MAKE A BIKE TURN
SHARPER:
Front suspension:
-
Softer compression dampening
-
Stiffer/slower rebound dampening
-
Lighter fork springs
-
Lower oil level
-
Less pre-load on fork springs
Rear suspension (notice that these are
just the opposite):
-
Stiffer shock compression
-
softer shock rebound dampening
-
Heavier rear spring
-
More pre-load on shock spring,
decreasing the sag
Other changes that are not from the
suspension per se:
-
Using more front brake
-
Raising fork tubes in the triple
clamps
-
Leaning more over the front
-
Leg extended farther forward
-
Increased body strength (legs,
lower back, abdominals = less drift backwards)
-
Seat shape and height that allows
easier forward movement
-
Bars that are positioned or rotated
forward
-
Triple clamps that put the forks at
a steeper angle
-
Wider foot pegs, or ones that are
positioned forward
-
Linkage changes that decrease shock
leverage
-
Shortening wheel base (although
this puts more weight on the rear, it also stiffens the
rear suspension and decreases sag due to less shock
leverage)
Be aware of tradeoff effects.
For EXAMPLE: you might remove some oil from your forks so
that they ease farther into the travel (due to less pressure
buildup) only to have them bottom out on jump landings.
(ugh)
Watch the experts. They
overcome turning problems with their body positioning and
balance. If their bike is set up optimally, they benefit
from saved energy.
Talk to an instructor. They can
help you out with proper riding position. If you still have
trouble in turns, it may be that your bike setup and
suspension are working against you. (NOT GOOD)
Do NOT make a lot of changes at
once (you will frighten your mother when you cartwheel your
bike off the track). If you need help, call a suspension
tuner.
This technical article was provided by
Quinton Cain of SUSPENSION DYNAMICS located in
Arlington, TX. Phone number is 817-563-6891. SUSPENSION
DYNAMICS has a complete line of suspension services
ranging from tuning a stock suspension to complete revalving
customization.
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