Canyon Mountain bike Manual page 47

90 FULL-SUSPENSION
The spring should be dimensioned and adjusted in
such a way that the rear shock never bottoms out. A
spring which is too pliable makes itself felt and usual-
ly also clearly heard by the hard shocks caused by the
sudden complete compression of the shock absorber.
If the rear shock frequently bottoms out, it will sus-
tain damage in the long term, as will the frame.
Adjust the initial spring tension in a way that your
Canyon yields by approx. 10 – 25 % when you sit on
the saddle of a cross-country and marathon bike and
by approx. 20 – 40 % when you sit on the saddle of an
enduro and freeride bike.
The damping is adjusted by valves inside. These
valves are designed to modify the flow rate of the oil
and hence the speed with which the rear shock moves
in and out. In this way it is possible to optimise the
response of your Canyon to obstacles. Furthermore,
any oscillatory movement of the rear frame while ped-
alling can be reduced. For long uphill rides involving
hard pedalling in sitting it may be advisable to close,
i.e. to eliminate the damping.
On the other hand, for downhill rides on uneven
ground it may be better to open the damping system
more or less completely.
Try approaching the exact setting you need in half or
quarter turns.
Turn the small handwheel to adjust the damping
Do not ride your Canyon, if the rear shock
!
bottoms out.
Almost all manufacturers deliver their
i
shock absorbers or rear shocks with
well-written operating instructions enclosed. Be
sure to read them carefully before changing any
settings or doing any maintenance work.
For more details on the adjustment of your
i
rear shock visit the websites of the follow-
ing manufacturers:
www.rockshox.de
www.sportimport.de
www.dtswiss.com
www.manitoumtb.com
www.centurion.de
www.foxracingshox.com
www.toxoholics.de
If your rear shock has steel springs, turn the
knurled ring on the spring clockwise (line of vision
from the adjusting ring to the spring) to increase
the initial spring tension. If you cannot turn the ring
on its own, take hold of the spring with your whole
hand and turn it together with the knurled adjusting
ring.
Air-cushioned rear shocks are adjustable via the air
pressure. Only use the pump provided for this pur-
pose by the rear shock manufacturer and observe
the specified pressure.
On most rear shocks you can adjust the damping
externally by means of a handwheel. This enables
you to change the section of the valves in the oil
bath and hence the oil flow rate and volume. Turn
the handwheel in small steps and check the rear
shock's response to these changes.
Some models provide for separate adjustment of
compression and rebound damping. Experience
has shown that it is best to start with compression
damping entirely open and to vary rebound damping
first. Rebound damping is generally considered sat-
isfactory when the rear frame rebounds once after
descending from a high kerb.
Finish by adjusting the compression damping. You
will notice the difference by the speed with which
the saddle retracts.
Take your Canyon for a test ride on different kinds of
surface. If the rear shock bottoms out several times,
the spring rate or the ratio of the suspension mecha-
nism have to be changed:
Steel springs come with different spring rates. Re-
placing the springs is a job best left to an expert.
On an air spring rear shock the air pressure has to
be increased. Be sure to observe the manufactur-
er's specifications.
FULL-SUSPENSION
With steel springs the spring tension is altered with the knurled ad-
justing ring
Air dampers are adjusted by modifying the air pressure
If you need to turn the adjusting ring of a
i
steel spring by more than three to four
turns to adjust the initial spring tension, read the
enclosed manual of the rear shock manufacturer.
There may be the need to replace the spring by
another model.
Activate the lockout-system only on
!
smooth lanes or paths.
Rear shocks are constantly being sprayed
i
with water and dirt from the rear wheel.
Clean them with lots of water after every ride.
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