Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Do you adjust your front suspension? If so, when?
#1
I have a dual suspension bike which I've never altered in the years I've had it.

One of our riders changes his especially front shock regularly on every ride,

Do you change yours? And why and when do you?

Any thoughts would be great Smile
  Reply
#2
can you be more specific about the "change" he makes to the front suspension?

you may just be watching an air pressure check. or minor adjustment for conditions expected on the ride...
  Reply
#3
In the simplest terms, if he's going uphill, he tightens it, though he doesn't always lock it, it depends on the hill and terrain, and if he's going downhill again, terrain and slope, he'll release it.

Level surface depends if on a flow track or fire trail to where he positions it.
  Reply
#4
I think your friend is just locking the suspension during climbs so his bike doesn't experience "pedal bob power loss" on the climb, I put air quotes because that term changes a lot between countries, it basically explains that if you have a front suspension and you are climbing, your bike will have a tendency to bob up and down while you're pedaling which a lot of people actually generally say eats up the force you need while climbing up. Here are a few pointers

1.) power loss thru the suspension moving up and down has been debunked by using a power meter and a record of climb times on various tests, it was actually observed that keeping the suspension open lets you climb faster because it produces more traction for the bike hence it actually meant more power was also transferred to the forward momentum of your ride

2.) leaving it on open mean you experience less road/trail chatter that transfer to your hands thus helping you make more runs downhill during the ride

3.) closing it offers no benefit at all


now to answer your question about suspension settings, various companies equip their forks with minimal settings all the way to very complicated set ups (ex: rebound, sag, psi, etc etc.) these settings need a whole thread for explanation and I think words wouldn't be sufficient to describe the feeling you get for each setting but there really is a night and day difference between these and to better figure it out, it is best to consult your trusty bike mechanic or toy around with it your self, there is no one way to dial these settings in as it all really boils down to how you use your bike and how rowdy the trails your riding at is

hope this helps and enjoy!
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Gandolfi "Super" model 1985-86 racing bi...
Yesterday 01:33 PM
How I used to clean my bike
07-03-2025 04:43 PM
Cassette shifting Problem
07-03-2025 02:51 PM
Continued learnings from bikepacking
07-02-2025 04:50 AM
What are the pros and cons of using a 26...
07-02-2025 04:46 AM
I got new Tioga FASTR X Tires (Ask Me An...
07-02-2025 01:31 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
07-02-2025 12:55 AM
The great thing about trikes
07-01-2025 11:10 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
07-01-2025 10:40 AM
How to improve cycling endurance? I've h...
06-30-2025 06:27 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
21 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
14 posts
no avatar 4. Jesper
14 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
11 posts