How to set up your MTB rear shock?
With advances and new technologies, it is becoming increasingly easy to adjust your own MTB rear shock. Here is some guidance to help you do so.
To begin, you need to set the SAG (English term for "sag", referring to the amount a suspension compresses when the rider is sitting on the bike in a static riding position.) or static sag. Adjust the air pressure in your suspension so that it compresses between 10 and 20% for Trail/Cross-Country, or 25 to 30% for All-Mountain/Enduro. For Freeride/DH, it is 30 to 35%. If you have a coil spring system, you will need to replace it with an appropriate model in order to achieve the correct SAG setting.
Then adjust the compression and rebound dials to the middle position, and test the behaviour on a varied stretch of terrain you know well.
How to interpret the behaviour of the shock absorber?
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If you are not using the full travel, there is a problem. Either the air pressure is too high (or the spring is too stiff), or the compression is too closed.
If the SAG was set correctly, first try opening the compression slightly (unscrewing) before moving to a higher SAG value. -
The suspension feels very soft throughout the travel and you frequently bottom out?
If the SAG was set correctly, first try closing the compression slightly before moving to a lower SAG value. -
The suspension sags too quickly at the beginning but without bottoming out?
If you have a preload/ramp-up/beginning-of-stroke adjustment, close it. If not, you can add a little air pressure. -
The suspension feels firm at the start of the stroke, yet you are still using the full travel?
If you have a preload/ramp-up/beginning-of-stroke adjustment, open it up. If not, you can reduce the air pressure slightly. -
When you ride on very rough terrain, the first few metres seem to be well managed by the suspension, but you then get the feeling that traction is generally lacking?
Open the rebound damping slightly. -
Despite what seems like a good SAG and rebound setting, the suspension remains stiff, especially when riding fast?
Open the compression slightly. -
The suspension seems to return too quickly after an impact, as if it is bouncing, and traction is also poor on rough terrain?
Close the rebound damping.
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