1 suspension trick you need to know.

#mtb #mtblife
The one most important and widely undiscussed principle for better suspension set-up is probably the opposite of what you think.
Check out the second video in this series where we demystify Rebound and Compression tuning here: • Rebound & Compression ...
Semi-Sendy on Instagram: / semi_sendy

[@noahlara13]

This videos is a must watch for 95% of riders. Seen almost everyone, even myself make those mistakes

[@SemiSendy]

Thanks, Noah! 🤘😊

[@087pro]

X2, but that monotone put me right to sleep

[@sepg5084]

@@087pro you need to improve your attention span. not every youtuber need to sound like a "for kids" channel.

[@pingwingugu5]

@@087pro Try using the speed up playback. There are few KZbin channels that I love to watch but they just put me to sleep on normal speed on 1.25 or 1.5 they are perfect.

[@kangsterizer]

to be fair most youtubers including big channels give bad guidance, weirdly

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

Take away - “Run more pressure than you probably think”. Totally agree. I’ve found this out through trial and error. It doesn’t feel more harsh at 100psi compared to the 85psi I was running previously and I’m sitting higher in the travel.

[@toddpalmer5656]

OMG!! I've been making BOTH those mistakes for years! Finally, a video that clearly explains why more air/less sag is actually a solution to more supple ride. I love how this is not a manufacturer specific issue but something that should really be considered "Air Shock 101." I've never considered adding air pressure out of fear it would make my riding experience worse, but it has changed everything for me. Not only have I finally found the suppleness I've been searching for, but my bike is handling significantly better. I actually started to blame my bike as potentially having a "poor design" for the sketchy loose feel. Funny...such a simple (but hard-to-find) solution.

[@nathanmizener7897]

In a MTB video space that is overrun with suspension set-up guides, this is legitimately good advice that is typically not stated elsewhere, and I can personally vouch for the truth in both of your points. Super quality content, love the channel, keep it up.

[@SemiSendy]

Thanks, Nathan!

[@sepg5084]

Other channels don't mention this because they assume that people will actually follow the manufacturer's instructions and not try to be smart by doing their own thing. Putting your settings on the lower side of the range is still "in -ange", and there's nothing wrong with it as long as you make your adjustments while keeping the settings in-range.

[@heichristians]

@@sepg5084 that's true Sep G. Just keep the SAG on this manufacturers 30% allways!

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Some suspension guides in bicycle magazines are becoming "SPACE FILLERS " rather than getting to the point promptly .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@Kyrpaable But it depends on total fork travel and also oil level / S.S.V. response / oil displacement rates .

[@TFritz82]

YES, thanks for sharing this! This same exact topic gets hashed over and over again on every forum, etc for 'rough, harsh' feeling suspension! LESS isn't MORE!

[@MrFereshteyeh]

Man, this is gold content! I never thought of that way and I've been riding ''wrong'' all those years! Thank you!

[@iandekam7310]

Excellent teaching voice, because you talk at a steady pace and use clear simple language.. I'm a retired/tired English teacher and your explanations are the best I've encountered. Thanks for your help in making my riding safer and more enjoyable!

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

I only do live tutorials but tend to speak quickly as I have worked in radio broadcasting .

[@kaibrittain17]

SO glad somebody can break it down properly, Thank you!

[@BananaMonstaaaa]

I come from brakeless bmx, so my natural inclination has always been to run a high pressure for a more "rigid" feel. Plenty of people have told me I should drop 10-15psi in my fork, but I always felt nothing I was doing needed that much travel. This completely validates what I already kinda knew, and without the youtube fluff!

[@Jean-jk4zv]

exactly the same here, I run way higher psi than others especially with the rear shock, I'm so used to absorb impacts with my body I don't need that much travel, I'm running 120/120 on trails

[@Chrissy-H]

This is something which is mentioned a lot in motocross suspension setup, but i've rarely seen mentioned for MTB's. Commonly, amateur motocross guys will just go softer and softer on their preload and damping dials to dial out harshness or reduce arm pump, and the fork ends up operating deeper into its stroke and the harshness just gets worse.

[@rollwithmemtb]

This is super helpful! I have made this same mistake. Great, logical explanation that cuts through the confusion and will benefit a bunch of people. Thanks for making this 👍

[@SemiSendy]

Thank you! I hope it’s helpful to a lot of people.

