MRP BAXTER Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE DESCRIPTION

FREQUENCY

(in hours)

REPLACE BATH OIL

NORMAL CONDITIONS:

50

MUDDY CONDITIONS:

30

REPLACE WIPER SEALS

NORMAL CONDITIONS:

100

MUDDY CONDITIONS:

75

CHECK AIR SPRING AND RELUBE IF NEEDED 50

CHANGE DAMPER OIL 200

CHECK FASTENERS 30

CHECK AIR PRESSURE 30

INSPECT STANCHIONS EVERY RIDE

CLEAN DIRT AND MUD FROM STANCHIONS EVERY RIDE

CHECK ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS EVERY RIDE

SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS

TORQUE VALUES

FASTENER TORQUE

COMPRESSION BOLT (DAMPER SIDE) 70-75 LB-IN 8 NM

COMPRESSION BOLT (AIR SPRING SIDE) 70-75 LB-IN 8 NM

REGISTER YOUR FORK ONLINE AT MRPBIKE.COM

A link to registration can be found under the “SUPPORT” heading. While
there check out our “TECH RESOURCES” section for more information
on the tuning, maintenance, and the technology found in your MRP fork.

MRP IS A DIVISION OF:

MOUNTAIN RACING PRODUCTS

580 N WESTGATE DR

GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81505

970.241.3518

GET THE LATEST INFO ON MRP PRODUCTS

Follow us on:

Facebook.com/MRPbike

Instagram.com/MRPbike

OWNER’S

MANUAL

BAXTER

IMPORTANT CONSUMER SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: RIDING A BIKE IS DANGEROUS. NOT PROPERLY

MAINTAINING OR INSPECTING YOUR BIKE AND ITS COMPONENTS

IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS TO NOT READ

AND FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

Thank you for choosing MRP. This owner’s manual is your
reference guide to using and fine-tuning your suspension fork
for optimum performance and comfort. It also provides important
information about the proper maintenance of your fork. Carefully
read this manual before installing your fork. If you need further
assistance, our experienced team is able to advise and assist you
to find the exact set up to meet your personal needs.
The fork is an important part of your mountain bike and
this owner’s manual explains how to install and use it properly.
We recommend that it be installed by a qualified bicycle
mechanic. Improperly installed forks might cause serious harm
to you and may severely damage your mountain bike. Never
take any chances with your safety. Before installing and using
your new fork, carefully read this owner’s manual to learn the
correct installation and adjustment procedures and avoid the
consequences of an incorrect installation or improper adjustment.
When your fork requires an oil change or other internal
maintenance, MRP and experienced suspension service centers
are best qualified to provide the necessary service or repairs.

FORK INSTALLATION

1. Remove your old fork from the bicycle. Measure the diameter and
length of your old fork’s steerer tube to ensure that your new steerer
tube is the correct diameter and sucient length for the installation.
If your MRP fork has a tapered steerer tube, be sure to leave enough
room above the taper to allow for proper stem installation.

2. Remove the crown race from your old fork.

3. Press the crown race onto your new fork. (See Figure #1)

4. Preassemble the fork on the bike with the headset, stem, and spacers
(optional). Refer to your stem manufacturer’s instructions to determine
how much room is needed to clamp the stem.

5. Mark the steerer tube at the top of the stem. The steerer tube will now
need to be cut to the correct length. Disassemble and cut 3mm (1/8”)
below the mark. Consult your dealer or mechanic if you don’t have the
proper tools to cut the steerer tube.

WARRANTY:

MRP suspension products are the highest quality and as such
are warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of one year from the date of purchase for the original
purchaser. If date of purchase cannot be verified by product
registration or proof of purchase then the warranty is one year from
the date of manufacture. On receipt of the product by MRP, if it is
found to be defective, MRP will determine replacement or repair of the
product at its sole discretion. MRP shall not be liable for any indirect,
special or consequential damages. Warranty does not apply to any
product that has been installed improperly or adjusted using methods
not outlined in this manual. Warranty also does not cover products
that have been misused or products that have missing/altered serial
numbers. This warranty does not cover breakage or damage that
may result from crashes, falls, or abuse. Normal wear and tear items
such as; seals, wipers, bushings, stanchion coating, stanchions, piston
bands, foam rings, bottom out and top out bumpers, or damage
caused by lack of proper maintenance as outlined in this manual is not
covered by this warranty.

