Glossary
Preload
Preload is the suspension adjustment that sets how much a spring is compressed before riding, matching the bike to the load it carries.
[VERIFY] What is preload? Preload is the adjustment that sets how much a suspension spring is compressed before the bike is even ridden, used to get the bike sitting correctly under the weight it is actually carrying — rider, passenger, and luggage. Adding preload does not make the spring stiffer; it changes where in its travel the suspension sits. Setting it properly is done by measuring sag, and the correct targets and adjustment method vary by bike, so work from your service manual or a suspension shop.