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Suspension & dropper cluster · Fault

Your fork is bottoming out

Quick answer

Bottoming out is using all the travel on big hits; reaching the end once per ride is normal and desirable. If it happens often: 1) add pressure 5 psi at a time from your pressure by weight; 2) if it then feels harsh up top, don't add more pressure: fit a token or volume spacer to gain progression only at the end; 3) check high-speed compression (HSC). How firm to run it is your call.

Don't confuse an occasional bottom-out with a problem. The warning sign is bottoming repeatedly, on hits that aren't the hardest of the day.

The order, step by step

1 · Add pressure 5 psi at a time — If it bottoms repeatedly, you're short on support. Add 5 psi, test on the same stretch, and repeat until it stops reaching the end except on the single biggest hit of the ride.
2 · If it feels harsh up top, don't add more pressure — When you gain support but lose small-bump tracking, fit one token / volume spacer. The token only stiffens the end of the stroke (progression) without touching the start, so you stop bottoming without it going harsh up top.
3 · Check high-speed compression (HSC) — HSC controls how the suspension slows on fast, hard hits, which are the ones that cause bottoming. Adjust it in steps and test. How firm to run depends on your terrain and style.
Flowchart for a fork bottoming out: add pressure, fit a token if it feels harsh up top, and check high-speed compression
The flow: pressure first; a token if it goes harsh up top; high-speed compression last.
Common mistake: just keeping on adding pressure so it won't bottom. At some point the suspension goes harsh up top and stops tracking small bumps. That's when you fit a token, not more pressure: the token acts only at the end of the stroke.
Still bottoming out?

Tell us the model, your weight, the pressure and the tokens you run, and we'll point you to what to change first. Message us on WhatsApp

FAQ

Is it bad to reach the end of travel?

Once per ride is normal and desirable: you're using all the travel. The problem is bottoming repeatedly on hits that aren't the biggest of the day.

Do I add pressure or fit a token?

First add pressure 5 psi at a time. If it then feels harsh up top, fit a token to gain progression only at the end, without stiffening the start.

What else do I check?

High-speed compression (HSC), which slows fast hits. Adjust it in steps. How firm to run is your call, based on terrain.

Related

Fork feels harsh → How many tokens? → Pressure by rider weight → Suspension & dropper cluster →

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