Find the right MTB rebound settings for your fork and rear shock. Rebound damping controls how fast your suspension returns after compression, too fast and the bike bucks you off jumps, too slow and the suspension "packs down" on repeated hits. This guide gives you starting rebound clicks for Fox and RockShox suspension by rider weight, plus a step-by-step method to fine-tune on the trail.
8clicks from closed
Adjustment range: 6 to 10 clicks
Medium rebound, an all round starting point
Turn OUT (counterclockwise) to open rebound (faster return) · Turn IN (clockwise) to close (slower return)
⚠ For reference only. Rebound is highly personal, these are starting points from manufacturer manuals. Test on familiar terrain and adjust one click at a time. Too fast rebound bucks the rider; too slow packs down over repeated bumps.
Counted from fully closed, so fewer clicks means more damping and a slower return. A heavier rider runs a higher spring rate, has more energy coming back and needs that return slowed, which is why the numbers fall as the weight rises. These are the same figures the calculator above returns. They apply to a Fox 34, 36 or 38 and to a RockShox SID, Pike, Lyrik or Zeb alike, because none of those makers publishes a click count by rider weight for any of them.
Rider Weight
XC
Trail
Enduro
Downhill
55 kg / 121 lbs
8 clicks
10 clicks
11 clicks
12 clicks
65 kg / 143 lbs
7 clicks
9 clicks
10 clicks
11 clicks
75 kg / 165 lbs
6 clicks
8 clicks
9 clicks
10 clicks
85 kg / 187 lbs
5 clicks
7 clicks
8 clicks
9 clicks
95 kg / 209 lbs
4 clicks
6 clicks
7 clicks
8 clicks
105 kg / 231 lbs
3 clicks
5 clicks
6 clicks
7 clicks
A longer travel chassis sits a click or two higher because its damper has more clicks to give, not because it wants a faster return. See the note below on why a click is not a fixed amount of damping.
Rear Shock Rebound: Starting Clicks by Rider Weight
Same slope, two clicks lower, because a shock adjuster generally offers a shorter range than a fork adjuster. Set it, then do the push test on the rear of the bike.
Rider Weight
XC
Trail
Enduro
Downhill
55 kg / 121 lbs
6 clicks
8 clicks
9 clicks
10 clicks
65 kg / 143 lbs
5 clicks
7 clicks
8 clicks
9 clicks
75 kg / 165 lbs
4 clicks
6 clicks
7 clicks
8 clicks
85 kg / 187 lbs
3 clicks
5 clicks
6 clicks
7 clicks
95 kg / 209 lbs
2 clicks
4 clicks
5 clicks
6 clicks
105 kg / 231 lbs
2 clicks
3 clicks
4 clicks
5 clicks
Where the table reaches its floor the setting is close to fully closed. If you need less return speed than that, the spring rate is the thing to look at, not the dial.
Fox vs RockShox: Click Convention Difference
Ten clicks out means you turned the dial from fully closed, the slowest rebound setting, and opened it by ten clicks toward faster rebound. Most Fox and RockShox suspension has 15 to 20 clicks in total, so ten out sits near the middle. The confusing part is that a click count only means something once you know which end it is counted from, and manuals differ. Every number on this page is counted from fully closed, the slowest setting, opening toward faster. If the figure you are copying came from somewhere else, check which end it started at before you use it, and check how many clicks your own damper has in total: the two together decide what the number means. For proper tyre pressure to complement your suspension setup, see our MTB tyre pressure calculator.
Rebound and Air Pressure Are Linked
Higher air pressure stores more energy during compression, which means the suspension rebounds faster. When you increase air pressure, you usually need to add 1-2 clicks of rebound damping to compensate. Always adjust rebound AFTER setting air pressure, not before. If you change your pressure by more than 5 PSI, recheck your rebound setting. Compression damping also interacts with rebound, see our compression damping calculator to round out your suspension setup.
Where these numbers come from
Common service practice, not a published table. Neither Fox nor RockShox publishes a rebound click count by rider weight. Both describe the dial, tell you which way it turns and leave the setting to a test you perform on the bike, because the right number depends on the damper, the spring rate you are running and the ground you ride. What is settled practice is the direction: a heavier rider on a higher spring rate stores more energy and needs more rebound damping to control it.
The click counts are ours. They are a starting point placed near the middle of a typical adjuster range so there is room to move in both directions, and they are not a manufacturer recommendation for any particular fork or shock.
The test beats the number. Push down sharply and release. One smooth return means the setting is close. A bounce means too little damping, and a slow sinking return that stays low through repeated hits means too much. That test works on any damper, which no click count can claim.
How it works
Rebound Damping: Controlling Spring Return
Rebound controls how quickly the suspension returns to its extended position after compression. A spring returns instantly without damping. The damper slows this return. Correct rebound gives the tyre time to find traction before the next bump without holding the suspension down (packing).
Clicks are counted from fully closed (maximum rebound damping, slowest return). Turning the dial OUT (counterclockwise) opens the rebound circuit and speeds up return.
The Push Test and Flick Test
Push test (fork): Push down on the fork or rear of the bike sharply and release. With correct rebound, the suspension returns in one smooth movement without bouncing back. If it bounces, add rebound (turn dial clockwise). If it returns very slowly, reduce rebound (counterclockwise).
