Suspension setup can be intimidating, but the key is simply knowing what the terms mean and how each adjustment effects your bike's performance. Inside we breakdown the basics of this, the first in a series of videos that will focus on demystifying your suspension and helping you arrive at a setup that works for you.
Read on,Taking the time to properly setup your bike's suspension is one of the single most important things that you can do for your ride. But before you do start fiddling, you need to know exactly what all of the terms mean, and some of those are less clear than others. While I'm sure that many of you out there not only already have a clear understanding of what the dials do, but also have a baseline from where to start, there are plenty of riders that will benefit from a quick breakdown before getting their hands dirty. Before watching this video you'll need to keep in mind that this is the first installment in a series of Technical Tuesdays that will get progressively more advanced as time goes on. You may already know some or all of this, but if you're patient you may learn something new down the road.
Watch the video to learn the basics of suspension
Now that you know what the terms mean, stay tuned for next week's video which will cover selecting the proper spring rate and adjusting sag.
Past Tech Tuesdays:
Technical Tuesday #1 - How to change a tube. Technical Tuesday #2 - How to set up your SRAM rear derailleur Technical Tuesday #3 - How to remove and install pedals Technical Tuesday #4 - How To Bleed Your Avid Elixir Brakes Technical Tuesday #5 - How To Check And Adjust Your Headset Technical Tuesday #6 - How To Fix A Broken Chain Technical Tuesday #7 - Tubeless Conversion Technical Tuesday #8 - Chain Wear Technical Tuesday #9 - SRAM Shift Cable Replacement Technical Tuesday #10 - Removing And Installing a HeadsetTechnical Tuesday #11 - Chain Lube ExplainedTechnical Tuesday #12 - RockShox Totem and Lyric Mission Control Damper ModTechnical Tuesday #13 - Shimano XT Crank and Bottom Bracket Installation Technical Tuesday #14 - Straightening Your Derailleur HangerTechnical Tuesday #15 - Setting Up Your Front DerailleurTechnical Tuesday #16 - Setting Up Your CockpitHave you found this tutorial helpful? Share any of your hints or tips below!Visit
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if you set it too high when you hit a drop, your bike will feel rigid, too low and you will bottom out/go through too much of your travel
(not like that vid on how to patch a tire....or whatever that was...
Would be great if this series includes some on-site presentation of some general presets for some specific track. The one on Freecaster with Fabien Barel from Andorra DH some years ago (don't remeber exactly) was really great. I must say it really made me understand a lot more about suspension setup. After that I eliminated most of common mistakes that Mike spoke about, especially LSC and rebound settings. For the first time I truly realized how properly set up bike can make me faster and more confident.
One hint as usual: good that you dare to say what is right or wrong, and that many people do make mistakes.
Can you clarify, I was told that high speed compression damping comes most into play when you are in the lower part of your travel and you hit something big. ie square edge hits at higher speed etc. If you are going off a big jump, when you suspension is not compressed, and you land its actually the low speed that compensates for lack of bottom out.
Low speed controls brake dive ( as mentioned ) acts as 'propedal' high in the travel and compensates for smaller hits such as stutter bumps and rough sections of trail.
Bottoming out of the shock/fork is also different from shaft speed, most shocks and forks have a different system but have similar outcomes. It basically makes the last part of the stroke harder than the first 70% or so. Some systems are hydraulic like the Fox fit units, this is the little stack of washers on the end of the shaft. These have to force out the oil in the other part it slides into, effectivly making the end of the stroke a bit harder. on a DHX 5 it is the size and pressure of the chamber under the floating piston which will control how the damping ramps up at the end of the stroke.
Changing the low speed can amke it feel similar to a propedal tuning option but they are not the same. You would normally change the low speed first and do the propedal type tuning later on.
Every company has a different take on when the changes and ramps should take place and if it should be hydraulic, pneumatic, air/hydro, open or closed bath etc. Some are just plain better designs, some more cost effective, some easier to work on. Hope it helps
Is 'pro-pedal' adjustment on my shock essentially LSC adjustment?
I agree, that last 5 seconds, I could have done without.