Rider-specific suspension performance
Fork Custom Tuning
Custom mountain bike fork tuning matched to your bike, rider weight, riding style, terrain and performance goals.
Make Your Fork Work Better for You
A standard factory tune must work for a wide range of riders, bikes and terrain. It may not provide the support, sensitivity, control or adjustment range required for your individual setup.
CJSuspension custom fork tuning uses your rider information, bike details, current suspension setup and performance feedback to identify the most appropriate changes.
The result is a fork configured around how and where you ride rather than relying on a generic factory setting.
Custom workshop tuning
What Is Included
- Review of rider weight, riding style and performance goals
- Review of the bike, fork model, travel and current setup
- Assessment of current air pressure or coil spring rate
- Review of sag, volume spacing and available adjustments
- Inspection of the fork’s current mechanical condition
- Identification of the likely causes of the reported performance problems
- Selection of suitable damping, spring or volume changes
- Installation of the approved tuning components or internal changes
- Fresh suspension fluid and service components where included
- Reassembly and setup to the selected baseline settings
- Final function and adjustment testing
- Recommended starting settings for the rider
What do you want to improve?
Common Fork Performance Problems
- The fork feels harsh through braking bumps or repeated impacts
- Small-bump sensitivity is poor
- The fork dives excessively under braking
- The fork uses too much travel too easily
- The fork does not use enough travel
- Mid-stroke support feels weak
- The fork feels nervous or uncontrolled at speed
- Rebound feels too fast or too slow within the available adjustment range
- Compression adjustment has too little useful effect
- The fork feels supportive but lacks grip
- The fork feels comfortable but lacks control
- Factory settings do not suit the rider’s weight or terrain
Accurate information creates a better tune
Information to Provide
- Rider weight with normal riding gear
- Bike brand, model, year, frame size and wheel size
- Fork brand, model, year and travel
- Current air pressure or coil spring rate
- Current volume spacers or spring configuration
- Current rebound and compression settings
- Current sag or travel-use information where known
- Riding style and ability level
- Usual terrain and trail conditions
- Whether the bike is used for trail, enduro, downhill, bike park or racing
- What the fork currently does well
- The specific performance problems you want improved
Support, sag and travel use
Spring and Air-Spring Setup
The spring system supports the rider and determines how the fork moves through its travel before damping forces are considered.
For air forks, pressure, negative-spring behaviour, volume spacers and air-spring upgrades can change initial sensitivity, mid-stroke support and bottom-out resistance.
For coil forks, spring rate and preload must suit the rider and bike. A spring that is too soft or too firm cannot normally be corrected using damping adjustments alone.
The spring system is reviewed before internal damping changes are recommended.
Control through the travel
Damper Tuning
The damper controls how quickly the fork compresses and returns. A custom tune can alter the balance of low-speed support, high-speed impact response and rebound control where the fork design allows.
The goal is not simply to make the fork softer or firmer. The tune should provide useful support without creating unnecessary harshness and should keep the wheel controlled through repeated impacts.
Available changes depend on the damper design, adjustment range and compatible tuning components.
The bike works as one system
Fork Tuning Must Match the Rear Suspension
A fork can feel poorly controlled when the rear suspension is significantly softer, firmer, faster or slower than the front.
Front and rear suspension should work together so the bike remains balanced through braking, cornering, impacts and changes in gradient.
When possible, provide the rear-shock model, spring or air pressure, sag and adjustment settings. Rear-shock tuning may be recommended if the imbalance cannot be corrected at the fork alone.
Start with a mechanically sound fork
The Fork May Need Servicing Before It Is Tuned
Custom tuning cannot correct worn seals, contaminated fluid, damaged bushings, air loss or a damper that is not operating correctly.
The fork is inspected before tuning work proceeds. If it is overdue for servicing or has a mechanical fault, the required service or repair may need to be completed first.
Combining servicing and tuning allows the fork to be rebuilt with the approved tune and fresh fluids in one workshop process.
