Why Revalving Your Suspension Makes a Huge Difference

When riders start upgrading their bike, suspension is often one of the last things they consider—but it should be one of the first. A stock suspension setup is built as a one-size-fits-all solution, designed to satisfy the widest range of riders, not your weight, your terrain, or your riding style. That’s where revalving comes in.

What Is Suspension Revalving?

Revalving refers to the process of changing the internal shim stack and damping characteristics inside your forks and shock. These shims control how oil flows through the system—essentially dictating how your suspension reacts to hits, bumps, and rider input. By adjusting this stack, we can change how your suspension performs across the entire stroke: from initial plushness to mid-stroke support to bottom-out resistance.

Why Stock Valving Falls Short

Most stock forks and shocks are valved for a 170–190 lb intermediate rider, riding at a moderate pace on average terrain. If you're heavier, lighter, faster, slower, or ride in different conditions (like hardpack, sand, rocks, or ruts), you’re not getting optimal performance. Stock settings also tend to be conservative—designed to avoid complaints, not to maximize control or comfort.

This can lead to:

• Harshness on small bumps

• Bottoming out on big hits

• A vague or unpredictable feel at speed

• Poor traction in loose or rough conditions

• Front/rear imbalance when braking or cornering

The Benefits of Revalving

A custom revalve transforms your suspension from generic to personalized. Done properly, it aligns with your skill level, terrain, and preferences.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Better TractionYour tires stay planted more consistently, giving you more control in corners and technical terrain.

• Smoother Small Bump ComplianceChatter, rocks, and roots are absorbed without transmitting harshness through the bars or pegs.

• More Confidence Under Braking and AccelerationDialed mid-stroke support keeps your bike composed when diving into corners or hammering out of ruts.

• Resistance to BottomingYou get the forgiveness you need for hard landings or deep G-outs without harsh spikes.

• More Balanced, Predictable Ride FeelA properly revalved fork and shock work together as a system, giving you a bike that feels stable, composed, and ready for whatever the trail throws at you.

Why Choose Rocky Mountain Dampening?

At Rocky Mountain Dampening, every revalve includes full disassembly, cleaning, inspection, and tuning of your fork and shock internals. We go beyond clicker adjustments—we tune the actual flow dynamics inside your suspension to match your exact needs. Whether you're racing, trail riding, or building a custom setup, we take the time to get it right.

Want to talk about whether a revalve is right for your bike? Contact us anytime for a quote or consultation.