Setting the sag on your mountain bike’s suspension is key for optimizing your ride performance. The term “sag” refers to how much your suspension compresses under your weight, including any gear you carry, when you’re on the bike. The proper sag ensures that your suspension is neither stiff nor soft, giving you the best balance between comfort and control.

Tools You’ll Need:

• A ruler
• A shock pump
• Pen and paper (for recording measurements)
• Your usual riding gear, including any backpack or extra equipment like water bottles

Some mountain bikes come with sag calibration charts for more straightforward calculations, but they’re not strictly necessary. You can also find charts on the shock manufacturer’s website if needed.

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Step-by-Step Process

1. Measure the Shock Length. Start by measuring the full length of the front and rear shocks in millimeters, noting these numbers for future reference.
2. Set Up the Suspension. Ensure the shocks are in their “open” or “descend” mode, allowing the most suspension movement. For easier access, place your bike against a stable surface, such as a bench or tree, or have a friend hold the bike steady for you.
3. Check the Stanchions. Look for an O-ring on both stanchions of the front fork. If one is not present, you can use a zip tie to mark the travel distance of the shock. Setting the sag according to your whole riding weight is critical, so wear all the gear you typically ride with.
4. Sit and Bounce. Sit on your bike in your normal riding position and gently bounce to warm up the shocks. Keep your weight centered over the bike to ensure an accurate sag reading. Slide the O-ring or zip tie down to the base of the fork stanchion (for the front) and the shock shaft (for the rear).
5. Dismount and Measure. Carefully dismount without bouncing the suspension. Measure the distance between the O-ring/zip tie and the shock’s body. This distance represents the shock’s static travel.
6. Calculate the Sag. To calculate your sag percentage, divide the static travel by the total shock length and multiply by 100. The ideal sag range is typically between 25% to 35%. If your sag is outside this range, you can adjust it using the shock pump to add or remove air pressure from the shocks. After each adjustment, repeat the process to ensure the sag falls within your desired range.

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Sag settings vary depending on your riding style and terrain preferences:

• Firmer Sag (Lower Percentage): A firmer setting is ideal if you ride fast over aggressive trails. This can be achieved by adding more air pressure to your shocks, which keeps the suspension from bottoming out too easily.
• Softer Sag (Higher Percentage): You may want to soften the suspension for a smoother ride on more forgiving trails. This requires reducing the air pressure, allowing for more travel and a cushioned ride.

Once you’ve made adjustments, continue measuring and adjusting until your sag feels just right for your needs.

Setting your bike’s sag optimizes suspension performance and can yield a comfortable ride. Remember, sag is all about personal preference, so don’t hesitate to make adjustments until it feels perfect.

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