What to do if you need warranty inspection or service:

1. Go to MRPbike.com and locate the warranty contact form in the
support section of the site. Alternatively, call or email MRP (info@
mrpbike.com) about the troubles you are having and to set up a RA#
(Return Authorization Number).

2. Carefully pack and ship your product, be sure to insure the package in
case it is lost or damaged in transit. Clearly write the RA number on the
outside of the box. (Only the return shipping to the customer is covered
under warranty)

MAINTENANCE LOG

DATE PROCEDURE

6. The star fangled nut must now be installed into the steer tube. If you
don’t have the set tool, we recommend dealer installation of this part.
(See Figure #3)

7. Clean and grease all headset bearings and races to prepare them
for assembly. Note: Replace the bearings if there is any sign of wear or
corrosion.

8. Now loosely assemble the headset, stem and handle bars as done in
step four.

9. Install the headset according to the manufacturer’s instructions until
there is no play and the fork turns smoothly.

10. Install your front brake and adjust according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.

11. Install the wheel on the fork. Proper installation of the QtapeR axle is
communicated in the next section of this manual.

12. Check to see that the brakes are adjusted and properly working.
Make sure that the brake cable does not interfere with any part of the
bike and is secured under the brake hose clamp on the fork brace.
Make sure your brakes are adjusted and functioning properly, and the
brake hose does not interfere with any part of the bike when the fork is
compressed and released.

IMPORTANT BRAKE INFORMATION:

THE BAXTER FEATURES A POST MOUNT FOR 160mm ROTORS.

SHOULD YOU WANT TO USE A LARGER ROTOR, MAKE SURE TO USE

THE APPROPRIATE DISC BRAKE ADAPTOR AS RECOMMENDED BY

YOUR BRAKE MANUFACTURER. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Star Fa ngled Nut

Stee rer Tu be

Stee ring St

r

Fra m
He a

em

Optional H eads et S pace

Hea dset U pper R ac e

e with

dset C ups

Hea dset L ower R a ce

Fork Cr own

COMPRESSION

The compression adjustment knob is located on the top of the damper-side

fork leg. There are 3 positions on the Baxter.

that is subtle, and often overlooked, but
can make a big dierence in how your
fork performs. Aggressive riders tend to
like more compression damping because
it provides a firmer, more positive feel.
Comfort oriented, less aggressive riders
tend to like less because it allows more
small bump sensitivity. Do not confuse
compression damping with spring rate

(air pressure). They are very dierent adjustments, and while adding
compression damping may make the fork feel “stier”, it is not changing
the spring rate.
The three positions oered on the Baxter are “firm,” “mid,” and
“open.” The “open” position was designed for riding on rough surfaces
and provides you with unfettered suspension movement for maximum
comfort. The “mid” setting gives you a little compression damping
and removes some of your influence on the suspension, increasing
eciency. This setting is ideal for mixed surfaces. In the “firm” setting,
our hydraulic valving provides a highly-damped, supported feel perfect
for pure road riding. Sharp hits will eectively override the damping,
however, in order to prevent harshness, delay fatigue, and help you
maintain control.

As you turn the dial clockwise, you are adding compression
damping, or slowing the forks compression stroke. It is an adjustment

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

BRAKE HOSE ROUTING

Trim your front brake hose appropriately short to prevent contact with tire.

We recommend

that your hose not

cross the vertical

path of your

wheel. Failure

to trim and

route the hose

correctly could

cause brake

hose wear and

eventual failure.

