Ok looked around couldn't find anything, so here goes. Coming from a dirtbike background where proper suspension setup is key, sag, static sag, preload oil weight etc, and now in the trials world I'm being told that spring rate not important unless you are a top level rider. Im curious is this true ? I have a stock suspension 2015 Beta 300 4T and weigh 200lbs and was thinking of getting the stiffer spring rates, will this help with an Intermediate rider ? I did notice in the owners manual heaviest weight for the stock suspension was something like 178lbs.

Something to get you started. http://www.gasgas.com/Pages/Technical/trials-suspension-tips.html

"Trials & Enduro News" or "On the Pegs"

 

Suspension is page 54:

http://www.joomag.com/magazine/trials-enduro-news-december-2014-vol-49-issue-12/0716551001416757092?short

Edited February 3, 201610 yr by jonnyc21

I think there are many 200lb riders that do just fine on stock springs, however the rear one is typically the first one to change if desired. If you were at #220 I would say go for it for sure.

 

The Ohlins shock is a good upgrade as well for most. All it takes is money!

I also race Mx/Enduro and found the same regarding trials bikes, the suspension doesn't seem to be a concern with riders.

I'm quite heavy and thought my beta was sat low at the back, I've had a few people say it's fine but fet it was loosing front control. I didn't find much advise online so set the bike up as I would my ktm and now it feels great. The rear is higher giving good front control, splats and drop-offs are well cushioned t's like a different 'easy to ride' bike now!

 the suspension doesn't seem to be a concern with riders.

 

 

I disagree.

 

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/58492-v-mar-linkage-or-similar/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/14152-suspension-set-up-4rt/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/47117-2006-4rt-suspension-settings/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/43044-4rt-suspension-setup/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/39441-how-to-know-when-to-re-do-suspension/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/54995-do-i-need-stiffer-springs-on-my-4rt/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/42440-adding-nitrogen-to-rear-suspension/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/12917-suspension/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/24273-standard-suspension-settings/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/41605-suspension-linkages/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/15504-suspension-setting/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/55088-a-thought-about-toni-bous-suspension/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/16697-performance-suspension/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/55283-suspension-setting/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/7735-sy-250-2006-suspension-set-up/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/37579-problems-with-sag-settings/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/49929-suspension-sag/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/56876-why-no-service-manual-suspension-setup/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/6476-06-280-pro-suspension-setup/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/13346-on-the-rebound/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/15307-suspension/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/41364-setting-sag/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/33029-static-sag/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/53167-merits-of-a-heavier-spring/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/33156-315-showa-forks-oil-quantity-and-air-gap/

http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/57958-which-rear-shock/

 

 

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/646855-how-to-set-shock-spring-preload-sag-on-trials-bike/

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/1160321-1999-gg-321-suspension-click-settings/?hl=%2Bsuspension

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/1113051-suspension-set-up/?hl=%2Bsuspension#entry12039718

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/987387-linkage-greasingmaintenance-rear-shock-questions/?hl=suspension#entry10339441

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/942328-setting-up-a-trials-bike-for-a-tallheavy-rider/?hl=suspension#entry9856785

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/932817-gg-txt-pro-02-fork-setup-question/?hl=suspension

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/927764-sherco-suspension/?hl=suspension#entry9714622

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/924112-spring-rate-recommendation/?hl=suspension

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/902862-ohlins-is-it-worth-it/?hl=suspension#entry9401141

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/893152-suspension-travel/?hl=suspension#entry9314072

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/883442-fork-oil-change/?hl=suspension#entry9190798

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/877421-rear-shock/?hl=suspension#entry9129531

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/874063-gasgas-rear-linkage/?hl=suspension#entry9101679

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/843961-suspension-set-up/?hl=suspension#entry8753313

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/838092-suspension-question/?hl=suspension#entry8671283

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/618690-03-montesa-shock-nitrogen-pressure/page-3?hl=suspension#entry8588908

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/794385-basic-setup-on-315r/?hl=suspension#entry8210537

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/778788-suspension-set-up-txt321/?hl=suspension#entry8126995

http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/762342-difference-in-springs-gg/?hl=suspension#entry7814977

 

 

http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3334

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3500

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=852

http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1008

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2795

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8606

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10271

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9379

http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6254

http://www.trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10091

http://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10248

https://trials.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8449

Good stuff thanks 

That's the crank up the preload vs heavier spring argument. Get the next size up springs from Steve Saunders. That's what I have on my '13 EVO. When you chrank up the preload you lose some of the suspension compliance for the smaller stuff so the bike gets a bit skittish.

Been riding nearly 50 years never bothered with suspension settings! Might have made a difference... Might not

I weigh 245 lb and put the heavier springs in. The bike seems to feel a bit better than stock did.

Been riding nearly 50 years never bothered with suspension settings! Might have made a difference... Might not

 

People said the same about suspension when they were all riding rigids.

 

It must make a difference as it wouldnt be adjustable. We are not all the same size or weight.

Are you saying you dont adjust the position of your bars levers or carburettor either??

That's the crank up the preload vs heavier spring argument. Get the next size up springs from Steve Saunders. That's what I have on my '13 EVO. When you chrank up the preload you lose some of the suspension compliance for the smaller stuff so the bike gets a bit skittish.

 

 

Cranking up the preload or getting a heavier spring do two different things,increasing preload does not change the spring rate at all.

Comparing trials with MX is not really valid. In MX a couple of clicks on the rear damper or a change of 2.5 wt in the fork oil can make several seconds a lap difference. Make the same changes on a trials bike and it probably will not change the number of marks lost.

Trials bikes capabilities are now so far ahead of most riders capabilities, having the suspension a bit off ideal hardly matters. If you are heavy putting on a stiffer rear spring is worthwhile because in most section where grip is important most of the weight is on the rear wheel. Generally not worth putting stiffer springs in the front end because you want them soft on uphill sections and easy to compress and complient in tight turns. If the bottom out on drop offs or crossing the fell raise the oil level a few mm and use a slightly thicker grade.

Comparing trials with MX is not really valid. In MX a couple of clicks on the rear damper or a change of 2.5 wt in the fork oil can make several seconds a lap difference. Make the same changes on a trials bike and it probably will not change the number of marks lost.

Trials bikes capabilities are now so far ahead of most riders capabilities, having the suspension a bit off ideal hardly matters. If you are heavy putting on a stiffer rear spring is worthwhile because in most section where grip is important most of the weight is on the rear wheel. Generally not worth putting stiffer springs in the front end because you want them soft on uphill sections and easy to compress and complient in tight turns. If the bottom out on drop offs or crossing the fell raise the oil level a few mm and use a slightly thicker grade.

Sorry I have to completely disagree with you on this. The reason it makes such a noticeable difference on MX or road race bikes is because you are making the bike suit you and you riding style and maintian grip. It's actually much easier to ride round a minor issue on a road race setup than it is on a trials bike. If the bikes kicking of obstacles you've got no grip or no steering. Loosing marks becomes very easy. Your riding on your own it's not like racing where cleaver tactics can keep people behind you!

I would have to say trials got easier after I set my supention up correctly.