The Importance of Setting the SAG on Your MTB Suspension and Shock
If you ride mountain bikes — whether you’re a weekend trail enthusiast or a downhill addict — one of the essential (but sometime overlooked) steps in bike setup is dialing in your suspension SAG. It’s not just a number — it’s the baseline for your bike’s suspension performance. Let’s break down what SAG is, how to set it properly, and why it makes such a massive difference in your ride!
In this blog page, we will focus on understanding SAG to unlock your suspension's true potential. While air tokens and compression settings are important as well, we won’t dive into them just yet — understanding SAG and its impact is the essential first step before exploring advanced suspension adjustments.
What is SAG?
In simple terms, SAG is how much your suspension compresses under your body weight when you're sitting or standing in your normal riding position, without moving.
Both your front fork and rear shock are designed to sit in a partially compressed state when you're on the bike. This ensures that the suspension can react equally to bumps and drops — giving you control, grip, and comfort across any terrain.
How to Set Your SAG? (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to set SAG correctly for your fork and shock. You’ll need:
- A suspension pump.
- A shock o-ring or zip tie if your suspension doesn’t have one.
- Your riding gear (helmet, hydration pack, etc.).
- A friend? (optional but helpful).
________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. First Check Manufacturer's Recommended SAG to begin
- Most forks aim for 15–20% SAG
- Most shocks aim for 25–30% SAG
Find the total travel of your fork/shock and calculate the SAG in millimeters. Some manufacturers also have travel markings on their product for reference.
2. Put on Your Gear
You want to mimic real riding weight — that includes your gear, shoes, pack, water bottle, etc.
3. Get in the Ready Position
Hop on the bike and assume your normal riding stance (standing on the pedals, centered over the bike). Have a friend help balance the bike, or do it near a wall or sturdy post.
4. Measure the SAG
- Push the o-ring or zip tie on the stanchion or shock shaft against the seal. (Pro tip: push the o-ring or zip tie against the seal before standing on your bike, and get on your pedal gently).
- Gently dismount without compressing the suspension further.
- Measure how much the o-ring moved — that’s your SAG amount.
- Adjust air pressure accordingly (more pressure = less SAG, less pressure = more SAG) and repeat until you hit your target range.
5. Re-check After a Few Rides
Suspension breaks in and your weight/load may change. Re-check sag periodically to stay dialed in.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why SAG Matters So Much
Here’s what happens when your SAG is off:
SAG Too Low (Too Firm):
- Harsh ride, poor traction.
- Suspension doesn’t "activate".
- Poor small bump compliance.
- Less grip on technical trails.
SAG Too High (Too Soft):
- Wallowy feel, loss of support.
- Bottoms out easily.
- Less efficient climbing.
- Sluggish, unstable handling.
A properly set SAG allows your suspension to:
✅ Track the terrain smoothly.
✅ Maintain traction in corners and climbs.
✅ Absorb hits without harshness.
✅ Keep your geometry balanced and predictable.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAG isn’t one-size-fits-all — it will vary from rider to rider.
Your ideal SAG depends not only on your weight, but also on the type of terrain you ride and the feel you're looking for — whether that’s more comfort, better support, or maximum traction. Tuning it to your style is key to getting the most out of your suspension.
Don’t skip SAG setup — it’s a 5-minute adjustment that can completely transform the way your mountain bike rides. Whether you're chasing KOMs, sending jumps, or just enjoying weekend loops, take the time to dial in your suspension. Your body — and your bike — will thank you.
Happy trails!
Appreciate the insights? Share with others!
Enjoyed this post? You may also like: