How to install polymer tokens and how to achieve a smoother fork that doesn't jolt you too much, not transmitting vibrations to the handlebars, leading to premature forearm fatigue mainly, causing you to slow down your pace.
After successfully testing the handlebar ends supported by Wolf Tooth Components
which significantly reduce forearm fatigue, decreasing the force with which we need to grip the grips, distributing it to other muscles in the body, allowing us to save and use our forearms only when needed.
I continued testing the polymer system from Andreani Proimpact on the Rockshox Boxxer 38mm fork on Alex's V5.
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What are Andreani Proimpact tokens and how do they work?
The ProImpact polymer token system, developed by Andreani, uses a compound that reacts to pressure.
The token does not remain inert, like a rigid spacer. When the fork compresses and the pressure in the chamber increases, the polymer yields in a controlled manner, and the free volume decreases even during the stroke. From the study of this interaction between air and polymer, the progression curve and damping speed, both on compression and rebound, are modified.
Forks with tube diameters from 32 to 36 mm can be adapted to terrain and riding style. Under high effort and for long durations, the performance remains more consistent than with a fork inflated just to avoid bottoming out.
The consistency of the polymer allows for lower pressure in the positive chamber, or a softer spring, at the same static forces.
The dynamic volume reduction cuts vibration from the handlebars and maintains the bike's stability. The tire stays more in contact with the ground. This is where comfort, grip, and control come from.
Where are these tokens installed?:
- in the positive chamber of the air fork
- inside the spring of the spring fork. They are lubricated with specific suspension grease.
Tools needed for installation
high-pressure digital pump for suspensions
Öhlins
Pompă furcă / suspensie Öhlins | 300 PSI | GIYO GS05 | Racing Limited Edition
socket wrench suitable for the air chamber cap
How to install? - Installation steps
Clean the cap area.
Measure the pressure and note it down.
Completely deflate. Without this check, removing the cap can damage something.
Unscrew the cap and remove the old tokens.
Lubricate the tokens with suspension grease.
Insert the tokens and assemble the string.
Leave 15–20 mm between the last token and the base of the cap.
Tighten the cap to the torque specified by the fork manufacturer.
Inflate for SAG, to about 10–15 psi below the noted pressure.
On-site insertion in Poiana Brașov, in the parking lot, I tested all three proposed configurations, here the medium progression:
The three types of progressions suggested by Andreani for this type of fork:
How many types of polymer sets are available?
Universal Tuning Kit for Enduro forks 32–36 mm, travel 140–180 mm
Andreani
Kit Universal Tuning furci 32–36 mm, cursă 100–130 mm – Andreani ProImpact token polimer
Universal Tuning Kit for forks 32–36 mm, travel 100–130 mm
Andreani
Kit Universal Tuning furci 32–36 mm, cursă 100–130 mm – Andreani ProImpact token polimer
Universal Tuning Kit for Race forks 32–36 mm, travel 100–130 mm
Andreani
Kit Universal Tuning furci Race 32–36 mm, cursă 100–130 mm – Andreani ProImpact token polimer
Then dedicated kits for certain fork models: Rockshox, Ohlins, Fox, Cannondale.
And a kit available for shocks:
Universal Tuning Kit for shocks
If you have a workshop and want to do this type of tuning for multiple bikes, there is also:
Universal Tuning Kit for shocks
Andreani
Kit Tuning Universal complet pentru furci și amortizoare – Andreani ProImpact token polimer, Professional Suspension Expert
Which can of course be supplemented with those used when needed.
Below is a presentation of the Andreani token solution as well as a video where you can see the installation and how the polymers reduce their volume in the upper chamber under air pressure:
Andreani tokens on BIKEVERSE:
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Next episode: about Andreani inserts - how we installed them and what types are available, including in stock on BIKEVERSE.
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