Suspension Setup Basics

Adjusting a suspension isn't rocket science, but it requires the right approach. You'll get the best results if you follow a few basic tips.

The right order

For both the fork and the shock, the order in which you make adjustments is important. Always start with the suspension negative travel before moving on to other parameters, as it influences all other settings.

Negative travel refers to the initial part of the suspension travel that allows the wheel to drop into depressions and maintain contact with the ground. This negative travel helps the suspension extend, improving traction and control over rough terrain.

Negative travel can be checked by measuring Sag: Sag is the amount the suspension compresses under the rider's weight. Properly setting sag is crucial as it defines the baseline for both positive (compression) and negative (extension) travel. Negative travel is influenced by how much sag is set.

After adjusting negative travel, adjust the rebound and compression, and finally, address finer details like volume spacers, spring preload, internal settings and upgrade:

• Rebound: the speed at which the spring decompress after aborbing a shock
• Compression: the speed at which the fork will compress and how it will maintain grip
• Volume spacers: spacers used to change air spring volumes
• Spring preload: preload applied to coil springs
• Internal settings and upgrades: internal changes made by suspension specialists

The right order for suspension setup is:

• Negative travel and sag
• Rebound
• Compression
• Volume spacers
• Spring preload (coil)
• Internal settings and upgrade

Go step by step

Only adjust one parameter at a time! Test the effect of the change before moving on to the next adjustment. If you change multiple parameters at once, you won't know the effect of each one.

Test

There is only one way to know if a suspension setting works: try it! For your tests, preferably choose a trail you know well and can handle perfectly. Only then can you focus on your suspension's behavior.

Take notes

If you've found a good baseline setup, write it down. This way, you can quickly set everything correctly, for instance, when your bike comes back from maintenance.