Changing the center of gravity (only for adjustable triple tree)
To make full use of your triple tree you should also re-adjust the fork when your bike’s center of gravity changes, like when you pack a lot of luggage or with a heavy passenger. If the center of gravity is too low, it will manoeuvre easily around curves, but the stability when you are going in a straight line will suffer. If the center of gravity is too high, it will be the other way around. Always re-adjust the triple trees within sensible limits of trail, as riding conditions change. This way you will always be able to use your bikes handling resources to the maximum. The adjustable triple trees are designed to give you the best possible handling at all times. So make use of them!
Too Little Trail
The bike will handle with ease at low speeds, but be completely out of balance at high speed. In extreme cases you can have negative trail, where the wheel axle mark is in front of the steering axle mark. It will easily develop a fatal high-speed wobble. Dangerous!
Normal Trail
The trail is between 5-13 cm. The bike will handle easily at both high and low speeds. Flowing smoothly through curves without swaying or wobbling. If you use a very fat rear tire, you should keep the trail close to the upper limit, around 10-13 cm.
Too Much Trail
If the trail is more than 13 cm the bike will seem almost too steady, and will handle sluggishly at high speed. It will be very hard to manoeuvre. You will have trouble balancing your bike at lower speeds, or on winding roads. It will feel generally sluggish and clumsy.
How to measure correct trail
Correct trail is somewhere between 5-13 cm, depending on if you have a rigid frame or a swing arm frame. You can never know exactly, therefore is a Tolle adjustable triple tree superior. It can always be adjusted. If you choose a solid triple tree it is important to pick the right angle so that the trail gets correct. Correct trail is essential for optimum ride!!
# 1) Hold the measure tape from the front wheel axle and vertical down to the floor. Mark the spot.
# 2) Place the tape parallel to the steering axle, following the angle of the steeringhead all the way down to the floor. Mark also this spot.
Measure the distance between the two spots – this is your trail!
A suitable measure for rigid frames and choppers is between 5-10 cm. If you have a standard bike with rear suspension, the trail should be between 8-13 cm.