RockShox fork setup: air pressure, sag and rebound
- Guide mtb, Mtb life
- January 30, 2024
To set up a RockShox air fork, identify it by serial number, get its starting settings from TrailHead and check the result on a repeatable section of trail. There is no single pressure chart covering every Pike, Lyrik and ZEB.
This guide covers air-fork setup. Solo Air and DebonAir refer to air-spring generations; those names do not replace exact product identification. Prepare a suspension pump, a ruler and somewhere to record settings.
In this guide
- Air pressure and identification
- Measuring sag
- Rebound and compression
- Tokens and trail testing
- Frequently asked questions
RockShox pressure: find the matching setting
| Information | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Serial number | Fork and TrailHead | Identifies the version |
| Year, travel and air spring | Identified product details | Separates different configurations |
| Weight with riding equipment | Scales, including pack and protection | Reflects the load while riding |
| Initial pressure and rebound | TrailHead or fork decal | Provides a specific starting point |
The official RockShox setup guide directs riders to the serial number, decal or TrailHead for initial pressure and rebound. Slowly cycle the fork and recheck pressure as instructed by the manufacturer to equalise the air chambers.
The former generic charts on the Italian page have been removed because they did not identify year and configuration. Do not transfer pressures automatically between Pike, Lyrik and ZEB or between generations.
What is sag and how do you measure it?
Sag is suspension compression under a stationary rider in the riding position. Sag (%) = measured compression ÷ nominal travel × 100. For example, 30 mm on a 150 mm fork is 20%: this is arithmetic, not a universal RockShox target.
- Wear your normal riding equipment and check the manual’s measurement instructions.
- Slide the O-ring against the dust wiper.
- Mount with stable support, adopt the specified position and allow the suspension to settle.
- Reset the O-ring, dismount without bouncing and measure its movement.
- Compare the measurement with the guidance for your particular fork.
Do not apply rear-shock sag recommendations automatically to a fork.
Rebound and compression explained
| Adjuster | Function | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Rebound | Controls extension after compression | Clicks and reference position |
| LSC | Low shaft-speed compression damping | Position or clicks, where fitted |
| HSC | High shaft-speed compression damping | Position or clicks, where fitted |
High speed means suspension movement, rather than bicycle speed. Not every fork has separate HSC and LSC adjusters.
TrailHead’s initial rebound setting is counted out from closed/slow. RockShox also distinguishes initial compression positions by generation and specification: a universal click count is inappropriate. The Italian page’s previous “89 clicks” instruction was an error and has been removed.
Bottomless Tokens and trail testing
Volume reducers change air-spring progression. They are not an automatic solution to every issue or a substitute for correct pressure. Use the matching service manual for compatibility, maximum quantity and installation. Follow its complete depressurisation procedure before opening an air chamber.
Choose a familiar short trail and record settings, ride feel and travel used. Change one variable at a time so you can identify its effect. External adjustments cannot fix a damaged fork or replace required servicing.
Convert psi to bar
| psi | Approximate bar |
|---|---|
| 60 | 4.1 |
| 80 | 5.5 |
| 100 | 6.9 |
| 120 | 8.3 |
Conversion: 1 psi ≈ 0.06895 bar. These are unit conversions, not recommended pressures.
Related guide and official sources
- RockShox TrailHead: identification and starting settings.
- SRAM service manuals: procedures and compatibility.
- FOX fork setup guide: brand-specific advice; the pressure charts are not interchangeable.
Frequently asked questions
How much air does a RockShox fork need?
Enter the serial number and your riding weight in TrailHead. A Pike, Lyrik or ZEB model name alone is not enough to select a pressure.
Where do I count rebound clicks from?
For the TrailHead starting setting, count clicks out from the closed, slowest position. Do not force the adjuster against its stop.
Are Bottomless Tokens chosen by rider weight alone?
No. Travel, compatibility and end-of-travel behaviour also matter. Check the limits in the specific service manual.
