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SETTING UP YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE SUSPENSION This document is a quick-start guide to help you set up your suspension before riding. It is not intended to replace your general owners manual or the shock and suspension fork manufacturers technical manuals. We encourage you to read all manuals related to your bike and its suspension components before you ride.

SUSPENSION OVERVIEW Mountain bike suspension helps a rider maintain control when the bike encounters rough terrain, by maximizing the tire’s contact with the ground. It does this by compressing to absorb the energy from impact, temporarily storing the energy, and then releasing the energy by extension and through damping. There are two basic categories of mountain bikes. A full suspension mountain bike has a front suspension fork and a rear shock, while a hardtail mountain bike has only a front suspension fork. Both the fork and rear shock have 3 main elements: • Spring o Coiled spring or air spring. o The spring absorbs energy created by the impact, stores it and then releases it. • Dampers o The compression damper controls the speed at which the suspension can compress. o The rebound damper controls the speed at which the suspension can rebound or return to full extension. • Chassis o The structural component of the suspension that houses spring and damper.

SUSPENSION SET UP Setting up your suspension properly is key to having an amazing ride. The set up procedures in this guide address the more common air sprung forks and rear shocks. Set up procedures for coiled forks and shocks are not covered in this guide. Before setting up your suspension, it’s important to make sure your suspension is working properly. Regular servicing of your suspension will extend its life, keep it performing optimally and help you avoid costly repairs. We recommend you get your suspension serviced at a minimum once per year, and ideally once a season.

SETTING AND ADJUSTING SAG SAG is the amount your suspension compresses under your rider weight (body weight + gear weight). Typically your SAG may very between 15 to 30% depending on the type of bike, type of terrain and riding style. A good starting point is to set your SAG between 25 to 30% of the total travel for your rear shock and 20 to 25% for your Fork.

Fork with 25% SAG

Shock with 30% SAG

• Set fork and shock to the open position. This includes setting your rebound and compression damping (if you have it) to the fully open position by turning adjustment knobs in the (-) direction. For Rockshox suspension turn adjustment knob towards the symbol of the hare.

• As a starting point, pump the main chamber in the fork and shock to the manufacturer’s recommended psi based on your rider weight.

• Put on the clothing and gear you will be riding with. • Have someone hold the bike or position yourself next to a wall so you can steady yourself with one arm. Get on the bike and place your feet on the pedals. Stand up on the pedals and rock from front to back. Sit back down on the saddle and settle your weight.

• Push the rubber O-ring that is around the shaft all the way against the base of the shaft. You can use a zip tie if an O-ring is not present.

• Gently dismount the bike without bouncing. • Check how far the O-ring has moved. Determine the SAG by dividing the distance the O-ring moved by the total length of the shaft and multiplying by 100.

• Add or remove air (5 to 10 psi) and repeat procedure until you reach your desired SAG. • Ride different types of terrain a number of times, making small changes in SAG. Record your

settings and impressions. As a rule of thumb you want to use your full travel at least once during a ride. If you find yourself bottoming out the suspension a number of times during a ride, try decreasing your SAG. Over time you’ll discover the right SAG for the different terrains you ride.

SETTING AND ADJUSTING REBOUND DAMPING Adjusting the rebound controls the rate of speed at which the shock returns to its original position after your wheel hits an obstacle. Rebound damping prevents the shock or fork from springing back too quickly, increasing the tires ability to stay in contact with the ground. If the rebound damping is set too high the shock will “pack up”, or not extend to its full length over successive hits. A low setting is desirable for very rough broken terrain. A higher setting will help the shock react more smoothly where smooth, large gradual compressions are encountered as opposed to smaller repetitive hits. Increased damping will also aid in control in high speed situations where a fast rebound of the shock may not coincide with the terrain.

Rockshox & Fox Fork Rebound Adjuster

Fox & Rockshox Shock Rebound Adjuster

• Turn the rebound knob in the positive direction (+) until it stops. Then turn the knob in

the negative direction (-), counting the number of clicks until it stops and is fully opened. (Rockshox replaces the negative and positive direction indicators with hare and tortoise symbols).

