Manitou Systems DORADOPRO - EXPERT Owner's Manual page 5

ADJUSTING MAIN SPRING AIR PRESSURE
The Dorado's air spring is performance tuned to be high-
volume, low-pressure for quick, linear break-away and
progressive bottoming ramp-up. The negative and positive air
chambers are linked with a poppet valve; the chambers auto-
equalize when set-up properly. Manitou recommends using
a pump equipped with a pressure bleed valve to accurately
adjust air pressure. The air spring comes pressurized from the
factory at 75 PSI; recommended air pressure is 50 – 90 PSI,
but is not to exceed 110psi.
INCREASING AIR PRESSURE
Remove the Schrader valve cap from the top of the left leg
(spring leg). Thread on pump's Schrader valve fitting snuggly.
If the fork already has pressure in it, the pressure gauge will
read a non-zero pressure when the valve is engaged. Pump
up air spring until desired pressure is read on gauge. Minimize
pressure loss by removing the pump's Schrader valve fitting
quickly. Replace Schrader valve cap.
DECREASING AIR PRESSURE
Remove the Schrader valve cap from the top of the left leg
(spring leg). Thread on the pump's Schrader valve fitting snug-
gly. If the fork already has pressure in it, the pressure gauge
will read a non-zero pressure when the valve is engaged.
Depress the pressure bleed valve on the shock pump until
desired pressure is read on gauge. Minimize pressure loss by
removing the pump's Schrader valve fitting quickly. Replace
Schrader valve cap.
DORADO PRO - EXPERT OWNER'S MANUAL
MEASURING SAG (Sometimes call "static" or "laden" sag, this
is the amount your suspension compresses due to the weight
of your body when in a natural riding position. Damping ad-
justment on the Dorado has no effect on static sag.)
To measure sag, you'll need a tape measure, a pencil, a piece
of paper and a helper.
1. With an initial pressure setting in the recommended range,
measure the distance (M) from the top of the dropout to the
dust seal when no one is sitting on the bike and write down
this measurement. (Remember the exact locations of the two
points because you'll need to use them later.)
2. Have the rider sit still on the bike. Gently lift up on the front
of the bike, and release, allowing the suspension to settle
back. Measure the distance (SAG1) between the same two
points as in step one. It is important to be in the normal riding
position (weight centered) with your feet on the pedals.
3. Repeat measurement after gently pushing down on the front
of the bike, and allowing it to settle back, returning to a neutral
position (SAG2).
4. Subtract the second measurement from the first "un-weight-
ed" measurement in each case. Take the average of the two.
[(M – SAG1) + (M – SAG2)] / 2 = AVG SAG. The resulting
measurement is the average static sag, and properly accounts
for friction. (see Table 3, page 15.) The difference between
SAG1 and SAG2 will decrease as the fork breaks in, and may
increase as the fork approaches a service interval, is improp-
erly installed, or if damage has occurred.
5. To increase air spring pressure remove the Schrader air cap
located on the top of the left leg and using a dedicated shock
pump (Manitou part #85-4162), inflate the fork with the desired
pressure. Be aware that in most cases, the slight hiss of air
that is heard while removing the pump is caused by air moving
out of the hose, rather than out of the fork. Also understand
that reattaching the air pump will ALWAYS result in a lower
pressure reading as air must leave the fork to pressurize the
volume of the air pump. In a properly functioning shock pump,
a consistent change in pressure will be seen when reattach-
ing the pump. If the change is inconsistent, the pump seal or
Schrader valve may be damaged.
6. To decrease air spring pressure, remove the Schrader air
8
cap located on the top of the left leg and using a dedicated
shock pump (Manitou part #85-4162), depress the pressure
bleed valve until the desired pressure is reached. Be aware
that in most cases, the slight hiss of air that is heard while
removing the pump is caused by air moving out of the hose,
rather than out of the fork.
