How MTB Suspension Works Explained For Dummies

Ever wondered what the knobs on MTB Shocks actually do? Maybe you want to know what Compression and Rebound Damping mean? What the difference between the High and Low Speed Compression Adjustments. Today we're looking at how MTB shocks and suspension work, and explaining them in very simple terms. *This video is not intended for engineers. Many of the concepts have been oversimplified to help make sense of these adjustments. It's also worth noting that every shock is different and how these adjustments actually work will vary greatly between different make and models.*
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#MTBsuspension #mountainbikes #techtuesday

[@goozzz666]

EDUCATIONAL VIDEO ON KZbin?! NO CRASHES NO CLICKBAIT NO STUPID THINGS??? ARE YOU CRAZY?! GOD BLESS YOU PHIL, THE LAST WARRIOR OF KNOWLEDGE!

[@gabrielleute9911]

Yeah but it’s still something you have to buy

[@maplic]

Gabriel Leute what do you HAVE to buy here? I just watched it for free

[@gabrielleute9911]

@@maplica fork or shock

[@HKgaming86]

@@gabrielleute9911 some skills with phil stickers

[@gabrielleute9911]

@@HKgaming86 haha

[@newttella1043]

If you taught science in high school, kids would never drop out.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I've always enjoyed teachers who took complicated topics and made them simple instead of trying to brute force the learning of information.

[@FatGuyBiking]

Probably one of the best explanations of different suspension systems this will definitely be a go to video I will recommend to people wondering how suspension adjustments work and generally just how suspension works. This is a wonderfully informative video and even though you think your animations skills are lacking I thought they were great!! Awesome video!!

[@Wizler71]

I agree. I admit that I wasn't terribly interested but I watched anyway. The examples and illustrations are well done, they explain the mechanics clearly and I learned some things. In the end, I found this quite interesting!

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Second. A very to the point and well explained video for explaining what the shock does including High and Low Speed Compression which would also apply to Damping. Thanks.

[@GlitchyPics]

Couldn’t agree more.

[@peibikeguy]

I think your "Limited" animation skills actually work better here to explain this in a simple manner. This is a great explanation! Thanks Phil.

[@sbw1980]

I'd love to see a continuation of this where you're out on the trail and adjusting things and marking the differences and referencing this video (which is an awesome explanation). Great job on this explanation. I love the "how stuff works" approach. I learned something from this.

[@laneherrlinger7478]

Please

[@MTBMOR]

This is a great idea...I would love to see this while you are prepping for a race

[@skardi1]

Wow Phil thats the clearest explanation i have seen. Keep up the good work.

[@DominicToretto-nf4xn]

This seems sarcastic

[@mtbmike]

i am a mechanical engineer and let me tell you that is one great explanation on how bike suspensions work, there are a lot more details on designs and fluid mechanics but your video goes straight to point. Great job

[@patrolshreddin5609]

You look as bored as me when watching those types of videos. Thanks for all that you do for the MTB community.Great breakdown and easy to follow, just what the Dr. ordered !

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I personally find them interesting, but a lot of times they cab be really hard to follow. Lots of jargon is thrown around which makes them very hard to follow.

[@FDB77]

The “S H O C K I N G” truth. Jesus Phil... 😂

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Hopefully the suspense didn't kill you... I'll see myself out.

[@FDB77]

Why Phil why?! 😂😂

[@dummkompf]

somehow I missed the puns and just saw clickbait. lol it was actually a great video though

[@leanasf821]

I almost break down in tears

[@angelikult]

I think he prefers just Phil

[@BenNemec]

That demonstration with the spring-loaded plunger might be the best visualization of how a suspension works that I've seen yet!

[@ThisIsGoingDownhill]

You are like a "moron whisperer". I never really understood the way the adjustments worked before. I knew what they were for, but understanding how they work goes a lot further into being able to use them properly. I have experienced this a few times watching your videos. Your knowledge is pure. The ability to explain fairly complex things in a simple and concise manner is a bit of an art. You sir are an artist. Thank you.

