5.08.2025

 ~o~

  Tuesday 5th 58F/14.4C. Bright overcast. A mostly sunny day with showers. Peaking at only 18C/64F. It will be increasingly windy. Gusting to 18m/s [40mph] locally at 18.00 before falling to 10m/s. As storm Floris passes over northern Denmark on its way to Norway after crossing the UK. The ferries have been cancelled and restrictions placed on major, sea crossing bridges.

 Up at 6.40 after a typical night. I shall be visiting my English friend. Going a little later in the car. To give him time to clean up after his B&B guests have left. I would have enjoyed the ride but the rain is expected to arrive mid morning. Riding back against the strengthening wind in rain. Would not have been much fun. I am fortunate to be able to choose.

 A trip into Assens is required to obtain a valve extension. Car to car, Schrader type. To allow me to adjust the air pressure in the Suntour forks. The valve is sunk into a cylindrical recess in the top of the left fork stanchion. Making access very difficult with normal pumps.

 The pressures involved are not particularly high but need to be accurate. The air pressure adjusts sag and  suspension "softness" to applied dynamic loads. Shocks from bumps when riding. Sag is the sinking of the forks under the standard load of rider and normal loads. Things like panniers, U-locks, flasks and lunch. 

 20mm or 20% sag is recommended for my 100mm travel Suntour forks. Sag is measured by climbing aboard without touching the ground. The rubber, indicator band on the stanchion can be used for recording this drop. Or a narrow zip tie can be substituted. When the rubber band perishes in UV. 

 I touched the valve again and the pressure dropped substantially. I can now bottom the forks against the springs while applying the front brake. The air obviously has a major impact on the forks behaviour. 

 I was hoping to use my Topeak track pump to reinflate the fork but it can't reach the valve. I don't think the volume of air is very large but I need to be able to finely control the pressure. 

 Ideally an old fashioned flexible hose, typical of low pressure pumps, would be ideal. To avoid applying side loads on the valve while pumping. These are available for car type, Schrader valves. Bike shops use a compact hand pump with a manometer. I have numerous pumps but none will fit. 

 MY trip to Assens was successful. I found a 90º valve extension. The female part rotates. To allow the fitting to work in the recess. 

 14.00 Back from my visit. It was windy but pleasantly warm in almost constant sunshine. I shopped on the way home.

 The adapter failed to please. The first valve leaked as it was tightened and loosened. I discovered that the Topeak track pump worked. Though its huge volume made control of pressure very difficult. At least it worked and the forks could now be used. Ideally I want a mini-pump with a Schrader fitting hose. Or a Schrader hose which fits my Lezyne Mini Road Drive pump. I have just found one and will place an order online.   

  ~o~