Mono damping and spring preload adjustments

[Winderallday!]

Ok, well you do know you need a lighter spring, so install one for now and see how the sit in goes, that is a good starting point.
As far as re-valving, that could wait until you see how the sled performs on the trail, likely be ok, and you can still adjust pre-load and dampening to fine tune as needed.

 

[steveg_nh]

I think I can get my hands on the stock oem spring. Assuming I can, would you go with c clip in position 2 or 1 for my weight? 190 with all gear?

 

[Winderallday!]

Position 1 where it is now as per your pic.

 

[hibshman25]

I think I can get my hands on the stock oem spring. Assuming I can, would you go with c clip in position 2 or 1 for my weight? 190 with all gear?

I will do a trade if you want.

 

[steveg_nh]

Travis, that would be sweet, and I'd appreciate it. Do you have one off a 136 skid though? I read that the 121 Apex has a slightly lighter spring, and the 136 heavier. The OEM part number of the spring I want is 8FT-47489-00-00. Honestly I'd love a multi rate, but just don't want to spend any more money right now if I can avoid it until I at least ride it and see how it is.

 

[hibshman25]

The 136 was a 5,0 rate. 121 were 4.5 I should have a 5.0. Will confirm Monday.

 

[steveg_nh]

Thanks. I wanted to move this along and get it done, so I've actually already gotten my hands on a stock spring so all set. I do have the big boy one if that has any interest to you though. Thanks.

 

[Winderallday!]

Thanks. I wanted to move this along and get it done, so I've actually already gotten my hands on a stock spring so all set. I do have the big boy one if that has any interest to you though. Thanks.

Post your results of the sit in meausrement with this spring, you should be able to dial it in with the ramped spring pre-load adjuster at clip position #1 at your weight.

 

[steveg_nh]

I will but it probably won't be till the end of the week. Lots going on the next few days.

 

[steveg_nh]

Actually though, anyone have the specs on the different springs? Meaning, the 5.0kg Attak stock spring, what's the coil diameter, length, number of coils, etc? Since the springs are not marked, I want to be sure I have the right one. My old spring was 13.05 mm in diameter, the coil thickness that is.

 

[steveg_nh]

Finally had a chance to get back to this. Put the new spring on. 12mm coils. Wow does this spring compress easier than the one I have. Piece of cake compared to the 13mm spring. Later today I will get the spring back in the sled and see what I have for compression and sit in.

 

[steveg_nh]

Ok, got the shock put back in and adjusted. That was easy! Much easier to work with this spring too. But I'm not sure if I'm thinking about sag right. I believe that the less sag I have, the harder the ride will be. Isn't that right? Less sag = more preload?

When set to cog position 1, and C Clip at 1, I have 42 mm of sag. Perfect as it's right between 40-45. But I wasn't wearing any of my gear and didn't have all the stuff I carry on the sled yet. So I thought I would decrease sag (make it stiffer), as when I load up a bit and put on my gear, it will compress the spring more, bringing it back into the 40-45 mm range. Am I thinking about this right? I assume the 40-45 sag guide is how you want the sled to sit normally and when riding not really going over bumps. Plus, if I had to chose between too soft or too firm I'd lean towards a firm ride. So I have the preload cog in spot 3, and my sag is currently at 38mm.

Also one more thing...I first measured sag with sled suspension off the ground. Then I sat on it. But the spring compresses more if I sit gently or jump on it. Makes sense right...the harder I get on it, the more it compresses. Not a huge difference, but about 2-3mm maybe. So my measurements are based on just getting on it normally, not rough...

Thanks

 

[Winderallday!]

You are in the zone, trail ride and adjust the collar/cog to suit. Just sit on the sled for this measurement no need to jump on, it is a static test to get you close to the effective working range of the shock. If you are wanting to see what the difference is with gear, just bring about 20 lbs or so with you when you do the sit in test. A second rider will be a whole different story, but these sleds are't two up rider friendly imo, so for the majority of your personal riding go with rider plus gear and you should be golden. How the suspension performs over bumps or stutters will be a function of shock rebound and compression settings, rebound you have the adjuster, compression rate is a function of valve stack internally. If you find it problematic, this is when you need to consider a shock rebuild/tune. Grip it and rip it!

 

[steveg_nh]

Thanks. It's good until I ride it this winter. Am I right though in how I'm thinking about it. More preload = less sag measurement = stiffer ride?

 

[Winderallday!]

Thanks. It's good until I ride it this winter. Am I right though in how I'm thinking about it. More preload = less sag measurement = stiffer ride?

Yes, will make the ride more harsh with more pre-load. The 40-45mm sit in gets the shock set to its optimal working range with rider weight, more pre-load will limit that range so it is less effective.
This is where the internal valve stack comes into play as to how slow or rapid the shock is allowed to move in this optimal range, so in reality both pre-load and compression/rebound valving affect ride quality on the trail. If you find yourself bottoming out easily, then increase pre-load a bit, see how it goes, if still bottoms easy, time for a shock service and set up.