I think for setting up any fork it helps to understand some basic principles.
Firstly, if you are using a 38mm stancion fork it will have been designed by RS or Fox for Enduro type riding. It will also assume the majority of riders will be pretty active and probably about 80 to 90 kg. The factory damper tune will be set in accordance with that, and is a fixed aspect of tune you cannot adjust unless you get the damper modified (usually a service offered by suspension specialists). It is unlikely to be as plush out of the box as a Lyric or Fox 36 for example.
If you are significantly lighter than 80kg your only option may be to get the damper re tuned. Similarly if your riding is more "trail" the same may apply.
For the same rider weight/expected use most forks come from the factory with 2 or 3 volume spacers depending on travel.
The brands recommended settings also assume those criterea.
The tuning of a fork consists of balancing the spring rate with rebound and compression settings so setting the spring rate is the first important step. That is done initially with SAG.....ie how much the fork compresses just under the weight of the bike and the rider when in the ready position. The usual guidelines are 20% for a firmer ride and up to 25% for a somewhat softer ride ( or in the case of Fox 38 15% and 20%). This is best set with all compression and rebound settings fully open/fast. It is this stage that will inform you whether more or fewer volume spacers are required to meet that criterea. SAG must be set in a way that overcomes any stiction and inertia.
Every air spring is naturally progressive so SAG makes a huge impact on fork performance.........and contrary to natural instinct a lower air pressure does not necessarilly mean a softer fork since what is actualy required to keep the first part of travel fairly plush is to ensure the fork is not sitting deeper in its travel.....which due to progression will be firmer.
Only then can you experiment with rebound and compression settings to prevent the fork acting like a pogo stick!!
My method is to leave all compression setting open and just do test rides with rebound set a bout midway....and then ride a gain with that setting faster and slower to see what feels best.
Repeat that process with the compression settings.
Firstly, if you are using a 38mm stancion fork it will have been designed by RS or Fox for Enduro type riding. It will also assume the majority of riders will be pretty active and probably about 80 to 90 kg. The factory damper tune will be set in accordance with that, and is a fixed aspect of tune you cannot adjust unless you get the damper modified (usually a service offered by suspension specialists). It is unlikely to be as plush out of the box as a Lyric or Fox 36 for example.
If you are significantly lighter than 80kg your only option may be to get the damper re tuned. Similarly if your riding is more "trail" the same may apply.
For the same rider weight/expected use most forks come from the factory with 2 or 3 volume spacers depending on travel.
The brands recommended settings also assume those criterea.
The tuning of a fork consists of balancing the spring rate with rebound and compression settings so setting the spring rate is the first important step. That is done initially with SAG.....ie how much the fork compresses just under the weight of the bike and the rider when in the ready position. The usual guidelines are 20% for a firmer ride and up to 25% for a somewhat softer ride ( or in the case of Fox 38 15% and 20%). This is best set with all compression and rebound settings fully open/fast. It is this stage that will inform you whether more or fewer volume spacers are required to meet that criterea. SAG must be set in a way that overcomes any stiction and inertia.
Every air spring is naturally progressive so SAG makes a huge impact on fork performance.........and contrary to natural instinct a lower air pressure does not necessarilly mean a softer fork since what is actualy required to keep the first part of travel fairly plush is to ensure the fork is not sitting deeper in its travel.....which due to progression will be firmer.
Only then can you experiment with rebound and compression settings to prevent the fork acting like a pogo stick!!
My method is to leave all compression setting open and just do test rides with rebound set a bout midway....and then ride a gain with that setting faster and slower to see what feels best.
Repeat that process with the compression settings.