[@mtbshredder5719]

one of the best illustrations of how it actually works. Awesome work!

[@cliffsangelsphotography]

Holy crap! Phil just sent it... with science!🤟 Your explanation was the best I've ever seen. It was simple and easy to understand. Keep up the great work!

[@profesam8457]

Don’t depricate your animations. They were terrific. I thought I understood it before but. No. Now I really do. Thanks Phil!

[@churnstyle]

Jesus Christ, this is a great video. Nice animations dude

[@garethluke9146]

After pouring through countless, well the first 90 seconds, of videos on suspension I finally see your clear as glass explanation and application. I second the comment “If you only taught high school science….” “Well played sir”.

[@benridesbikes6975]

Seriously one of the most concise and clear explanations on KZbin. The animations were on point too!

[@MTBMOR]

Great video and thank you. I was admiring your animation skills and thinking... "Maybe I should just retire from making videos" because they were that good. I am now a little less confused about my suspension.

[@jakegoss547]

Just seeing this now for the first time after a google search for the topic out of curiosity and I gotta say Phil, that is one of the best explanations of sus ever! Always crushing the MTB content dude!

[@Bayplaces]

I've heard a handful of lifelong bike mechanics explain suspension both in person and online. Two of them are at the top in terms of industry recognition. None of them explained it as concisely. Well done Phil. I hope they all just reference your video in the future.

[@slappdaddy8]

Brilliant! Thanks for bringing this stuff back to earth for us common folk to understand!!! Several months after buying my bike - Santa Cruz 5010 - I realize that I left the shop without knowing the language I needed to dial-in my ride. Thanks to great KZbinrs, like yourself - I FINALLY feel as if I have dialed-in a great ride!!! Thanks!

[@jinda8897]

Been watching a lot of suspension videos and still cannot get how it works but this is so far the best I've seen. I don't know why I'm only seeing this now.

[@CanIHasThisName]

Wow! Hands down, probably the best explanation video for laymen I've seen to date. So simple, straightforward, yet very informative at.

[@rupedog]

Great and as always super clear explanation...whether its teaching jumping or explaining rebound, u are simply the best at explaining it. Period. 👏👏👏👏

[@dieseldavedick]

Appreciate the straight forward explanation, the diagrams make this sooo much easier to understand. Thanks you

[@sdoobzfishing2308]

I love how you go so in depth with the explanation but do it in a way everyone can understand, Great video!

[@wadepratt9654]

Good to know your still making videos phill. I was gettin worried cuz i needed my skills with phill fix. Its been a couple months and i didnt know what to do lol. Love your videos man. I still have a couple stickers left, but will be ordering more after i find a place for the ones i still have. Keep up the great work man🤘

[@TheBreaded]

This is actually a really good explanation of how shocks work for anything. Good job!

[@hansiwurst7492]

One of the best sus explanations so far! Keep up the good work!

[@niklask.7333]

Even my english skills are limited, I understood everything. Love the video. Thank you for explanation!

[@vikhmanboys966]

I just watched 5 different video on this. And finally someone who enlightened me with this simple but yet very clever technology.

[@ross_rusher0243]

Great job Phil with explaining how suspension works! You're pretty much spot on! All you need to cover is the high and low speed rebound and you're pretty much covered most of it.

[@mountainman7025]

Perfect! Simple explanations + used layman's terms + simplified diagrams = VERY UNDERSTANDABLE.

[@Holotype]

Phil, this is *really* well done. Hits the fundamentals, clear, concise, doesn't distort facts in an effort to simplify. The only thing I can suggest is slightly lower levels for the background track!

[@sapinva]

Great explanation, full coverage and yet concise.

[@JayBirdPhotos]

Great explanation and animations. Out of all the video's regarding suspension compression and dampening I finally understand it a lot better. Thanks Phil.

