Below are some symptoms you may experience over a period of time while using your mountain bike. I'll explain the general reasons why certain issues happen and the solutions to help prevent and or fix.
Hourly guides & why we use them? Hourly guides are put in place to suit a general purpose of preventative maintenance. Like automotive servicing, they will explain that, your next service is in 60,000km or in the next 12 months. (Whichever comes first) All to catch anything untoward and keep it operating at its optimum performance.
Our preventative maintenance for Fox (as an example) works like this.
FOX 125 hour service - This has been determined by the manufacture to maintain the internal health of all its moving parts, to help prevent premature wear and tear and continue to deliver optimum performance. If you ride a lot you'll have to service it more frequently, especially if you don't keep it clean after use. The reasons for preventative maintenance is to catch issues arising before they damage your suspension. When using the fork through dry or muddy conditions you do a few things like below.
Heating up fluid. By general use of moving the fork up and down you are creating friction, the friction is dispersed as heat through the fluid. Heat and moisture will eventually start degrading the non compressible fluid, most non compressible fluids are what we call 'hygroscopic', which means they pull in moisture and unlike those non compresable oils, water compresses and the oil stops lubricating! Dirt & Seals. Dust and mud are just as bad as each other when it comes to degrading your seals. Dusty dirt and mud can get past the seals and into the 'dust wiper' that sits just below the rubber seal. This can get clogged with fine abrasive material and stop the oil from being able to lubricate the stanchion properly (metal part of the fork that's exposed), this can also allow water in and scratching of the surface to happen. Annual service - This is generally suggested even if you haven't ridden the bike up to 125 hours yet, as the bikes been sitting unused.
Dry and degraded seals/dust wiper Degraded oil and moisture collection Oxidation/rust on stanchions If suspension is kept unserviced for lengthy periods of time, you can run the risk of the following issues which can be costly and frustrating; Stiction, a hard feeling fork, scratches (expensive to replace), a spongy feeling fork, airartion (noise inside fluid), a collapsed fork, damper cartridge not operating, worn bushes and knocking noises. These examples are just a few issues that can all be avoided by regular servicing.
Please Note: Service prices are indicative only, and may differ up or down depending on the condition of your Fork or Shock. We will happily provide an obligation free quote on any service once we have seen the fork/shock's condition in store.
For our local customers – The fork/shock can be left on your bike when it is dropped off for service.
FOX RECOMMENDED MINIMUM FORK & SHOCK MAINTENANCE:
ROCKSHOX RECOMMENDED MINIMUM FORK & SHOCK MAINTENANCE:
