Good bottoming control should add support without destroying compliance everywhere else.
What bottoming tells you
A fork or shock can hit the end of its travel because the spring holds the bike too low, oil height leaves too much air volume, compression damping cannot control shaft speed or the bike is being overloaded by terrain and rider input. The useful clue is whether it bottoms once on big hits or uses travel too quickly everywhere.
Where to tune first
Check sag and spring rate before adding damping. If the ride height is correct but end-stroke control is still weak, oil height, high-speed compression or valving can add progression without making the first part of the stroke harsh.
Workshop checklist
- Look for a clean travel mark to confirm true bottoming rather than noise or chassis slap.
- Measure rider sag and free sag before changing clickers or oil height.
- Add compression or oil height in small steps and re-test the same obstacle.
- Note whether comfort over small bumps changes after each support adjustment.
Next step
Use the calculator for stack comparison, the handbook for deeper theory, or the workshop booking form when the bike needs service or valving work.