To get the best performance out of your fork you need to set the correct sag. Setting the sag is fairly simple. The only things you need are the instruction manual for your fork and a zip tie.

First up, fit the zip tie around the upper tube. Make it just tight enough so that you can move it up and down freely but it stays in the position you leave it. Push the zip tie to the bottom of the upper tube so that it is resting on the seals.

Next, you should try and dress in your normal riding gear. Don't forget, this probably includes a helmet, camelbak with a litre of water and riding shoes. This is important as this all contributes to the weight on the forks and thus the amount of sag required.

Once you are ready, sit on your bike in the usual riding position. Use a handy wall for balance but make sure it's only for balance and that it is the bike that is supporting your weight. Make sure you don't jump on or off the bike as you will depress the forks too much with this movement.

Get off the bike and measure the distance between the top of the fork seals and the bottom of the zip tie i.e. the amount the fork has travelled under your normal riding weight.

Compare this to the instruction booklet and adjust as required. Depending on the fork you have there will be a number of options:

- twiddling the rebound knob on the fork (easy)

- changing the air pressure in the fork leg using the pump usually provided with new forks (easy)

- changing the spring rate using the additional springs provided (uh-oh, getting more of a pain here)

- changing the weight / volume of fork oil (can become messy)

Once you have done this the fork should be ready for action.

Finally, as you are already in your riding kit, go out for a ride!

Marzocchi Z5's with 100mm of travel measure up to the far plusher Fox Vanilla 130R forks

Marzocchi Z5 Bombers (2001) in the middle of an oil change. Check out how dirty the oil is (container in the foreground).

READ MORE:

Fox Forx owners manuals
Marzocchi weights and oil levels
Removing and fitting the crown race
Sawing the excess off the steerer tube
Prince Albert review
Prince Albert spec

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