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WHAT IS BRACKET TESTING?

Suspension bracket testing is an in-depth method for finding your preferred suspension settings by testing the extreme ends of your Rebound and Compression ranges. By making one adjustment at a time while riding the same section of trail, you’ll get a clear idea of the difference each adjuster makes.

The goal is to help you better understand your suspension components and guide you toward achieving a solid baseline setup. While this process won’t deliver a perfect result on its own, it’s designed to empower you to make informed adjustments that move you closer to your desired performance. At RockShox, we call this the “window of happiness.”

A few things to note: make sure your suspension is in good working condition and within its 50-hour service interval; keep an open mind about this approach, even if you’re experienced with suspension; and finally, this process prioritizes repeatability, so aim for consistency in each lap.

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Before getting started, make sure you’ve completed the initial setup: setting your spring rate.

This step is essential—without a solid baseline, no amount of knob-turning will bring you to your window of happiness. Spring rate refers to how stiff the suspension is and can come in the form of an air spring (found in forks and rear shocks) or a coil spring (typically found on rear shocks). Air spring rate is measured in pressure (psi), while coil spring rate is measured in force per unit of displacement (lb/in).

  • If the spring rate is too low, the suspension will sit too deep into its travel and can bottom out too easily.
  • If it’s too high, you may not use all your travel, which can reduce traction and comfort.
       

Not sure where to start with initial setup? We’ve got you covered.
(And don’t forget to set your Rebound based on our recommendation—your initial Rebound setting is based on your spring rate.)

Suspension bracket testing in Moab Utah

KEY TERMS

REBOUND

Rebound refers to how quickly the suspension returns to its starting position after being compressed. This is the only damper adjustment we make during the initial setup process, as it depends on the spring rate.

COMPRESSION

This refers to the resistance provided by the damper as the suspension compresses through its travel. Compression settings can be adjusted based on the rider’s preferences and the terrain.

LOW-SPEED COMPRESSION (LSC)

Affects how the fork feels in gradual compressions. Think berms, weight shifts, small bumps, and transitions–whenever the damper shaft moves slowly.

HIGH-SPEED COMPRESSION (HSC)

Affects how the fork feels in high-speed, quick impacts. Think rock gardens, roots, and drops—whenever the damper shaft moves quickly.

Dan Booker bracketing in Australia

BRACKETING
BASICS

INTRODUCTION

This process has two objectives: to make clear the full range of adjustments available on your RockShox suspension, and to find your window of happiness based on your spring rate and riding preferences. We'll start with the basics—picking a trail segment and counting your compression clicks–before beginning the bracketing process.

Rebound has a huge impact on ride characteristics, so we’ll start bracketing with Rebound settings and then move to Compression. Immediately after each lap, record detailed notes on how the bike performed throughout the trail. You’ll revisit these observations later in the process, so aim for accuracy and thoroughness.

Tech Tip: Use the Journal function in your Trailhead app to keep track of your progress.

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PICKING A TRAIL SEGMENT

During this bracket test, you’ll need to repeat a section of trail at least six times—possibly more. Choose a trail segment that includes a variety of features: smooth sections, rough patches, and corners. While riding, it’s essential to follow the same line on every lap and maintain a pace at 60% – 80% of your top speed. Be sure to stay within your ability and fitness level to complete the day in a safe manner.

COMPRESSION CLICKS

To simplify the experience for our riders, RockShox designed Charger 3 (and newer) to start in the middle position. This makes Compression settings easy to see and sets the baseline setting as the default position so Compression can be added or removed. Let’s review how to count your Compression clicks.

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CHARGER 3 AND NEWER


The middle / "0" setting is your baseline. Add damping by rotating the knobs clockwise to move the “+” toward the middle. Remove damping by rotating the knobs counterclockwise to move the “-” toward the middle.


Ex: Charger 3 has 15 LSC positions.

  • Fully Closed: +7
  • Middle: 0
  • Fully Open: -7

    • Learn more

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ALL OTHER DAMPERS


Compression clicks are counted starting from the least Compression (towards the -). The most amount of Compression (towards the +) will be the largest number.


Ex: Charger 2.1 has 20 LSC positions.

  • Fully Closed: 20
  • Middle: 10
  • Fully Open: 1

Rider on RockShox E-MTB repeating laps to bracket suspension setup

BRACKETING
LAPS

RECORDING BASELINE

Next, record all your settings from the initial set up procedure—you’ll refer back to these multiple times during the process.

For Rebound, count clicks from the full Closed (hard stop clockwise) position. Set Compression (both High-Speed and Low-Speed) to the middle setting.

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SIGHT LAP

Now that your baseline settings are recorded, it’s time to go for a lap. The goal: get comfortable on your test track, learn your lines, and get acquainted with your bike. It’s important to ride well within your limits while bracket testing : 60% – 80% of your top speed, as our priority is paying attention to the bike’s behavior.


Even if you have extensive experience with suspension, it’s important to set aside any preconceptions about your current setup and move through each step with a fresh perspective. Be sure to record both the desirable and undesirable traits of each suspension configuration.

REBOUND BRACKETING

Rebound has a huge impact on ride characteristics. Because it's directly tied to your spring rate, once you've dialed in your baseline setting, you can typically leave it alone—it doesn't need to change from trail to trail.

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REBOUND LAP 1
(FULL SLOW)


Set all Rebound adjustments to the full Closed position (hard stop clockwise) on both the fork and rear shock. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as your sight lap. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail. For Rebound, count clicks from the full Closed (hard stop clockwise) position.

