The advent of mountain bike suspension brought about changes in the way people ride. Rigid suspension taxes your arms and legs when you ride for extended periods of time, requiring repeated adjustments in your riding style. Suspension provides cushion and control that allows riders to focus on the overall ride and maximize the mountain bike experience.
Basics
To experience the operation of the front suspension on your mountain bike, straddle the upper frame tube and hold the handlebar grips. Squeeze the front brake lever to prevent the front wheel from rolling and push your arms and upper body weight on the handlebars. To experience the rear suspension, ask a friend to stabilize the bike as you stand on the pedals and hop the rear end of the bike up and down. You should notice that the front forks and mono-shock compress under your action and weight.
Sag
Sag refers to the compression of the suspension. Suspension forks sag at a vertical angle as you encounter bumps. This angle of compression allows you to maintain effective steering control. The mono-shock at the rear suspension sags at a more dramatic angle, which helps maintain traction at the rear wheel. Suspension forks and mono-shocks have adjustments that allow you to set the sag for different riders and riding styles.
Travel
The overall compression and extension of the front or rear suspension is referred to as the travel of the suspension. Stiffer suspension with less sag has less travel than softer suspension with more sag. Heavier riders and extreme riders would set up the suspension with less sag to compensate for body weight and hard landings. If the sag is too soft, the result is less control because steering and tracking are affected when the suspension is fully compressed.
Types of Suspension
Not all mountain bikes have full suspension with shocks at both wheels. Again, heavier riders and extreme riders might benefit from full suspension because of the additional cushion at the rear wheel. Many intermediate and advanced riders prefer rigid suspension at the rear wheel for more traction and rear-end control. Regardless of the type of suspension, mountain bike riders find that setting up the bike with the proper amount of sag improves the riding experience.
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