How to Set Your Suspension
Our kinematics are the result of advanced engineering for a front–rear suspension that works in harmony. This guide explains the basics and how to dial your setup so your bike works at its best.
Work step-by-step and change one setting at a time. Ride, feel, adjust, and repeat.
Sag is the foundation of suspension setup. It determines how far into the travel the bike sits and helps control how the suspension compresses under load. Sag is adjusted by changing the effective spring rate of the fork and shock.
To measure sag, stand on the pedals in a neutral riding position on a flat surface, wearing your normal riding gear. Adjust the spring rate so the measured compression matches the recommended starting values from the manufacturer. Fine-tune as needed based on feel and support.
AIR: adjust sag by adding or removing air with a high-pressure shock pump.
COIL: adjust sag by choosing a stiffer or softer spring, depending on rider weight and needs.
| Category / Model | Shock Travel | Recommended Sag% | Recommended Sag (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOWNHILL – SUPREME DH V5 | 75 mm | 20 – 25 % | 15 – 19 mm |
| SUPREME DH V4 | 75 mm | 17 – 23 % | 11 – 15 mm |
| FRS | 75 mm | 28 – 32 % | 21 – 24 mm |
| ENDURO – META SX V5 | 65 mm | 27 – 30 % | 18 – 20 mm |
| META V5 | 55 mm | 27 – 30 % | 15 – 19 mm |
| META SX V4 | 62.5 mm | 26 – 30 % | 16 – 19 mm |
| META AM V4 | 62.5 mm | 28 – 30 % | 17.5 – 19 mm |
| CLASH | 65 mm | 26 – 30 % | 17 – 20 mm |
| TRAIL – T.E.M.P.O. | 50 mm | 28 – 30 % | 14 – 15 mm |
| META TR V4 | 55 mm | 26 – 30 % | 14 – 17 mm |
| E-BIKES – META POWER SX 800 | 65 mm | 28 – 31 % | 18 – 20 mm |
| META POWER SX 400 | 65 mm | 27 – 31 % | 17 – 20 mm |
| T.E.M.P.O. POWER | 55 mm | 25 – 27 % | 14 – 16 mm |
| META POWER SX V4 | 65 mm | 26 – 30 % | 17 – 20 mm |
| META POWER TR V4 | 55 mm | 26 – 30 % | 14 – 17 mm |
| META POWER AM V4 | 60 mm | 26 – 30 % | 16 – 18 mm |
| KIDS – SUPREME DH V5 XS | 75 mm | 20 – 25 % | 15 – 19 mm |
| SUPREME DH V4 XS | 75 mm | 17 – 23 % | 11 – 15 mm |
| CLASH XS | 55 mm | 26 – 30 % | 14 – 17 mm |
| CLASH JR | 55 mm | 26 – 30 % | 14 – 17 mm |
| CLASH 24 | 45 mm | 26 – 30 % | 11 – 14 mm |
| CLASH 20 | 35 mm | 26 – 30 % | 9 – 11 mm |
Suspension behaves differently depending on whether the shock uses an air spring or a coil spring. Each design has its own strengths and tuning characteristics.
Air spring
The AIR shock uses a pneumatic spring whose stiffness increases progressively. Initial sensitivity is usually a bit higher than COIL, with less stiffness through the first two-thirds of travel for comfort. In the last third it ramps up, helping resist bottom-out thanks to the progressiveness. Initial stiffness can be adjusted very precisely.
Coil spring
A COIL shock uses a metal spring whose stiffness increases more linearly. It’s very sensitive off the top and offers strong mid-stroke support, but is less progressive near the end of travel. Bottom-out management relies on damper features such as a hydraulic stop. Sensitivity can be tuned via preload; to change overall stiffness, change the spring rate. It’s typically heavier than AIR but runs cooler for consistent behavior.
Progressivity tuning applies to AIR shocks and lets you adjust how the suspension behaves near the end of its travel. With volume spacers such as FOX volume spacers, RockShox tokens, or an Öhlins ramp-up chamber, you can increase or decrease the ramp-up to match terrain or rider preference.
Less spacers
At equal pressure, it is easier to use full travel. Removing a spacer and then adding a few PSI can give more liveliness and support without losing comfort early in the stroke.
More spacers
At equal pressure, it becomes harder to reach full travel. Adding a spacer and then dropping a few PSI settles the bike slightly and increases bottom-out resistance, while still filtering small impacts.
Repeat Sag and Progressivity adjustments until you use full travel when needed, have firm end-stroke support with good comfort at the beginning of the stroke, and maintain a balanced front–rear ride height before moving on to hydraulic adjustments.
Always start by adjusting rebound (LSR/HSR). Compression (LSC/HSC) should be adjusted after rebound is set. Make changes from the closed position toward open, and if you reach the end of a range, back off a click or two. As a first approach, a mid-range setting is usually a good starting point.
Low-speed and high-speed damping rarely work in isolation. Excessively closing low-speed settings (LSR or LSC) can restrict the corresponding high-speed circuits (HSR or HSC), which affects how the suspension reacts to sharp hits.
Low Speed (LSR)
Controls the return of the suspension after slower or moderate impacts. It helps the wheels stay in contact with the ground and keeps the chassis composed.
Too closed Feels like the bike is knocking into successive bumps because the wheel returns too slowly to absorb the next impact. The suspension packs down and works too low in the travel.
Too open Feels nervous with a loss of grip and control. The fork or shock can push you forward or feel like it is bouncing back too fast after impacts.
High Speed (HSR)
Controls the return after fast, large impacts such as sharp bottom-outs or repeated braking bumps. This may be an internal setting, although some forks and shocks offer external HSR adjustment.
Too closed Feels harsh and high in the stroke on repeated big hits because the suspension cannot return quickly enough to its initial position.
Too open Feels like a “pogo stick” on big impacts and jump landings, with kicks or harsh rebounds that reduce control.
Low Speed (LSC)
Primarily manages the bike’s dynamic balance, frame movements, and weight transfer, such as under braking or acceleration. It plays an important role in both grip and comfort.
Too closed Feels like a loss of grip through turns with less sensitivity and increased harshness in the hands and feet. The bike can ride too high in the travel and feel overly firm when pushing through the pedals or bars.
Too open The travel compresses too quickly on small bumps with not enough support on rougher terrain. The frame moves excessively, and the bike compresses even with small rider movements.
High Speed (HSC)
Controls compression when hitting medium-to-big impacts such as jump landings, braking bumps, rock gardens, or root sections.
Too closed Feels like every impact is transmitted directly to the rider, with reduced grip and stability in rough terrain, which can increase fatigue.
Too open Feels under-supported with less grip and a tendency to bottom-out on harsh impacts. Steering precision is reduced, and the bike can feel vague in demanding terrain.