How to Adjust an MTB Rear Suspension
Some bikers prefer to ride Mountain bikes that have adjustable rear suspension when going out on an adventure because they are easier to ride. There will more than likely come a time when the rear suspension will need to be adjusted.
Adjusting the rear suspension on a mountain bike is something your can easily do yourself by following a few simple steps.
- Use a shock pump to pump up the shocks on the bike. It is highly recommended that you refer to your owner's manual for the amount of pressure to add to the shocks.
- Use millimeter tape to measure the length of the pistons on the shocks, which is the tube that compresses into the body of the shock.
- Wrap a zip tie around the piston of your bike if it does not have a rubber band wrapped around it. Some bikes will have the rubber band and some will not, which will depend on the brand of bike you have.
- Mount the bike and sit on it a couple of minutes before dismounting.
- Use the millimeter tape to measure the length between the body of the shock and the sip tie or rubber band. This is done to determine the amount of sag in the shock.
- Divide the amount the shocked moved after sitting on the bike by the full length of the piston, which is the first measurement, you took. The number you come up with is the percentage of sag in the shock.
- Remove or add air to the shock to increase or decrease the sag. A number between 15 and 25 percent is suggested for riding long distances and a number between 5 and 15 percent is suggested for riding short distances.
- Mount the bike and ride it off a curb to see if it bounces. If it bounces more than once adjust the rebound knob until it bounces only once.