I dont usually follow the recommended sag instead i use 15% Sag and slower rebound and you get a supple slow bumps linear mid stroke. Think of it like how you play the suspending yourself and balancing the bumps and coming back to center after bigger hits.
Most riders seek balance to suit most trails,changing only rebound here and there, achieving optimal travel usage is hard. Unless you're a racer or tuning geek that sets the suspension according to the terrain.
Hey, I would love to see something about setup on the grip 2 for aggressive riding, because I don't really understand all the features and I want get it dialed. Great Video, Thanks.
@@mtbtelly5522 Thanks a lot, I also have the Patrol Alloy GX so it's really nice to see someone with more experience setup their bike. You've been a great deal of help. Thanks for the support man.✌
This 100%. So many people jump on my bike and say it's too hard upfront and then I jump on theirs and it's so divy. People are too obsessed with a way too plush setup.
Trail Talk MTB yeah I think its a lot to do with there not being enough good info out there on the finer details of suspension setup. I get it as well, my forks too stiff all the way up until they ride it down a trail, then the cogs start turning.
Great tech video, keen to learn a bit more about setting up the front fork pressure. In particular a fork with 2 pressure chambers , 'im using a Ohlin s RFX 36. Cheers B
ZbRider I haven’t spent any time on a 2 pressure chamber yet so its hard to give setup tips. I’ll try get on that fork some time and get some time on it
I do the same, as plush as I can without it being too plush, and as supportive as I can, well balanced bike is important, I got 120 mm travel so using al travel is not hard, jump some stairs, or do a drop, or ride down on big roots.
I agree completely, it also has lots of variables on bike vs rider vs terrain. I ride a Bronson v3 with a 170 fork. Do i need a 170 fork for my local trails no, 150 would be fine, but i do take my bikes to lift access and i do like the confidence it gives on steep chucky loose stuff. On my typical ride i prob use 150mm of my front travel and 90 % of rear. If i have a oh shit moment i am covered. I also dont do jumps or big drops so if i had a 170 fork set up for my local trails to use everything up I'd probably get sea sick 🤮. Back end i am still trying to dial in and i think a gnar dog token while get me to the sweet spot, so we will see.
Guineson 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 Definitely get a gnardog in there, load it up with spacers and drop the sag to where it feels good. It’ll corner better, track the ground better and still be efficient. Wicked bike
Nice advice. I've been struggling with suspension setup for some time but I think I'm getting the hang of it now. Got a Slash 8 and took a spacer out of the front and rear, set up sag from the Trek website as a guide and now getting the rebound adjusted. Used to land nose first on jumps (I'm not good at jumping so most probably really bad technique.) Now I'm a bit more even when landing. Never knew suspension could be the problem until just recently. My mates forks all seem super plush compared to mine though. They have Fox 36's (3 different models) and I have a Yari. I'm also at least 10kg heavier so I'll blame it on that.
MTB Trail Magic I’d say first speed your rebound up a few clicks on the fork, see how that feels. A slower rebound will make the fork harsh, as its always getting trapped in the deeper part of the stroke for consecutive hits
@@mtbtelly5522 yeah the two clicks faster I've done helped the quite a lot, but I might try 1 or 2 more to see what it's like. In a video I did at night, my mate watched it and said it looked like the bike was fighting me, and seemed harsh. This is why I looked at the rebound, and set it 2 clicks more than the Trek recommendation. What happens if I have too much rebound? Does it push the fork/wheel off the ground unnecessarily?
MTB Trail Magic fork rebound too slow will make it feel harsh and lack grip, and make the bike feel a little slow and feels like theres not much to push against. Front wheel washes will be regular with a slow front if you don’t counter it with an overly stiff spring
I like your logic. Think I’m on the money now with the remedy. I’ve consistently got 25mm ish left on the front and 3mm ish on the shock. Would like a bit more left over on the shock but it’s getting a tad high in sag. At 15mm sag now. Only a couple times I’ve had the oh shit and seen the o rings all the way! Would of been rough without that little oh shit travel.
brokenlegz yeah sounds like you’re on the right track, can always add a spacer in that shock and drop the sag a little. They get better the deeper you go 👌🏽👌🏽
MTB Telly just got the gnar dog from cyclinic in the post. Looks like I can go up to 4.5 tokens now! Stock was 2. I had 3 which was maxed out for the stock tokens. Only expected to be able to go up to 3.5 with the gnardog. So I’ll try 3.5 and if I want more it’s good to know I can go all the way to 4.5!
