Controlling how fast your suspension returns
Rebound damping controls the speed at which your suspension extends back to its full travel after being compressed. Think of it as a shock absorber for the shock absorber—it prevents your suspension from bouncing back too quickly like a pogo stick, which would throw you off the bike. Proper rebound settings keep your tires glued to the ground for maximum traction and control.
Turning the red adjuster clockwise (often marked with a tortoise 🐢) slows down the rebound speed.
Use when: Suspension feels bouncy or kicks back too quickly
Turning the red adjuster counter-clockwise (often marked with a hare 🐇) speeds up the rebound.
Use when: Suspension feels sluggish or packs down on repeated hits
📍 Where to Find It
Before adjusting rebound, make sure your sag is properly set. Rebound adjustments won't work correctly if your air pressure or spring rate is wrong.
Start from the manufacturer's recommended setting (usually in the middle of the adjustment range):
This simple test helps you dial in a good starting point:
The parking lot test gets you close, but the trail reveals the truth:
Your front and rear rebound should work together:
General Rule of Thumb
The rear shock typically needs to be slightly faster than the fork. This helps maintain balanced geometry and prevents the bike from feeling "stuck" in its travel during repeated hits.
→ Solution: Turn rebound adjuster clockwise (slower) 2-3 clicks
→ Solution: Turn rebound adjuster counter-clockwise (faster) 2-3 clicks
It's easier to feel when rebound is too slow than too fast. Start with slower rebound and gradually speed it up until it feels right.
Slower rebound for big, spaced-out hits (jumps, drops). Faster rebound for high-frequency chatter (braking bumps, roots).
Suspension oil thickens in cold weather (slower rebound) and thins in hot weather (faster rebound). Adjust accordingly.
Keep a log of your rebound settings for different trails and conditions. This makes it easy to return to a known good setup.
Only adjust one thing at a time (front OR rear, not both). This helps you understand what each change does.
Have a friend film you riding. Watching the suspension movement in slow motion reveals a lot about your rebound settings.
Once you've dialed in your sag and rebound, compression damping is the final piece of the puzzle. It controls how your suspension reacts to impacts and helps manage your bike's geometry under braking and cornering.