Adjusting of coil preload

The spring stiffness is the force that is required to compress a spring a certain distance. Softer springs mean that the suspension is much more sensitive and with harder springs the suspension becomes much firmer. It is necessary to adjust the spring stiffness to suit the rider’s weight, so that the suspension does not sink too far when the rider sits on the bike. The suspension must not bottom out.

Adjusting the spring stiffness

All Canyon bikes which are fitted with steel springs have optimized spring stiffness (OptiTune). That means depending on the frame size we fit various types of suspension springs.

Adjusting the spring pre-load

The pre-load allows the sag (negative travel) to be finely adjusted. If the pre-load is increased, the amount of travel is reduced.

When using the Marzocchi 66 RCV you can adjust the spring pre-load with the red knob on the right-hand fork. On the left of this fork it is possible to adjust the load deflection curve with air pressure from linear through to progressive.

The BoXXer fork allows the adjustment of pre-load via the black knob at the top of the left-hand stanchion.

On suspension forks the relevant knob to adjust the spring stiffness is often marked “Coil” or “Preload”.Picture 1

On shocks with steel springs you can alter the spring pre-load by turning the pre-load knob. Picture 2

Warning: Turn the steel spring a maximum of two turns. If this is not enough to adequately pre-load the springs, you’ll need to fit a spring with a different spring stiffness.
The majority of suspension parts use air. Instead of spring stiffness or pre-load being changed, one then simply alters the air pressure.

Spring elements can only function optimally when they are adjusted according to the rider’s weight. Forks and shock absorbers must sag somewhat under the weight of the rider so that there are sufficient reserves when a pot-hole appears on a trail - in this situation negative travel is required. On stones and roots on the other hand, the spring elements compress. Therefore, the negative travel (also called sag) should not be too great. Several of Canyon's spring elements work with air and can be quite easily adjusted to the weight of the individual rider (this also works with suspension forks). However, there are also models where a steel spring is used. In such cases it's worth taking a look at the details below, because a spring stiffness which deviates from standard can only be achieved by a replacement spring. Canyon will of course carry out this conversion for you.

The following suspension forks on Canyon bikes are fitted with steel springs.

Rock Shox Totem
<63 kg: white
63 to 72 kg: silver
72 to 82 kg: blue (Standard)
82 to 91 kg: yellow
>91 kg: red

Rock Shox Domain
< 63kg: white
63 to 72 kg: yellow
72 to 82 kg: red
82 to 91 kg: blue
>91 kg: black

Rock Shox Tora XC
< 63kg: yellow
63 to 72 kg: red
72 to 82 kg: green
>82 kg: orange

Rock Shox Dart
< 63kg: white
63 to 72 kg: blue
72 to 82 kg: green
>82 kg: orange

FOX 36 Van
<52 kg: black
52 to 68 kg: purple
68 to 82 kg: blue
82 to 95 kg: green
>95 kg: yellow

Fox 40
<54 kg: black
54 to 68 kg: purple
68 to 82 kg: blue
82 to 95 kg: green
>95 kg: yellow

Marzocchi Dirt Jumper
<70 kg: red
70 to 80 kg: white
>80 kg: green

Canyon consistently strives to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this Technical Support Center. Any repairs or adjustments which you carry out on your bike are entirely at your own risk. If you are in any doubt about what to do, you should send your bike to Canyon or take it to another qualified repair specialist. Canyon gives no guarantee or accepts no liability for the any of the information contained in this Technical Support Center.