• Set the rebound damping knob to different positions between the fully opened (-) and fully

dampened position (+). Get on the bike and note how the suspension rebounds in the different settings. For example, the suspension will rebound faster in the fully open position and will slow as you dial it incrementally to the fully dampened position.

• A good starting point is to dial the rebound knob to the center position (half the total # of clicks) for your first ride.

• Another way to check the initial rebound damping rate for the rear suspension is to ride off

a curb while seated. The rear suspension should bounce only once. If it bounces more than once, increase the amount of damping.

• Ride different types of terrain a number of times, making small changes in the rebound

damping setting for your fork & shock. Record your settings and impressions. Over time you’ll determine the right settings for the different types of terrains you ride.

SETTING AND ADJUSTING COMPRESSION DAMPING Compression damping controls how fast the fork or shock will compress. Not all suspension forks and shocks have adjustable compression dampening (some just have an open & lock position), so this section may not apply to your situation. Some rear shocks and forks have preset adjustments for controlling compression damping while others allow you to make more finely tuned adjustments. Setting compression damping is a personal preference that can be experimented with to find the optimal performance level for your style of riding and terrain.

Fox Fork Compression Adjuster

Fox Fork Pre-Set & Fine-Tuning Adjuster

Fox & Rockshox Shock Compression Adjuster

• Turn the compression knob in the positive direction (+) until it stops. Then turn the knob in the negative direction (-), counting the number of clicks, until it stops and is in the fully open position.

• Set the knob to different positions between the fully opened (-) and fully dampened position

(+). Get on the bike and notice how the suspension is easier to compress in the fully open position (-) and becomes more difficult to compress as you add more compression damping by turning the knob in the positive direction (+).

• Some forks and shocks like Fox and Rockshox often have pre-set adjustments that go from open to more firm settings. They may also have both pre-set adjustment as well as a finetuning adjustment knob.

• Start out riding with your compression dampening in the (-) or fully open position. • Experiment with different settings for riding different types of terrain. For example try

the fully open position (low firmness) for rough descending terrain, medium firmness for undulating terrain, and high firmness for smooth climbing. Ride the different terrains a number of times making slight adjustments to the compression damping and record your settings and impressions. Over time you’ll arrive at the right settings for the types of terrain you’re riding. When in doubt, just leave the compression damping set to the open position.

The BikeSmith is an award winning local bike shop owned by a family that rides, and cares deeply about people, Albuquerque & amazing biking experiences. We offer caring & expert service, distinctive rentals and quality products from our convenient shop near the entrance of the Bosque River Trail.

PROPRIETORS Richard “Gator ” Noland has been a part of the cycling industry since 1994, and has been riding much longer than that. Working as a bicycle assembler, salesman, head mechanic, assistant manager, and managing director, he has built, sold and fixed a lot of bikes! Rick is a Certified Mountain Biking Instructor through the Professional Mountain Biking Instructor Association and loves helping both locals and visitors discover the joy of mountain biking in Albuquerque. As Managing Director of The BikeSmith, Rick is dedicated to providing high quality products, services, and support to the Albuquerque community.

Rosie “The Wrench” Noland is a competitive triathlete, mountain, and road cyclist in the local racing circuit and has over 14 years’ experience in the retail industry. She is a Certified Mountain Biking Instructor through the Professional Mountain Biking Instructor Association, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and received her bicycle mechanics training at the Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado Springs, CO. As Product Manager she is passionate about offering a great selection of bikes, gear & apparel, and creating a space where both women and men feel welcomed and supported. She loves working with customers to help them create amazing mountain biking experiences.

Jesse Burris has been hanging around bike shops since he was 7 years old. He is an accomplished BMX and downhill racer and was the New Mexico 2011 BMX Cruiser State Champion. Jesse has over 14 years’ experience in sales and service at some of the top bike shops in New Mexico and Texas. He also has over 10 years’ experience as a Chief Suspension Technician servicing a wide range of mountain bike suspension systems. Jesse loves sharing his knowledge of bikes and passion for riding with customers.

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