Any good suspension product will have a range of adjustments to tune how the fork feels and performs. Getting these settings correct is essential to maintaining your suspension's performance and ensuring you have the most comfortable and controlled ride possible.
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- 5 bike handling problems caused by bad suspension set-up (and how to fix them)
Suspension Controls
There are three main controls you’ll see on suspension: preload, rebound, and compression. Compression controls are also often split into low-speed and high-speed compression on high-end forks.
Preload
Preload adjustment alters the resistance the fork or shock gives against your weight. So the heavier you are, the more preload you’ll need. For a fork or shock with a coil spring, this would equate to having a stiffer spring, but for an air sprung shock it’s simply a case of pumping in more pressure.
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Compression damping
Compression damping comes from the internals of the fork and works by regulating the flow of oil through small holes. Compression damping only affects suspension when it is compressing – it doesn’t affect the preload but can appear to have a similar effect.
The more compression damping you dial in, the slower the fork or shock will move through its travel – this is good if you want a bike to pedal without bobbing for instance, but the negative effect will be the limitation of the suspension's movement when you hit a bump, making it feel a bit like it’s locked out. In fact, lockout is simply an extremely high amount of compression damping.
Rebound damping
Rebound damping is a similar internal system to compression and only affects the suspension when it is returning to its natural position after an impact.
CTD/lockout
How to adjust a suspension fork
You will need:
- Shock pump
- Ruler
- Full set of riding gear
Step 1: Set preload sag
Step 2: Compression and rebound
Preload
Compression damping
Rebound damping
Lockout/CTD
How to set up rear suspension
1. Set preload
2. Set compression and rebound damping
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