Old boy first Mountain Bike

[X10MRT]

Hi just joined the site. I’ve just bought a Gtech Escent mountain bike. I’ve not cycled for many years so thought an electric bike would be a gentler way to get back on 2 wheels.
I’ve just built the bike. I thought I’d check the front suspension- (my first bike with suspension)
It says for my weight it should be 135 psi!
My car electric pump gauge has a 100 psi max.
Any tips?

 

[sjpt]

Bike tyres often have higher pressure than car tyres (***). Get a (manual) track pump, that should to do 135psi.
About £10 for a cheap one on Amazon, probably worth paying about £20

(***) especially road bikes

 

[Raboa]

If you looking to add air to your suspension fork you need a suspension fork pump, I use this one: many others are available.

Topeak Pocket Shock DXG Shock Pump

Buy Topeak Pocket Shock DXG Shock Pump at Tweeks Cycles. Shop the biggest brands with confidence and enjoy rapid worldwide delivery & 365 day returns.

www.tweekscycles.com

 

[soundwave]

id add a extra 20-30 psi as a ebike is a lot more heavy than a normal bike mine is about 190psi but like it hard.

car pump wont work you need a shock pump as above.

bit cheaper.

Halfords Suspension Shock Pump | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Halfords Suspension Shock Pump at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

 

[X10MRT]

Bike tyres often have higher pressure than car tyres (***). Get a (manual) track pump, that should to do 135psi.
About £10 for a cheap one on Amazon, probably worth paying about £20

(***) especially road bikes

Thanks for that. My problem isn’t the tyres (recommended 40 psi) It’s the the front forks. I’ve bought a 200psi pressure gauge (Amazon). I’ve attached the electric pump and pumped it up to 100psi, when i detach the pump and test it with the gauge it’s down to 15 psi??

 

[soundwave]

the air space inside the fork is tiny why you need a shock pump as go up to 300psi.

 

[X10MRT]

Many thanks. One other thing are the bottom of the fork there is an adjuster with a hare and a tortoise? What it that for ?

 

[Nealh]

As has been mentioned you need to buy a hand shock pump, they aren't very expensive.

 

[soundwave]

Many thanks. One other thing are the bottom of the fork there is an adjuster with a hare and a tortoise? What it that for ?

rebound damping speed.

Setup Guide – How to adjust your mountain bike suspension for optimal performance | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

You alsways ask yourself how to set up your mtb suspension? Here's how! We tell you all the tricks to find your own perfect mountain bike set up!

enduro-mtb.com

.

 

[Raboa]

Rockshox recommend adding 10psi to their fork pressure settings when using an ebike.

 

[D C]

If you buy a shock pump, make sure it's one with a none return valve or you'll lose most of the air when you disconnect.
If you have a pump that will go up to the pressure you want you could try an adaptor

PRESSURE-RITE SHOCK ADAPTER

A Schrader valve adapter allows using the JoeBlow® Ace floor pump for quickly pumping forks and rear shocks. Built-in air release knob allows fine tuning air pressure.

www.topeak.com

PRESSURE-RITE SCHRADER VALVE ADAPTER

Internal check valve isolates pump from shock ensuring accurate pressure during removal. Compact design is ideal for rear shock or small wheels with hard to reach valves.

www.topeak.com