...I missed part of page three.
Inda..re: 'that was pretty much what I was getting at with my preload question.'
Understood. Hence the 4146 springs, the hours or research and query etc. ...to answer your question.
Ski..re: 'But I thought it was the preload that held the bike up to its proper sag height.'
That in conjunction with the proper spring. A way too 'small' spring will take more preload than it should to get the correct sag. A way too 'big' spring won't allow you any sag at all...with no preload. Small/big in either rate or length.
Jason..re: 'which set of Kouba links do you have..'
I have none Kouba. I have Devol pull rods..set to +1.5mm.
Jason..re: Forks and/or a shock could have stiction with no spring installed.
Yes. And with 'too much' spring installed, either too high a rate or too much preload the situation is going to be worse.
Inda..re:'With less preload then the stiction would be broke and the forks could be lowered in the trees giving more adjustment....right?'
Less preload will decrease the amount of force required to get the forks moving..stiction or no. IF stiction is a problem, the greater extent to which you can
lessen other factors the better. I don't see a relationship between where the forks are mounted in the trees (or the desert for that matter ;) ) and them having more adjustment. Regardless of what your adjustment level/range is the forks should be set in the forks for a level ride and/or to effect handling problems or to the rider's preference (I want it to be 'quicker'! ..raise the forks)
Jason...re: 'we are discussing a characteristic of forks that does not lend itself to be fixed cheaply, and probably can be lived with.'
Yep! Therefore it must be resolved!
Seriously, I'm a firm believer in things being either right (maybe difficult to obtain and a hassle in the process) or not (easier to just leave it alone). I've ridden with quite a number of different preload settings and know what I prefer. If I cannot
get there with a 4147 spring..then I'll change the spring. Simple enough. The result will be a better performing fork. Other riders have been on my bike and commented on how they liked the suspension. I don't really care about that as long as
I like it, too.
I'm not the only one (out standing in the field?) that recognizes it is what I'm saying. Lots of times it's the small stuff that matters. Sometimes the outcome exceeds the sum of the parts.