Friday, January 12, 2007

If you are going to be going to the track, there is some terminology you should know, if you don't already.
  • Rebound - This has nothing to do with how you got your last girlfriend. This refers to the suspension action when it is coming back up.
  • Rebound damping - The valving adjustment that allows you to change the speed at which your suspension recovers from compression.
  • Compression - The shortening of your suspension as when you ride over a bump in the road.
  • Compression damping - The valving adjustment which allows you to change the 'harshness' of your suspension when you hit a bump.
  • Preload - The amount you compress the springs in your suspension while it is standing still.
  • Sag - The measurement of the distance the suspension settles when you hop on the bike as compared to prior to you hopping on.
  • Free Sag - The measurement that of the sag from full extension to just the weight of the bike.
  • Stiction - The resistance in the suspension to movement.
  • Squid - Go look in the mirror.
  • Lap Time - Self explanatory
  • Push - Sliding the front tire in a corner
  • High-Side - How NOT to crash. This happens when you get the rear wheel sliding, and then it suddenly grips. It usually happens going into or coming out of a turn. Unless you are masochistic, this is not something you want to 'try out' for giggles, most people end up breaking something when this happens.
  • Low-Side - If you have a choice in how to crash, this is usually the best way to do it. Usually you push the front just a bit too far and it slides out on you. If you are going fast, the fall is pretty short, and you just slide for a while.
That is pretty much all I can think of for now, if I think of anything else, I will add it to this list.

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