Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

Fork adjustment - "I need clarity..."

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

Fork adjustment - "I need clarity..."

Old 05-05-04, 04:58 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Fork adjustment - "I need clarity..."

Hey all,

I have a rig that came with Rock Shox Pilot C forks. The forks are overly stiff and the travel is only 80mm. In reality, the preload adjustment is all but non-existent and you can only get 60mm travel out of them anyway.

I am trying to find out whether:

1. The travel can be increased?
2. They can be made a little more supple (less stiff)?

Firstly, I have been told that you can use the 100mm conversion collar (designed for the Pilot SL and Pilot XC forks) in the Pilot C. I have also been told that you can't! Can anyone confirm or deny?

Secondly, I have been told that you can NOT get a softer spring for the Pilot C, meaning the only way to make them less stiff is to change the oil weight used in the forks. Can anyone confirm or deny the spring issue?

Lastly, I have been told that the forks come as standard with a five (5) weight oil, but I have also been told they come with ten (10) weight oil in both legs and the lowers. Does anyone know for sure?

I have made various mod's to my bike and this should be the last one (once my new pedals arrive) but at the moment I don't actually know if I can really do much about the fork or not (short of buying a new one, which is over kill).

Any ideas...???

Thanks,

Cadnams
cadnams is offline  
Old 05-05-04, 07:05 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by cadnams
Hey all,

I have a rig that came with Rock Shox Pilot C forks. The forks are overly stiff and the travel is only 80mm. In reality, the preload adjustment is all but non-existent and you can only get 60mm travel out of them anyway.

I am trying to find out whether:

1. The travel can be increased?
2. They can be made a little more supple (less stiff)?

Firstly, I have been told that you can use the 100mm conversion collar (designed for the Pilot SL and Pilot XC forks) in the Pilot C. I have also been told that you can't! Can anyone confirm or deny?
From what I know,(limited), the Pilot C is an OEM product only and CANNOT have the travel increased.

Originally Posted by cadnams
Secondly, I have been told that you can NOT get a softer spring for the Pilot C, meaning the only way to make them less stiff is to change the oil weight used in the forks. Can anyone confirm or deny the spring issue?
What spring rate are you currently using? Many different aftermarket companies make suspension springs. I'd be taken back if you couldn't find a softer spring. Maybe Rock Shox doesn't make one, but I'm sure that a comp. like Speed Springs does (or might).

Also, changing the oil weight will help your dampening, not your preload. A higher weight will feel stiffer, but it's actually just slower.

Originally Posted by cadnams
Lastly, I have been told that the forks come as standard with a five (5) weight oil, but I have also been told they come with ten (10) weight oil in both legs and the lowers. Does anyone know for sure?
Don't know, but either way, you should probably change it out as it's old by now!

Originally Posted by cadnams
I have made various mod's to my bike and this should be the last one (once my new pedals arrive) but at the moment I don't actually know if I can really do much about the fork or not (short of buying a new one, which is over kill).

Any ideas...???

Thanks,

Cadnams
L8R
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
a2psyklnut is offline  
Old 05-05-04, 06:54 PM
  #3  
Biker @ 42
 
HaroX2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Western, NC
Posts: 67

Bikes: '04 Haro X2 FR/DH, K2 Flyin' Monkey DH, K2 Beast DH, DiamondBack Axis TR XC, DiamondBack Ascent EX XC

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Loosen the preload, Duh..... That's all an ETA does....
HaroX2 is offline  
Old 05-05-04, 07:17 PM
  #4  
Wood Licker
 
Maelstrom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966

Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by HaroX2
Loosen the preload, Duh..... That's all an ETA does....
Not quite. Eta is quite a bit more complex than a preload. Preload, preloads the springs (over tenstioning them)...eta or ecc lock them down so they are only a certain amount of a) ride and b) travel (eta I think is 2" ride with 30mm travel)...
Maelstrom is offline  
Old 05-05-04, 08:12 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HaroX2
Loosen the preload, Duh..... That's all an ETA does....

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Good to see I'm not the only person in the MTB community that knows how to use preload adjustment.
cadnams is offline  
Old 05-05-04, 09:23 PM
  #6  
Wood Licker
 
Maelstrom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Whistler,BC
Posts: 16,966

Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Ok what do you mean by ETA then?...because in marzocchi's world ETA is a very specific control.
Maelstrom is offline  
Old 05-06-04, 01:43 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 7,963

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Back to topic, it's a Rock Shox Pilot C, not a Marz. and definitely doesn't have ETA!

L8R
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
a2psyklnut is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.