An explanation of compression can be found in the glossary.

To start with, for a front or rear shock, set compression fully off.

If you are finding the bike uses all its travel upon braking, flowing bumps or on the landings from smooth jumps you need to increase the low speed compression, remember a little at a time, just a click and then see how it performs.

For square edged bumps and objects that would require the wheel to move quickly upwards to negotiate smoothly, without using all the travel up and/or bottoming out, then increase the high speed compression

Remember it’s the shape of the obstacle you’re going over that defines what type of compression it is not necessarily the speed you're going!

 

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Compression problem solver

Symptoms: Not using full travel, feels harsh, poor traction while making turns

Causes: Overly stiff spring or compression damping

Solutions: Lower air pressure or softer coil springs; reduce compression damping

 

Symptoms: Bottoms out, soft throughout travel

Causes: Spring rate too low throughout travel or too little compression damping

Solutions: More air pressure or stiffer coils springs; increase compression damping

 

Symptoms: Harsh over large bumps, but good over small ones

Causes: Compression damping too high

Solutions: Reduce compression damping

 

Symptoms: Excessive sag, feels soft initially but does not bottom out

Causes: Initial spring rate or preload too low

Solutions: Increase air pressure or spring preload

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