How to Adjust Your MTB Suspension: A Step by Step Guide

A properly adjusted suspension is key to control, comfort, and traction. It not only gets you through the terrain faster, but also more comfortably; it gives you confidence on the descents, efficiency on the climbs, and the feeling that your bike is doing exactly what you want it to.

You need

Shock pump
Tape measure or ruler
Cable tie or O-ring
Maybe a hex wrench
Your body weight in full cycling gear
If possible, have a second person to assist

Control by eye

Park your bike securely – either upside down or on a bike stand
Turn the wheel and check whether the brake disc runs smoothly between the brake pads or if it's rubbing

1. Basic setup: Tyre Pressure / SAG

DThe SAG (negative travel) determines how far your suspension compresses when the bike is stationary under your weight alone. It directly affects balance, traction, and comfort. Manufacturers often provide initial guidance on the correct tyre pressure on their websites.

Here's how to set the SAG:

Get on the bike fully geared up and compress the suspension a few times while stationary (preferably with the help of a second person).

Damping: approx. 25–30% of the total travel
Fork: approx. 20–25% of the total travel
If the SAG is too low → reduce the air pressure.
If it is too high → increase the air pressure.

Target value:

Carefully get off the bike without compressing the suspension again, and measure the gap between the O-ring and the seal on the shock and suspension fork.

Place the O-ring on the sealing lip of the fork and shock. If there is no O-ring, you can use a small cable tie to adjust the SAG (be sure to remove it before riding).

For more information on the basic setup for RockShox suspensions, click here: https://www.sram.com/de/rockshox/campaigns/trailhead-app

For more information on the basic setup for Fox suspensions, click here: Bike Tech Help Center | FOX and Owner's Manuals | Bike Tech Help Center | FOX

2. Rebound

The rebound determines how quickly your suspension returns to its original position after compression.
Here's how to set it up:

Turn the adjuster all the way (clockwise) – this is the slowest setting.
Gradually open the adjuster until the suspension feels natural.

How to tell if it's a good fit:

Set too fast: The bike bounces or feels "springy," especially on fast sections.
Set too slow: The suspension doesn't return to its normal position in time and "sinks" lower and lower, feeling sluggish or as if it's stuck to the ground.
You’ve got the right suspension setting when the bike feels smooth and controlled, doesn’t bounce, but still rebounds quickly enough to be ready for the next bump.

3. Compression

The compression controls how much the suspension slows down as it compresses. It determines how responsive or “stiff” your bike feels.

Low-Speed Compression (LSC):

Effective during slow movements (e.g., bends, braking, standing up on the pedals).
More damping = more stability when pedaling, less comfort.

High-Speed Compression (HSC):

Effective for quick impacts (e.g., roots, landings).
More damping = more protection against punctures, but less sensitivity.

Find a test trail or section that you can ride over and over again to feel the differences of the adjustments in your riding style. Start with the compression fully open and adjust the setting in small increments until it feels right. Always change just one setting at a time and ride your test trail again so you can see how the handling is affected by high- or low-speed compression.

Too soft → more damping.
Too hard → less damping.

4. Fine-tuning on the trail

Now comes the most important part: ride, feel, adjust.
Test the bike on your usual trail and pay attention to:

Not enough grip → apply slightly less pressure, increase SAG.
Too much bouncing while pedaling → apply a little more pressure or increase the low-speed compression.
Too hard / uneven → reduce high-speed compression or air pressure.

Change just one setting per ride to really feel the difference.