Bicycle Mechanics - RST suspensions

Hello and thanks for reading =)

I currently have a RST Omega TL suspension fork ( came together with my GIANT bicycle last year) and till now,I have no idea how it works. I would greatly greatly appreciate it if anyone (i mailed RST but they didnt reply =( )could tell me what the knobs on top of each fork mean :

On the left fork (left fork being the fork on the left if im sitting on the bike facing forward), there's this knob which has the word RST in the middle, and an anti clock wise arrow labeled ( - ) , and a clockwise arrrow labeled ( + ) . Could someone kindly tell me what happens if i turn anti clock wise (-) or clock wise (+)

On the right fork, there's this knob which has the word "PRESS" in the middle, and an anti clockwise arrow labelled (L) and a clock wise arrow labeled (S) . COuld anyone again, kindly tell me what happenes if i "PRESS" the knob and turn it anti clock wise (L) or clockwise (S)

Also, if i turn the knob on the left fork, would the effect be felt on the right fork too? The same goes for the knob on the right fork, if i "PRESS" it and turn it, would the effect be felt on the left fork too?

Please do kindly reply as I keep seeing these knobs when i cycle and have no idea what they do..and im scared to do anyhting to them as im afriad the bike might just spoil in my hands.. Ive tried reading the manual but it had nothing on two different knobs. Please do help me.

thanks thanks thanks thanks a million thanks.

+ means increase stiffness, decrease travel by increasing spring tension.
- means decrease stiffness, increase travel by decreasing spring tension.

That would be my guess. Usually you want to adjust both at the same time. Play with the settings and see what you like. I usually like setting mine (RS Indy C) full soft during dirt rides, and full hard during road rides.

oh thanks for the info :) would you have any idea why i can press one knob and not the other? and why one is labeled L and S and the other + and -? thanks for the help neway :) blame my lack of knowledge on the RST guys..they din respond to my mail! come on! hehe...thanks neway

My guess would be the L-S side is "longer-shorter" travel and the +/- side is more or less preload (i.e. stiffer or softer feel).

ditto

Originally posted by Chi
+ means increase stiffness, decrease travel by increasing spring tension.
- means decrease stiffness, increase travel by decreasing spring tension.

That would be my guess. Usually you want to adjust both at the same time. Play with the settings and see what you like. I usually like setting mine (RS Indy C) full soft during dirt rides, and full hard during road rides.

A few things wrong here. Increasing stiffness does not decrease travel and vice versa.

There is no travel adjust on the RST fork I would imagine. They are far from the top of the line forks.

The right leg that says "press" is probally your compression adjustment (make it harder or softer). What the L and the S stand for is beyond me. But I am pretty sure that your right leg is compression.

The + or - is Pre-Load.

I'm guessing that the +/- is for preload and is used to adjust stiffness of the fork to compensate for rider weight. Suspension forks are usually set up so that there's an initial amount of sag. Increase or decrease the preload to match the specified sag. Unfortunately, I don't know what amount of sag is specified for that fork.

I did some checking and the RST Omega TL does indead have adjustable travel (76mm-101mm). According to descriptions I've been finding, it's a stepless system which probably accounts for the knob.

The adjustments will affect both legs simultaneously.

I own a set of RST Gilla 04's on my hardrock... solid fork for the price aswell ;)


I have two knobs on my fork...

Left and right are exactly the same im think... just do the seperate forks.

- Lowers the travel but makes the springs softer i think

+ Makes the travel more and the springs stiffer

I know this is a way old reply but for anyone that may find it useful... On my 2006 RST Omega T6, the left knob adjusts travel (80 mm to 120 mm)--not sure if it affects stiffness too. The right push button is to lock out the fork to make it rigid.