Adventure Bike Preload Adjusters
A number of people have pointed at my bike and asked, “what’s that doohickie”.
I normally respond with “a brilliant bit of kit that makes my life easy!”
What they were pointing at, is a preload adjuster.
If you already have one, then you’ll know just how good they are. If you haven’t got one, or don’t know what they are, here’s some handy info…
The best way to describe a preload adjuster, is to explain what problem it solves for adventure riders. As an adventure rider, you’ll likely be chopping and changing your luggage from one ride to the next. Presumably, you’ll have a big (heavy) set of luggage for your big trips, and either a medium set of luggage or no luggage at all for your shorter trips or day rides.
These different weights (especially over the rear wheel where luggage sits) have a big impact on your bike’s suspension sag, and ultimately how your bike handles.
Pretty much every bike has the option of setting the suspension sag, typically with a C spanner. This isn’t new, this is the standard way of getting the right sag, and riders have been doing this for eons. However, it is definitely one of those fiddly “mehh” jobs!
Preload adjusters to the rescue! What preload adjusters do is bypass the need for a C spanner, and allow you to set your sag in a matter of seconds with a T handle socket on a standard hex bolt.
What is even more handy, is if you are setting your sag from your garage, you can use a battery drill to make this an insanely quick job!
The benefits also extend to when you are out riding. Let’s say you roll into camp, and then plan to go for an explore ride without luggage. It is quick and easy to reset your sag for the explore ride without luggage, and then reset it when you return to camp so you’re ready to throw your luggage back on and set off again the next day.
When it comes to the tools for adjusting the preload adjuster, there are various T-handle options on the market. Do be sure it has a long enough shaft though, so you can get clean turns without interference with your knuckles. What I have in my toolkit is a Koken ¼ inch drive T handle, long extension, and socket. This is part of my standard toolkit for various trailside repairs/maintenance, and also perfect for the preload adjuster.
A preload adjuster is an upgrade that is definitely worth looking at if you appreciate riding with the correct sag, and you want a quick and easy way to achieve that.
The easiest place to get a preload adjuster here in New Zealand is from Scott at Moto SR. You can view the X-Trig range here: X-Trig Preload Adjusters.
Aside from Scott being an official X-Trig distributor holding a good range, he’s very approachable and knowledgeable if you have any questions.
