DIY Rear Shock Sag Setup for Float DPS Factory

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The Fox Float DPS Factory [paid link] rear shock is a high-performance shock designed to provide superior suspension for mountain bikers seeking optimal control, comfort, and efficiency. A key aspect of getting the most out of your Float DPS Factory [paid link] shock is setting the correct sag. Sag refers to the amount of suspension travel that compresses under the rider’s weight when they are on the bike in a riding position. Proper sag setup ensures optimal performance by balancing comfort and control. This guide will walk you through the steps of setting up sag for your Fox Float DPS Factory rear shock, troubleshooting common setup issues, and ensuring that it works harmoniously with your other bike components.

Tools Required

  • Shock pump
  • Tape measure or ruler
  • Marker or grease pencil
  • A level surface (bike stand [paid link] or ground)
  • Helper (optional, but recommended for accurate measurements)

Step 1: Understand the Importance of Sag

Setting the right amount of sag is critical for maintaining proper bike handling and comfort. Too little sag will result in a harsh ride and inefficient suspension performance, while too much sag will cause the shock to bottom out, affecting control and stability. For the Fox Float DPS Factory, Fox recommends setting the sag between 25% and 30% of the shock’s total travel, depending on your riding style and terrain.

Step 2: Prepare Your Bike

Before adjusting the sag, ensure your bike is properly prepared. This includes:

  • Ensuring that the rear shock is properly installed and securely mounted on your bike.
  • Checking that your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure.
  • Setting your bike on a stable surface, ideally a bike stand [paid link], but the ground will work if a stand is unavailable.

Step 3: Set Your Rider Weight

The sag is determined by the rider’s weight, so before making any adjustments, it is essential to know your body weight (without gear). It is also helpful to wear your riding gear during the setup for more accurate sag measurements, as gear adds to the overall weight. If possible, enlist a friend to help you while you’re seated on the bike to hold the suspension in place while you check the sag.

Step 4: Adjust the Air Pressure in Your Shock

To begin the setup, attach a shock pump to the air valve on the Float DPS Factory shock. Use the following guidelines to set the initial air pressure:

  • Start with the recommended pressure from the manufacturer. Fox offers a sag chart for the Float DPS Factory that indicates the starting pressure based on rider weight.
  • Add or subtract pressure to reach the desired sag range. You will make finer adjustments in the next steps.

Step 5: Measure the Sag

  • Once the air pressure is set, carefully sit on the bike in your typical riding position. You should remain in the saddle with your feet on the pedals (not clipped in).
  • While seated, measure the distance between the shock’s eyelet and the nearest fixed point, such as the air can. You may need a helper for this.
  • Next, use your shock pump to add or release air pressure based on how much the shock compresses. Aim to achieve about 25% to 30% sag. To calculate the correct measurement, multiply the shock’s total travel by the desired sag percentage.

For example, if your shock has 50mm of travel and you aim for 30% sag, the ideal sag depth would be 15mm.

Step 6: Fine-Tuning and Testing

Once you have set the initial sag, it is crucial to test the bike on different terrain. Ride the bike, and pay attention to how the rear shock behaves when you encounter bumps or jumps. If the shock feels too stiff or too soft, make small adjustments by adding or removing air from the shock until you find a comfortable balance between comfort and performance. Keep in mind that changes in temperature, elevation, and riding style may affect the sag over time.

Step 7: Record and Lock In Settings

After you have found the optimal sag, use a grease pencil or marker to mark the shock’s air valve setting, so you can easily revert to your preferred setup in the future. Keep track of any significant changes to air pressure that might occur over time due to temperature shifts or other factors.

Troubleshooting Common Setup Issues

While setting up your Float DPS Factory rear shock, you may encounter a few common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Sag Is Too High

  • Problem: If you notice that the shock is sagging too much, this may indicate that the air pressure is too low for your body weight.
  • Solution: Use a shock pump to increase the air pressure by small increments. Recheck the sag after each adjustment and ensure that the bike feels stable when riding.

Sag Is Too Low

  • Problem: If the shock does not compress enough under your weight, this could indicate that the air pressure is too high.
  • Solution: Use the shock pump to release air slowly until the correct sag is achieved. Always recheck the sag after releasing air to ensure it is within the recommended range.

Bottoming Out

  • Problem: If the rear shock bottoms out frequently during riding, you may be running too little air pressure.
  • Solution: Increase the air pressure slightly. Additionally, ensure that the rebound and compression settings are optimized for your riding style and terrain.

Customization and Optimization for Better Performance

The Fox Float DPS Factory shock provides a variety of adjustments that allow you to fine-tune the suspension to your specific riding needs. Along with setting the correct sag, consider adjusting the rebound and compression damping for improved control and comfort:

Compression Damping

  • Adjusting Low-Speed Compression: This allows you to fine-tune how much resistance the shock provides when riding over rougher terrain. Increasing compression damping can make the shock firmer, while reducing it allows for more sensitivity.
  • Adjusting High-Speed Compression: This helps prevent the shock from bottoming out when you hit larger bumps or drops. Fine-tuning this setting improves control on aggressive descents or technical terrain.

Rebound Damping

  • Rebound Speed: This controls how quickly the shock returns after compression. If the rebound is too fast, you may feel the bike bouncing back up too quickly. If it’s too slow, the shock may feel sluggish and affect handling.
  • Adjusting Rebound: Experiment with slightly slower or faster rebound settings based on your preference and terrain type.

Compatibility with Other Drivetrain Components

When setting up the sag and tuning your Fox Float DPS Factory shock, it’s important to ensure that it works well with the rest of your drivetrain. Make sure that your shock’s travel matches the frame specifications. Also, confirm that the shock is compatible with the specific linkage design of your bike to avoid any interference with other components such as the derailleur or brake calipers.

By ensuring that the shock is properly set up and optimized, you’ll experience a smoother, more controlled ride, whether you’re climbing steep trails or descending technical descents.