How To Set Up A Fox Suspension Mountain Bike Fork | MTB Suspension Set Up

The abundance of technical terms can seem overwhelming when it comes to setting up MTB suspension. Luckily, Doddy has had a lot of practice! So here's his guide on setting up you fox fork that will help you establish a good base setting and get you out riding ASAP!
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[@gmbntech]

If you have any other little set up tips share them in the comments below!

[@nichtDarkDiamond]

Making the fork and shock work well together is also important

[@chesterch05]

How about a how to setup for a manitou?

[@amtberproducts]

Check out our S.A.G. cards. Handy set up tool and much smaller than a tape measure. Easy to check your setting on trail. Hi Doddy, do you still have yours from Sea Otter?

[@pb8582]

Always heard that LSC and HSC should be always fully open... One reason for it if you have your sag perfect with the air and the token you should not even have to twist that LSC or HSC... I'm confused cos I got a pike Ultimate and on big drop jump my fork feel great using all the travel but never bottom out! When I start twisting those HSC LSC I see absolutely no difference... So it's always open... Not really too geeky about it either

[@alexkirby280]

is 6 spacer on the 36 2019 and could I fit more ps 160 travel 29 boost

[@sambergstedt]

Another great tutorial from Doddy. I also run minimal compression and add volume spacers as necessary. This makes it feel more connected to the ground and then still able to take a heavy impact when needed. Although I already understood this process, I still watched all of it just to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. Keep the great tutorials coming!

[@jakobjarle4597]

After not really been mtbiking much for almost 20 years, having been on the dark roadie side of cycling, I finally get my new Mountain Bike with a Fox fork to setup next week! I even got some baggy cloths, Flat pedals and knee pads to look the part (don’t want to be the Lycra guy😂). Thanks for the setup tips! Can’t wait!

[@heisenberg1275]

Man I love this channel. You have helped me so much. Thank You!

[@257sombra]

I agree 👍

[@FreediveRN]

Thank you so much, had such trouble with arm pump because i had waaay to much rebound on all the time. My dealer didn‘t explain it to me and had it look up by myself.

[@bugboy152000]

#GMBNTech Followed your advice in an old video and purchased the Epic Bleed Solutions wrench. They work FANTASTIC and far less expensive than the specific sockets. Thanks again Doddy!

[@josephmerwin2351]

Great Video and thank you. Marzocchi brand is also part of the fox fork line I think.

[@morgancook4128]

Marzocchi is owned by fox, similar internals and quality, just different features for a lower price :)

[@gmbntech]

Thanks Joseph and yes they are, just a few different features on Marzocchi

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

As always, another excellent video from Doddy, king of the MTB tech! :)

[@patrikmontemayor3828]

GMBN is the best bikes vlog. Where did you bought your mud guard?

[@zilverruggobanana2111]

Great Video Doddy,. It would be nice if you could do a review on the Z2 from marzocchi

[@Powerhugful]

Yoo, Dodson ma man. How 'bout you make a video on the different types of rear suspension and possibly get some of them bikes that are out there on the market with the more unique linkage designs, like Propain's or Evil's( off the top of my head). I really doubt your sponsors will allow you to showcase other brands but I'll suggest it anyway.

[@alxforth1]

Great info! Which way is fully closed - or +?

[@oliverskjelvan7264]

Fully closed, is the same as when you have it fully clockwisw

[@oliverskjelvan7264]

*clockwise

[@Wilflyheli]

Wish this was done last week, just fitted a fox 38, 160mm travel, running six(max) volume spacers @ 140psi(max) 18%sag LSR 4 clicks HSR 5 clicks LSD 8 clicks HSD 5 clicks. Feels great but would like.it to be a bit more poppy on the low speed for jumping on the trails, more shakedown runs needed

[@keithwebber3616]

Love all your videos there so informative and so helpful especially just getting back into riding and all the changes after 10 years

[@_tuxedocat]

Thank you for the upload. I'm just having a bad day. I hope everyone is having a better day. We need more Doddys in the world.

[@curtisf.r6233]

Gorgeous kitty 😻

[@gmbntech]

Hope your day gets better, and thanks for all the support. We need more cats in this world

[@TimMillernapavalleyfilmworks]

Hope you feel better 🙏

[@pgee70utube]

the video should have explained how to set 'fully closed' is that with the dial set to fully clockwise or fully anti-clockwise?