[@mooshmackenzie1949]

Without a doubt the most informative short vid about air pressures. Been out of the riding game for twelve years and so much tech to try and take in now. Great stuff mate.

[@SemiSendy]

Thanks, Moosh!

[@jostkosak7546]

The simplest expanation of fundamentals how to setup forks I have ever watched on YT. Good job! 👍

[@Mikelavoridesbikes]

One of the best most comprehensive shock setting video I've seen (I've seen many)

[@ryanj9245]

Your right, no one really mentions this in any other suspension video but it’s a great point! I have been doing this recently trying to soften the beginning of my forks travel. Thanks

[@rog86]

Boom!.... ive been thinking the same on both of these points for a few years. But never heard anyone else say it. Great to see. Everyone should see this vid. At last!!! 👏

[@dskordo]

A very well articulated description of a common setup pitfall. I've made this mistake a few times in years past. Thanks for posting.

[@SemiSendy]

Thank you, Dino! Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@keiwa5584]

good to know that there are lots of us who think the same way. i am just a beginner by all means, but i always wanted to ride higher on my suspension travel because i wanted to maintain the geometry of the bike , i don't want to feel like going over the bar when emergency braking and i wanted to reserve the rest of the travel for bigger hits, especially, that i'm using a hardtail.

[@SinominStudios]

This PERFECTLY explains my problem with my fork!! Thanks so much for the video, you did a really good job explaining it, and I would easily think you have at least 100,000 subs. Great video production, I subscribed.

[@discostu333]

Probably the most important thing to know when setting up suspension. Great vid!

[@lachlanmcdermid8539]

This makes so much sense!! Thank a bunch for explaining!

[@jkeiffer]

Got me to check my air pressure, and I let some out since I weigh less than I used to. My fork never felt better. Glad to have some small bump compliance back. I agree with everyone else that this was very helpful.

[@gregmcmaster6050]

Thanks for the great video. I’ve always been under the impression I should use all of my travel and will be given this ago today. Cheers from a newbie

[@tihomirlovric2983]

Tnx! Im new to full suspension and any video tutorial is great!

[@Aidanrides]

This video was the most useful video I’ve seen on suspension setup

[@thecount1001]

agree completely. on forks 160mm and greater, using full travel is rarely desirable. the fork travel is there to both maintain a certain 'dynamic ride height' and geometry for riding hard and the last say, 20mm of travel are purely reserve for the biggest (and probably, unplanned) hits that are potentially saving you (maybe) from full loss of control and dirt or rock nap.

[@RootsRocksRaffi]

This very concisely explains why my newer Pike, which rides much higher in its travel than the outgoing version, actually feels incredibly smooth. Great advice and a fresh point of view to keep in mind!

[@chrisallen5293]

Great video Rich. Explanations were spot on and simple. Wish I would have heard this years ago. Would have saved myself a lot of suspension tuning time. Had to learn the hard way

[@SemiSendy]

Glad you enjoyed it! I too had to learn the hard way. This approach was definitely a light bulb moment for me.

[@Oper8or]

That was an excellent explanation! I never really thought of it that way and will use this information from now on.

[@SemiSendy]

Glad it was helpful, Oper8or!

[@willc8542]

This video was right on time for me. After my ride this morning, I was under the mistaken idea of the "100% travel" myth and was about to increase my sag lol. Thanks!

[@rubenvor]

Best suspension setup video ever!

[@K15oy]

This was "shoking" to me. Thank you!!

[@ericjesscunningham2563]

Man the amount of camera work and riding shots to go along with your explanations is amazing! Awesome riding!

[@SemiSendy]

Thank you! 🤘

[@joshschaefer4001]

Wow I never thought of it this way. This is really interesting. Great insightful video!

[@olliechristopher467]

Good job my man!! I follow this rule on motorcycles. I like less sag (riding high in the stroke) and lighter valving so most of the travel is plush. I see it's pretty much the same for air suspension.

[@tonya9614]

Well done sir, plenty of good food for thought!

[@zachbartenstein4967]

So grateful for this video. Just changed my perception on pressure for my forks 👍

[@SemiSendy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tbugofficial]

if you have "bottomless tokens" or volume spacers in your fork/shock, remove them before changing air pressure/sag. the ramp up in spring force will happen later in the travel. Works especially well for lightweight riders like myself on longer travel bikes.

