The manual says not to use a tire gauge to measure the pressure in the forks and shock. I don't have anything else, so that's what I've been using. I've fiddled with the pressures lately, and now the bike handles like crap. What should I use to get an accurate reading?
Progressive suspension pump. http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?manufacturer_ID=39&category_ID=14&product_ID=5364
The air reservoirs on our suspensions are so small, that the air loss from a typical gauge negatively affects them.
The gauge should probably be a 0-100 or 0-60. 0-30 won't measure high enough.
Or you could buy a cheap bicycle frame pump (with a line, not a pump that directly attaches) and just pump it up until it feels right.
I have noticed that if a tire gauge is used that ALL of the pressure will dissipate with one check: not good. Tried a tire pump, did not work either. The progressive tool gets good reviews as does some pumps from specialized bicycle shops.
I use the compressor @ work, with the regulator dialed down to what I want (for my rear shock, 40PSI). It takes like 1/2 a second to pump it up. I may check it again this year, but it still feels fine after all summer, so I guess it is holding all right.
Won't measure high enough? The recommendation for the front forks is only 7.5 psi.
I do have a bicycle pump with a line that I use. Is there just some kind of specialized gauge I can buy that accurately reads in small increments and in a low range?
The rear shock is also air, and ran at considerably higher pressure.
I just tried running 26 psi in the rear shock and it was too harsh. I'm 150 lbs. It aired it down to about 18-19 psi, and the ride is better, but I don't know if I have an accurate reading on the forks (probably not). In any case, the bike doesn't handle very well now. Possibly also because my rear tire is getting squared off.