How do you actually adjust a fork?

[Rabsh]

Okay this question might seem odd, but my fork bears no indication as per where/what/how I can adjust the stiffness and rebound speed. I am linking images of the fork I'm using, it's an SR Suntour that came with my Centurion Backfire M2 hardtail, if that is of any help, as I don't know the exact model of the fork.

Frontal view of the fork:


on the upper right side, there's this knob which doesn't seem to move:


and another one on the upper left side:


However, I have noticed a screw-like thing jetting out of a hole in the bottom right side of the fork, maybe an Allen screw that can be used to adjust the suspension. It's the small silver thingy above the quick release peg:


And another small hole (of the size of the one in the right side, except this one doesn't have a screw) in the bottom left side, which isn't visible in the picture:


I'm sure there must be someway to change the setting of the suspension fork, because I find it a tiny bit too stiff for my riding. Tiny bit too stiff, but too stiff nonetheless. Help greatly appreciated!

[JonB]

In short, no.

Those two nobs on top of the fork are decoration only and aren't linked to any adjuster at all.

The holes in the bottom won't link to anything and are probs just for cycle computers. The two silver bolts sticking out the bottom are called the footnuts, and they hold the lowers (big black bit) to the pushrods inside the silvery bits that move up and down (stanchions).

As for rebound, no way. The fork relies on stiction internally for the damping, and there's nothing you can do about it; they'll always feel like a pogo stick. Forks with adjustable rebound are oil damped instead, and you control the damping by changing the size of the hole the oil flows through. These have no oil, just elastomers.

Suntour Forks are not really suitable for those who want to faff. The internals are sealed and non-adjustable. On some you can adjust the stiffness using two dials, but even in the softest setting they're pretty dire.

If you want a basic, adjustable fork then grab some Rockshox Toras, or some Marzocchi Dirt Jumpers or Drop offs (I can't remember if they do them in V-brake though). These are all good budget forks with oil damping (and therefore adjustable). Stiffness depends on whether they're air or coil (air you change the air pressure, coil you fit a different spring; though some Marzocchis use a combination where you top the spring up with air). Suntours are not the answer.


Probably not the answer you wanted to hear, I'm sorry.

[Bill]

Sounds right! But if you do get any type of Suntour suspension here is the site... http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/dstore/products.html?sid=1