Can stiffer springs ride as soft as lighter ones?

[farmerj]

Can a bike with stiffer springs be as soft or plush as a bike with lighter springs?

I have an '05 DE 300, and the suspension works well for my intended use. But the stock springs front and rear are both one step too light/soft for my weight. I don't want to go up to the "correct" springs and lose compliance over roots & rocks in the tight singletrack.

Jeff

[Jakobi]

It depends where the bike is riding in the stroke at the moment, and how much preload is on the current springs.

Generally the point in going up in rate is to allow less preload, more support over all, but most importantly to get the bike sitting up in the stroke allowing it to have more available travel ready to use.

[motopsycho87]

What are your static and race sag settings?

[cbutler]

If it ant broken DONT TRY TO FIX IT

[GasGasDreamer]

Originally Posted by farmerj

Can a bike with stiffer springs be as soft or plush as a bike with lighter springs? Jeff

yes.
the heavier springs mean you don't just blow thru the initial travel so you basically get to 'use' that initial travel. I have seen this happen on a buddies GG and all he did was add new springs and it was a lot smoother on the initial stroke

[farmerj]

Thanks guys, this is making sense to me.

Extra preload on a soft spring compresses and stiffens it up, and bypasses the first "softer" part of the spring's compression.

Not enough preload and a too-soft spring, and you have "sagged" or dropped through the first part of the stroke toward the firmer part of the stroke before you even hit an obstacle.

So said another way, with the "correct" or firmer spring, you don't have to add extra preload and the bike will ride further up in the stroke, where the more compliant part of the spring's compression will occur. Therefore, depending upon the rider's weight, a firmer spring can be just as compliant as a softer spring.

!!! I think

[Jakobi]

Originally Posted by farmerj

Thanks guys, this is making sense to me.

Extra preload on a soft spring compresses and stiffens it up, and bypasses the first "softer" part of the spring's compression.

Not enough preload and a too-soft spring, and you have "sagged" or dropped through the first part of the stroke toward the firmer part of the stroke before you even hit an obstacle.

So said another way, with the "correct" or firmer spring, you don't have to add extra preload and the bike will ride further up in the stroke, where the more compliant part of the spring's compression will occur. Therefore, depending upon the rider's weight, a firmer spring can be just as compliant as a softer spring.

!!! I think

Spot on.