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Old 04-03-09 | 02:11 PM
  #35  
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cyclezen
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Goleta CA

Bikes: a bunch

Originally Posted by nrose
I noticed the suspension can be adjusted (+) and (-). How do I properly tune this? When do I make it stiffer\softer? And how do I know what it's currently set at?
Nice bike, should be great fun!
Not being detail familiar with the MZ Comp fork, but generally the first adjustment given on models is ability to set 'sag', that would be explained in the fork manual (usually availabel online also in PDF froom the manu. site).
'Sag' set on a coil spring setup doesn;t usually change the 'stiffness' much, since good coil springs usually are very linear until they get to either extreme of their travel range. Depending on fork design, oil level changes can alter 'stiffness'. So iff'n you wanna play, you can tear in there and make oil level changes; but likely the differences will be very small.
Air forks do change those characteristics, since lower and higher pressures do change how easily air compresses and so how the fork reacts to shocks.

Usually the next adjustment given on many forks is 'rebound', which controls how the fork reacts after the bump/shock/jolt. Usually found at the bottom of one of the lower stanchions, sometimes layered on top of one tube. That one can really screw up how a fork works, iff'n you don;t know what you;re doin.
Best to read up on the manual, they often give an elementary explanation of 'sag', rebound (and depending if the manual covers shocks with compression damping) compression.
My KHS came with an older Marzoochi 70mm air fork with rebound, and I really like how even and smooth it works. Comparing it to the newer Fox100RL on the Epic, it feels just as smooth and even. I really like that Marzooch, even though it doesn't have any of the fancy modern features like lockout or 'U-turn' type adjustment. Noted that I'm pretty high on the 'Wimp-Out' scale when it comes to air-time and other body/bike bashin feats.
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