Suspension glossary
The key suspension terms used across the calculator and the manuals, explained in plain language.
Suspension terms, defined
Definitions- SAG
- Amount the suspension compresses under static weight. Free sag (unloaded bike): 0–10 mm — verifies the spring rate is appropriate. Rider sag (rider aboard in riding gear): 25–40 mm depending on riding style — adjusted by turning the spring preload. Correct sag keeps the chassis geometry balanced and ensures full suspension travel is available.
- Spring preload
- Sets initial spring tension. More preload raises the bike and stiffens early travel — suitable for heavier loads. Less preload lowers the bike and softens the first millimetres of travel. Depending on the adjuster it is set either in turns of a threaded collar — full turns of the collar counted from the fully backed-off (softest) reference point, not the number of coils visible on the spring itself — or in steps of a stepped (cam) collar moved with a hook spanner, where "position 3" means the 3rd step from the softest setting, not three full turns.
- Compression
- Controls how quickly the suspension compresses under a bump. More clicks = slower, firmer compression — limits dive under braking but can feel harsh. Less clicks = softer, more reactive fork or shock. Measured in clicks. Whether "firmer" means a higher or a lower number depends on the model — see Click counting direction below.
- Rebound
- Controls how quickly the suspension returns to neutral after being compressed. Too fast: bounces back before the wheel settles — chattering. Too slow: suspension stays compressed, packing down and losing grip. Measured in clicks. Like compression, the click count can run from either the soft or the firm end depending on the model — see Click counting direction below.
- Click counting direction ↻ / ↺
- Clicks and turns are always counted from a reference stop, and you always count in the direction that firms the adjuster up. Not every model starts from the same stop — so the same "firmer" change can mean a higher or a lower number.
- ↻ Count clockwise from the soft stop (most models). Wind the adjuster fully anti-clockwise until it stops, then count the clicks clockwise from there. More clicks = firmer, so the values rise as the load goes up.
- ↺ Count anti-clockwise from the firm (hard) stop (e.g. the 1000MT-X). Wind the adjuster fully clockwise until it stops, then count the clicks anti-clockwise from there. Fewer clicks = firmer, so the values fall as the load goes up even though the suspension is being stiffened.