Keep a suspension log
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Keep a suspension log
Not sure if Gen. Tech is the place to post an idea/suggestion like this but here it is.
Keeping a suspension "settings and changes" log can really help you get (and keep) your bike dialed-in. Suspensions have almost unlimited combinations of settings, what with all the clickers, ride height, sag, etc etc etc. Suspension set-up is really somewhat of an art. Your bike's suspension operates as an integrated System. A change to one setting will have significant effects on other settings as well as changing the way the bike handles. Most often it will take a combination of changes and continued 'tweeks' to get things as best they can be for your own personal style and the track or roads you are riding.
It's easy, and many riders do, to just 'flail around' clicking this and that, changing things, hoping to get a better riding bike....But the better way, especially when you are not a 'suspension whizz' or you are starting with a new bike or new components...the better way is to be a little methodical, and to try to be a little organized about it all.
For instance, if your bike is feeling soft at the front, do you just crank up the compression?...Maybe. But maybe you need a bit more rebound at the rear, instead (or too)...So the trick is to keep track of each change you do, and try to make a note of what that has done for the handling. If things get worse, you have a note of how to go back one step...If things get better, you have a record of what you did to get it that way.
Myself, I have some experience with suspension set up but the best way to dial in if you aren't sure what does what is to only change one setting at a time...see what that does...If you work two adjustments at the same time you can't really know for certain what happened and why....
I usually begin, on a new to me bike, with whatever the book says for initial settings and work from there. Often I've found myself getting "lost" by changing stuff without noting it...and then I have to go back and begin again....until I learned to keep my settings and changes jotted down.
a question too...I know many others do this, especially those who race...has anyone found a good format to use? I just have a spiral notebook and I keep things in rows and columns...but there must be a better way to record all the changes, especially at busy events like track days or races.
Hope that helps someone get things organized ...it's so cool when you begin to make good progress on a bike by dialing in the settings.
Keeping a suspension "settings and changes" log can really help you get (and keep) your bike dialed-in. Suspensions have almost unlimited combinations of settings, what with all the clickers, ride height, sag, etc etc etc. Suspension set-up is really somewhat of an art. Your bike's suspension operates as an integrated System. A change to one setting will have significant effects on other settings as well as changing the way the bike handles. Most often it will take a combination of changes and continued 'tweeks' to get things as best they can be for your own personal style and the track or roads you are riding.
It's easy, and many riders do, to just 'flail around' clicking this and that, changing things, hoping to get a better riding bike....But the better way, especially when you are not a 'suspension whizz' or you are starting with a new bike or new components...the better way is to be a little methodical, and to try to be a little organized about it all.
For instance, if your bike is feeling soft at the front, do you just crank up the compression?...Maybe. But maybe you need a bit more rebound at the rear, instead (or too)...So the trick is to keep track of each change you do, and try to make a note of what that has done for the handling. If things get worse, you have a note of how to go back one step...If things get better, you have a record of what you did to get it that way.
Myself, I have some experience with suspension set up but the best way to dial in if you aren't sure what does what is to only change one setting at a time...see what that does...If you work two adjustments at the same time you can't really know for certain what happened and why....
I usually begin, on a new to me bike, with whatever the book says for initial settings and work from there. Often I've found myself getting "lost" by changing stuff without noting it...and then I have to go back and begin again....until I learned to keep my settings and changes jotted down.
a question too...I know many others do this, especially those who race...has anyone found a good format to use? I just have a spiral notebook and I keep things in rows and columns...but there must be a better way to record all the changes, especially at busy events like track days or races.
Hope that helps someone get things organized ...it's so cool when you begin to make good progress on a bike by dialing in the settings.
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