@@brokenlegz a friend of mine has the same bike and he's got it loaded up (the full 4.5 I'm pretty sure) and it slays now. you should be loving it once you've got it swinging
I've been really digging your set up videos/reviews. They give a great insight on the process of fine tuning your sus not just basic set up. I think that's really unique and rad!! I got some issues with setting up my fox 36s. Even though I got my sag set up to 25-30% I still have about 20mm of travel that I don't use. I also think bottoming out on every run is not worth it but I think 5-10mm reserve for "oh shi**" moments are enough. Should I rather play around with Hi/Lo Compression Settings or maybe take out a spacer or two? Any thoughts on that? Cheers!
@@mtbtelly5522 I'm on a commencal meta II with a 160mm fox float 36. I'm Around 72kg with kit. After playing around a little Im at 72 psi, 1 spacer 7 clicks(from open) on HSC and 3(from open) LSC. Feels actually real nice now! I might ad some air to the fork or Few clicks on LSC to give me more support in the beginning to mid stroke, what do you reckon where should I start?
Nicolas Doebeli at 25-30% I reckon you’re too deep in the sag. Not the end of the world but you could get it more supple by bringing it up to around 20% and then setup from there. It will spend more time up in the softer part of the stroke taking away a lot of that spiking feeling you may begetting on repeated hits. Keep the rebound fairly fast as well, to keep the fork up and help with grip
I am flying with my mountain bike for the first time and I need some tips. Should I let the air out of my suspension? And what other things should I do so I don’t damage my bike when flying in an airplane.
Yeah Boi I’d let some air out of the tyres, maybe drop to 10 or so psi, it wouldn’t hurt to take a little air out of the suspension but not crucial. And use some pool noodles to wrap around your frame for transport, anything can happen between you dropping it off and picking it up on the other side. I’d take the derailleur off the bike as well to be safe
I struggle little with the suspension if I go down ca 1 m long stair cases and about 5-10cm high, the bike is rocking , and it feels harsh, I haven't tried volume reducers yet, I want new suspension anyway, new frame too. but otherwise it seems quite nice, and with Cush Core I run much less pressure so it's not as harsh, but I think I need more progressive suspension. So far it seems like fox or Rock Shox are good choices. I use almost all to all travel, but rarely bottom out harshly, when doing drops I use all travel for sure.
@@mtbtelly5522 I am reluctant to buy stuff for it as I think I will get a new bike, I am seriously considering Nicolai Saturn 14 now. beefier than my bike, bike not too extreme I guess. I am not sure what to try for suspension, what would you recommend? so far I know you like Fox. I am probably around 75 kg maybe more with all gear. some say not to get fox 34, and go for pike.
@@mtbtelly5522 I think think above 120 probably 140 i don't need to have extreme travel. Not doing high jumps like at Whistler. But so far 120 has been enough most places but I am on the limit i guess, but I mostly ride well, but more travel is nice for when it gets Gnarly, but don't want too heavy bike.
@@mtbtelly5522 I am looking for shredding machine that does give ennoughb comfort atleast as good as my bike has to be supportive, plush, stiff enough, forks have to be stiff enough and I want adjustability.
ross_ rusher02 a full bottom out is hitting the bottom and feeling it. The fork I like to see a little travel leftover and rear shock could be at 99% of travel regularly as long as you’re not physically finding the bottom
Ditto.. dont care about using full travel. Priority for me is support over plushness etc.. plush only make my tush feel comfy, support will save it. Just got the luftkappe for my pike 160 but havent had the time to install it yet. Altho hv read a few reviews saying tht the luftkappe is too progessive for the pike 160.
steven t nah no way man it’ll make it killer, assuming you’re running 2 tokens in the pike? It’ll be killer with higher pressure and zero to 1 token 👌🏽👌🏽
@@mtbtelly5522 yea planning to up pressure btw 5 to 10 psi with 0 tokens with the luftkappe n see how tht feels. Was running 80psi with 1 token, right now running abt 85psi with no tokens at 20% sag .with tht setup, just ok mid range support but top travel a bit harsh but can live with it. Diving forks scare the crap out of me. Look forward to ur suspension vid mate.