DAMPING SYSTEM
The Dorado is equipped with the following Damping technolo-
gies: Externally Adjustable TPC+ Compression Damping,
Externally Adjustable High Speed Compression Damping,
Integrated
Hydraulic Bottom-Out Resistance Circuit, and Externally
Adjustable Rebound Damping. All these technologies are con-
tained in an open-bath cartridge, making it lightweight, quick to
bleed, and easy to set-up.
WARNING!
THE DAMPING SYSTEM IS AN OPEN BATH SYSTEM. OIL
MAY INTERNALLY LEACH OUT OF THE DAMPING CAR-
TRIDGE DURING SHIPPING OR IF YOUR BIKE IS STORED
UPSIDE-DOWN. THE FORK SHOULD BE BLED PRIOR TO
USE IF THE FORK IS NOT STORED UPRIGHT. FAILURE
TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN POOR PERFORMANCE.
To bleed the cartridge, hold fork upright or as mounted on bike.
Turn rebound adjuster knob to "Full Closed" Position. Stroke
fork 10-20 times or until rebound speed is slow throughout
travel of fork. Reset rebound adjuster knob to desired setting.
The bleed process may be supplemented by also turning the
TPC+/ red compression adjusted to the "full closed" position.
COMPRESSION DAMPING ADJUSTMENT
The Dorado is equipped with both an external "TPC+
Compression" damping adjustment and an external "High Speed
Compression" damping adjustment, as well as a dedicated inde-
pendent hydraulic bottom-out circuit. These damping technolo-
gies allow greater adjustability for specific events encountered on
terrain; this allows the fork to be plush during stutter bumps and
firm during bottoming while giving the rider the necessary adjust-
ment to tune the Dorado to any riding conditions.
DORADO PRO - EXPERT OWNER'S MANUAL
There are three distinct damping stages through the travel of
the fork. The first stage, 0-100mm [0-4in] of travel, is dedicated
to high-speed unsprung wheel movement and low speed
rider trail movement. The second stage, 100-160mm [4-6in]
of travel is dedicated to high-speed sprung weight movement
of the rider and bike. The third stage, 160-203mm [6-8in] of
travel, is dedicated to bottoming resistance.
Typically, a "high speed" compression event is characterized
by a high shaft velocity incident caused by either the unsprung
wheel mass being forced towards bike chassis or the sprung
rider mass being forced towards the ground. In the first case
the high shaft velocity is caused by the bike, at high speeds,
coming in contact with a small obstacle (less than 100mm
[4in]; i.e. stutter bumps, rocks, and roots). Even at lower bike
speeds, high shaft velocities will be reached on more abrupt
obstacles (square edged bumps.) See Image 9, page 10.
Generally, it is desirable for the fork to be plush (minimal
damping force) when encountering a high speed event of
this nature and should travel through the stroke with minimal
movement translated to the rider. This damping characteristic
is set by the High-Speed Adjuster. The High-Speed Adjuster
is located on the bottom of the right dropout. It is black and
encircles the red TPC+ adjuster. The High-Speed Adjuster,
when turned clockwise (counter-clockwise when referenced
from the handlebars), will make the suspension firmer dur-
ing short–travel, high-speed events. Turning the High-Speed
Adjuster counter-clockwise (clockwise when referenced from
the handlebars) will make the suspension plusher during high-
speed events. The High-Speed Adjuster is equipped with 20
detent positions. NOTE: WHEN THE HIGH-SPEED ADJUST-
ER (OUTER KNOB) IS TURNED, THE TPC+ ADJUSTER
(INNER KNOB) WILL FOLLOW. THIS WILL NOT CHANGE
THE SETTING OF THE TPC+ ADJUSTER. THE TPC+
ADJUSTER SETTING WILL ONLY CHANGE IF TURNED
INDEPENDENTLY OF THE HIGH-SPEED ADJUSTER.
In the second case of high-speed shaft velocity, gravity forces
the rider's mass downward, deep into the fork's travel (more
than 100mm [4in]) from landing a jump or a drop. See Image
9