Does anyone know how to adjust springer forks?

[2011softcruise]

Hi from Kentucky.

I bought a cruiser bike and notices that the springer fork spring has slack when weight is applied to the bike.

Should the spring be tightened to remove slack from the spring when the rider is sitting on the bike or is this normal for the springer to function.

It's old technology but does smooth the bumps decently. I just want to adjust the forks for optimum performance.

Thanks.....................Tom

[JonB]

not 100% sure how to adjust those forks, not familiar with the brand.

However it is perfectly normal for them to compress when you get on. This is called "sag." The idea is that as you go over rough ground, the fork can not only compress over bumps, but extend in dips, keeping the wheel firmly in contact with the ground.

How much sag (percentage of full fork travel) depends on the application (below are guidelines):
canal paths, probs 10-20%,
Cross-country mountain biking, 20-25%
Downhill mountain biking, about 33%, though some set it up as high as 40%
Hucking (big drops, sometimes to flat), about 25% (though the damping curve is more important than sag for this).

The more sag, the more compliant the fork will be (but less efficient to pedal), hence why despite a downhill setup (8" travel, 33% sag) being the best for eating rock gardens and smashing your way over bumps at high speed, your average off-road bike doesn't use it; pedaling a downhill bike up hill is incredibly hard. This applies to front and rear suspension.

[2011softcruise]

Thanks for the info.

I've looked everywhere for that knowledge but the net only had installation advice. The springer forks are not as efficient as modern MTB forks but I'm satisfied with it's trail performance as-is.

I'll not tighten the adjustment nut. Doing so will restrict its designed function.