Suspension Setup: Advanced tuning
Tuned suspensions are suspension with optimised settings.
Settings in MTB suspension refer to the internal adjustments that control the flow of oil through the internal damping mechanisms of the suspension. This generally involves shim stacks arranged around the piston, controlling compression and rebound by making the oil flow faster or slower.
Settings are crucial to ensure that the suspension does not collapse or that it does not move at all: finding the right balance is key. External hydraulic adjustments offer a range of settings acting on the internal settings (adjustments).
Changing settings allow for fine-tuning the suspension's performance based on practice level, conditions (terrain, competition, rider weight, etc.), personal preferences, and bike geometry:
- A competitive rider will have different needs compared to a recreational rider
- 50, 75, 90, or 105 kg are different weights with different constraints on the suspension and bike
- Some riders seek comfort, others want comfort and performance, while some prioritize performance above everything else
- Bikes, forks, and shocks are not all the same and have their own properties that require specific considerations
Compression settings control the speed at which the suspension compresses during impacts or bumps. There are different levels of compression, ranging from softer to harder, organized in "setting banks" provided by suspension manufacturers or developed by suspension workshops. These setting banks allow adjustments beyond the standard factory settings for better compression: comfort, performance, support.
Rebound settings control the speed at which the suspension decompresses and returns to its initial position after compression. Rebound settings play an important role in handling the next impact, as the suspension needs to be back to a sufficient position to manage it and avoid "packing": when the suspension does not fully recover enough between bumps and the bike ends up effectively losing travel. Optimized rebound improves the overall stability of the bike and keeps the wheels in better contact with the ground, thereby increasing traction and control.