Suspension Setup Guide: PSI, Sag, and Damper Settings

Getting suspension setup right is the single biggest performance improvement most riders can make without changing any hardware. A correctly set-up shock on a well-tuned frame outperforms a premium shock that is running at the wrong pressure for the rider’s weight and the terrain.

Both the Paratu CP and Iuhu CP use a 230 mm eye-to-eye shock with stroke options of 57.5 mm, 60 mm, 62.5 mm, or 65 mm depending on your travel preference. The setup process is the same regardless of which shock model you are running.

The target: 25–30% sag

Sag is the amount the suspension compresses under your static body weight in your normal riding position. For enduro and aggressive trail riding, the correct range is 25–30% of total stroke. For eMTB use on the Paratu CP, the motor weight is distributed through the frame rather than the suspension, so the same 25–30% target applies — do not add pressure to compensate for the motor, compensate only for your body weight.

To measure sag: put on your riding gear, sit on the bike in your normal riding position with feet on the pedals, have someone mark the shock shaft or use the O-ring, then get off. The distance the O-ring moved from the seal divided by total stroke is your sag percentage.

PSI starting points by rider weight

The following are starting PSI values for the most common shocks used on both frames. These come directly from the manufacturer manuals and are confirmed, not approximated. Fine-tune from these numbers by 5–10 PSI in either direction based on your measured sag.

Fox Float X2 (air volume standard):

• 60 kg rider: ~140 PSI
• 75 kg rider: ~175 PSI
• 90 kg rider: ~210 PSI
• 105 kg rider: ~245 PSI

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate:

• 60 kg rider: ~130 PSI
• 75 kg rider: ~165 PSI
• 90 kg rider: ~200 PSI
• 105 kg rider: ~235 PSI

Öhlins TTX22m:

• 60 kg rider: ~120 PSI
• 75 kg rider: ~155 PSI
• 90 kg rider: ~190 PSI
• 105 kg rider: ~225 PSI

DVO Topaz:

• 60 kg rider: ~125 PSI
• 75 kg rider: ~160 PSI
• 90 kg rider: ~195 PSI
• 105 kg rider: ~230 PSI

The full PSI tables for 20+ rear shocks and setup guidance for 6 fork brands are in the

Rebound

Rebound controls how quickly the shock returns after compression. Too fast: the bike bucks, feels nervous, loses traction as the wheel bounces off the ground before it can re-engage. Too slow: the shock packs down on successive hits and the bike feels dead and unresponsive.

The starting point is the same for most shocks: set rebound at the midpoint of the available range. Then test on a root section or rough descent. If the bike bucks and feels unpredictable, slow rebound by 2–3 clicks. If it feels dead and packed, speed rebound by 2–3 clicks. Adjust in small increments and test each change before making the next.

Compression

Low-speed compression (LSC) controls how the shock behaves under rider-input forces: pumping through rollers, pedalling, braking. High-speed compression (HSC) controls response to sharp impacts like square-edged rocks and root hits.

For most trail and enduro riding, start with LSC and HSC at the manufacturer’s recommended starting position (typically listed in the manual or on the shock body). LSC can be increased for riders who feel the bike pitches forward under hard braking, or decreased for riders who find the bike too stiff through pumping sections. HSC is less frequently adjusted in the field — if the bike is harsh on sharp hits but soft on slow inputs, HSC reduction is worth trying.

Fork setup

Both frames accept 140–180 mm travel forks with a 1.5" tapered steerer and 15×110 mm Boost front axle. Fork sag target is 15–20% for most enduro setups — slightly less than the rear, because the fork geometry changes more significantly with excess sag than the rear shock does.

Fork PSI starting points by brand and rider weight, plus rebound and compression guidance for Fox 36, RockShox ZEB/Pike, Öhlins RXF 36, DVO Diamond, and others are all in the