Product Review: XTRIG Preload Adjuster
By: Jason Giacchino
Fact:
Your ATV has either 3 or 4 shocks, probably which each contain a pair of preload adjust rings. Preload is the amount of tension placed upon the shock’s spring and determines the sag setting. It is a critical but oft overlooked area of your suspension that makes a big difference in the real world.
The Problem:
6 to 8 rings that demand a punch, hammer and steady hand to adjust can be unnecessarily time consuming- specially when the shock is located in an area that makes access difficult.
The Solution:
XTRIG has designed what they believe to be the ultimate solution for the dilemma of trying to rotate a shock’s OEM collar with their mechanical Preload Adjuster.
What it Does:
Once installed, the XTRIG Preload Adjuster uses an internal mechanical transmission (24:1 ratio worm gear) to turn rotations of the easily accessible bolt into up or down motion on the shock’s body’s threads. The idea is setting a shock’s sag should be as easy as counting out clickers as if you were setting your rebound or compression.
How It Works:
It does its job pretty well actually. We were particularly impressed with its ability to respond to a simple T-Handle or better still an electric drill. It’s much more convenient than banging away at the stock collars with a punch. The downside is that it really takes some serious rotating to affect the preload a very little bit. It’s spectacular for fine tuning duties but if you are beginning way off the mark, you may want to consider using a drill to get you into the ballpark!
Any Squawks?
A few actually. First the XTRIG Preload Adjuster is at present (and foolishly) marketed only for motorcycles. This means prepare to do some pre-purchase research, as they are model-specific besides. The unit requires a specific shock body diameter and threading to function so don’t guess. We had some success by bringing our shock’s stock preload adjuster collar to the dealer to find the correct match. Also we have yet to encounter one that functioned on a front shock- at least front suspension is typically much more easily accessed than rear. Finally at 0, this isn’t for the tight of budget.
Conclusions:
Installing the XTRIG Preload Adjuster can be a bit of a chore initially but you simply leave the device on the rear shock then fine-tune it as you see fit (remember it’s an adjuster, not a setting). Additionally after a few weeks of testing it has proven impervious to mud packing and it is certainly lighter than the OEM collars. The product works well enough that Germany’s XTRIG should really consider releasing charts that include ATV shocks as well. As it stands the guessing game in trying to figure out if it will function properly coupled to the rather steep initial investment make this one difficult to recommend.
Contact: For more information, visit XTRIG’s US distributor at the following:
http://www.xtrigusa.com/