[@Daantjuhh132]

Very much depends on your situation. To not bottom out my fork when riding, i had to decrease my sag below the advised values. At that point it can actually help, as too little sag is also not good for performance.

[@dereknicol3465]

Unless ur more than 110kgs

[@trickyrickymtb5622]

Learned a lot from this, I was doing exactly what said, going softer to increase suppleness.

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Extremely helpful, thanks! 👍

[@BWGPEI]

After 30 years I have my first air shock. Thanks for the advice!

[@geocrisanda]

Until now I was the one who was thinking that more sag more fun:) I will change my bike configuration! Thanks man&have fun!

[@aamcowalnutcreek9568]

Recently replaced a stolen Yeti SB115 with a Revel Ranger and your Ranger video helped me realize I made a fine upgrade. Thanks for the simple suspension breakdown! Derek

[@SemiSendy]

Huge bummer on the SB115, but I'm really glad to hear you were able to replace it with the Ranger. I know I've not talked about it on the channel too much since my initial video on it, but it's honestly my favorite bike I own right now....and possibly ever. It's just such a lively, playful and capable bike.

[@FanatikBikeCo]

Well done! I always try and approach topics like this from the mindset of someone who hasn't really encountered these ideas before; it's easy to make assumptions about how people think about more complex ideas. You totally hit the nail on the head in terms of clarity and context! Cheers - Dan at Fanatik

[@SemiSendy]

Thanks, Dan! I've got some good friends in B'ham I hope to visit this season. I'll have to swing by the shop when I make it out there. 🤘😊

[@FanatikBikeCo]

@@SemiSendy Please do! - Dan at Fanatik

[@mountainbikingfortherestofus]

Very well done. Good information, professional video editing. Even after many years of riding, suspension set-up is my Achilles heal in mountain biking. It is like I have a brain block or something...

[@scottoneill774]

Great content. very good explanation. Thanks

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Spot on. I came to this realisation naturally when I decided to put more air in at both ends to firm up the bike for smoother terrain. What I noticed was with more air, I was getting a smoother response on smaller trail chatter at both ends. At lower pressures, as stated - I was riding more in the stroke of my suspension and it wasn't responding well to chatter on the trail.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

But you can go too far with too high an air pressure level . The optimum range is fairly narrow .

[@pudekuf25]

Great video. I was just having the issues you discussed in this video so this came at the perfect time for me. Thank you! .....subbed

[@cyrusdolph2339]

Hahaha! Just went for a ride yesterday with a new high-end fork...without making any adjustments! Was so harsh my hands almost flew off the grips. This video came at just the right time and is the most valuable suspension video Ive seen. I agree, without getting Sag right, nothing else will be optimal. Thanks so much!

[@quietknight8250]

Great clip, great insight. Thankyou, and well done.

[@SemiSendy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@in2gravitylife]

Exactly... I've been riding all my life and it takes a willingness to constantly work with your suspension. You will get it wrong many times before you get it right, but too soft will cause as many problems as too hard. It took me two years of riding, racing, and changing components on my KX 450 before I finally came up with settings that I liked. I am now riding and racing a 2021 Canyon Torque CF 9 and I am going through the same scenario, but getting closer everyday. Get a digital air gauge, a notebook, and keep track of settings for the places your ride be it XC or downhill.

[@SemiSendy]

So true! I think the tough part here is that when people come into the sport, they aren't doing so to get into suspension tuning, they are doing it to have fun on two wheels out in the woods. Setting up suspension feels like more of a hurdle and annoyance when all you want to do is go ride your bike. My hope with this video (and a couple that will follow including one that I'm putting out today) is to try and simplify things enough to help avoid pitfalls and get people a little more comfortable with finding something that works a bit better and helps maximize their fun on the trail. Today's video release focuses on rebound and compression, and I've tried my best to make it a bit less intimidating.

[@adrianmcleod2983]

🙏🙏🙏 that was perfect. Exactly what I needed to know

[@andrewevans9514]

Very helpful and easy to understand thanks 🙏

[@SylvainLasnier]

Smart and crystal clear 👍

[@mtbjoser]

Found it useful, and subscribed. Thanks for the info!