[@Dukesy]

fully closed is fully turned clockwise

[@CrookStarGaming]

Hi Doddy i have just bought a brand new bike and i have everything set up on it the way i like the only thing i have to do is set up the suspension this video was great but has literally put me off even attempting to do it cheers hahaa

[@Shyd07]

thanks doddy I just got a new trek remedy 8 this video really helped alot

[@charlie9ine]

Nice video Doddy.

[@curtisf.r6233]

Cool video Doddy! 👊😎 nice looking bike you got there!

[@gmbntech]

Cheers Curtis

[@TimMillernapavalleyfilmworks]

What would we do without gmbn 🏆

[@mariusruk2971]

I'm very appreciated for this video. Helped me out thanks

[@Ethanathan2]

Does closed means fully counterclockwise (-) fast as done before measuring sag? Or going the other way clockwise (+) to the maximum? A little confused here, if you could help a buddy out. Thanks!

[@Shauny808]

Closed is fully clockwise, picture it as doing up a lid on a bottle, all the way clockwise, bottle is closed.

[@hugobeastmode03]

Very informative, I’ve been adjusting the clicks from the opened position I did not know you adjust them from the closed position, I’m sure it’s going to change the ride feeling now since I’ve been feeling it a bit harsh on the suspension. So thanks for the info!

[@Ethanathan2]

Does closed means fully counterclockwise (-) fast as done before measuring sag? Or going the other way clockwise (+) to the maximum? A little confused here, if you could help a buddy out. Thanks!

[@topjmmi]

@@Ethanathan2 little late but clockwise (+) fully closed

[@andrewince8824]

Red Rebound. Cyan Compression.

[@gavindiamond9054]

Got the same forks but for 27.5. Used the recommended settings from fox with 2 extra volume tokens. Keep getting numb hands though (feels like major chatter from the trail) no matter what I adjust. I've got a shockwiz connected to help but still the same outcome.

[@MGSCustomBikes]

Great video I noticed in the video all the tools that are on the wall where is the best place to buy tools that are Made just for Mountain Bikes

[@frankthetankricard]

The first setting I'd do on that fork would be sandblasting the lowers. I didn't know a color representation for fingernails scraping a blackboard existed but Fox always delivers something new.

[@Gimodelo]

hy sir ,,from fully close if my fork fox float ctd 32 140 mm travel,,what you mean is full speed rebound or full slow rebound? thanks

[@05GDF]

Great video, very informative thanks.🤘

[@a8f235]

I find it very weird that nobody are talking about preload. Given airpressure = springrate, that must mean that amount of air must equal preload. This means that tokens/volume spacers are your preload adjusters. It would be very good if they would just call them preload tokens which to me at least is a way better term.

[@roger69ramajets]

great lesson here, learnt heaps, the Fox site tip was great too. my question/advise? is when you are taking off the top of the air fork, you let out the air before undoing the top, yeah? GMBN Tech rocks, cheers mate ;)

[@connorhulegaard2012]

Is there a reason to not just leave the shock pump on while setting and checking and adjusting sag? Seems tedious to remove and install over and over.

[@rhuynh]

Great video as usual. Well you be doing the accompanying Fox shock one?

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Blake's airspring in forks is actually bottomless tokens instead of air ;-p

[@sisufitness659]

Should the rebound be set to fully fast or fully slow?

[@WeeklyDigest935]

Can u make a video on cheap popular mountain bikes like the Carrera vengence for example

[@LukaStellwag]

When setting up rebound, fully closed means the dial is set to 'fast' ?

[@stepato]

No. Fully closed means you’ve wound it in all the way tight and essentially closed the valve. All the way to the right (righty tighty) then count the clicks as you un wind it. If you get confused with dials at the bottom of the fork try turning the wheel until your tyre valve is at the top then unscrew and tighten the valve cap...

[@nowitsdone]

Please do shocks, and also what do you do set up first??

[@joostdeen9614]

Yup no recent video on shocks. Would be really appreciated 😄👌🏽

[@BIIIKES]

Why do you use 140/100 x 20 for sag? Just do 140 x .2

[@MrTikdo]

how do i know if i need to put spacers in the shock ? and whats the purpose off doing it ?

[@davidalberius6107]

Thanks for a super nice video! I really struggle to understand the difference in using the lever to make the suspension mor firm or add more air pressure e.g. if i set correct sag in “open” mode, what would be the difference in turning the lever towards firm or add more air pressure? Thanks!

[@davidamora2565]

Rockshox VS Fox. Which one's better?

[@alexanderclifton3385]

I have a fox 34 performance 150mm travel GRIP dampener and I run about 102 psi and my rebound doesn’t work it clicks but I cant feel the difference

[@joshmichael5911]

What is your experience with a Shockwiz.

