How to set Your MTB Suspension with Bracketing

What is bracketing and how to use it?

What is bracketing and why should you use it?

Bracketing is a process of dialing in your rebound and compression adjustments by trial and error. Simply put, individually tweaking each adjustment and testing for positive or negative sensations. Then making the next adjustment in relation to that positive or negative feeling. If you get positive sensations you continue in that direction of adjustments until those positives turn negative. Then digress back to the adjustment before a negative sensation was felt.

Bracketing can aid your suspension tuning by taking away the need to know exactly what each adjustment does. You can tune solely based on feeling, searching for what feels good versus what you think is supposed to be happening.

What is needed to use a bracketing system?

A short in length, easily repeatable trail with obstacles you want to tune for
A multi tool or necessary tools to make adjustments on you suspension
Some sort of notepad to mark notes and remarks(Check our ‘Bracketing’ PDF below)
A bike that is well maintained or new
A properly set sag(check out our ‘How To Set SAG’ video within Tech Help)
And a bit of time and patience

Step 1: Prep your tools and head to the trails

Step 2: Determine your starting point

If this is a brand new bike or shock you can find a great place to start by referencing the factory recommended settings for your body weight and riding style. (Screen shot of fox website)
If you are re-adjusting a bike you’ve been on then you’re in luck. You already have some experience on your bike and may have an idea of what you're looking to achieve through tuning.
Once you determine where you want to start, make notes of them as your starting point and ride the trail x2 to get a feeling for the sensations they produce

*We use TC(To Closed) as a constant, meaning we always count the clicks from ‘closed’ or turned till they stop in the positive direction. We always count our clicks from this fully closed position. EX: 5TC means 5 clicks before that fully closed position.

Step 1: Make some adjustments and begin the process.

Begin by adjusting 2 clicks in either direction from your desired starting point.

*I say 2 clicks because the larger jump in adjustment will allow you to experience more change in sensations. You can also adjust in 1 click increments but for less experienced riders it may be more difficult to notice

Ride the section of trail again and make notes of your sensations(positive or negative).
If you felt a positive change or a change that you like, continue in that direction another 2 clicks. If you felt a negative change or a change you didn't like, return to the original and move 2 clicks in the opposite direction. If you felt no change, return to the original position and see if you notice a difference by doing so.
Repeat this process for all of the adjustments within your shock and fork.

*ONLY change one of the adjusters at a time. By adjusting one at a time you will be able to determine what the positives and negatives are related to specifically.

Step 1: How do you know when you’re finished?

The easiest way to determine when you’ve found an optimal adjustment setting is when the positive sensations plateau and before they begin to become negative.

*EX: You start from 8TC(8 clicks until closed). You adjust in the open direction 2 clicks(now you’re at 10TC) and it produces positive sensations so you continue with 2 more clicks in the open direction(Now you’re at 12TC). This time you have some negative sensations. You will remove x1 of those clicks you added(now at 11 TC) and test again. You get positive sensations and feel like the bike is comfortable for you. You have now found your plateau and stopping point.