Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/4505
28 SNOWEST DECEMBER 2009 Your sled's shocks can be the reason you either love or hate your snowmo- bile. And yet they are often the most neglected area of the machine when it comes to time spent on tuning. Trust us: all it takes is one ride on a dialed-in sled to make you realize what you're missing—even just by making adjust- ments to existing components. One of the reasons that shocks are overlooked is because they are—indi- vidually and as a suspension system— complex. You can adjust, manipulate and change a sled's handling by changing springs, adjusting spring preload tension, high-speed compression damping, low- speed compression damping, rebound damping, oil levels, valving, air pressure, needle size, etc. However, there are just a few things you really need to know to gain better control of your sled's suspen- sion. Most modern mountain sleds come equipped with high-quality shocks that offer a wide range of adjustment. And if yours doesn't, there are several options for aftermarket shocks that would change your perspective on your sled's handling. Compression Compression clickers are very com- mon on sleds these days. This adjust- ment is made by turning the clicker screw in or out, and position is mea- sured by counting the number of clicks out from all the way in. Compression adjustments change how the shock compresses to absorb impact from bumps, landings and terrain variations. Turning the clicker in makes the shock resist compressing, thus resulting in a stiffer feel which will be more resistant to bottoming out. Turn- ing the clicker out lets the shock compress bumps easier, feeling softer and reaching the bottom of the shaft stroke easier. Some shocks, like the Fox Float R Evol, have high-speed compression and low-speed compression clickers. The termi- nology represents the shock shaft movement, not necessarily the speed of the snowmobile. High-speed clicker adjustments will change how the shock absorbs sudden impacts, like square- edged holes, hard icy bumps, firm flat landings, etc. Turning the high-speed clicker in will increase the shock's damp- ing to make the ride firmer and keep the sled riding higher in the bumps (by not letting the shock move as far down on the shaft). Low-speed adjustments are for rolling whoops on trails, transition landings (where the sled lands with the slope) and lifters. Most mountain terrain once off the trail will play into the low- speed adjustment. It's important to make small adjust- ments and spend enough time mak- ing adjustments so that you can tell a difference. Sometimes a soft compres- sion setting can feel stiff (because the bottom of the stroke will be reached sooner) while sometimes a stiff com- pression setting can feel soft (because the lack of shaft movement can feel like the shock is bottoming out). Play around with shock adjustment until you can tell a difference. Rebound If compression controls the rate at which the shock collapses to absorb impact, rebound is the rate at which it re-extends to ready for the next blow. If you've ever ridden a sled where the rear end feels like it's trying to kick you Image Courtesy of Fox Shox