Unlike road bikes or city bikes which have only one or no suspension. Mountain bikes suspension system seem more complicated and understanding how to set up mountain bike suspension is the most important job. Learn how it works and how to adjust it will help you not only find the comfort in riding, but also the knowledge for the first buying and adjusting it later on.
What is suspension?
Suspension is a technology used on bicycles to make the ride smoother by reducing the amount of bouncing that occurs when the bike goes over bumps in the road. There are two main types of suspension: air and coil. Air suspensions use compressed air in place of springs to cushion the bike’s shocks. Coils, which are also sometimes referred to as dampers, are made of a series of metal springs that are compressed and then released to help reduce the amount of jarring that occurs when the bike goes over an uneven road surface.
Hardtail or full suspension?
A mountain bike will have a hardtail ( suspension in the front wheel ) or full suspension (both front and rear wheel). Suspension will provide smooth running on different terrain and suitable for different riding styles.
Hard tail ( front wheel suspension) is for less of ruggy and bumpy roads.
Full suspension is for hard, Rooty roads.
How to set up mountain bike suspension by adjusting forks
Frist we need to know what is suspension travel
This is the max distance (count in mm) the suspension can move till it fully being pressed down. This travel distance can range from 50 mm till 200 mm on each type of bike.
- Short -travel distance ( under 120 mm) for trail and cross-country bikes, when bikes perform on rather smooth ,less rugged terrain.
- Long-travel distance from (120mm-200mm) for Enduro or downhill bikes. When bikes perform in extreme conditions and need good absorbers to support riders.
So if you are looking for a mountain bike. You will know which type of suspension is good for your riding style.
Manufacturers even create the high-end front forks ,providing the riders the opportunity to self-adjust travel distance. Riders, themselves can turn their bikes into fully rigid bikes by shortening the travel .And flexible adjust to long – travel distance, when they want the bikes to perform on rough surfaces or make a descending.
How many types of fork suspension
They have 2 types
- Mechanical forks (coil fork). A coil sprung fork is a springs -assist suspension device .Coil springs will be compressed down when it gets press forces from the outside and rebound back,creating the shock absorption.This type of fork is heavier than an air sprung fork.
- Air sprung fork is an air -assistance device that provides shock absorption.It is lighter weight, supports pedalling, especially uphill and becomes easier.
How to set up air sprung suspension
Adjusting forks is important because it can make your riding day totally different. If you set it up correctly ,riding will be fun and you will not lose much of your energy .But if not , it can turn out to be a hard experience.
There is no fixed number for standard forks. You can set up suspension based on your weight , road conditions and your own driving styling.
What we need for the job is only a shock pump
For front fork
- Firstly, read the recommended pressures chart printed on the front fork .The chart will provide the you with the right pressure for your weigh. which includes your cycling clothing , one hydration pack. It is suitable for any gear you carry.
- Secondly, open the crown race which covers the lock out button on the left side of the front fork. Pump the right amount of air as recommended in the side chart. The shock pump will help you to set the front fork at the right pressure. Then you can sit on the bike to adjust the “sag” of the fork. Do make some jumps on the bike. The O -ring will show you the sag position. Sag refers to the negative suspension travel, meaning how far the front fork can be pressed down by your weight.
To perform well, you should keep “sag” only 20-25% of the front fork length . Rag(negative suspension travel) is a key point to help you fully keep control of your bike. Bike’ wheels contact to the ground and you don’t loose the fraction
Then set up your bike rebound
:Rebound refers to how quick the front fork returns to its starting position. To adjust this, turn clockwise the red cap which covers at the bottom of the right fork leg.
Set the rebound lightly as much as it can. Check it by learning your body on the bars and press them down and quickly let them go. You can see the more loose rebound the more the fork will quickly bounce back to its starting position.
What is good rebound setting up
The perfect rebound setting is the fork bounce back as quick as possible. But the wheel stay in good contact with the ground
Depending on what kind of terrain you are going to drive. You can set up a rebound at low speed or fast speed. For example, If you are going to ride on the road with a lot of bumps. You can set up the rebound at fast speed. Means the suspension quickly bounce back to absorb the next bumps.
If you are going to ride on the road less of bumping. Setting up the rebound at low speed will help you fully control every movement of your bike.
For a full air sprung fork.
The process to do it will be the same as with the air-sprung front fork. But I will need to first with the rear fork. Set up the rear sag , front sag and adjust rear rebound, front rebound.
Conclusion
Practicing to set up mountain bike suspension can cause a bit confuses from the start but it will be easy once you know how all the system function.
