Fools with Tools, Ep. 6 Pt. 2: Dialing In Your Suspension
After setting up bike suspension at the shop, our Fool & Tool take it out on the trail for some testing. The best way to adjust your suspension settings is by letting it do what it's so great at: Riding features! We will help you with on-the-trail fork and rear shock adjustments so it's set up perfectly for you and your riding style. Check out Ep. 6 Part 1 here if you haven't, and be sure to subscribe to our channel!
How to Adjust Fork Compression/Rebound Settings:
This is largely user preference, but most companies have a baseline guide to start with and tune it from there.
- High-speed compression adjustment controls fork performance during bigger hits, landings, and square-edged bumps.
- Low-speed compression adjustment controls fork performance during rider weight shifts, G-outs, and other slow inputs.
- If rebound damping is too low (-) the suspension will extend too fast and feel bouncy and out of control. If the rebound damping is too high (+) the suspension will not recover fast enough after repeated impacts and ‘pack down’, sinking lower into its travel and performing poorly.
- Adjusting Compression
- Start with no low speed compression
- Ride your test trail and increase the low speed compression by 1 or 2 clicks every time
- Continue to increase by these increments until the bike feels supportive in big weight shifts, braking, and cornering
- Start with no high speed compression
- Ride your test trail and increase the high speed compression by 1 or 2 clicks every time
- Continue to increase by these increments until the bike feels supportive in big impacts like landing jumps or big drops
- Adjusting Rebound
- Adjust the rebound so that when compressed the fork does not want to spring up and cause the front wheel to want to come off the ground. Basically, you don't want it bouncing like a pogo stick.
- Then it's time to go to your test trail and experiment in this setting, and +/- 2 clicks to see what maintains more grip.
How to Adjust Shock Compression/Rebound Settings:
Shock compression/rebound settings are also largely user preference, but most companies have a baseline guide to start with and tune it from there.
- After setting your baseline (derived from your air pressure/weight) you can use the following chart to adjust the shock while riding and fine tune your riding experience.
- Adjusting Rebound:
- Choose a small drop, rocky section, etc. you are comfortable with repeatedly riding.
- Hit this feature continuously, each time reducing rebound (turning in the “-” or “rabbit” direction) by 1 click. This will cause the shock to recover faster every time
-
Stop turning the dial when the shock feels like it is extending fast enough to “bounce” you on the impact.
- Increase the rebound damping (“+” or “Turtle” direction) 1 click. Then take this setting on a full trail run, experimenting with 2 clicks in either direction to see what feels more comfortable and controlled for your personal riding style.
- Adjusting Compression:
- Start with no low speed compression
- Ride your test trail and increase the low speed compression 1 or 2 clicks every time.
- Increase by this increment until the bike feels supportive in big weight shifts, braking and cornering
- Start with no high speed compression
- Ride your test trail and increase the high speed compression 1 or 2 clicks every time
- Increase by this increment until the bike feels supportive in big impacts like landing jumps or drops