04-11-2017, 09:12 AM
Harshness and spring rate are 2 different things. The springs are there to support your weight.<-period.
It is the valving and associated oil weight and level that affect the movement of the shock/fork from and back to static.
So, you spring the bike to have the bike settle to a static position while stationary. The spring rate will depend on your weight, as well as any accessories you have...and yes to an extent how hard you ride- BUT that is a crutch- getting off the primary intent of the springs- stiffening springs based on hard riding just takes some work off of the fluid (movement through valving)...and has it's own compromises.
So yea- think of them as 2 different things-that overlap in the middle- which muddies the waters, or oil in this case... but springs should 100% be changed to proper riding weight before any attempts to revalve or change oil level or weight.
Yea- I know that oil is cheap and easy.. but that doesn't mean it is correct. Just like preload- there is only so much it can do to fine tune- the foundation (springs) needs to be right first.
It is the valving and associated oil weight and level that affect the movement of the shock/fork from and back to static.
So, you spring the bike to have the bike settle to a static position while stationary. The spring rate will depend on your weight, as well as any accessories you have...and yes to an extent how hard you ride- BUT that is a crutch- getting off the primary intent of the springs- stiffening springs based on hard riding just takes some work off of the fluid (movement through valving)...and has it's own compromises.
So yea- think of them as 2 different things-that overlap in the middle- which muddies the waters, or oil in this case... but springs should 100% be changed to proper riding weight before any attempts to revalve or change oil level or weight.
Yea- I know that oil is cheap and easy.. but that doesn't mean it is correct. Just like preload- there is only so much it can do to fine tune- the foundation (springs) needs to be right first.