RockShox Pike Settings: PSI, SAG, Rebound & Compression
Find a reliable starting pressure, calculate fork SAG, set rebound correctly and tune Charger compression and Bottomless Tokens without changing everything at once.
A good Pike setup is more than one PSI number
The Pike is designed for trail riding where grip, comfort and support all matter. Air pressure controls the spring baseline, but SAG, rebound, compression and volume spacers determine how the fork behaves on roots, under braking and near full travel.
Set pressure
Use total riding weight, including helmet, shoes, pack and water. The official pressure band is only a starting point.
Measure SAG
Equalize the air chambers, measure in your normal attack position and repeat the measurement before changing pressure.
Trail test
Use the same short section and change only one setting at a time. Keep a change only when it improves the repeatable symptom.
Identify your exact RockShox Pike model
“Pike” alone is not enough. The damper determines which compression controls you have, while the model year and travel determine the correct pressure and token information.
| Current model | Current damper | Main adjustments | Useful starting position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant | Charger 3.1 Flight Attendant with ButterCups | Electronic control plus manual fine tuning | Complete the Flight Attendant setup and verify the exact component in the AXS system. |
| Pike Ultimate | Charger 3.1 RC2 with ButterCups | Rebound, HSC and LSC | Begin HSC and LSC in the central 0 position. |
| Pike Select+ | Charger 3 RC2 | Rebound, HSC and LSC | Begin HSC and LSC in the central 0 position. |
| Pike Select | Charger RC | Rebound and compression | Start the single compression control around its middle position, then verify the exact fork in TrailHead. |
| Pike Base | Rush RC | Rebound and compression | Start around the middle of the usable compression range and tune on a repeatable trail. |
Current model mapping based on RockShox 2026 front-suspension specifications. Pike DJ is a separate dirt-jump fork and is not covered by the calculator below.
RockShox Pike air-pressure calculator
Enter your total weight with riding kit and choose your fork travel. The result is the official current-generation starting band, not a finished personal setup.
For an 80 kg rider on a 130–140 mm current Pike. Equalize the air chambers, restore pressure and then measure SAG.
| Rider weight with kit | Pike 120 mm | Pike 130–140 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Under 55 kg | Under 60 psi | Under 50 psi |
| 55–63 kg | 60–70 psi | 50–60 psi |
| 63–72 kg | 70–80 psi | 60–70 psi |
| 72–81 kg | 80–90 psi | 70–80 psi |
| 81–90 kg | 90–100 psi | 80–90 psi |
| 90–99 kg | 100–110 psi | 90–100 psi |
| Over 99 kg | 110+ psi | 100+ psi |
Current chart maximum: 163 psi. RockShox states that E-bikes add 10 psi. Never exceed the limit printed for your exact fork.
RockShox Pike SAG calculator
A balanced trail starting point is around 18% fork SAG. Test roughly 15–20% depending on whether you prioritise support or sensitivity. Treat this as a practical tuning zone rather than a mandatory number.
Calculate your measured SAG
At 140 mm travel, an 18% target equals 25.2 mm of movement.
How to measure accurately
- Wear your normal helmet, shoes, pack and water.
- Set compression to the correct neutral or open starting position for your damper.
- Inflate the fork and slowly cycle it several times to equalize the positive and negative chambers.
- Reconnect the pump and restore the intended pressure.
- Push the O-ring to the dust wiper and take your normal attack position without bouncing.
- Carefully step off and repeat the measurement two or three times.
The correct Pike setup sequence
Randomly changing pressure, compression and tokens at the same time makes it impossible to know what helped. Use this order to isolate each variable.
How to set RockShox Pike rebound
Rebound controls how quickly the fork returns after compression. RockShox TrailHead recommendations are counted from the fully closed, slow position.
Set the baseline
- Enter the fork serial number in TrailHead.
- Turn the rebound adjuster gently clockwise toward the turtle until it stops.
- Count the recommended clicks counter-clockwise.
- Ride repeated roots or braking bumps.
- Adjust one or two clicks at a time.
Clockwise = slowerCounter-clockwise = faster
What the fork is telling you
| Symptom | Likely cause | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Kicks back or feels nervous after impacts | Rebound too fast | Add 1–2 clicks clockwise. |
| Rides lower and gets harsher through repeated hits | Rebound too slow / packing | Remove 1–2 clicks counter-clockwise. |
| Pressure increased by 5–10 psi | More spring return force | You may need 1–2 clicks more damping. |
| Pressure reduced by 5–10 psi | Less spring return force | You may need 1–2 clicks less damping. |
Pike compression settings explained
High-speed and low-speed refer to damper-shaft speed, not simply how fast the bicycle is travelling. On Charger 3 and 3.1 RC2, start HSC and LSC in the middle at 0 so you can add or remove damping.
Low-speed compression
LSC affects slower fork movements from braking, weight shifts, pumping, berms and transitions.
Add LSC when:
- The fork dives under braking despite correct SAG.
- The front end feels unsupported in berms or compressions.
- The fork moves too easily from rider input.
Remove LSC when:
- The front wheel lacks grip on small bumps or flat turns.
- The fork feels reluctant to begin moving.
- Your hands feel too much trail texture.
RockShox tuning step: adjust 2–3 LSC clicks at a time during the first comparison, then refine.
High-speed compression
HSC affects rapid shaft movement from roots, rocks, square edges, drops, hard landings and sharp compressions.
Add HSC when:
- The fork uses too much travel on hard, fast impacts.
- Pressure and SAG are correct but bottom-out support is still insufficient.
Remove HSC when:
- The fork feels harsh on sharp impacts.
