Achieving an optimal suspension setup involves finding the right balance in sag, air pressure, rebound, and compression adjustments to suit your riding style and the terrain you encounter. Regular assessment and fine-tuning based on these guidelines will help you achieve a setup that enhances your overall riding experience.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s make sure we’re grounded in some of the terms the pro’s use to describe suspension systems.
Travel:
The total distance the suspension can compress or extend from its fully compressed to fully extended position. It’s usually measured in millimeters.
Utilizing the full travel appropriately ensures the suspension can absorb a variety of impacts, providing a smoother ride and enhancing the bike’s handling.
Not using the full travel means the suspension is not effectively absorbing impacts, potentially causing discomfort and reduced control over challenging terrain.
Sag is the amount the suspension compresses under the rider’s weight when seated on the bike. Front and rear sag measurements are crucial for setting up suspension.
Static Sag is the amount of suspension compression when the rider is on the bike but not actively engaging the suspension and is measured when the rider simply sits on the bike. Dynamic Sag is the amount of suspension compression while actively riding, giving a more accurate representation of how the suspension behaves during actual use. We will focus on dynamic sag.
Proper Sag for Suspension Setup:
Achieving the right sag allows the suspension to operate within its optimal range, providing a balanced feel between small bump compliance, traction, and overall control.
Insufficient Sag:
Not enough sag makes the bike feel stiff and harsh, reducing traction and comfort, especially over small obstacles and rough terrain.
Excessive Sag:
Too much sag can result in a ‘bottomed out’ feeling, reducing the effective travel of the suspension and potentially causing instability during aggressive riding.
Bottom Out:
When the suspension is fully compressed and can no longer absorb any more impact, potentially causing a harsh stop or ‘bottoming out.’
Top Out:
When the suspension extends fully and reaches its maximum length, often causing a ‘clunk’ sound as it reaches the end of its travel.
Travel Indicator O-ring:
A small O-ring placed on the suspension stanchion to visually show how much travel is used during a ride, providing insights into suspension usage.
Dialing in these four adjustments will get you dialed in for the vast majority of terrain and riding styles. If you’re riding downhill or freeride, well, you probably have detailed knowledge of your unique setup needs and this guide probably isn’t for you. If you’re into riding our epic PNW trails for performance, control, and efficiency, this is for you!
Optimal Setup: Achieving the recommended 25-30% sag indicates that the fork is utilizing its travel effectively, providing a good balance of traction, comfort, and control.
Under-Sagged: If the sag is less than recommended, the fork may feel harsh and provide inadequate traction.
Over-Sagging: Excessive sag may result in a mushy feeling fork with a tendency to bottom out on rough terrain.
Optimal Setup: The fork feels responsive and supportive, with appropriate compliance to small and large impacts, maintaining control and traction.
Insufficient Pressure: The fork feels too soft and bottoms out easily, compromising control and performance.
Excessive Pressure: The fork feels harsh and struggles to absorb impacts, transmitting excessive vibrations to the rider.
Optimal Setup: The fork returns smoothly without bouncing back quickly or feeling sluggish, allowing for controlled traction and handling.
Too Fast Rebound: The fork may kick back, causing the bike to feel unsettled and lose traction.
Too Slow Rebound: The fork may pack down, not recovering in time for successive impacts, resulting in a harsh ride.
Optimal Setup: The fork provides efficient absorption of impacts while maintaining good pedaling efficiency and support through a range of terrains.
Too Little Compression: The fork may dive excessively and feel too soft, reducing control and stability.
Too Much Compression: The fork may feel harsh, not absorbing impacts effectively, and may affect traction.
Optimal Setup: Achieving the recommended 25-30% sag ensures the shock utilizes its travel efficiently, providing a balanced ride with improved traction and control.
Under-Sagged: Insufficient sag may result in a harsh ride with poor traction and control.
Over-Sagging: Excessive sag may lead to a bottomed-out shock, reducing efficiency and control.
Optimal Setup: The shock feels supportive, effectively absorbing impacts while maintaining good pedaling efficiency.
Insufficient Pressure: The shock may feel too soft, bottoming out easily, compromising control and efficiency.
Excessive Pressure: The shock may feel harsh and not absorb impacts efficiently, transmitting excessive vibrations.
Optimal Setup: The shock returns smoothly without bouncing or packing down, ensuring controlled traction and handling.
Too Fast Rebound: The shock may feel too lively, reducing traction and control.
Too Slow Rebound: The shock may feel harsh, not recovering in time for successive impacts, resulting in a rough ride.
Optimal Setup: The shock provides efficient absorption of impacts while maintaining good pedaling efficiency and support through varied terrains.
Too Little Compression: The shock may dive excessively and feel too soft, reducing control and stability.
Too Much Compression: The shock may feel harsh, not absorbing impacts effectively, and affecting traction.
Consistent Performance: Ensure the setup maintains optimal performance across various riding conditions.