GUIDE: How to Adjust the Suspension of your e-Bike

A correct configuration of the suspensions is essential in order to optimize the performance of your e-bike, and our goal is to provide you with the information you need to improve the performance of your electric bike. This first guide will show you the best conditions to adjust the e-bike suspension and will answer the most common questions about the SAG.

HOW DO SUSPENSIONS WORK?

Inside the suspension fork there are two main components: the spring and the shock absorberThe spring, which is normally full of pressurized air, allows impacts to be absorbed on any terrain without damaging the bike or the cyclist. The e-bike suspension slows the suspension fork at the exact moment your bike responds to an impact, stopping any rebound effect and changing the kinetic energy of the impact in heat. Most of the suspension works by pushing the oil through small holes and, the greater the impact, the faster the oil must be pushed through the holes.

WHAT IS SAG?

In order for the suspension fork to work properly, it must be able to respond to all the potential impacts of the route you are taking. To maintain tractionthe forks not only have to absorb impacts, but also extend to fill the holes, keeping the wheels of the bicycle on the ground. To allow the suspension to extend, we must shift the weight of our body. SAG is, therefore, the compression percentage of the e-bike suspension due to the weight of the biker.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND IF SAG IS WRONG

To calculate the ideal SAG it is necessary to mount on the bike and read the references on the air forks: a correctly adjusted rear SAG will read a value equal to about 25% the total run for XC AMabout 30-33% for Enduro, 35% and over for DH.

Any other value will negatively affect the driving experience.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SAG IS DIFFERENT FROM THE RECOMMENDED VALUE?

In case your Enduro has a SAG of 30.33% (recommended) and you wanted a more reactive e-bike, a 25% SAG could do it for you. A decision of this type will not only influence the harshness of the suspension, but will also act on the behavior of the bicycle. Following this variation, the bicycle will assume a steering angle of a more closed grade and the bottom bracket will vary in height by 11mm. In a nutshell, your pedal assisted bike will pass from an Enduro to an All-Mountain.