[@TheDazzerRTW]

excellent and very well explained. Thank you

[@MoGoldstein]

Absolutely useful and simple explanation… thanks!

[@SemiSendy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@francomcsherrypostalteammt2196]

This video could be the light bulb moment I've been waiting for!! Cheers bro! Gonna reset ma suspension the morra and try it out! 🤘

[@SemiSendy]

Hope it helps!

[@johnchristopher5075]

What a excellent tutorial! Thanks! Nuff Respect!

[@SemiSendy]

Much appreciated, John!

[@AaronDav-nq8hk]

Very good explanation. Thankyou!

[@NaZ-rs1dd]

Best set-up/ education vid

[@KnightLim]

Spot on! that's a quality content and info. Thanks a lot.

[@SemiSendy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mtblover]

100% spot on video. 👌🤙

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

I've made the last one a time ago. I used think I needed to be using all the travel: until I went over the bars a couple times in steeper terrain. I was blowing through the travel too fast in more gnar. I guess I learned it the hard way. Great job on these tips. 🤙

[@SemiSendy]

I learned the hard way too. 🤦🏻😂

[@RyandeMilliano]

Very useful, thank you for the clear tips. Cheers

[@kithkani]

Thanks, I was in the guilty camp of letting more air out! This cleared it up =D

[@VideoPresence2020]

Useful video. Thanks.

[@Cfass1]

Damn dawg you just flipped my world upside down 👍🏼

[@Alex-sc9qc]

Really good advice! I'm new to mtb'ing and have been playing around alot but I'm glad I came across this video.. I just subscribed too! Explained it so well.

[@SemiSendy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alexisonbike3652]

I'm trying out a Bomber Z1 coil this summer, can't wait to see how it compares

[@pscl227]

Excellent info, thank you!

[@timomakkonen4525]

Thanks for reminding this!

[@JDlmFUPR]

Great vid, thanks!

[@mikereed100]

Another advantage to running less sag is that the bottom bracket height is increased leading to fewer pedal strikes.

[@darrinkulyk9560]

I Run 12% Both Coils 😎

[@IIISentorIII]

@@darrinkulyk9560 Try 11% it's a gemchanger!

[@nicholashines7686]

Man that was an awesome review I guess I never thought about the suppleness at the top of the stroke like you explained it I’m going to increase the air pressure back to my standards act right and see how it goes

[@walterbruce6053]

Great video Rich and good information. I will rethink my fork and rear shock setup. Like many other folks I have my rear shock sag set at the extreme limit thinking that would give me a more supple ride. I have only been riding a full suspension bike since last fall when I added one to my antique hardtail. I am still experimenting.

[@SemiSendy]

Glad to help!

[@rantingwrench]

Of all of the suspension chat on KZbin, I would recommend watching Vorsprung Suspension's 'Tuesday Tune' series. Deep concepts, explained clearly by someone who actually has the knowledge to back it up! He is also an advocate of simply cutting off your travel O-ring, which similar to your last point, absolutely makes sense to me.

[@SemiSendy]

I’m in the o-ring is mostly useless camp as well. I’ll have to check out the Tuesday tune stuff sometime. Quite a few things I’ve learned over the years have come from guys like Steve.

[@SecretSpots]

Outstanding advice! 👌

[@franklee6301]

That was explained very well.

[@oryxblack4167]

Helpful video. awesome mate, thanks

[@marcelknop1]

Excellent video. I have recently taken the same view as what you provide in this video and have gone to firmer spring as well as firmer overall in terms of Low Speed compression. I realised that I was losing a lot of my energy inputs to my ride because I was running my suspension too plush for the terrain that I ride. This was a result of exactly the mentality that you describe in your video i.e I am not using 80% of my travel so let some more air out etc. While plush feels comfortable, I discovered , when riding a hire bike and afterwards changing my set up approach, that my plush set up was causing me to lose speed on the trails because my pumping inputs were being absorbed by my suspension. In addition, the bike was less "poppy" off small bumps and big jumps in the plush setting. I started experimenting on both my bikes suspension set up and have gone to less sag and from fully open to closing by a few clicks the LSC setting and find a completely different ride. In addition, on the uphills I am not sagging in to and jagging on to obstacles, and am using less energy on the climbs. EDIT: I am always experimenting with settings anyway, but the current set up results in a suspension that feels more like a Ferrari as opposed to previously feeling like a rocking boat in a storm, especially when moving the body weight around. I don't dive as much under braking. Down steeper trails and over obstacles I am riding higher in the travel with the result that I don't feel like I am overbalancing towards the front of the bike.