Rebound damping is what prevents your suspension fork from
feeling like a pogo stick. It controls the rebound stroke of the fork
after a compression stroke (bump) has occurred. Increasing (turn knob
clockwise) rebound damping slows the rebound stroke of the fork.
Decreasing (turn knob counter clockwise) rebound damping speeds up
the rebound stroke of the fork. Ideally, you want to arrive at a setting that
allows your wheel to track the terrain and not get bounced o line.

INSTALLING WHEEL

1. Seat hub into the dropouts of the fork.

2. Insert axle through the disc brake side dropout, through the hub
and into the captive nut on the non-disc brake side dropout.

3. Thread axle into the captive nut by turning the axle or the nut in a
clockwise direction. Position the quick release lever so that when
closed, it’s parallel with the fork
leg and pointing upwards.

4. When you can feel tension on the
quick release cam when the lever
is pointing straight out from the
axle (90 degrees from the fork
leg), you’ve reached the correct
starting point tension. If you don’t
feel the cam start to tension at the
90-degree point, more tension
is needed. You should not have
to strain to close the lever, but it
should close firmly.

IMPORTANT:

DO NOT LUBRICATE AXLE PARTS

REMOVING WHEEL

1. Open the quick release lever all the way. Because the QtapeR
system’s tapered wedges grip very tightly to the dropouts and the
axle, it’s normal for the tapered wedges to occasionally remain in
their seated position when you open the quick release lever. Should
this happen, apply a light tap on the side of the tire with the heel of
your palm. This allows the tapered wedges to release.

2. Unthread the axle (counter clockwise rotation) and pull it out from
the disc brake side.

TENSION BEGINS AT 90°

FULLY CLOSED

The QtapeR axle operates in a similar manner to a traditional quick release

skewer. Its patent pending tapered wedge interface grips both the axle and

fork lowers. This provides you with an extremely sti fork that steers very

accurately.

OPERATING THE QTAPER AXLE

IMPORTANT:

WHEN INSTALLING THE WHEEL OR A NEW TIRE, CHECK FOR

MINIMUM CLEARANCE. RELIEVE AIR PRESSURE IN THE AIR SPRING

AND COMPRESS FORK COMPLETELY TO BOTTOM OUT. THERE MUST

BE 1/8” OR 3MM CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE CROWN AND HIGHEST
POINT ON THE TIRE AT FULL BOTTOM OUT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE

CLEARANCE IN ALL RIDING CONDITIONS.

AIR PRESSURE SUGGESTION

The Baxter utilizes MRP’s FulFill™ air spring system with
independent positive and negative chambers. This arrangement allows
you to tune the feel of your air spring to a greater degree than single­fill, self-equalizing springs. It is absolutely critical that you follow the

fill procedure as described in the next section for proper operation of
your fork.

Air spring tuning is largely subjective and the preferred pressures
you arrive at will be influenced by bike geometry and the balance of
support and comfort you’re after. However, we’ve found a good positive
pressure (PSI) to start your tuning is around:

70% OF BODY WEIGHT IN POUNDS (LB. X .7)

170% OF BODY WEIGHT IN KILOGRAMS (KG. X 1.7)

For negative pressure, we recommend filling from 95-110% of
the positive pressure. 95% will yield a firmer initial stroke. 110% will yield
a plush initial stroke. Do not exceed 110% of positive pressure or travel
loss may occur.

AIR PRESSURE FILL PROCEDURE

1. Unthread and remove the negative air chamber cap found on the
bottom of the spring leg.

2. Attach a high-pressure, suspension specific pump to the valve and
using the pump’s bleed button, remove all pressure. Remove the pump.

3. Locate the positive air chamber cap at the top of the spring leg.
Unthread and remove the positive air chamber cap and attach a high­pressure suspension specific pump to the valve.

4. Fill the positive air chamber to the desired pressure (a chart can be
found below). Remove the pump and re-install the positive air chamber
cap.

5. Return to the negative air chamber; attach the pump, fill to the
desired pressure, remove the pump, and re-install the negative air
chamber cap.

REBOUND