Why does "Bike kicks / bucks off jump faces" happen?

The most common causes are: Rebound, High-speed compression, Controlling the bike off jump faces. Check them in this order; it is often the setup, sometimes the technique.

All symptoms

Bike kicks / bucks off jump faces

When your bike shows "Bike kicks / bucks off jump faces", these are the most likely causes - ranked by relevance: Rebound, High-speed compression, Controlling the bike off jump faces. LAISA separates setup causes (adjusters, components) from riding technique.

Short answer for this problem

Recommended starting point: Check first: Shock: Rebound
Most important change: Smallest documented change: 1 click - clicks out from fully closed
Why: Rebound returns too fast and launches the rear off the face - slow it (fewer clicks out).
How to test it: Read the current value off the bike and compare it with the recommended one. Write it down before you change anything.
Source: LAISA diagnosis catalogue, drafted automatically and editorially released Methodology →
Last reviewed: No review date documented

Pick your bike to apply the fixes directly →

The order comes from the stored strength of the symptom-cause link in the catalogue - per symptom, not across symptoms. These are not probabilities and not measurements.

Suspension

Shock: ReboundCheck first

Why this could fit: Rebound returns too fast and launches the rear off the face - slow it (fewer clicks out).

How to check it: Read the current value off the bike and compare it with the recommended one. Write it down before you change anything.

Smallest change: 1 click - clicks out from fully closed

Shock: High-speed compressionCheck next

Why this could fit: High-speed compression mismatched to the face - too firm packs and kicks; adjust in small steps.

How to check it: Read the current value off the bike and compare it with the recommended one. Write it down before you change anything.

Smallest change: 0.25 clicks - clicks out from fully closed

Shock: SagRarer

Why this could fit: Balance is off - check sag before chasing the kick with clickers.

How to check it: Read the current value off the bike and compare it with the recommended one. Write it down before you change anything.

Smallest change: 1 mm - loaded, rider in gear

Technique

Controlling the bike off jump facesCheck next

Why this could fit: A rigid body and chopping the throttle on the face amplify the kick - absorb it and meter the throttle.

How to check it: Ride the drill deliberately for a few laps on the same section and watch whether the behaviour changes.

How to set your sag →

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Related symptoms

Fork harsh / deflects on braking bumps Front feels vague / low grip on hardpack Front knifes/oversteers in ruts Front tucks mid-corner

A starting point to verify on the bike - not a safety guarantee. Change one thing at a time and check on track.