b. Spring Rate: The spring rate is the stiffness (or cushiness) of the shock. Once sag has been set
for your weight, you may find times when riding conditions warrant more or less stiffness to your
suspension. You can adjust the stiffness by increasing or reducing air pressure, as long as you don’t go
outside the 100 to 250 psi range.
c. Rebound Rate: Some Spinner Air Shock models have a red rebound control knob (see
illustration above). Rebound rate is the rate at which the shock returns to its static (sag) position after
compression. Turning the control knob clockwise (in) slows the rebound rate; turning it counter-
clockwise (out) speeds up the rebound rate.
The starting point for tuning the rebound rate is achieved with a Curb Test:
1) Turn the Rebound Adjusting Knob all the way counter-clockwise, the fastest rebound rate. Note
that the knob has click detents every quarter turn.
2) While sitting in the saddle, ride the bike off a curb and count the number of times the rear
suspension bounces before it returns to normal sag position. You want to achieve one
suspension bounce.
3) Now, turn the Rebound Knob a quarter turn (the next click detent) clockwise, and repeat the
test, counting the number of bounces.
4) Repeat step 3) until you achieve one bounce of the suspension, and record how many clicks
clockwise you have turned the Rebound Knob. This is your “normal” rebound rate setting.
Different terrain conditions may warrant adjusting the rebound rate up or down; but you should
keep a record of the “normal” rebound position, along with your normal sag air pressure, as a
reference
When tuning suspension, make only one change at a time, and write down what you did. This
will help you understand how each change affects how the bike rides.
3. Setup and tuning of Coil Shocks
Setting up and tuning your Spinner Coil Shock is done in the following
sequence:
a. Set the Sag: Sag, or static compression, is directly related to your
weight, and is the amount the suspension travels when you sit on the bike in
the riding position. The rule of thumb is that sag should be 15 to 30 percent of
total suspension movement; but check with your dealer or bike manufacturer
for specific sag recommendations for your bike’s suspension geometry; then:
1) Measure and write down the distance from the rear axle to the top rear
of the saddle.
2) Get on the bike, in riding position, and have a friend measure and write
down the distance from the rear axle to the top rear of the saddle with
your full weight on the bike.
3) The difference between these two measurements is the sag. If the difference between the
measurements is more than the dealer’s or manufacturer’s recommendation, turn the Spring
rate Adjusting Ring clockwise a quarter turn at a time until you achieve the recommended sag. If
the difference is less than the dealer’s or manufacturer’s recommendation, turn the Spring rate
Adjusting Ring counterclockwise a quarter turn at a time until you achieve the recommended
sag.
4) Accurately measure the spring length at which you achieved correct sag. You’ll want to refer to
it often in the future, because it’s the starting point for spring rate adjustments.
