Preload, Compression and Rebound. Preload is the amount of pressure on the shock/forks spring when it is in an extended position. Air forks adjust this by adding or removing pressure coil sprung forks have a way to compress or extend the spring by turing a knob. .
http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/fork-lockout-right-side-preload-left-side-whats-preload-795367.html
Preload will adjust how stiff the fork is. More plush ( soft), or hard to compress. lockout will LOCK the fork out, as a rigid fork ( no suspension) would be like. Which makes it a no front suspension bike.
http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/what-preload-adjuster-speed-lockout-668547.html
Suspension Setup Guide. We take a look at suspension setup routines and how you can dial in your bike's suspension. Posted May 19th, 2009 at 3:47pm. We've heard practically every excuse in the book from sportbike riders who refuse to mess with their suspension, from, I don't know what knobs do what, to, It works OK how it is..
http://www.sportrider.com/suspension-setup-guide
So when you buy a new bike, you set up the preload to fit your body weight then you leave it alone. Load is what you do when your body and the forces from the terrain compress the spring in the fork. As for the speed lockout, I think it's just marketing talk.
http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/what-preload-adjuster-speed-lockout-668547.html
DAY 2 - SET UP BIKE TO YOUR WEIGHT (PRELOAD) To set up your bike you will require the proper tools as recommended in your bikes handbook, usually a long screw driver, spanner for the front and a funny looking tool for the rear preload and tape measure!!. You will need patience and time.
http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm
Therefore I have split up this article into different days to make it easier to read and carry out. 1  DAY 1 - What is suspension all about Setting your bike up. Where did I start. 2  DAY 2 - Set up your bike to your weight (Preload) Rear Preload. Front Preload. 3  DAY 3 - Front Damping Front Compression. Front Rebound.
http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm
What is a preload adjuster? a speed lockout? I'm a newbie here, and to mtb'ing. I've got a new bike with a suspension fork featuring a preload adjuster and a speed lockout. I downloaded the fork manual from Suntour, but this document offers no explanation.
http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/what-preload-adjuster-speed-lockout-668547.html
Setting the forks preload requires measuring the sag, or how much the fork compresses when the rider is sitting on the bike. Typically you want the fork to sag about 30% of its travel. This allows the fork to extend into depressions in the trail.
http://forums.mtbr.com/beginners-corner/fork-lockout-right-side-preload-left-side-whats-preload-795367.html
The more rider sag you have, the softer the bike suspension will be. I personally use 35mm for road and a few track days use. Therefore if your rider sag is less than 30 mm then your preload is too hard, if it is more than 40 mm, then it is a bit soft.
http://www.gostar-racing.com/club/motorcycle_suspension_set-up.htm
Preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension's travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel. With less preload, the bike sits lower and closer to the bottom of its suspension travel. The front preload adjuster is the large nut on top of the fork tube. The front rebound adjuster is the small one. You can change front ride height by sliding the fork tubes up or down in the triple clamps.
http://www.sportrider.com/suspension-setup-guide
what do fork preload do
A preload adjusts the stiffness of fork. The fork preload adjusts the stiffness of a fork. A fork preload will adjust the stiffness of the fork.