How Much Difference Does Suspension Setup Make? | Suspension Basics

It may seem impossible to tune your fork and shock, especially with suspension systems being more confusing than ever. Anna is here to show you that it's a lot easier than you may think to get your suspension dialled! By showing how compression, rebound and tokens can affect the suspension. Anna hopes to provide you with the key ingredients needed to master the dark art of suspension tuning.

⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 - Intro
01:01 - Volume Spacers
02:37 - Air Pressure And Sag
06:21 - Compression Damping
12:56 - Rebound
18:06 - Conclusion

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Do you fiddle with all the dials on your suspension or do you just love it and leave it? Share your thoughts! 👇

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[ryanhennig]

Great video Anna explaining and then showing the results. The more experienced you get as a rider the more you can feel and understand the little changes and results

[paulc]

The best video I’ve watched explaining fork setup and theirs a lot of videos out there

[johnlopez]

Great video. Using the slow mo really shows the effects of the changes you made. And you explained everything perfectly in a way anybody can understand 👍👍

[juliagriffiths]

Brilliant. Thanks Anna. Always learn tons watching ur videos. Will feel more comfortable adjusting my fork as I explore my local trials. 😊

[phonetech]

Funny this video just popped up... I made some minor changes to my setup yesterday (added tokens, lowered pressure, etc) and it was game changing. My bike felt so much more planted and gave me another level of confidence. Great video!

[nerdexproject]

Great video! Makes me want to try different configurations on my bike rn! 😁

[dexterlines]

Gosh how far we've come I remember doing the old dragon downhill series on rst mozo forks

[andrewrivera]

I’m over 200 lb and I’ve got coil, air, fox, Rockshox on 3 different bikes! Every time I dial in or out my suspension I crash so now I just set the PSI to 20-30% sag and open everything up and or factory setup and everything rides great, I stopped over thinking it.

[davidjfeeley]

Thanks for the breakdown Anna, alsways good for newbies like me to get the expert info on these topic's

[mikedwiles]

Really like your demonstration. You've given me a great idea: Mark the current settings on my bike (so I can get it back to normal) and try the extreme settings of each control to experience the effects. Then I should know generally what changes I should make. Thanks for another great video!

[VictorElGreco]

Bravo, Anna! 👏🏻👏🏻☺️ Great expo of all the parameters. I’m just a scrawny, old XC rider so, at the “factory” setting of my 100 mm fork, I’ve never gone further than 80 mm. Might I want to go below the minimum recommended for my weight, just to filter out a bit more of the chatter? 🤔

[raceace]

Great demonstration, one day maybe a graphic trace of four of the main parameters over a simulated section.

[troymortimer]

I think some guidelines on forks sag for riding conditions. Fast high speed or when it’s step or even massive jumps 18-22, 23-26 for aggressive riding, 27-30 for mellow trail riding. The harder you ride the stiffer fork will need to be, but becomes more taxing on your arms. For most people starting 27-30 for sag, and tune from there.

[tomquimby]

sounds like set everything to mid setting, sag to 30% and just ride!

[biscuitsalive]

“Buttery smooth on the mid stroke, and that’s how I like it!”
Noted.

[mitch_smith]

I always feel like I’m twiddling the knobs for the right feel each day. It never feels the same day to day to me and I’ve never considered it’s the trail change. 😂😂😂

[lucablesi]

The e most clear explanation ever!! Thank you so so much!! I’m about to receive my first full sus MTB with fox 34 fit 4 and float x and now I feel really ready to start tuning my suspensions (just low speed compression and rebound though!)
Go Anna, alé alé, luca from italy

[Dannyie]

Great video. But all these videos covering suspension set-up fail to advise on where compression and rebound should be when setting sag. Does this make a difference? Thanks...

[xosece]

great video. #askgmbntech I have a Canyon Pahtlite 6 (my favourite bike along with the Roadlite) and it has a 75mm front suspension fork. I use it for road and light paths, but mostly road (of variablee quality). Should I lock the front suspension when on tarmac? I like to keep it open but my brother tells me I should lock it when on tarmac. However, there is a video of some Dylan Johnson mentioning there are studies where locking/unlocking your front fork makes no difference in your performance at all. I mean FRONT fork only of course, no rear suspension or anything like that

[SergejGrabun]

I think you guys missed a great opportunity to add side by side videos while comparing to emphasize on it. Filmed from a static point, following you going down. Great video nonetheless. Taking the explanations out and showing them in action.