[@gavva2010]

Fantastic vid, makes complete sense - I just put 160psi in my front forks & 300 in the rear - to get the sag right to the bare minimum, for my weight.

[@rubbermoetroken]

Awesome vid that every biker needs to see :-) It is also the reason why I ride spring f+r at 25% sag (Ohlins on Sworks Enduro), exactly for the reasons explained. Thanks.

[@theprinceofliberia6793]

Thank you sir. I have a cheap Diamondback Lone 27.5" I got for $850 for the winter from performance bicycle before the closed. My Original fork SR suntour XCR got seized because inwas riding it for 4 years and never serviced it, so now I am upgrading do Minatou Markhor 27.5" 9×100mm straight steerer and I am verybglad and thankful that I've watched this video because I learned from it that I pretty much destroyed the original fork by doing exactly what you said, making it looser even though it wasn't air fork it bottomed out on me many times. Thanks you, now This new fork will last me much longer. Owe you 🍺 🍻 🍺

[@marklouieadame]

Finally now i understand the SAG and setup

[@canobeans78]

Well done video! Just subscribed! I keep on letting air out to feel like I am getting all the travel put of my fork

[@cantstandthecrap]

Its so well explained! GMBN could learn from this ;)

[@Mrod24_7]

I ride a 170 170 bike and run 18% sag in my fork amd 28% in my shock and the bike is an absolute caddie but still pumps and boost so hard. This video is spot on!!!

[@boblatkey7160]

Vorsprung smashpot up front and Push eleven six in back! So lovely!

[@newbiemtnbikelove3110]

Excellent and concise info:) I have to explain this often at East Ridge Bikes (where i work). I am going to have this video on hand for my new (and experienced) MTBers. Simple but hard to relate sometimes. Thanks man:)

[@SemiSendy]

Cheers! 🤘

[@GF-cb8rr]

The worst initial setup advice, when I got into riding, was that your fork should use all of its travel at least once or twice on the trail you ride. ..... This video is spot on 👍🏻

[@david94549]

I think the logic is almost there. The fork should use all of its travel once or twice a ride, by hitting a trail/feature that makes it do that

[@gesundheitstips2197]

I remember the advice as „use all the travel on the highest drop you are doing on your doing on a normal ride“. But the saying also dosent consider, that some people are „overbiked“.

[@weathdone]

Ditto.. this vid opened my eyes to the basic truth.. hard to find nowadays!!! Kudos to this channel

[@bikechiatrist]

Nice. Added understanding to to it works 🙏🏽

[@markmontgomery2562]

Smile /// Just got into mountain biking and after half a dozen rides was going to start adjusting suspension from the standard settings. Yes i was going to start lower pressure in my forks and shock to cushion ride on trials with smaller roots and rocks. Thank you for this info. I would of just been screwing myself going to wrong direction .

[@SemiSendy]

Absolutely, glad to help, Mark! At the end of the day, it's all about what feels best to you, don't don't be afraid to explore around a bit. If you want to takes things a bit further one you get your pressure dialed, check out the follow up video to this one for Rebound and Compression settings. You'll definitely want to make sure you get your rebound setup too if nothing else!

[@rebermike]

This information is perfect!

[@rafaelmacaroun]

Great insights, thank you.

[@SemiSendy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dashingboy11]

I like it very much and it looks very nice

[@molecularbiologycentralhea56]

Woohoo!!!!! A Titan Racing Cypher in the video. Awesome bike! Extremely unknown and largely under rated.

[@MTBTexasBikeRider]

Great video Thank you 👍😎

[@justinw]

Awesome stuff! great video!

[@SemiSendy]

Thanks!

[@raketoped663]

subbed, got me first word. nice and relaxed presented, good information. thank you!

[@forestkan6653]

Ugh I wish this video came out sooner! I made these mistakes and am just now realizing why my fork feels dialed after adding air! Settled on a nice 69 psi for my 36