[@WERTYBD]

Bro, this is the best suspension video I’ve ever seen. I work in a shop and literally until this video I could not wrap my head around low and high speed compression adjustments.

[@crrico83]

I'm a bike mechanic and have tried thousands of times to explain this to people. Brilliant job man. Question though. Who's idea was syringe thing? I’m kind of jealous I didn’t think of it. It’s a perfect way to help people visualize what’s going on.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Mine :) I've been had this video idea brewing for a while. And Hailey works in a biology lab. The hardest part was figuring out how to visually demonstrate these things.

[@crrico83]

Skills With Phil absolutely brilliant. I might even set something like this up at the shop for demonstration. Credit for the idea will go directly to you😁

[@garyblenkinsopp2394]

Thought that you did a great job of explaining it Phil. Animation more than adequate to explain a properly nuanced subject. I feel that I will understand suspension for AT LEAST the next hour. I made need to rewatch to consolidate my knowledge (and tweak my suspension adjustments) .Thanks man, good job

[@SPFhealthy]

The best suspension video I've seen so far for helping me to understand it. Thank you for all the work you put into this video

[@project4funner]

By FAR the best suspension video I’ve ever seen!

[@ghustavus]

Awesome video man! Finally, I understand how the adjustment works properly. Tnx!

[@totofx]

Great video like always my favorite mtb channel!!! Keep up the good work!

[@maxkeppel3234]

I wish I could hit like on this video more than once. Loved it. I tend to geek out on learning how stuff like this works, and honestly, I'm surprised I never looked all this stuff up until now (I'm an engineering student). Keep up the great work Phil. Would LOVE to see more stuff like this!

[@garykidson]

Very clear and concise explanation. Thanks Phil

[@rushcentrale]

This was the best video I've seen in months.

[@Kejsh22]

This is really a fantastic video. Simple animations are easy to understand so it really helped me. Thanks!

[@Cubenga]

Great video! The explanation was really great and easy to understand. Would love to see more of these. And/or more indepth etc

[@mattmiller5673]

Best explanation I have heard and seen. Now I can adjust my suspension and know what I am actually doing, thank you Phil!!!

[@tyleryoung8994]

Love your vids Phil, big fan. Keep up the great work!

[@patdrumm3770]

Hey nice job with the animations! I think that simplified it very nicely without being condescending. Thanks Phil!

[@Bizzybugproductions]

Judging by the thumbnail, I never would've thought this video to be so well done

[@irenelim5134]

Best explanation I’ve seen so far.👍🏻👍🏻

[@css2538]

The video I've been looking for. It clearly explained the things that should be explained. Thanks man

[@DavidQuin]

Awesome work Phil that is the best description of how suspension works I have ever seen, btw love your videos

[@Modern_Family]

🤯 Thank you for the detailed video on forks! Love the videos my dude!

[@marcbrigham8569]

I love the animations, it makes its a lot more clearer how it all works...keep up the good work!

[@onehelewaguy]

This was a GREAT video on suspension- the syringes with and without the damper was great- awesome to see it in action. I still think LSC is alchemy, but I know something happens when I turn that dial! Anyway, it helped to SEE what happens, not just say it happens. Well done Phil! Keep it up!

[@brian_simmons_]

That was really good Phil, really helps understand it better.

[@Daniel-hh2kh]

I have been trying to understand this for ages and this just worked perfectly thanks for all the excellent video's, especially this one

[@bbens999]

Great video. Thank you! The animation was perfectly sufficient!

[@MountainBikePete]

Clear and precise! I actually understood that! Made total sense. Thanks Phil!

[@ZionistInfidel]

Excellent video and production quality here Phil, did a great job of explaining and I feel like I learned something.

[@benshapiroisgay]

if you're looking into suspension mechanics for the first time, this video is a great start. Watch 30 more videos and come back here and this will make even more sense

[@peterlang5047]

Thank you for making the most informative and understandable video on KZbin

[@alexunlv]

Great video! Very helpful and informative!

