Full-suspension MTB
A full-suspension bike has suspension at both ends. Fork and shock absorb impacts, keep the rear wheel on the ground and make rough trails controllable. For that to work, air pressure, SAG and rebound at both ends must suit the rider’s weight.
Typical spec
- 29″ wheels or mullet (29″ front, 27.5″ rear)
- Travel from about 100 mm (cross-country) to 170 mm and more (enduro)
- Air or coil shock, shock size depending on the frame
- Tyres 2.3–2.5″, casing to suit the riding
Fork and shock: starting values
Air pressure in psi as a starting point – then fine-tune using SAG. The values match our suspension calculator.
| Rider | Fork | Shock |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 56 psi (3.9 bar) | 150 psi (10.3 bar) |
| 70 kg | 65 psi (4.5 bar) | 175 psi (12.1 bar) |
| 80 kg | 74 psi (5.1 bar) | 200 psi (13.8 bar) |
| 90 kg | 84 psi (5.8 bar) | 225 psi (15.5 bar) |
| 100 kg | 93 psi (6.4 bar) | 250 psi (17.2 bar) |
| 110 kg | 102 psi (7.0 bar) | 275 psi (19 bar) |
Tyre pressure chart
Starting values in bar (front / rear), tubeless with a trail casing, rider weight including kit.
| Rider | 2.30″ | 2.40″ | 2.50″ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.5 / 1.722 / 25 psi | 1.4 / 1.621 / 24 psi | 1.4 / 1.621 / 24 psi |
| 70 kg | 1.7 / 1.924 / 27 psi | 1.6 / 1.822 / 25 psi | 1.6 / 1.822 / 25 psi |
| 80 kg | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi | 1.7 / 1.924 / 27 psi | 1.7 / 1.924 / 27 psi |
| 90 kg | 1.9 / 2.127 / 30 psi | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi | 1.8 / 2.026 / 29 psi |
| 100 kg | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi | 1.9 / 2.128 / 31 psi | 1.9 / 2.128 / 31 psi |
| 110 kg | 2.1 / 2.331 / 34 psi | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi | 2.0 / 2.229 / 32 psi |
Setup tips
- Shock SAG around 25–30 %, fork SAG 20–22 % – the more descent-oriented, the more.
- Set air pressure for SAG first, then rebound: the rear should return quickly after an edge without kicking.
- With a coil shock, spring rate determines SAG – use only minimal preload.
- If the suspension bottoms out despite correct SAG, volume spacers (tokens) usually help more than extra pressure.
Full-suspension MTB: bikes in our database
149 model families with manufacturer data – each with SAG tables and tyre pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How much SAG on a full-suspension bike?
25–30 % at the shock and 20–22 % at the fork are typical. Cross-country bikes run firmer, enduro bikes more SAG. If the manufacturer gives its own figures, use those.
How much air in the shock?
As a rough rule of thumb, our calculator suggests around 2.5 psi (0.17 bar) per kilogram of rider weight. Because rear suspension leverage ratios vary a lot, measured SAG is what counts.