[@jomorkenstrseth3526]

I have spring forks. There are 2 dials, one rebound and one preload. do I turn it towards - to make the fork quicker for jumping It is hard to find out

[@greyf80m3]

since Marzocchi is a sub-company of Fox, would this video work mostly with marzocchi forks too?

[@dalestephenson4967]

I just baught some new front forks for my bike but each time I lift the front wheel it makes an awful clunk how do I fix this

[@johngiannone736]

How about a DVO set up video?

[@fauziatmandhika7072]

Great video, but i have problem, im using fox 36 160mm RC2, after i ride my bike and i get off the bike the fork didnt return to 160mm, and only return to 150mm. Im using 20% sag, can you help me please? Btw im from Indonesia🇮🇩. Thank u

[@ididathing7438]

What a coincidence I’ve just got the root beer 36s last week and I was about to search up a video on how to set them up, then this vid just popped up as a notification haha that’s crazy

[@markwoolman784]

My fork has no code or table, and talas 120 - 160 on top left of fork, not just a cap to take off?

[@suhwateezea.214]

My fox rythm 36 valve cover piece on the top left fork is like melted into the frickin threads I can't get if off nomatter what.

[@caspar7370]

So what’s the difference to increasing high speed compression to using volume spacers? Also isn’t low speed compression similar to increasing sag?

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

Volume spacers give you a more progressive damping. With less volume to work with, the fork becomes harder at the end of the stroke. Without them, you have a linear action, where the fork dampens the same the whole course.

[@jjacksn21]

I was curious , what's a decent price on pre-owned fox 34 Factory 29. 140 . Recently come across on local classifieds. Thank you

[@kingvegesaurus1298]

So does this work on marzochi

[@dsrtrcr77]

You can just multiply by .2 to get 20% of a number.

[@bigchris80]

what about old 36? think 2013 26"

[@kamelenjager]

I have a question, i have LTHT ( BC podsol, not extreme -pretyy simulair geo to a canyon stoic) with fox 34 140mm fit4 (brand new). I feel like i have to go lower on the pressure to get desired feeling effects. Sag tells me the same I'm at 80-90psi. Fox suggests 96 at my weight. Could this be due the frame geometry? Or maybe because i'm in the netherlands.

[@SteveLomas]

Anyone know what mudguard that is?

[@liam6200]

I always seem to be tweeking my 36, had it for over a year and it always feels different every place I ride, next bike will be rochshox, set and forgot with my wife's pike, much easier.

[@gmbntech]

Hi Liam, if you leave it in one setting and ride it on the same trail a few times then change something that should help you get more of a feel for it

[@MonkeybinStudios]

What does the Fox say?

[@nickytesla1596]

Fully closed????

[@MrGrayFox0]

What do you carry up to 40 pounds in a Camelbak?

[@j.l.5966]

Camera equipment. Camera, tripod, batteries, lenses, lighting, all that along with your usual riding gear can easily get to 40lbs or more.

[@nichtDarkDiamond]

Is ist ok to run 45 psi (sometimes even a little bit less) in the 36 grip2? I am a verrrrry light rider and i only get around the 22.5% sag I want if i run that low pressure.

[@juderyzen1313]

yes.. i run 50 psi with 2 spacer and my weight is 85kg full gear.. i dont have jumps just a technical trail i ride

[@hugor.b.6351]

dude the clicks goes from fully close (fully turn to counterclock) to open...

[@BMH1965]

What does 'fully closed' mean? My forks are the Fox 36 Rhythm Grip.

[@lour3548]

Every one of these shock setup videos is made confusing by the fact that "rebound" and "compression" are used to describe "rebound damping" and "compression damping." It is not helpful to say "if you are heavier, with more air volume in your spring, you will need more rebound." No. No. No. You will have more rebound from the stronger spring, therefore, you will need more rebound DAMPING. I'm not sure if the "gurus" doing these videos actually realize this or not. Perhaps, they are simply used to talking in abbreviated language. But, it is not helpful for people who need help with this stuff.

[@krissv3ctor512]

Why am I watching this? I don’t even own a shock pump lol

[@krissv3ctor512]

@@RealMTBAddict I haven’t gotten around to buying one yet

[@Fincher123]

Really????? How to for FOX! Just send them to Fox themself and let them watch these Series. What we need is how to set up RockShox Front and rear because there is a big lack if missing information for Setups... even with the trailhead site.

