Do you run your suspension at the manufacturer’s recommended settings?

Suspension recommendations are generally a good place to start, but many mountain bikers have a preference for a firmer or softer setup.
By Jeff Barber

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Close-up image of a mountain bike's rear shock absorber, showcasing a sleek design with a blend of black and bronze colors. The shock is labeled "FLOAT" and features adjustable settings, mounted securely on a modern bike frame against a blurred green and golden background.
File photo: Daniel Palma.

Mountain bike and suspension brands provide recommendations for suspension settings that are generally based on the rider’s weight and the bike’s intended use. For example, your fork user manual might have a table showing initial air pressures for various rider weights, or a bike brand might tell you to set the sag at a certain percentage of the shock travel.

But those are just recommendations. We want to know if you generally follow these suggestions, or if you tend to go firmer (higher pressure) or more supple (less pressure) with your suspension components.

Do you run your suspension at the manufacturer's recommended settings?

Does your answer change depending on whether it’s a fork or a shock? Tell us why in the comments below. 👇

 
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