[@nickrogers6441]

Fantastic explanation, knowing what the adjustment actually does, will help you (me) get the shock to do what you want it to. Thanks.

[@eagle3906]

You said on your podcast what you wanted to do regarding these tutorials and you absolutely nailed it. Best suspension video ever.

[@1pho3nixmatt]

Brilliantly put together Phil.

[@lrvz7187]

Those animations are key for an easy understanding for everyone, thanks for the work 👍👍🤘

[@brianfurtaw7893]

I like the anvils makes the concept really easy to understand, great job!

[@ClintGriffin1]

Phil, you continue to amaze me with your awesome ability to explain complex things in easy to understand videos!👨‍🎓📜🧠💥

[@GeddyRC]

Really cool video, always wondered what these knobs did!

[@bacala0]

Excellent content Phil! Better explanation than the one I got at engineering school years ago; seriously.

[@ivzednem]

Just started MTB and I am happy to see a good explanation on how the suspension works! Awesome!

[@brettneuberger6466]

Fantastic explanation! All new to me. I’m guessing 97% of bike owners, riders, and youtubers couldn’t explain what’s actually happening in those long bouncy things.

[@judylee3031]

This was a pretty sick video Phil! Very informative! 👊👌👍👍👍

[@jeffsaraiva7099]

Well done Phil! I liked your animations and illustrations with syringes. It helped me a lot !!

[@tuckerstv4898]

Thanks for the video, and good PUN 😉very informative and easy to understand! Nice job Phil 👍🏻

[@zanetaylor7]

Yes Phil! Really really well done. It’s amazing nobody has taken the time to simplify suspension like this. This will get a ton of views over the years, and I hope you get back into making more skills and informative videos. You’re really really good at them. And I know you’ve watched a good video on the negative air chamber by... I forgot who. But you commented on it and said it was really good. What if you two teamed up on the deeper science behind air chamber tuning? I think I commented this same suggestion on that video.

[@mtnerb]

mate that is the best explanations of suspension. thank you for that Phil.

[@lauriemrdjan]

This is an excellent explanation! Thank you!

[@edesonbernasol4831]

This video deserves a BIG thumbs up!!!

[@thesmf1210]

pretty much spot on, nice description of things and visual aids, nice one

[@goddielconde]

This is so educational! Your animations are on point and relatable.

[@leonchouinard4931]

Thanks for the video. Very comprehensive 👍🏾

[@eejjjj82]

Seriously great video man. You should make this a recurring segment, Science with Phil

[@islandman6427]

Very good explanation. Thank Phil!!

[@robcoastalga8279]

Good work Skillip. A gentleman and a scholar.

[@ksanasinh]

This is the best explanation I have come across yet

[@mattdickey2454]

Excellent video, thanks. I would love to see a follow up with you explaining how you like your suspension to feel and how to get it how you like it. I am trying different ways and feel as I am not knowing what to look for.

[@SaleenS351R]

Dude, nice video! Entertaining and gives you a general explanation on how this stuff works.

[@danielemperado2492]

Awesome video mate! Ive always wondered what making a suspension more progressive meant. Your visuals and explanations helped massively!

[@leonlasic860]

Just an amazing video and ez to understand. Thx Phil

[@JamesStoup]

This was a really great video. Definitely the best ELI5 for what the knobs do and control.

[@jamiehamilton3253]

Great vid! Tough topic explained well! 🤘

[@graememackenzie8795]

Hell yeah! What a PHENOMENAL description!

[@ChadLudlow]

i know a lot about suspension components coming from the auto industry, but this was a clear and concise explanation dude!

[@pseudomugilidae5897]

That's probably the clearest explanation of high vs. Low speed damping I've seen. Cheers!

[@glenncain]

'tis a miracle phil tackling the realms of suspension black magic with biggest flex of technicality yet. impressive, fresh and good value. and that "Scandinavian is progressive" pun.