How to set up your suspension for a SMOOTHER ride (sag, rebound, compression) | Syd Fixes Bikes

[@sydfixesbikes]

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[@brennen-nwamtb789]

Thanks soo much!!! It seems like I have watched a million videos on the subject, but you guys actually explain it in a way that is straight forward and understandable. Keep up the great vids because they have really help!!! I can’t wait for the next suspension video!!!

[@davecrashes4905]

Thank you for using small words I could understand. I leave this video with a much better understanding of my bike's suspension.

[@southernbythegraceofgod6524]

Great job of explaining how the settings work and what they do in layman’s terms. I put zip ties around my fork/shock when I lose an o ring. It works great.

[@JKohlmann]

Awesome video, guys! Very thorough. One of the best ways I've found to think about low and high speed compression is this: Low speed is when your bodyweight is the primary moving force on the suspension (like a g-out compression or pedal bob). High speed is when the terrain is the primary moving force (rocks, roots, trail "roughness"). It's not a perfect explanation, but helps to separate the two.

[@Rene-Hernandez]

I appreciate the sacrifice made to get all those "rocks" for the compression example :) Nice work you two!

[@sydfixesbikes]

We do our best 😁

[@GHinWI]

There’s no pebbles in Taos...bottle caps were the only possibility

[@zimmermandk]

Does everyone agree Fox needs to "man up" and copy Rockshox and add sag % on the shock tubes

[@starsky8351]

They cant from my understanding due to rockshox parent that prevents it

[@pewsician2388]

I personally prefer the cleaner look of Fox.

[@cubeqgen5927]

Patent ruin all

[@2secondslater]

I have rockshox without the markings... it ain't hard to use a sharpie and a ruler

[@wanderer2246]

@@starsky8351 patent for markings

[@KestrelYI]

I think it helps to point out the nature of the fork - it's a spring that can be compressed and stores energy. This helps when trying to explain compression and rebound to folks. For compression, the square edge hit (curbs, rock ledges) vs. slow gradual undulations (gentle whoops, for example) are great ways to explain high and low speed compression... it's all about the rate at which the spring is compressed. Similar for rebound in that a compressed spring stores energy, and the quantity stored helps determine the acceleration as it expands. A deeply compressed spring will want to expand rapidly with a mass attached... high speed rebound slows that down. Similarly, a shorter compressed spring (less energy) will not be able to expand as quickly and accelerated the mass (bike + you), and so this would be a slower rebound & low speed compression. Another thing to keep in mind is that suspension doesn't just work based upon a rod blocking oil passing through a fixed size hole... but modern suspension (especially higher end coil forks/shocks - this is all straight from motorcycling/autosports) often incorporates a stack of metal shims, commonly known as the valving. Changing the shim stack (how many pieces of metal, their arrangement, their dimensions & stiffness) can change the low and high speed compression/rebound.... and then you start to learn that the compression and rebound systems are also linked... and down the dark black hole you go. At the end it's all physics, and we're just trying to control the contraction & expansion rates for a damped spring system.

[@hhmachine4254]

Oh boy, make a video about suspension and all the super duper advanced uber-tuners come out! I think some people missed the point of the video (and perhaps the whole channel). It’s just to help people get a grasp on the basic adjustments and have some confidence and direction for adjusting their own bike. A lot of people, at least in the biking world, are hesitant and confused about suspension adjustments, when they could gain a lot of enjoyment and confidence from having a tune anywhere near correct. I think this video works well to present the ideas in a relaxed, conversational way. People talking about cracking into the shim stacks and particular physics behind oil flow. It’s not like every derailleur adjustment video requires a deep dive into relative merits of cable pull ratios, double vs single sprung pivots, low vs top normal, half-step gearing, slant vs straight parallelograms, and etc... (though now I guess we are back to straight parallelograms with 1x like it’s some new-fangled revelation 😂). Get too technical too fast and you just get glazed eyes. Gee whiz.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Hear hear! 🍻

[@bent-n-rippin5573]

You guys freakin rock! I thought I had a pretty good understanding of how bikes work, then I started watching your videos and on almost every one I had an aha moment. I will be riding a very different “bike” in the near future and even though it’s not even close to what your other followers are probably riding the basic rules still apply. I am amazed at how well both of you explain things! I was in retail mgmt for 30 years, and the way I taught people was similar but you do a much better job than I. I’m so impressed how well you two work together, and how honest you seem to be. Honesty is very hard to come by now a days. I hope that you continue this channel because you are truly helping people. Thank you!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@GreatCreative]

I just learned more in 30 minutes than I have in 25 years of trying to adjust the suspensions on my mountain bikes.

[@davelloyd8454]

Remember to unlock any platform (eg trail setting) and do all of that work the suspension open. Great high and low speed explanation!