Hey mate, just watched your other vid on the luftkappe, you said there was too much grease (done by the LBS) and made the fork preformed badly. I m abt to install mine n the instruction by vorsprung site instruct to apply "liberally"; see below as per their instructions: Step Four Referring back to the Rockshox factory service manuals, lubricate the Luftkappe piston & its main seal very liberally with Slick Honey, then carefully install the air shaft assembly along with the seal head assembly back into the bottom of the stanchion according to Rockshox's instructions. Pls advise mate.
hey man, I'm having problems with my rear shock on my 2011 specialized enduro comp, I seem to bottom out far to easy even on small drops, Im using the biggest vorsprung volume spacer in the shock didn't make a difference. I run 20% sag and tried running less but still bottoms out. do you think air is escaping into the negative chamber and sucking it down? I don't know please help
Another awesome video. Coming from racing dirtbikes I've found tuning MTB suspension more difficult. Your knowledge is definitely helping, keep it up!
Jason McCarthy thanks mate, I’ll keep em coming
Completely agree with you standpoint here. Thanks for sharing and reminding us what to look for in suspension setup
Good advice, I'm using about 80% of travel most the time on my front forks. Bottom outs can result in headshake.
Pierron would have been right out the front door at Fort Bill if his fork didn't save his bacon.
Too right
Lmao
I dont usually follow the recommended sag instead i use 15% Sag and slower rebound and you get a supple slow bumps linear mid stroke. Think of it like how you play the suspending yourself and balancing the bumps and coming back to center after bigger hits.
Most riders seek balance to suit most trails,changing only rebound here and there, achieving optimal travel usage is hard. Unless you're a racer or tuning geek that sets the suspension according to the terrain.
Hey, I would love to see something about setup on the grip 2 for aggressive riding, because I don't really understand all the features and I want get it dialed. Great Video, Thanks.
Chase Clibon alright I’ll put something together man ✌🏼
@@mtbtelly5522 Thanks a lot, I also have the Patrol Alloy GX so it's really nice to see someone with more experience setup their bike. You've been a great deal of help. Thanks for the support man.✌
This 100%. So many people jump on my bike and say it's too hard upfront and then I jump on theirs and it's so divy. People are too obsessed with a way too plush setup.
Trail Talk MTB yeah I think its a lot to do with there not being enough good info out there on the finer details of suspension setup. I get it as well, my forks too stiff all the way up until they ride it down a trail, then the cogs start turning.
Great tech video, keen to learn a bit more about setting up the front fork pressure. In particular a fork with 2 pressure chambers , 'im using a Ohlin s RFX 36.
Cheers B
ZbRider I haven’t spent any time on a 2 pressure chamber yet so its hard to give setup tips. I’ll try get on that fork some time and get some time on it
I do the same, as plush as I can without it being too plush, and as supportive as I can, well balanced bike is important, I got 120 mm travel so using al travel is not hard, jump some stairs, or do a drop, or ride down on big roots.
I agree completely, it also has lots of variables on bike vs rider vs terrain. I ride a Bronson v3 with a 170 fork. Do i need a 170 fork for my local trails no, 150 would be fine, but i do take my bikes to lift access and i do like the confidence it gives on steep chucky loose stuff. On my typical ride i prob use 150mm of my front travel and 90 % of rear. If i have a oh shit moment i am covered. I also dont do jumps or big drops so if i had a 170 fork set up for my local trails to use everything up I'd probably get sea sick 🤮. Back end i am still trying to dial in and i think a gnar dog token while get me to the sweet spot, so we will see.
Guineson 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
Definitely get a gnardog in there, load it up with spacers and drop the sag to where it feels good. It’ll corner better, track the ground better and still be efficient. Wicked bike
100% agreed.
