If you're just getting interested in this topic, here's a few quick start-up tips: Recap: 1) Get your Rider SAG right for your weight. Should be approximately 30% of total travel. Look at your bike's travel specifications. 2) Try to get the Static SAG to 10% of total travel. May not always be possible with a long travel suspension. Next up: Setting Rebound and Compression Damping: Rebound: Start with no damping and increase it until the front and rear of the bike does not bounce when pushed down. Compression requires riding. Add a cable tie to your fork leg and rear shock as a measuring instrument. Normal riding travel should be around 75% of total travel. Avoid a bottom-out when braking hard. From there, you can increase compression damping to your style of riding conditions. Plenty of Webpages and Youtube's on both the above. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now we're getting into the heart of this topic: Reading Your Tyres: The Next Step. I don't mean what's written on the sidewall. I'm referring to tyre wear for street applications only as reading tyres wear for the track is a rabbit hole. Tyres represent about 20% of your suspension where they can show you a significant amount of additional information. For rebound damping, look at the leading and trailing edge of the thread of both tyres. A trailing edge that's higher than the leading edge is symptomatic of a wheel rebounding too fast. Increase damping. Should the leading edge be higher than the trailing edge, reduce damping. Also, look at 10 & 2 o'clock on the rear tyre for dots which could be indicative of too much bounce. Increase damping. For compression damping, look at the 10 & 2 o'clock on the rear tyre for a wave of roughness relative to the center-line. This may be indicative that the tyre is attempting to compensate for a harsh suspension. Decrease damping. The above will go a long way in simply helping to tweak rebound & compression damping. Reading tyres for pressure and geometry is a different kettle of fish. Further comments will serve to delve deeper into this topic.