[@danielcoombes3310]

Another great video. However I am so confused lol. Think I need to watch again after I've had sleep

[@shewh0rn]

Love your learning journey. I think sometimes more experienced presenters make assumptions about pre-existing knowledge. I think your process of learning these things and putting them through the filter of your brain (your brain being that of a rider) is the perfect translator to match your implicit knowledge of the mechanical functioning on a bike to the explicit knowledge required for all of us to figure out what bits and bobs need to be tweaked. I've seen other videos that attempt to explain rebound and they almost always make it more complicated than it actually is (which to me is also an indicator that they don't really understand both the mechanical and dynamic riding perspectives of what's going on... that is they can't clearly translate how each adjustment will manifest on the trail where as you do an excellent job of that). I've been a roadie for 38+ years so suspension is new to me... and a bit overwhelming. I'm bottoming out a bit and was going to swap out the air shaft on the front fork to get me another centimeter or two of travel BUT, after watching this video I think there's other possibilities I need to exhaust first before making a change that would also modify the geometry of the bike. Thanks, Syd!

[@WesHall-WalksOnOne]

I have thoroughly enjoyed your channel, I am Director of Programs at Bridge II Sports and I have learn a lot that I have been able to apply to our cycles for the adapted cycling program.

[@idhvew8]

Another great video. Love the analogy with hand motions and sounds. When watching the FOX MTB channel at races, most of the racers try to explain how their suspension is functioning with hand motions and sounds, quite entertaining!!!

[@Tubbs_1971]

Great video. You guys are the best at explaining the mechanics of the parts. First you taught me derailleur adjusting. And now i understand shocks a helluva lot more!!!

[@remcofalkenburg]

Finaly!!!! Seen much vids about how to set the suspension but your the first one who came also with the why. Great info thanks🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@jontied93]

Thank you! I have been struggling to set up my suspension all summer. My front is feeling so much better after this!

[@dadfixdit]

Thanks Syd! This was great! On to the second video. You guys makes such great, informative and relatable content…please don’t stop!

[@chrishorbatt3504]

I really liked your bottle cap explanation about rebound. It really made alot of sense.

[@traysonwright4008]

You did an awesome job explaining suspension! Thank you! I watched several videos on this topic including gmbn and worldwide cyclery and could not understand this fully until watching this!

[@miadepaula]

Thanks, Syd! Out of all the videos I found, this one was the most helpful one!!

[@murray1961]

Thanks.. You 2 work well together. Syd is great at fronting it.

[@dcridgie3576]

Thank you for your explanation. I understand better.

[@andyvan5692]

Syd, at 26:17 another way to think of the +/- of the orifice needle adjustment, is the + means increasing the oils resistance to moving from one chamber to another, aka a crowd at boxing day sales, trying to get through a smaller door, vs a larger one. PS: I have some mechanical experience (cars), and this is what that hole is called, an orifice, or a JET/nozzle like in a fire hose, jet engine, a tapered hole of x size to control flow of fluids.

[@joeldriver381]

The Syd sound effects are the best!

[@tkweaver3213]

Thanks for the explanation of these things!! Very informative!!

[@pepeanza6187]

I feel safer whit slow rebound and maybe 15-20 % sag max in front I ride a new agresive hardatail i want my tire stick to the ground I'm bad?

[@RubenJFernandes]

A hack to measure the sag is algo using a ziptie or something that stays in place and don't scratch the fork

[@markRUshredding]

I really like this vid. You are both doing an amazing job of explaining MTB mechanics. I look forward to your future videos.

[@vivianfaithfull4748]

Great real-world explanation guys. Love Syd's workshop look😊

[@LooknFeelGood]

Love how you keep it light n funny, but hitting key points. Now you just need to have stickers made that say "Large Bump Compression "😂

[@stevenc1978]

Another great video especially for a noob like me, can’t wait for the next one 🚵‍♂️ 😀

[@johnbagofdoughnuts9610]

That was EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks guys.

[@geos909]

I’m here for the syd rants 😂😂😂😂🔪👊🏻

[@paullittleton1974]

Fantastic job of explaining things! Great job :)

[@peteespinosa2530]

YOU. B. RAD !!!!! GOOD. ON. TIPS!!!!

[@mariopeguerop]

you can use a ziptie temporarily instead of sharpie.

[@TheCharleseye]

As long as you use it inside-out. Otherwise, you'll have to cut it off and doing so risks scratching your shock (much worse than getting some market on it).

[@super8forever]

brilliant, as always

[@ThinkyPain]

Paging Jordi Cortes! Seriously though, good video :)

[@thierrylerinckx1340]

great tutorial, very practical, fun to watch, thank you!! You could say: high-speed compression is for hard hits, slow speed compression is for ... 'soft' hits ???

