How much of your mountain bike suspension travel are you supposed to use?

Do you want to get the best out of your mountain bike suspension travel but are not sure how much of the travel you should be using? Let’s find out!

We often hear riders who think it is bad to bottom out your fork or your shock. That’s only true if it happens too often, or on very small and low-impact features on the trail.

Your suspension is supposed to be used, sometimes just a bit of the travel, and sometimes all of it!

There are a few things to take into account those are:

• Suspension setup.

• Riding style and speed.

• Terrain and trail features.
  

Suspension Setup

If you haven’t already done so, you NEED to set up your mountain bike suspension correctly for optimal comfort and performance. Not sure how to do it? Check out our FREE Mountain Bike setup course and you’ll have step-by-step instructions on how to set up your bike.

Assuming your suspension is set correctly for your weight, let’s move on.

Riding style and speed

Some riders go slower than others, which is fine! Some are faster. Some riders are very light and smooth in their style while others just hold on and smash the trail… Your suspension reacts to how hard it's being pushed. If you ride heavy and fast, you will be using more suspension travel and are more likely to bottom out occasionally. If your riding style is super smooth, you might not be using all of that travel.

Terrain and trail features

A smooth trail will not make your suspension work hard and move through all of its travel, but if you’re riding steep, chunky, and rocky trails – there is more need for absorption and that means you will move through your suspension travel more.

Conclusion

It is ok to use your entire suspension travel – If you combine a good suspension setup for your riding style together with rough and technical trails – you should be using everything the bike can offer you. If you’re riding slower or more relaxed trails – you shouldn’t be bottoming out too often.