Quote:
Originally Posted by jaak
you say:
Pre-load adjusts when the spring comes off the stops and starts to act as a spring.
I say: Bingo!
That's why excessive preload feels harsher on bumps, even if the spring rate is lower.
And this is why a stiffer spring with less preload "acts as a spring" sooner, hence - better absorption of bumps.
The key being the right spring rate and the right preload (latter showed by correct static sag).
Agreed in all other points
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No,no,no.
Lets consider a hypothetical, very simple, bike.
You have a 100lb weight (the bike) and a choice of two springs. A 20lbs/inch and a 33.3333lbs/inch spring.(to make the maths easy)
You want a static sag of 3".
The 20lbs/inch spring will move 5" when the 100lbs is sat on it. So, to get a sag of 3", you need to jack it up (pre-load) by 2".
The 33.333lbs/inch spring will just move 3" without any pre-load.
So, you see you have 3" static sag with both springs. The 20lbs spring has moved 5" but the bike has been jacked up back to 3" sag with pre-load. The 33.333lbs spring has moved 3". Both springs are mid length. i.e. part way through their length and can bounce up and down.
Now, lets consider the next inch of movement.
The 20lbs/inch spring will only need 20lbs to move the forks 1". The 33.333lbs/inch spring will need 33.333lbs to move the forks 1".
Do you still think the stiffer spring is less harsh?