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REBOUND LAP 2
(FULL FAST)


Set all Rebound adjustments to the full Open position (hard stop counter-clockwise) on both the fork and rear shock. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as in previous laps. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

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REBOUND LAP 3
(BASELINE)


Return to your baseline Rebound settings—the same ones used during your sight lap. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as in previous laps. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.


This lap concludes the initial exploration phase of the Rebound bracketing process. If your primary goal is to better understand your suspension adjustments, you can now move on to the Compression bracketing stage. If you’d like to continue fine-tuning your Rebound, proceed to Rebound Lap 4+.

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REBOUND LAP 4+
(FINE TUNING)


At this point, the process becomes less structured and more tailored to your specific needs as a rider. Because small adjustments can be difficult to feel, we begin with larger changes and gradually reduce the size of those adjustments as we progress.


For the next lap, review your notes from Rebound Lap 1 and Rebound Lap 2. Identify which setting felt better (full fast or full slow), then set the Rebound halfway between that setting and your baseline. While we want to maintain balance on the bike, this is also the step of the process where adjustments can be made between the fork and shock independently.

Now repeat the process you just went through. Review your notes from the baseline lap and the preferred Rebound lap (1 or 2). Identify which setting felt better, then set the Rebound halfway between that preferred setting and the setting you just rode. If you are content with your current Rebound setting, move to the Validation step.

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REBOUND FINAL LAP
(VALIDATION)


Now that you have arrived at a Rebound setting you are happy with, return to your baseline settings (from baseline and Rebound lap 3) and take another lap—this should be the setting you are most familiar with. We want to confirm that where you landed fits you better than where you started.


Take a final lap to validate that the setting you landed on feels right.


After validating your setting, set your Rebound in your preferred position.

COMPRESSION BRACKETING

The bracketing process for Compression will closely mirror that of Rebound, with two primary objectives: explore the full range of Compression adjustment and identify the optimal Compression setting for the trails you ride and your ride style.

Unlike Rebound, Compression is not dependent on spring rate. Therefore, all riders will begin from the same middle setting. There is no need for a sight lap at this point—you should already be familiar with the bike and trail, and you’ll continue riding with the Rebound setting established during the Rebound bracketing phase.

This process will depend slightly on what Compression adjustments your damper has. If your bike has only one Compression adjustment, you will only go through the Low Speed Compression bracketing steps.

If your bike has both High Speed and Low Speed Compression, you will bracket these two settings separately, starting with Low Speed Compression, then followed by High Speed Compression.

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LSC LAP 1
(FULLY OPEN)


Set all Low Speed Compression adjustments to the full Open position (rotate the “-” to the indicator line) on both the fork and rear shock. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as your sight lap. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

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LSC LAP 2
(FULLY CLOSED)


Set all Low Speed Compression adjustments to the full Closed position (rotate the “+” to the indicator line) on both the fork and rear shock. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as in previous laps. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

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LSC LAP 3
(BASELINE)


Return to your middle Compression settings—the same ones used during your sight lap. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as in previous laps. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

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HSC LAP 1
(FULLY OPEN)


Set all High Speed Compression adjustments to the full Open position (rotate the “-” to the indicator line) on both the fork and rear shock. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as your sight lap. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

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HSC LAP 2
(FULLY CLOSED)


Set all High Speed Compression adjustments to the full Closed position (rotate the “+” to the indicator line) on both the fork and rear shock. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as in previous laps. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

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HSC LAP 3
(BASELINE)


Return to your baseline middle Compression settings—the same ones used during your sight lap. Once set, ride the same line and maintain the same pace as in previous laps. Pay close attention to how the bike behaves across all sections of the trail.

This lap concludes the initial exploration phase of the Compression bracketing process.

If your primary goal is to better understand your suspension adjustments, you have completed the bracketing procedure. GO HAVE FUN!

If you’d like to continue fine-tuning your Compression, proceed to the next step.

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COMPRESSION LAP 4+
(FINE TUNING)


At this point, our process becomes less structured and more tailored to your specific needs as a rider. Because small adjustments can be difficult to feel, we begin with larger changes and gradually reduce the size of those adjustments as we progress.

For the next lap, review your notes from Low Speed Compression Laps 1 and 2 and High Speed Compression Laps 1 and 2. Identify which settings felt better, then set your Compression to the preferred combination of adjustments.

If your bike only has one Compression adjustment, use the same strategy from the Rebound bracketing section. Pick which was preferred between Low Speed Compression laps 1 and 2. Then set your Compression halfway between that setting and your baseline.

While we want to maintain balance on the bike, this is also the step of the process where adjustments can be made between the fork and shock independently.

Review your notes from the baseline lap and the preferred Compression laps (HSC or LSC laps 1 or 2). Identify which setting felt better, then set the Compression halfway between that preferred setting, and the setting you just rode.

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COMPRESSION FINAL LAP
(VALIDATION)


Now that you have arrived on a Compression setting you are happy with, return to your baseline settings (Compression in the middle) and take another lap—this should be the setting you are most familiar with.


Ride a final lap to validate the final Compression settings that you have landed on.

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ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENTS

While the official bracketing procedure is complete, there are many adjustments not covered in this process. These include Bottomless Tokens, air pressure, and Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom Out (AHBO).

While RockShox does not have an official recommended procedure to make adjustments to these, use the notes section of Trailhead to continue to bracket your suspension and make adjustments.

When doing this, be sure to record which one adjustment is changed at the top of the page and thorough notes on the suspension behavior.

FINE TUNING GUIDE

Want a better understanding of which settings affect ride feel? Take a deeper look at our Fine Tuning Guide.

Learn more