Flick test (shock): Hold the bike by the saddle, lift the rear 10cm and drop it. Watch how the rear shock rebounds. Correct: returns smoothly to full extension in one movement. Too fast: bounces back past full extension. Too slow: returns noticeably slower than the drop speed.
Rebound Dials: Both Use the Same Direction
Fox uses a red rebound dial at the bottom of the fork leg and the bottom of the shock. RockShox uses a similar dial, also red on most models. Every figure on this page is counted from fully closed, which is maximum damping and the slowest return, and every click out from there speeds the return up. Check your own manual before copying a number from anywhere: which end the count starts at, and how many clicks the damper has in total, both change what a click count means.
Most Fox and RockShox suspension has 15 to 20 clicks of rebound adjustment. The starting points in this calculator fall in the middle of this range, leaving adjustment room in both directions.
A click is not a fixed amount of damping. Dampers differ in how many clicks they offer, from about ten on a simple cartridge to more than twenty on a high end one, and each click on a twenty click damper changes less than each click on a ten click one. So eight clicks from closed is a different setting on different suspension, in the same way that a 100 flex ski boot is a different stiffness at different makers. Treat any click count, here or anywhere, as a place to start on your own damper and then use the push test: the suspension should return in one smooth movement without bouncing back.
Frequently asked questions
How many rebound clicks should I use?
It depends on your weight, your damper and your air pressure, and it is counted from fully closed. A 75 kg rider on a trail fork starts around 8 clicks out on the chart above, and the count falls by roughly one click per ten kilogrammes because a heavier rider needs the return slowed. No manufacturer publishes a click count by rider weight, so treat any figure as a starting point and settle it with the push test on your own bike.
What happens if rebound is too fast?
The suspension returns so quickly that it "kicks" you on drops and jumps, the bike feels bouncy on rough terrain, and the rear wheel can lose traction as it bounces off obstacles instead of tracking the ground.
What happens if rebound is too slow?
The suspension does not recover fast enough between successive bumps, causing it to "pack down", gradually compressing further until you run out of travel. The bike feels dead and unresponsive, especially on choppy, fast sections of trail.
Do Fox and RockShox count rebound clicks the same way?
Check your own manual rather than trusting a rule of thumb about brands. What matters for any figure you are handed is which end it was counted from and how many clicks that damper has in total, and those two things vary by model as much as by maker. Every number on this page is counted from fully closed, the slowest setting, opening toward faster. If you swap suspension, do not carry the click number across: set it by the push test on the new damper.
Should front and rear rebound be the same?
Not necessarily. The rear shock often needs slightly different rebound because of the leverage ratio and different spring energy. A good starting point: match the "feel", both front and rear should return at roughly the same speed when you compress and release them simultaneously. Adjust by riding and feeling for a balanced front-to-rear response.
How many rebound clicks do most trail riders use?
Most trail riders end up between 5 and 12 clicks from fully closed for fork rebound, depending on weight, travel and which damper they own. Counting from fully closed, fewer clicks means more damping and a slower return, so a heavier rider on a higher spring rate usually ends up with fewer clicks out than a lighter one. A click is not a fixed quantity, though: see the note below on why the same number means different things on different dampers.
What is "packing" in suspension?
Packing occurs when rebound is too slow. The suspension cannot return fully between bumps and progressively compresses deeper into its travel. You lose the ability to absorb large hits. Signs: suspension feels harsh after a rough section, bike sits lower than normal mid-ride.
Should fork and shock rebound be the same?
Not necessarily. Fork rebound affects handling and steering traction; shock rebound affects rear grip and body position. Many riders run the shock 1 to 2 clicks faster (less damping) than the fork so the rear tracks the ground more actively on climbs and technical terrain.
Does terrain type change the ideal rebound?
Yes. Rough, choppy terrain (rock gardens, roots) benefits from faster rebound so the suspension recovers between impacts. Smooth flow trails with big jumps benefit from slightly slower rebound to prevent the front end from kicking up on landings.
What does the high-speed rebound adjuster do?
Some high-end forks and shocks (Fox Factory, RockShox Ultimate) have a separate HSR (High Speed Rebound) adjuster for very fast extension events like drops and large compressions. This is separate from the main rebound dial which controls low-speed rebound.
How does temperature affect rebound?
Cold weather thickens damper oil, slowing rebound. If you ride in temperatures below 5°C, you may need to open rebound by 1 to 2 clicks compared to warm-weather settings. Fox and RockShox use temperature-stable oils in their Factory-level products to reduce this effect.
What is the "flick test" for rebound?
Hold the bike by the saddle, lift the rear 10cm and drop it. Watch how the rear shock rebounds. Correct: returns smoothly to full extension in one movement. Too fast: bounces back up past full extension. Too slow: returns noticeably slower than the drop speed.
Can wrong rebound damage my suspension?
Incorrect rebound does not directly damage suspension internals. However, very fast rebound can cause harsh handling and loss of control, while very slow rebound causes packing which puts repeated stress on the air spring. Staying within the manufacturer's click range (usually 0 to 20 clicks) prevents any mechanical issues.