Front suspension

Dazza Doom

Hi guys/gals,

Got a set of rock shox dart 3 forks on my bike; has a lockout on one leg and preload on t'other.
Thing is, lock out isnt on (but does work) and preload is set all the way to (-) but there doesnt seem to be much movement in the forks. I can push it down a bit but wouldnt say they were exactly 'fluid'. They definatly do 'sag' when i get on the bike though

Being a bit of a beginner i wasnt sure how they should behave? Are they working without me knowing? Am i missing the whole point of them?

Any info would be great!

nicklouse

how much sag?

Dazza Doom

Got to be honest i dont know. :roll:

Chunkers1980

er check? Those forks are budget so won't feel that plush.

Make sure it's not locked out and push down on the bars and stem to see how much travel you can get out of them trying really hard - put a ziip tie round to gauge - should be about 70 -100mm

Dazza Doom

Dont have a garage so will have to check tommorow when its light.

I measure the sag by pushing zip tie down, getting on bike, getting off bike and measureing the difference right?

Chunkers1980

Yep - in your normal riding attire. do it a few times though

eoghanmurray

the most travel i can get out of my dart 3's is about 50mm, i think that that is the most that dart 3 forks can move

cooldad

What do you weigh?

Dazza Doom

Couple of pound under 15 stone. :? (im working on that)

supersonic

Please measure the sag.

cooldad

Dazza Doom wrote:

Couple of pound under 15 stone. :? (im working on that)

I wasn't getting personal, but with coil forks a light person won't get much travel if the spring is too firm (or vice versa).
But that probably isn't the case. (I'm sure it's all muscle)

diy

All forks need time to bed in, so if these are brand new, give them maybe 10 hours of riding and see how they improve.

Could try speeding up the rebound a couple of clicks too (not 100% sure this is a feature, but if they do have it, it will be the adjustment knob at the bottom right leg).

Dazza Doom

Well didnt get home from work late and its chucking it down so will have to do the measurements tomorrow night.

Thanks for all the comments so far guys,,,,,

D4V1D

I've got Dart 3's on my Cube Acid. There is also a valve on the under side of the fork under the lock out leg. I think it controls the rebound speed from fast to slow.

supersonic

Yes, is a rebound adjuster.

Dazza Doom

Managed to get some measurements tonight:

Travel = 70mm
Sag = 15mm

I did notice that the forks did seem to be alot less harder to push down than the other night after my ride, maybe be wrong though. (might have been knackered!)

So do they seem about right?

Dazza Doom

Do the above measurements seem about right, or do i need to start adjusting things?

cooldad

Pretty close, maybe a mm or two more sag but that might be difficult to adjust.
How does it ride? Try some bumps.

Anonymous

70mm seems normal. Maybe a little soft.
You shouldn't really be able to get full travel out of them without dropping of something or hitting a large bump, very fast.

diy

With that sag and your declared weight I'd be tempted to speed up the rebound a click and see if the ride feels better dampened as a result.