I purchased my bike 3-4 years ago during covid times. Rode it once and never again.
After my last query on this sub about finding it hard to bike, a lot of people encouraged me and pointed out the things I was doing wrong that made me hard to cycle.
Now, with all the adrenaline. I've pulled my cycle out of the garage. Cleaned off most of the dust and cobwebs.
I have a question. What does this knob do. I know what the suspension lockout does (it locks the suspension making it easier for roads and uphills, right?). What does preload do.
When I bought the cycle, the shopkeeper said that it is not something useful and I should just let it as it is set up by default. However, I have reasons to believe that the shop guy was clueless about cycles.
So what does this do, and should I change it if i am a beginner starting on a mix of proper roads and some broken patches of off roads. Attached picture of suspension model if it helps.
Also, is there midway between suspension lock and open, or is it only fully locked and fully open
Lastly, people asked about my saddle. I have this saddle by default. Should I change it? It is super hard. Is that how it is supposed to be.
by blehblehblehblehx
2 Comments
Preload does what it sounds like, preloads the suspension fork so it’s more compressed. Â
Essentially it is making the suspension harder so it doesn’t travel as far, useful if you’re going on compressed gravel but better off unloading the suspension if going on downhills or jumps/dodgier terrain.Â
This pretty much answers your second question with a: Yes, this is what the half way point is.
Saddle is entirely up to you, give it a go but make sure to wear padded shorts for comfort. Generally speaking: Firmer is better but padded shorts are a god send
Open = fork will move / play. Lock = no play.