Compression Damping

Compression damping controls the speed at which the front fork or rear shock compresses when the wheel hits a bump or the bike dives under braking. Oil is forced through small holes and shim stacks inside the damper, which resists fast movement. Its partner, rebound damping, controls how quickly the suspension extends again.

Many forks and shocks have a compression adjuster, usually a clicker or screw, and some have separate low-speed (body movements, braking dive) and high-speed (sharp hits such as roots and potholes) adjusters.

Too much compression damping makes the ride harsh and the wheel skip over bumps; too little lets the bike wallow and bottom out. Set sag and preload first, then change damping one or two clicks at a time and note the settings. Counting clicks out from fully closed is the usual reference.