How to Dial in MTB Suspension from Sag to Rebound for Every Trail
Apr 18, 2023
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Learn from Sam Anderson about the intricacies of MTB suspension, including sag, rebound, and common setup mistakes. Discover the differences between coil and air shocks, and the importance of minimizing stiction for a smoother ride. Explore the latest innovations in suspension design and how to optimize your bike's performance for an enhanced riding experience.
To optimize small bump compliance, minimize stiction in suspension for responsiveness.
Regular maintenance, air retention, and monitoring for changes indicate suspension health and service needs.
Deep dives
Understanding the Importance of Stiction and Air Retention in Shocks
Stiction, the force needed to initiate suspension movement, plays a vital role in responsiveness; it's crucial for riders to maintain minimal stiction for optimal small bump compliance. Factors like nitrogen gas and seal drag are key to air retention, as shocks not holding air suggest immediate servicing needs.
Identifying When Your Suspension Requires Maintenance
Changes in suspension behavior, such as increased harshness or inconsistent performance, are indicators that maintenance or a rebuild might be required. Holding air in the shock is essential, and it's time to act if continual air loss occurs. Keeping track of service intervals and friction levels is integral for suspension health.
Advancements in Suspension Design
Current trends in suspension design focus on improving coil shock capabilities, reducing stiction, and enhancing performance with external adjustments. Innovations like hydraulic bottom-out systems seek to add dynamic capabilities without compromising simplicity. Progressive suspension setups tailored to rider needs are expected to drive future developments.
Sam Anderson is the Brand Manager for Cane Creek Cycling Components based in Fletcher, NC just outside Pisgah National Forest. Cane Creek designs and markets their own line of shocks and suspension forks and assembles many items by hand at their factory in Western North Carolina.
What is suspension compression?
What is rebound?
What do you see people typically getting wrong when it comes to suspension setup?
What is meant by a linear or progressive suspension curve as it relates to full suspension mountain bikes?
What are the differences between a coil and air shock?
Is it possible to perfectly tune suspension to ignore pedal inputs while remaining responsive to the trail?
What is stiction, and how important is minimizing it?
How do you know when your fork/shock needs a rebuild or service?
What are some of the latest innovations in suspension design? Will tomorrow's shocks and forks look like the ones we have today?
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