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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@skardi1]

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

[@DominicToretto-nf4xn]

This seems sarcastic

[@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.

[@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!

[@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😁

[@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.

[@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”.

[@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.

[@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!

[@churnstyle]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@vikhmanboys966]

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

[@rupedog]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@chrisfoster3772]

Hi I am building up my first full suspension bike. My frame is supposed to arrive vis USPS this afternoon. I just got both of my tubeless tires seated this morning. I will adjust suspension using this video. I love you

[@TheBreaded]

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

[@niklask.7333]

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

[@mtbshredder5719]

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

[@nikkeijin-man7025]

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

[@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

[@benridesbikes6975]

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

[@ChadLudlow]

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

[@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🤘

[@ClintGriffin1]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@CanIHasThisName]

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

[@dominickhillwig8544]

As I slowly learn how to do some of my own bike work suspension is 1 thing I have no idea about, and to avoid being "that guy" who tears my bike apart and messes it up more I don't even consider anything shock related. Thanks for picking this topic Phil

[@tyleryoung8994]

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

[@olroymtbetc.6117]

Very appropriate, very applicable, very insightful, and very helpful. I thought I knew a little bit about shocks... but, I was apparently mistaken. This enlightened me a lot. To be honest, before this video, I just thought shocks were F M. (Fricking Magic) lol!

[@ghustavus]

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

[@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

[@jasonmonk7645]

Man, you killed it with this video. The visuals really help. I think a good follow up would be why you'd want to make changes and how does it apply to the trail.

[@eagle3906]

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

[@sdoobzfishing2308]

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

[@patdrumm3770]

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

[@project4funner]

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

[@hansiwurst7492]

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

[@artoutlawphoto]

i was thinking about the syringe explanation for a long time. Good work phil. Not even rockshox or fox can explained better

[@eejjjj82]

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

[@sethjennings1045]

Great explanation on the different adjustments, I think a good follow up would be going through the processes of dialing each setting. Like when to adjust low speed vs when to adjust high speed

[@steve230870]

Thats a really clear explanation, thanks. Definately do more tech videos like this.

[@brianfurtaw7893]

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

[@mattmiller5673]

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

[@lrvz7187]

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

[@sapinva]

Great explanation, full coverage and yet concise.

[@rushcentrale]

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

[@css2538]

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

[@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.

[@ivzednem]

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

[@Bizzybugproductions]

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

[@bacala0]

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

[@fredhickpt]

Really good video, I already understood how the suspension worked but only from watching a researching for a couple hours. This video breaks it all down really nicely. Maybe another video going into a little more depth as to why you would want to adjust these settings to get the best ride

[@Kejsh22]

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

[@seanknight9898]

Nicely done. Best visual representation I’ve seen. This will help beginners really under stand what they’re trying to control.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Thanks Sean! This one was a really challenging to illustrate/animate, but I'm glad it paid off.

[@dano2664]

Thank you so much for making the correct distinction between damping and dampening! It’s similar to the nuclear vs nucular pronunciation for me!

[@pseudomugilidae5897]

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

[@foolishevil]

Amazing video. An awesome follow up would be how to tune your shocks to get the proper amount of "pop" when hitting jumps.

[@mtnerb]

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

[@peterlang5047]

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

[@MountainBikePete]

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

[@johnbravo7542]

That's one of best videos explaining the functions of mtb shocks

[@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

[@garykidson]

Very clear and concise explanation. Thanks Phil

[@DavidQuin]

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

[@robcoastalga8279]

Good work Skillip. A gentleman and a scholar.

[@jeffsaraiva7099]

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

[@AntonBlaschuk]

just like with video on geometry - I finally actually understood how it works only after your video. thanks!

[@Modern_Family]

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

[@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.

[@bbens999]

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

[@irenelim5134]

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

[@mateoc.4791]

As somebody who wants to become an engineer and make suspension, this is such a good video! Thank you

[@dannydigtl]

Fantastic! This explains how the shocks work, but could you describe how this applies to different situations on the trail? Ie, how do you actually dial in your suspension while riding? What tuning problems do you find and how do you fix them?

[@ksanasinh]

This is the best explanation I have come across yet

[@brian_simmons_]

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

[@andrewkreizinger397]

Bro you inspired me to mtb. I started watching you when I was just getting into mtb and now I race enduro and XC and I have just got my first sponsorship. I just want to thank you for getting me into the sport and I hope I can meet you and go for a ride🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼

[@FDB77]

That’s awesome! Who are you sponsored by?

[@andrewkreizinger397]

FDB 7 by the best sport supplements on the market rynopower!!!

[@FDB77]

Nice dude! Stoked for you!

[@andrewkreizinger397]

FDB 7 thanks bro

[@lorenz9956]

@@andrewkreizinger397 wich sponsor

[@8888swatt]

Good explanation and the syringe demo is excellent. Only thing I would say is it might be worth doing a part 2 video to explain preload of the spring.

[@Laturbo]

You are the real MVP Phil! now after this, everyone shoudl watch jordi cortes explanation on how to dial your suspension. then everyone would be fine :D

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Jordi has been crushing the game lately. I know he's not editing those videos, but he's got a wealth of information to share and a great personality.

[@jonathanyoung3684]

Amazing video I learned so much. As an up in coming Bike mechanic. This Really help me understand more about what all of the parts on the suspension do. Thanks again Phil.

[@nickrogers6441]

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

[@heymaldwyn]

That was really good actually - makes complete since. Can you make a video on the difference between Air/Coil based on the same brand and type like the Fox DPX

[@drojim184]

My man I appreciate this video so much. I think this is what every new biker has wanted to see and waiting for.

[@marcbrigham8569]

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

[@dieseldavedick]

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

[@heymcfly85]

This video was amazing! Now could you make a video going over the basics of tuning? Like when do I want more or less rebound? What are the symptoms of having too much / too little?

[@jeffflick2573]

Great video! Finally a man that knows the difference of the term "damper" and dampener!

[@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!