How to Tune a Deflated Front Suspension on a Mountain Bike

Written By: Cooper Van Doren

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How to Tune a Deflated Front Suspension on a Mountain Bike

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

15 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Maintaining and tuning your mountain bike's front air fork is essential for a safe, smooth, and controlled ride. Following a few simple steps, you can ensure your suspension is set up to handle rough terrain, provide comfort, and improve performance.

This guide will walk you through the basics of inspecting, cleaning, inflating, and adjusting your fork to keep your bike trail-ready.

Tools

Step 1

Inspect the front fork for any visible damage, such as scratches on the stanchions or oil leakage around the seals.
It may be helpful to flip the bike upside down to get a clear view of the fork.
Ensure the compression is set to "On".
This is typically done by rotating the compression knob on the fork away from the lock symbol.

Step 2

Wet a microfiber cloth with a spray bottle and wipe down the stanchions. Making sure to remove any dirt or grime buildup.
Clean fork stanchions prevent seal wear and maintain smooth movement.
Avoid using high-pressure water near any seals to prevent dirt from being shoved inside.

Step 3

Remove the cap of the air inflate valve.
Attach the shock pump to the air inlet valve by twisting clockwise.
Ensure the pump is securely tightened to the valve before moving on.

Step 4

Use the pump to add air to the fork to set sag.
Sag is the amount a bike's suspension compresses when you sit on the bike. Typically, starting with 100 psi is a good starting point for most riders.
If a rubber O-ring is not present on the stanchions, carefully attach a zip tie around one of the fork's stanchions. This will be used to measure sag.
Sit on the bicycle with your entire weight. Get off, and check the zip tie. Adjust the air pressure until you reach your target sag (20-30% of the fork’s total travel).
Unscrew the shock pump each time you set sag.

Step 5

Adjust the rebound with the rebound adjustment knob. Turn it to adjust the rebound speed to your preference.
Rockshox has a handy graphic displaying a turtle and a hair for slow and fast rebound.
Turn it to the slow position for rough trails or the fast position for smoother paths.
A good rule of thumb is that the fork should return to its original position without bouncing.
Once done, test-ride the new suspension and adjust if needed.

Author

Cooper Van Doren

Member since: 17/10/24

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