On The Pegs February 2018 - Volume 3 - Issue 2 | Page 151

On The Pegs
Vol. 3 Issue 1 - January 2018
Conclusion: Looking at the data
point averages side by side comparing
an air to metal spring would lead you
to belive the air fork is softer in its initial
stroke but the air spring graph clearly
dictates otherwise. What the side by
side comparason and graph does show
is how consistent the metal spring is
and the “variety” that comes with the
air spring. The international compres-
sion test is all but useless on the air
spring. The rate that it produces in the
shop does not coincide to how it works
on the track and trail. The age old ad-
age is still true, air is progressive and
metal straight rate springs are linear.
Here is a psi spring rate conversion
chart that I put together from all the
testing in the shop. This is a mathimati-
cal spring chart. This will get you close
to spot on. But the beauty of the AER
PSI
SINGLE SPRING
P 151
air fork is, “if you dont like it, then add
or subtract psi until it fits your liking.”
Both Springs have their advantages
and disadvantages. Both springs have
their own unique individual physical
properties.
Both get us through the trail and
around the track.
It’s been real fun testing these springs
and comparing them to each other. My
hope is this article (graph in particular)
helps tuners and riders alike across the
board get their bikes dialed in to go
have fun, compete and or win races!
Everybody in this sport either loves to
ride or loves watching somebody who
loves to ride.
“Throttle On!”
Check out Sopro Suspension at
http://www.sopro.bz
2 SPRING
100 .76 .38
110 .82 .41
115 .84 .42
120 .88 .44
125 .90 .45
130 .94 .47
140 .98 .49
150 1.06 .53 1
60 1.14 .57
170 1.2 .60