[@ggebhard1]

I’m new. Your comment is the first thing I’ve understood!

[@andyvan5692]

also Syd, the high speed compression would also occur during emergency brake applications, that is where the full riders and bikes weight (CG) is shifted forwards, due to inertia, when stopping, all the weight is on the front, and off the rear.( hence the "dive" trim when stopping).

[@josephiman7638]

That hat is awesome I’m bummed I can’t find one anything like it! Love your videos you guys inspire me so much !thank you!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Here you go: shop.ridefox.com/collections/accessories/products/fox-heritage-trucker-hat-black

[@razmtb5028]

Thanks for sharing, awesome tutorial as always, 😌😁

[@cjg1482]

A zip tie around the shaft of your shock is a great replacement for the rubber O ring.

[@glennmiller9759]

I can't tell you how helpful and funny and helpful and funny and helpful (and funny) this is!

[@pauls3616]

Nice video. Sound effects too!

[@humpy125]

You can also use a cable tie to measure sag, but put it on backwards so you can undo it again

[@teknology01]

Very good explanation syd. Thank you.

[@useport80]

never heard of stacking up, only heard of packing up

[@ortodontiaespecializada9283]

Good job! The best shock/suspension video ever!!

[@stuff4meutube]

you can also use a zip-tie that has a release/re-useable clip when / if you don't have a o-ring on your shock.

[@chasefam3]

I searched your channel for a video like this yesterday... it’s like you guys know what your viewers need. Thanks

[@jmoody3]

I really needed this video. Thanks, y'all.

[@terrorbear7]

Excellent.

[@fredEVOIX]

to avoid loss of pressure I recommend buying a "dual valve" shock pump like the SKS Sam cons: very small dial not enough details to have precise pressures pros: braided metal tube and design that doesn't force on the tube when you pump (my previous one was inline with the tube ended up leaking from it) it easily goes to really high pressures I put 21bars instead of 210psi by mistake (304psi) and....it has a dual valve system, the part connecting to the fork port is in two segments, you split them before screwing on the bike, then screw part1 then part2 which opens the tubing and pump, when you're done you unscrew part2 sealing the fork port from the pump tube and then part1 so you lose a tiny portion of the pressure in the remaining 0.6" you unscrew

[@WIMMine]

Don't have time to watch rn but already want to thank you cause this is exactly what I need.

[@bigdiesel6912]

syd great video on proper setting of ur shock .rebound etc however what about doing a video on the setting of a cannondale lefty fork .rite know a get a lot of stickion .or some time not enough rebound or not properly compression setting

[@ZuroX92]

instead of a sharpie or a o-ring, you could use a ziptie and flip it the other way around so you can just take i off afterwards instead of having to cut it.

[@treydwg1]

I have an older fox float RP2 shock. I completed a rebuild and I can definitely feel a huge difference now. The only thing now is the lock out will not “lock out” curious what I need to do? Any help would be greater accepted.

[@cliffordrichardc]

syd very nice

[@mattkavanaugh5623]

Great video, I understood the suspension terms and settings before, but I understand them better and it makes more sense to me now having you walk through all of the settings and how they work together. I look forward to watching Part 2!

[@desmondgarcia8630]

Good stuff

[@manuelmatos7199]

U are amazing guys...

[@Dan-hb7om]

Great Job!! Newbie here and this was one of the best explanations I have found! Looking forward to part 2. Keep up the GREAT work!

[@tsiturbotsi]

Yesss! Love you guys!

[@rinky_dinky]

i have a santa cruz nomad and the coil shock is hidden in the VPP tunnel... JEEEEZZUZZZ

[@MikeHoltNEC]

Great job, I feel like I’m better prepared!

[@chrisracer2007]

Review the cube stereo 160 Emtb!!!!

[@illgazillion]

Nice approach to suspension. This really helps a lot.

[@mrme2704]

Could always use a dry erase board marker, it would wipe off easily

[@Team81MTB]

Thanks for the tips. It has been educational for me. I have a question. I think I was under inflated on my shock on Wednesdays race. It kept bottoming out hard on g outs. Will having under inflated shock also rob pedaling efficiency? This bike seemed much harder to get rolling out of turns compared to my HEI HEI and seemed to wear me out much quicker.This bike is my new to me niner jet 9 rdo. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Syd and Macky. 👍👊

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yup, too much sag (under inflated shock) will definitely make your pedaling less efficient. And if you were bottoming out on g-outs I'd say it was definitely low! We run ours at Niner's recommended sag based on the mark on the linkage bolt.

