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Shock set up. For many of us the move to a full suspension bike happened years after trials and trails on a hardtail. The rearshock is a blessing enabling more fun on our bikes but can be a mystery as to how to set up and maintain.

• First thing is invest in a shock pump for your bike. They aren't expensive but it puts you rather than some expensive store and stranger in charge of what feels right for you on your bike.
• It is necessary to adjust sag in order to get the best performance out of your dual suspension bike. Set-up is done best when you have someone to help you.

OK lets get some terminology out the way:

• FLOAT shocks are air sprung and have negative air that creates more active initial stroke.

• VANILLA shocks are coil-over style shocks.

• SHOCK SAG: The amount the shock compresses with rider sitting on bike in normal riding position. This is usually 15% to 25% of total shock travel. Cross country: 15% to 25% suggested, Downhill 25% suggested

• COMPRESSION DAMPENING: The oil resistance felt when trying to compress the shock

• REBOUND: After a shock is compressed it will extend because of spring force

• REBOUND DAMPENING: Rebound dampening controls the rate at which the shock will extend (generally the red dial)

• PRELOAD: The initial amount of force placed on the spring

• SPRING RATE: The force needed to compress the spring one inch

How to do set up your sag

• The shock has an air valve on the side or bottom generally.
• Thread pump onto air valve. When pump is properly installed PSI will register on pump gauge.
• Stroke the pump a few cycles, pressure should increase slowly. If pressure increases rapidly, check that pump is properly fitted and tightened onto the valve.. NOTE: If shock has no air pressure, the gauge will not register. Pump to desired PSI setting. The setting is dependent on the bike and your weight and style. As a guide once pumped the shock will sag (compress 15% - 25% for a cross country bike and around 25% for a downhill bike). When unthreading pump from air valve fitting, the sound of air loss is from the pump hose, NOT the shock itself so don't add extra to compensate as there is no need.

NOTE: If you re-attach the pump, the hose will re-fill with air. The will result in a lower PSI registering of approximately 15 to 20 PSI on the gauge.

Get a shock pump.

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Comments (2)

kuzkoo said:

... Just a quick question about shock set-up though. From everything I have read, not only on here but from other magazines etc, your sag should normally be 15-25% of shock travel. When I just got my bike, I did all the set-ups correctly. Followed the instructions on the manual etc and set the air pressure in my shock and achieved the desired 25% travel. As you know, this can be achieved by sitting on the bike upright and allowing the travel indicator on the shock to do its thing. When I go out for rides though, I always notice the sag indicator travels a lot further than the 25% I had originally set it to. I am assuming this is due to the ups and downs and bumps during riding but I just wanted to make sure this is normal and that I am not doing anything wrong somewhere.

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April 15, 2008
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Buster said:

	... Hey Kuzkoo, it sounds right to me. The 25% mark is the passive compression. Once you are out riding taking the bumps etc the compression is greater due to extra strains of your speed and your body weight moving around. I am sure someone else can explain it more scientifically but i think you get the idea. :-) Buster
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April 16, 2008
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