Nice advice. I've been struggling with suspension setup for some time but I think I'm getting the hang of it now. Got a Slash 8 and took a spacer out of the front and rear, set up sag from the Trek website as a guide and now getting the rebound adjusted. Used to land nose first on jumps (I'm not good at jumping so most probably really bad technique.) Now I'm a bit more even when landing. Never knew suspension could be the problem until just recently. My mates forks all seem super plush compared to mine though. They have Fox 36's (3 different models) and I have a Yari. I'm also at least 10kg heavier so I'll blame it on that.
MTB Trail Magic what pressure do you have in your yari? How much do you weigh, and how many tokens?
MTB Trail Magic I’d say first speed your rebound up a few clicks on the fork, see how that feels. A slower rebound will make the fork harsh, as its always getting trapped in the deeper part of the stroke for consecutive hits
@@mtbtelly5522 yeah the two clicks faster I've done helped the quite a lot, but I might try 1 or 2 more to see what it's like. In a video I did at night, my mate watched it and said it looked like the bike was fighting me, and seemed harsh. This is why I looked at the rebound, and set it 2 clicks more than the Trek recommendation. What happens if I have too much rebound? Does it push the fork/wheel off the ground unnecessarily?
MTB Trail Magic fork rebound too slow will make it feel harsh and lack grip, and make the bike feel a little slow and feels like theres not much to push against. Front wheel washes will be regular with a slow front if you don’t counter it with an overly stiff spring
@@mtbtelly5522 thanks. Really helpful info.
Thanks for the continual great content,
Michael Theodorakis my pleasure
I like your logic.
Think I’m on the money now with the remedy. I’ve consistently got 25mm ish left on the front and 3mm ish on the shock.
Would like a bit more left over on the shock but it’s getting a tad high in sag. At 15mm sag now.
Only a couple times I’ve had the oh shit and seen the o rings all the way! Would of been rough without that little oh shit travel.
brokenlegz yeah sounds like you’re on the right track, can always add a spacer in that shock and drop the sag a little. They get better the deeper you go 👌🏽👌🏽
It’s full of spaces. But I might try and get a gnar dog one
brokenlegz yeah definitely get it done. Should be sweet then
MTB Telly just got the gnar dog from cyclinic in the post. Looks like I can go up to 4.5 tokens now! Stock was 2. I had 3 which was maxed out for the stock tokens.
Only expected to be able to go up to 3.5 with the gnardog. So I’ll try 3.5 and if I want more it’s good to know I can go all the way to 4.5!
@@brokenlegz a friend of mine has the same bike and he's got it loaded up (the full 4.5 I'm pretty sure) and it slays now. you should be loving it once you've got it swinging
Great info man 👍
I've been really digging your set up videos/reviews. They give a great insight on the process of fine tuning your sus not just basic set up. I think that's really unique and rad!!
I got some issues with setting up my fox 36s. Even though I got my sag set up to 25-30% I still have about 20mm of travel that I don't use. I also think bottoming out on every run is not worth it but I think 5-10mm reserve for "oh shi**" moments are enough. Should I rather play around with Hi/Lo Compression Settings or maybe take out a spacer or two?
Any thoughts on that? Cheers!
Nicolas Doebeli hard to say without more info. What bike, travel on the fork, and current amount of spacers do you have?
Nicolas Doebeli and current pressure
@@mtbtelly5522 I'm on a commencal meta II with a 160mm fox float 36. I'm Around 72kg with kit. After playing around a little Im at 72 psi, 1 spacer 7 clicks(from open) on HSC and 3(from open) LSC. Feels actually real nice now! I might ad some air to the fork or Few clicks on LSC to give me more support in the beginning to mid stroke, what do you reckon where should I start?
Nicolas Doebeli at 25-30% I reckon you’re too deep in the sag. Not the end of the world but you could get it more supple by bringing it up to around 20% and then setup from there. It will spend more time up in the softer part of the stroke taking away a lot of that spiking feeling you may begetting on repeated hits. Keep the rebound fairly fast as well, to keep the fork up and help with grip
💯
I am flying with my mountain bike for the first time and I need some tips. Should I let the air out of my suspension? And what other things should I do so I don’t damage my bike when flying in an airplane.
