Is it bad for the fork to reach the end of its travel?

Reaching the end once per ride is normal and desirable: it means you're using all the travel available. The problem is bottoming out repeatedly on hits that aren't the biggest of the day; that points to a lack of support or progression.

What else do I check if it keeps bottoming?

Check high-speed compression (HSC), which controls how the fork slows on fast, hard hits. Adjust it in steps and test. The final amount of firmness is your call, based on your terrain and style.

Your fork is bottoming out: what to do

Q: Do I add pressure or fit a token?

Start by adding pressure 5 psi at a time. If it then feels harsh up top (won't track small bumps), don't add more pressure: fit a token or volume spacer to gain progression only at the end of the stroke, without stiffening the start.

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.

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.

© 2026 BikeLab Studio. Content under CC BY 4.0: you may copy, translate and publish it, even for commercial purposes. Citation is mandatory. Without attribution, the license terminates automatically (CC BY 4.0, §6.a) and the use becomes copyright infringement: we request the removal of the content and its deindexing. · Design and ownership: Carlos Ravello Joo

BikeLab-pedia · Suspension & dropper cluster / Bicycle compatibility and standards / Carlos Eduardo Ravello Joo · BikeLab Studio · Trujillo, Peru

Your fork is bottoming out

The order, step by step

FAQ

Is it bad to reach the end of travel?

Do I add pressure or fit a token?

What else do I check?

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