BE A BETTER RIDER

Improve your bike, your body, and your skills, and take your riding to the next level

- Andy Barlow, Jonny Thomson, Danny Milner

IMPROVE YOUR BIKE

A blunt tool won't cut it if you want to push your limits. Here's how to sharpen your ride

SET UP YOUR SUSPENSION

Suspension is designed to improve control and reduce fatigue, but if it's not set up correctly, it can hinder, rather than help, your riding. While the science of suspension would run to many chapters, there are a few fundamental steps to getting a good ballpark setting.

SHOCK SAG

Sag simply refers to the position the bike settles into with a rider on board. It's your starting point before fettling any other parameters. Begin with the rear suspension, assuming you have it. While many guides advise you to set your sag in what's often referred to as the 'attack' position, we'd suggest taking a seated approach. Why? It's a little more repeatable than the standing position, it's easier to do on your own, as you don't need a helper to hold the bike, or a wall to lean against, and finally it's less likely that your suspension will end up too soft when you're seated and climbing, as that's the position you're using to set up the bike.