- The fork cannot access enough travel at real trail speed.
RockShox tuning step: change HSC one click at a time.
RockShox Pike Bottomless Tokens
Tokens reduce positive air-chamber volume and make the spring more progressive near the end of the stroke. They are not a substitute for correct pressure, SAG or damping.
| Current Pike travel | Factory installed | Maximum permitted |
|---|---|---|
| 120 mm | 1 token | 6 tokens |
| 130 mm | 0 tokens | 6 tokens |
| 140 mm | 0 tokens | 5 tokens |
Current 27.5-inch and 29-inch Pike specifications. Verify older forks separately.
Token decision guide
- Add one token: SAG and pressure are correct, small-bump feel is good, but relevant hard impacts cause frequent bottom-outs.
- Remove one token: Early and mid-stroke feel are good, but deep travel remains inaccessible on genuinely hard terrain.
- Do not add a token first: The fork already feels harsh through most of the travel.
- Do not remove tokens first: The fork dives because pressure is too low or SAG is excessive.
Recommended order: verify pressure and SAG → add HSC if available → only then consider one token.
RockShox Pike troubleshooting
Open the symptom that best matches what you feel. Work through the checks in order and change only one setting before repeating the same section.
Pike feels harsh on roots and braking bumps
Check first:
- Front-tire pressure is not excessive.
- Fork pressure and measured SAG are reasonable.
- HSC and LSC are not unnecessarily closed.
- Rebound is not so slow that the fork packs down.
- The lower-leg service is not overdue and the seals are not dry.
Trail test: If the fork gets harsher with every hit, speed rebound up 1–2 clicks. If it is harsh on the first sharp hit, remove one HSC click. If it feels reluctant on smaller movements, reduce LSC.
Pike dives too much under braking
Check first: pressure loss, excessive SAG and rider position.
Trail test: If SAG is correct and the fork is comfortable elsewhere, add LSC. Avoid a large pressure increase that removes front-wheel grip over the entire trail.
Pike is not using full travel
- Reduce pressure in 5 psi steps only when SAG is too low and the fork is generally too firm.
- Remove one HSC click when the fork is harsh on fast impacts.
- Check whether too many Bottomless Tokens are installed.
- Confirm that the terrain and riding speed actually demand full travel.
- Stop tuning and arrange service if the fork has abnormal friction, does not extend correctly or makes unusual noises.
Read the full MTB fork not using full travel guide.
Pike bottoms out too easily
Use this order:
- Check for pressure loss and measure SAG.
- Add pressure in a small step if SAG is excessive and the fork rides too low everywhere.
- Add one HSC click when available if only hard, fast impacts use too much travel.
- Add one Bottomless Token only when pressure, SAG and damping are already sensible.
Front wheel lacks grip in turns or across roots
- Open LSC or HSC slightly if the fork feels reluctant to move.
- Reduce pressure slightly only when measured SAG is too low.
- Check whether rebound is too fast and making the wheel skip after impacts.
- Check front-tire pressure and rider weight distribution.
Pike packs down and feels dead in repeated hits
The most likely setup cause is rebound that is too slow. Open rebound 1–2 clicks counter-clockwise and repeat the same roots or braking bumps. The fork should recover between hits without becoming nervous or kicking back.
Interactive Pike setup checklist
Use the checklist while setting up the fork. Your progress is saved in this browser.
Save and improve your Pike settings in SAGLY
Add your exact bike, fork, rider data and terrain to SAGLY. Save pressure, SAG, rebound, compression and token settings, then document each change instead of starting from memory every ride.
RockShox Pike setup FAQ
How much pressure should I run in a RockShox Pike?
Use total riding weight and the correct travel row. For the current Pike, the 120 mm pressure band is 10 psi higher than the corresponding 130–140 mm band. Use the calculator above, then equalize the chambers and verify with SAG and trail testing.
How much SAG should I run on a Pike?
Around 18% is a useful balanced trail starting point, with roughly 15–20% as a practical test zone. Less SAG generally adds support; more SAG can add sensitivity but may increase dive. The best setting must also work on the trail.
Where should Charger 3 or 3.1 compression start?
RockShox recommends beginning HSC and LSC in the middle. On the RC2 adjusters, that is the central 0 position, allowing you to add or remove damping according to the trail and rider preference.
From which direction are Pike rebound clicks counted?
Count from fully closed and slow. Turn the rebound adjuster gently clockwise toward the turtle until it stops, then count clicks counter-clockwise to the recommended position.
Should I add pressure or a Bottomless Token?
Add pressure when SAG is excessive and the fork rides too low throughout the stroke. Consider one token when pressure and SAG are correct, the early stroke feels good, but the fork still bottoms too easily on hard impacts. Change only one at a time.
Related SAGLY guides
Complete RockShox fork setup
Compare Pike, Lyrik, ZEB, BoXXer, SID and SID SL setup logic.
MTB fork SAG guide
Measure fork SAG accurately and understand what the result changes.
Adjust front suspension
Learn a complete repeatable tuning process for any MTB fork.
Technical sources
- SRAM / RockShox 2026 Front Suspension Specifications — current Pike pressure bands, maximum pressure, damper mapping, travel and token limits.
- RockShox Charger 3 and 3.1 Damper Setup — initial compression position and tuning sequence.
- RockShox TrailHead — exact serial-number-specific starting settings and service information.
Safety note: Suspension setup is safety-relevant. Follow the permitted maximum pressure, token limits and service instructions for your exact component. Stop riding and consult a qualified technician if the fork leaks, has abnormal play, does not extend correctly, makes unusual noises or shows visible damage. SAGLY is independent and is not affiliated with SRAM or RockShox.