[@gmbntech]

We'll add it to the list Finch

[@bentoth2494]

Do I have fox? No, I have rockshox….. but like, I’m bored. Why not watch it lol

[@suhwateezea.214]

The little cover piece you have to unscrew in order to access the valve in the shock has been tightened down by the silverback gorillas at the specialized dealer I got my bike from. Now I cant tune my forks unless I drive back to those morons

[@gustav540]

Aaaaay virst comment

[@thesupernad]

140/100 x 20.... or you could just do 140 x 20%(.2)

[@mohdallif8492]

Talk to much 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@mnmz6934]

honestly, you are making this more complicated than it should be...

[@neilmartinez143]

At 6:15, you turned the fork compression counter clockwise but turned the red rebound knob below clockwise. Aren’t you supposed to turn both compression and rebound knobs counter clockwise? Thanks.

[@chiccorocker]

Suspension setup is a dark art. Knowing what each dial does is very important, but it's only half of the problem. Having them working together in harmony is way more complicated for me

[@gmbntech]

It takes a while to learn and often it can be hard to get it right unless you put the time in to *feel* how it changes the ride

[@chiccorocker]

@@gmbntech indeed, need to just find the right piece of trail doing multiple rides back to back with different settings to really tune the setup. Thank you for all your videos to help with this wonderful hobby / sport

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

Yes...When you don't read the manual provided.

[@rob92026]

Great general setup video and thank you for also mentioning the GRIP and FIT versions - many tuning videos only seem to focus on the highest end model. One thing, however, you did not mention equalizing the negative air spring when changing out the volume spacers or if you should happen to let all of the air out of the fork.

[@MrJollof]

Thank u so much, I have scott scale 940 with fox float 29's 100mm travel, and this helped

[@gmbntech]

You're very welcome! Glad we could help

[@jakejoevenazzo1478]

Great video, really helped! You guys should make a video like this but with a fox DHX2 as I know it’s a quite confusing process.

[@tecapparatus]

What's fully closed? + or -?

[@charlton5787]

Listening to this educate me but also makes me glad I work in construction and we know ways around everything so I’m sure if I ever ran into a situation where something got rounded we could easily incompetently remove that lower part about causing any further damage

[@mtbwithshane5699]

Thanks for this! Ive been riding that nukeproof you have in the video for a few weeks now and love the fox factory suspension after finally dialing it in! Cheers from the USA.

[@thim8009]

I'm trying to set up my grip 2 where smooth over chatter and take big hits. I think I'm close then I fly over roots or braking bumps and get jarred, then I have to wait a while before I get to ride again. The process for me takes a long time with not riding all the time.

[@dabestktf84]

Awesome review. Everything got covered - all pieces of info that I`ve been collecting here and there over youtube - is gathered here. Thanks a lot and "Hi" from Ukraine ).

[@ryanford5387]

I have a DT Swiss fork, someone explain why I'm watching this 😂

[@jerryx2000]

Hi is it bad to lower the recommend air pressure if you are not using the full travel?

[@ethanhouston2433]

I wonder the same thing.

[@a.w2776]

I stupidly checked the psi of my fork. I released some air. Now I cannot get tyhr fork to return to original height. So silly. Any ideas?

[@emilydav2980]

It went together easily in less than an hour. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

3 yrs later Fox has concluded that nah, you don't need all that tunability. Oh and sram is switching to mineral oil 😂

[@joshuacarusi1977]

So, less dampening equals faster rebound?

[@garysbraccia4980]

counterclockwise is full closed??

[@AdamMock]

You had mentioned for your weight of 89kg that Fox recommends 5 clicks of HS compression and 10 clicks of LS compression. Are those numbers reversed? Fox seems to recommend 10 clicks of HS and 6 clicks of LS to start out. I couldn't find any info about recommended compression by weight. Thanks!

[@FLIGHTCOMPANY]

GMBN - I read your company acronym as "Good Morning Biking Nation"

[@fernandopoblete6064]

How do you fully close the rebound? All the way to the left or to the right?

[@judokazuzu]

🥰🥰🥰

[@outdooradventures1361]

🐔

[@mara2382]

great video! I recently got a 2019er giant trance 2 29" with 130mm 34 fox rhythm and maestro 115 fox dps which I'm tinkering with... when set to my weight + gear (65kg) and riding a (smallish) jump/drop i got the feeling that especially the rear uses nearly all travel. would you rather recommend to pump it up for light bikepark, set it on the middle setting or put some spacers in? cheers & ride in 🤙🏼

[@Dukesy]

Great video. Just to confirm that I have all of the dials fully undone to set the sag