Yeah Boi I’d let some air out of the tyres, maybe drop to 10 or so psi, it wouldn’t hurt to take a little air out of the suspension but not crucial. And use some pool noodles to wrap around your frame for transport, anything can happen between you dropping it off and picking it up on the other side. I’d take the derailleur off the bike as well to be safe
MTB Telly Thanks for the tips!
I struggle little with the suspension if I go down ca 1 m long stair cases and about 5-10cm high, the bike is rocking , and it feels harsh, I haven't tried volume reducers yet, I want new suspension anyway, new frame too. but otherwise it seems quite nice, and with Cush Core I run much less pressure so it's not as harsh, but I think I need more progressive suspension. So far it seems like fox or Rock Shox are good choices. I use almost all to all travel, but rarely bottom out harshly, when doing drops I use all travel for sure.
Johannes Nilsen definitely experiment, its worth the effort
@@mtbtelly5522 I am reluctant to buy stuff for it as I think I will get a new bike, I am seriously considering Nicolai Saturn 14 now. beefier than my bike, bike not too extreme I guess. I am not sure what to try for suspension, what would you recommend? so far I know you like Fox. I am probably around 75 kg maybe more with all gear. some say not to get fox 34, and go for pike.
Johannes Nilsen how much travel are you pooking at? I’d go Lyrik Front and superdeluxe rear
@@mtbtelly5522 I think think above 120 probably 140 i don't need to have extreme travel. Not doing high jumps like at Whistler. But so far 120 has been enough most places but I am on the limit i guess, but I mostly ride well, but more travel is nice for when it gets Gnarly, but don't want too heavy bike.
@@mtbtelly5522 I am looking for shredding machine that does give ennoughb comfort atleast as good as my bike has to be supportive, plush, stiff enough, forks have to be stiff enough and I want adjustability.
What do you count as full bottom out. On the fork. O ring at the top of the crown. Shock on the very very bottom of the stroke?
ross_ rusher02 a full bottom out is hitting the bottom and feeling it. The fork I like to see a little travel leftover and rear shock could be at 99% of travel regularly as long as you’re not physically finding the bottom
Ditto.. dont care about using full travel. Priority for me is support over plushness etc.. plush only make my tush feel comfy, support will save it. Just got the luftkappe for my pike 160 but havent had the time to install it yet. Altho hv read a few reviews saying tht the luftkappe is too progessive for the pike 160.
steven t nah no way man it’ll make it killer, assuming you’re running 2 tokens in the pike? It’ll be killer with higher pressure and zero to 1 token 👌🏽👌🏽
@@mtbtelly5522 yea planning to up pressure btw 5 to 10 psi with 0 tokens with the luftkappe n see how tht feels. Was running 80psi with 1 token, right now running abt 85psi with no tokens at 20% sag .with tht setup, just ok mid range support but top travel a bit harsh but can live with it. Diving forks scare the crap out of me. Look forward to ur suspension vid mate.
steven t sweet, yeah luftkappe will completely change the way it feels. Should be killer 👌🏽👌🏽
@@mtbtelly5522 cheers mate
Hey mate, just watched your other vid on the luftkappe, you said there was too much grease (done by the LBS) and made the fork preformed badly. I m abt to install mine n the instruction by vorsprung site instruct to apply "liberally"; see below as per their instructions:
Step Four
Referring back to the Rockshox factory service manuals, lubricate the Luftkappe piston & its main seal very liberally with Slick Honey, then carefully install the air shaft assembly along with the seal head assembly back into the bottom of the stanchion according to Rockshox's instructions.
Pls advise mate.
will you be racing fox long this weekend?
Orlando Greer nah man, you?
@@mtbtelly5522 Yeah I should be
hey man, I'm having problems with my rear shock on my 2011 specialized enduro comp, I seem to bottom out far to easy even on small drops, Im using the biggest vorsprung volume spacer in the shock didn't make a difference. I run 20% sag and tried running less but still bottoms out.
do you think air is escaping into the negative chamber and sucking it down? I don't know please help
Jacob Farrugia is it showing the full stroke of the shock when you’re not on the bike?
@@mtbtelly5522 yeah mate
Jacob Farrugia when was it last serviced?
@@mtbtelly5522 I bought it used a week ago serviced about a year ago
Jacob Farrugia hard to say, I’d send it away for a full service and see how it is from there