Additional performance options
Compatible Fork Upgrades
Depending on the fork model and desired result, custom tuning may include or be combined with compatible air-spring, coil-spring, damper or volume-management upgrades.
Available options can include Vorsprung products such as Smashpot, Secus, Luftkappe, Fractive or other supported components where suitable for the fork.
An upgrade is only recommended when it addresses the rider’s actual performance requirements and is compatible with the fork.
Clear performance goals
What Custom Tuning Can and Cannot Change
Custom tuning can improve the useful adjustment range, support, sensitivity, damping control and overall balance of a compatible fork.
It cannot change the fundamental chassis stiffness, available travel, wheel path or every limitation of the original fork design.
The best result comes from clearly identifying the rider’s priorities and making changes that suit the intended use rather than attempting to maximise every performance characteristic at the same time.
Setup after tuning
Your Recommended Starting Settings
The fork is returned with recommended baseline settings for air pressure or spring configuration, rebound, compression and volume setup where applicable.
These settings provide a practical starting point rather than preventing further adjustment. Small changes may still be required after riding the fork on familiar terrain.
Record any changes one step at a time so their effect can be evaluated accurately.
Fork compatibility
Fork Brands and Models We Tune
CJSuspension tunes compatible mountain bike forks from manufacturers including Fox, RockShox, Öhlins, Marzocchi and other supported suspension brands.
The available tuning changes depend on the damper design, spring system, internal construction, technical information and compatible parts.
Contact the workshop with the exact fork model and production year if you are unsure what tuning options are available.
Queenstown or nationwide
Drop Off or Send by Courier
You can deliver the fork directly to the CJSuspension Queenstown workshop or send it from anywhere in New Zealand.
Clean off heavy dirt and package the fork securely. Protect the stanchions, crown, steerer, lower legs, adjusters and axle interface from impact during transport.
Complete all rider, bike and setup information in the booking form before sending the fork. Accurate information is essential for custom tuning.
Custom fork tuning information
Frequently Asked Questions
Important information about suitability, setup data, servicing, upgrades and expected results.
Should I try standard setup changes before booking a custom tune?
Yes. Air pressure, sag, rebound, compression and volume spacers should be checked first. Custom tuning is most useful when the correct standard setup still does not provide the required performance.
What is the difference between a service and a custom tune?
A service restores the fork to correct mechanical operation using fresh fluids and service components. A custom tune changes the spring or damping behaviour to better suit the rider, bike and intended use.
Does the fork need to be serviced at the same time?
It may need servicing if it is overdue, contaminated or has a mechanical fault. The fork must be operating correctly before the effect of a custom tune can be assessed accurately.
Why do you need so much rider and bike information?
The tune is selected around the loads, leverage, terrain and performance requirements of the rider and bike. Incomplete or inaccurate information can lead to a tune that does not address the actual problem.
Will a custom tune make every part of the fork better?
Suspension setup involves compromises. Increasing support, sensitivity or bottom-out resistance can affect other characteristics. The tune is selected around the rider’s most important performance goals.
Can the fork be tuned without the complete bike?
Yes. The fork can normally be tuned by itself when accurate bike, rider and setup information is supplied. The complete bike can be useful for sag, balance and handling assessment.
Will I receive recommended settings?
Yes. The fork is returned with recommended baseline pressure or spring, rebound, compression and volume settings where applicable.
How much does custom fork tuning cost?
Pricing depends on the fork, required internal work, service condition and any tuning components or upgrades selected. Submit the fork and rider details so the workshop can confirm the available options.
Can I send my fork from outside Queenstown?
Yes. Forks can be sent to the workshop by courier from anywhere in New Zealand. Complete the booking information first and package the fork securely.
Build a fork around your riding
Book Your Custom Fork Tune
Provide your rider, bike and setup information, then drop the fork at the Queenstown workshop or send it by courier.