How to Operate Trek Preload Shocks

Trek's preload shocks allow riders to change the suspension fork's characteristics while they are riding. This can be helpful in situations in which a rider is covering multiple types of terrain in a single ride. By changing the preload, or even locking the shock completely, you can adapt your bike to a multitude of situations. Learn to operate Trek shocks and take advantage of this feature.

Examine the front of your bike, specifically, the top of the right fork column. Here you will find the on-the-fly preload adjustment knob marked with a "-" and "+" and the word "lock."

Turn the knob all the way toward the "-" symbol and put your weight on the handlebars. Notice how the shock responds by lowering into the fork columns. At this setting the shock is "open," meaning it is free to move and compress according to the amount of pressure it is put under.

Turn the knob closer to the "+" symbol and push on the handlebars again. Notice that this time the shocks are harder to compress into the fork columns, giving the fork a stiffer feel, as if you had suddenly lost a lot of weight.

Turn the knob all the way to the "lock" symbol. Push on the handlebars once again and the shock won't move at all. This is the "lockout" mechanism, which effectively shuts off any functionality of the suspension in the fork.

Go for a ride and keep these settings in mind. When crossing obstacles, riding trails or performing tricks on your bike, keep the knob close to the "-" symbol so that it will absorb these outside forces. When you get off the trail and onto smoother terrain, reach down and move the knob toward the "+" or all the way to the "lock" symbol to stiffen the shock. This will keep the shock from absorbing the power you put into the pedals when you don't need the suspension travel.