How to Maintain a Bicycle Suspension Fork?

For your mountain bike to work properly and always provide you with the best riding experience, whether you are actually on a mountainous trail or are just in a relaxed city ride, you need to take very good care of your bike, including the many components that actually make up the bike itself. The ride experience, which essentially keeps you glued to the bike and the bike to the ground effectively, is determined by the suspension of the bike, which, given the stress it goes through with each bump or crevice in the road, needs regular maintenance and proper upkeep to keep it performing at its fullest. Which is why, in this blog post, we will look at how to maintain a bicycle suspension fork for the best performance of your mountain bike. 

From keeping your shocks and the entire suspension system well-lubricated to ensuring that the bike’s springs and other rear suspension struts are okay, this quick and handy guide will walk you through what needs to be done in order for you to not only get the best performance out of the mountain bike’s suspension system, but also to ensure that the bike itself doesn’t get too stressed out when on the hard, rocky trail or traversing down the mountainous path with your backpack and gear with you. 

Lets start by looking at how to maintain a bicycle suspension fork. 

Maintaining a Bicycle Suspension Fork

The front fork suspension on your mountain bike is vital to ensuring a smooth, pleasant ride when you are navigating tough terrain like rocky mountains or pathways.

Unfortunately, the suspension is prone to dust exposure, wear and tear, and oil leaks. When the suspension gets dirty or fails to lubricate, the result is a bumpier, less comfortable ride. Poorly maintained suspension can also numb your arms and hands.

Lets discuss how to maintain your mountain bike suspension fork, and how to extend the lifespan of your suspension.

The Basics of Suspension Lubrication

The front fork suspension on your mountain bike is responsible for maintaining rider comfort. This is achieved through the front suspension system, which consists of a:

• Steerer tube (that connect the fork to the bike frame)
• Stanchions (two separate “poles” that pass in and out of the sliders, and contains other internal components such as the spring (or air chamber) and oil
• Sliders (enables the stanchions to pass through, and connects to the front wheel)

To keep the suspension fork lubricated, oil is stored near the bottom of the fork legs. During riding, the oil lubricates the fork’s internal components, such as the seals and bushes. Most mountain bikes and traditional bikes contain multiple seals in the front suspension. The external dust seal prevents dust from entering the suspension, while the foam ring stores oil below the seal and collects any invasive particles. Some bikes have an additional seal for further dust protection

Maintaining the Front Fork Suspension 

Looking after your suspension is easier than you think, as you only need a few basic tools to do it. The most common tools and accessories you will need are:

• Allen wrench
• Bike suspension oil (lubricant)
• Water hose (or bucket of fresh water)
• Clean rag

Now that you have the essentials, here’s what you need to do:

First, turn your bike upside, ensuring the frame is stable. Then, use a hose or bucket of fresh water to remove dirt and grime from the forks. Pay close attention to the stanchions and fork arks, as debris build up is common in those areas. If you’re using a hose, only use the high-pressure mode if the bike is already upside down. Otherwise, water may creep into the fork seals. Use a clean rag to dry the forks and external seals.

Next, with the bike still upside down, apply bike suspension oil (lubricant) to the two front suspension forks. Let the oil run down the forks and seals. Leave it to stand for about 20 minutes. If applied correctly, the oil will naturally lubricate the entire fork, meaning no further action is required.

Check the front fork suspension, particularly the stanchions, for signs of impact damage, deeply ingrained marks, or scratches. Stanchion scratches can potentially damage the dust seals, increasing the risk of oil leaks. Severe scratches may need to be inspected by a suspension specialist, who will either service or replace the component.

Most mountain bikes have adjustable front suspension. This lets you determine how much the bike “sags” as you rest on the handlebars and do basic things like ride over slopes and land jumps. While adjusting the front fork suspension is not too hard, you will need to adjust the air pressure with a shock pump (attached with a pressure gauge). First, locate the Lock knob on the fork, and turn it to “Open.” Then, locate the Air cap on the other side, remove the cap, and insert the shock pump. Refer to your manufacturer’s recommended specifications to adjust the air pressure accordingly. Don’t worry if you make a mistake; you can always add or remove air pressure as necessary. Once you’re done, remove the shock pump and reattach the Air cap. And be sure to set the Lock knob back to “Lock”.

Inspect the condition of your existing seals and bushings. If you notice any signs of deterioration, including scratches, fraying, or missing pieces, then be sure to replace these components. Pretty soon, they will begin to affect the performance of your front suspension.

Fluid Function: Your Premier Destination for Rockshox Services!

Fluid Function is the authorized service center for the world-famous Rockshox suspension products in Squamish, British Columbia. We have been the mainstay for the biking community for the longest time now, and whether you’re a hardcore biker with the best possible bike in your garage, or an enthusiast who likes to go at their own pace, Fluid Function is your partner in ensuring your wheels stay top-notch throughout your journey!