[@Team81MTB]

@@sydfixesbikes I wound up putting 30 more psi in it. WOW!! A totally different machine. Thanks for verifying. 👍

[@rileyhoke2761]

really jealous that you still have a set of '06 big troubles. I skied mine into the ground but they lived a god life.

[@chiyookeynes3007]

Great !

[@MKDSime]

ty ty ty ♡ Very well explained ! 👍

i have a mtb, how do i know if there is air in there or not, or if i can change to pressure or not ?

[@neilk22]

I’d use a zip tie over a marking pen to measure sag, easy to remove, and moveable 😎

[@LajRa5]

Maybe us a dry erase marker instead of a sharpie? Just a thought, not sure how it would work

[@Britishnate]

This was super informative. Looking forward to part 2.

[@tmhudg]

Thanks for the video. I really like this channel and the info you provide. I have to say though that to me, this video didn't seem quite as well organized as your others. I feel like you should have given an overall description of the three types of movement and how they all interplay and THEN gone into how to set them each. Instead, you described how to change the settings and then explained the reasons - except that I don't think you ever explained why you set sag did you? The explanations on rebound and compression were really good. I just think it should have come before you got into the mechanics of changing them.

[@Skogmtb]

Excellent, a much easier way to understand the dark art ! Thank you

[@MichelColeFamily]

Very well done. Cannot wait for part 2. Thank you :)

[@Ryland_28]

Goodness, I've watch a ton of suspension set up videos and this one is extremely well done. Unfortunately, my newbie brain just can not grasp the purpose/benefit of setting the 'Sag'. To me, it just seems like a less aggressive version of 'compression'. For instance, what would be the negative effect if you were to just 'kill 2 birds' and skip 'Sag' by going straight to 'compression'? Wouldn't the larger range setting of Compression cover the Sag range? Signed...well confused. 😆

[@sydfixesbikes]

Sag is a static measurement (the amount of suspension compression at rest with the rider on the bike). It's only useful as a setup measurement. Compression is the rate that the suspension compresses under different conditions. It can't be measured statically. Does that help at all?

[@njm3211]

Old roadie taking the XC plunge. Find you guys enormously informative and entertaining.

[@christophertillie7090]

AC Mackey hey man how are you guys been bike riding you guys are pretty cool that's why I watch you if you were cool I

[@jondavies4027]

Fab video

[@benbowtrout]

How often do you need to check your sag usually? Thank you!

[@sydfixesbikes]

We generally set it and forget it

[@jacobjames1171]

Cool retro hat. Reminds me of living in the age of single digits. Cheers

[@simonchaddock3694]

I like your hat syd

[@hillsidewoods]

Thanks for the video. How would you compare h and l speed compression settings between a grip2 and a fit4 fork?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Fit4 has low speed + lockout (which affects the compression all the way through the stroke) while Grip2 has both high and low speed but no lockout. So hard to compare them...

[@benjaminroberts6364]

Hi Syd - I really appreciate your videos. Question - I have a Niner Rip 9 (2020) and just got a cane Creek coil shock and am still shopping for the coil - would you recommend I start with a linear coil or progressive, given the CVA suspension’s unique leverage curve that appears to be regressive at the end, was thinking progressive might be a better option?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah, progressive probably makes more sense.

[@gustavocasa4119]

Where you get that hat? It’s cool!

[@rommelreyes2209]

You already explained that it is related time that your suspension compresses and that is related to the speed. The Faster you are the faster you want your suspension to rebound or uncompress between bumps.

[@FORTE-VIDEOS]

Can someone please give me some tips on my issue of hitting my butt when I’m going steep downhills, steep drops & jumping?

[@anthonyexton7243]

Spring stays the same, high or lower ; under compression, less or more travel ; shocks , rebound etc. same as the front

[@johnglynn7795]

S&M, appreciate the update on Niner suspension. On another note, I notice you have a chain guide on your Niner. Is that necessary or a personal choice? I ride in the mountains of Phoenix & Tucson as well as Sedona and St George. Your opinion is greatly appreciated. Blue skies, Jg

[@sydfixesbikes]

Personal choice. 12 speed no-drop systems with clutches are pretty good at keeping chains on, but we like the extra security. We'd recommend not worrying about it unless you find yourself dropping your chain more than once every few months.

[@TrailtoTrailTom]

Where did you get black walled Martello tires? They are usually gray.

[@kylewassell244]

Should the grip2 be opened all the way (most supple) when setting the rebound? Seems like it should.

[@sydfixesbikes]

If you're setting rebound based on Fox's recommended settings, it shouldn't matter. If you're using the "compress and release" method to set it, you want to have the Grip2 compression settings set to what you normally run.

[@beerenmusli8220]

You can also use a Zip Tie instead of an O Ring! ^-^