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Tutorial video showing how to set up the suspension on
a full-suspension bike.
INITIAL SAG
Suspension settings are a matter of personal preference.
Some riders prefer a soft setup, others a hard setup. De-
pending on the riding style, skills, and conditions on the
route. The suspension on a trail/ enduro bike works fine
with approximately 20% -30% initial sag. For the front
shock, the value of 20-25% should be assumed, while for
the rear shock the initial deflection should be about 25-
30% of the total stroke. Before starting work, set the return
damping to the fully open position.
To measure the SAG, follow the instructions/indications below:
• Move the O-ring on the stanchion so it touches the fork
seal, the same for the rear shock
• Stand on the pedals with your full body weight with full
equipment: protective armor, helmet, neck protector, wa-
ter bottle or water bag, etc. It is important that the equip-
ment and clothing reflect the real riding conditions to give
the most accurate results. While standing on the bike, bend
the suspension several times, then push the O-ring against
the shock seals again. It is best to have someone to help,
but you can deal with it yourself, for example by leaning
against the wall of the building.
• Get off the bike carefully and measure the SAG with a ruler
or tape measure printed on the stanchion, or ask some-
one to read the value on the scale when standing on the
bike in a neutral position (slightly bent knees and hands
in elbows). Inflate or deflate the damper until the desired
deflection of the shock is achieved.
In the case of an ungraduated rear shock, to determine the
percentage of initial deflection, its total deflection must first
6. SUSPENNSION SETTINGS
be measured, because it is shorter than those given in
the catalog for the total travel of the rear swingarm. To
do this, reduce the pressure in the air chamber so that
you can bend the shock to its extreme position, then in-
flate it and measure the distance between the O-ring and
the seal. For example, a bicycle with 160mm travel has
a rear shock with 70.87mm deflection, assuming a SAG
of 30%, its value measured on the shock absorber piston
with correctly set pressure should be 21.26mm (70.87
x 0.3 = 21.26mm).
REBOUND – return damping
(rebound speed)
In the damper return damping setting, the so-called
„curb test” works best. To proceed with the adjustment,
follow the instructions/indications below:
• Unscrew the Rebound valve to the extreme position, de-
pending on the manufacturer on the casing towards the
„bunny” symbol, „Fast” or minus sign. There is no return
damping in this position.
• Find a less traveled road in your area with a medium
size curb.
• While sitting in the saddle, without using the brakes,
slowly descend from the saddle. The damper piston re-
tracts first, then returns to its original position and be-
gins to oscillate until it stops.
• To counteract the “rocking” phenomenon, turn Re-
bound two clicks towards the “turtle” symbol (+; “slow”)
and repeat the test by rolling off the curb. By adjusting
in this way, you should observe the moment when the
damper stops oscillating after a rebound.
