The number one rule of mountain biking is to be safe. The number two rule, I would argue, is to keep your bike running smoothly. You can’t ride a bike that isn’t properly tuned up, so you must know how often you should service your suspension fork and shock. How often should you service your mountain bike suspension?
The suspension keeps your wheels on the ground and prevents jarring as you ride over rocks, roots, and other obstacles. The way you take care of your bike’s suspension can affect how much fun it is to ride and how safe you are riding down the trail. It’s important to service your suspension a few times each year to keep it at its best.
In this article, I’m going to cover a few things you can do to keep your bike healthy and tuned properly so you get to enjoy a fun ride.
- How often should you service your mountain bike suspension?
- How often should I service my mountain bike?
- Where can I get my mountain bike serviced?
- How to service a mountain bike?
- How much is a full mountain bike service?
- How much to service mountain bike suspension?
- How often to service mountain bike suspension?
- How to service mountain bike forks?
- Fork service cost
- RockShox fork
- Fox fork
- Marzocchi fork
- FAQ
- Final word
How often should you service your mountain bike suspension?
There is no hard and fast rule for how often you should service your mountain bike suspension.
The frequency of your mountain bike check depends on how much you ride, where you ride, and how much weight you carry.
If you ride frequently and carry a lot of weight, it’s a good idea to check the air pressure in your shock or fork more often.
If you don’t maintain adequate air pressure, the shock or fork can wear out faster than usual.
If you’re riding in sandy conditions, it’s important to check the air pressure in your shock or fork regularly.
Sand and water can work their way into the suspension system and clog up some of its moving parts.
This can cause leaks or damage to components if not addressed promptly.
Also, riding in wet conditions or in areas where there are lots of rocks and roots, then it’s very important to check the bolts every time you ride.
This is because the suspension systems on mountain bikes are designed to be flexible and they need to be flexible so that they can absorb shock from bumps and holes in the ground without being damaged themselves!
Finally, if your bike has air-filled shocks instead of coil-spring shocks (like most modern mountain bikes do), then it’s especially important to check those bolts regularly because they can lose air pressure over time.
How often should I service my mountain bike?
Many riders are wondering: “How often should I service my mountain bike?” Well, it depends on how much you ride it.
If you’re riding your bike once or twice a week, you can probably get by with a tune-up every 6 months or so.
If, however, you’re riding it every day for hours at a time, it’s definitely time for some more frequent maintenance.
A good rule of thumb is to service the bike after every other ride—this way, all of the parts will stay in working order and you’ll avoid having any issues while out on the trail.
Where can I get my mountain bike serviced?
For the ones that wonder Where can I get my mountain bike serviced? There are two options for doing it:
- Take it to the local service center. If you’re looking for a place with a professional staff and mechanics who know what they’re doing, then taking it to a local bike shop is the way to go. You’ll be able to ask questions, get advice on what kind of maintenance your bike needs, and feel confident about the work being done. Plus, you’ll be able to pick up some tips from the pros!
- Do it on your own. If you feel like you want to save some money by doing it yourself (or if you don’t have any knowledge about bikes), then this is a good option for you! There are plenty of tutorials online that will help guide you through all of the steps needed for assembly and maintenance tasks.
How to service a mountain bike?
If you’re looking at how to service a mountain bike, there are several parts of a mountain bike that you’ll want to take care of regularly.
Here are some tips for how to service your bike so it stays in top shape:
- Handlebars
To service a mountain bike, start by checking the handlebars. If they are loose, tighten them with an Allen wrench or screwdriver.
If the handlebar grips are worn out or cracked, replace them with new ones.
- Brakes
Brake pads should wear down evenly over time, but if you notice one side wearing down faster than the other, it may be time for new brake pads.
Use a measuring tape to compare the thickness of each pad and replace them accordingly.
- Chain
The chain is the heart of your bike, so it’s important that you keep it clean, lubricated, and properly adjusted.
If too much dirt or grime builds up, the mountain bike chain will wear out faster than normal and could even snap during use.
The best way to keep the chain clean is to wipe it down with a rag after every ride (if possible).
You should also regularly apply a lubricant like WD-40 or Tri-Flow to prevent rust from forming on your links
- Gears
Gear systems are sensitive pieces of machinery that require frequent cleaning and lubrication to keep them running smoothly for years to come.
To clean your gear system after riding in wet conditions (like rain or snow), use compressed air and then lubricate it.
- Suspension
The suspension on your mountain bike is key to comfort and safety. It helps ensure that you can ride over obstacles without hitting them too hard, and it also helps absorb bumps so you don’t feel like you’re bouncing along the trail.
Just for your info, this is also called the lower leg service.
- Wheels and tires
Inspect your wheels for damage and replace them if necessary-you can do this yourself! It’s as easy as loosening the wheel nuts slightly and removing them (this will require an Allen wrench).
Then simply put on new ones in reverse order of removal. Also, when doing a bike check tires should be one of your priorities. Once they’re worn out, it’s mandatory to replace them.
- Bolts
Check all remaining bolts and screws on the bike to make sure that they’re secure and won’t fall off while riding.
How much is a full mountain bike service?
It’s hard to say how much is a full mountain bike service. The cost of full-service mountain bikes will vary depending on where you live and how much work needs to be done.
However, it’s important to remember that any shop will charge more if they have to replace parts due to wear and tear or damage.
Since the full MTB service can vary greatly, I’m giving you the chart with the average service cost for each bike component.
| BICYCLE PART | SERVICE FREQUENCY | ANNUAL SERVICE COST |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | Once a year | $70 – $100 |
| Chain | Once a year | $40 – $60 |
| Gears | Once a year | $40 – $60 |
| Suspension | Once a year | $100 – $180 |
| Tires | Twice a year | $100 – $150 |
| Other parts | Occasionally | $30 – $50 |
| Total | $380 – $600 |
How much to service mountain bike suspension?
To figure out how much to service mountain bike suspension, the servicing cost will depend on what you have done.
If you have just replaced the oil, the service should be fairly cheap. If you have also adjusted the air pressure and replaced any worn parts, the cost will be slightly higher.
In general, service mountain bike suspension will cost you between $60 and $100.
How often to service mountain bike suspension?
Mountain bike suspension systems are designed to allow riders to tackle the toughest trails, and they can be customized to fit each rider’s riding style.
However, all-mountain bike suspensions require regular maintenance in order to ensure optimum performance and safety.
When you’re considering how often to service mountain bike suspension, several factors will help you determine which fork service intervals are best for your specific bike.
First, consider how much time you spend on the trail. If you ride frequently and aggressively, more frequent servicing may be necessary.
If you ride casually or only once or twice a week, then less frequent servicing can be enough.
Second, consider your riding style and terrain. If your mountain biking consists mostly of leisurely rides through the woods or on paved paths, then less frequent servicing may suffice.
But if you spend most of your time off-road on rocky terrain where there are plenty of bumps and obstacles to throw at your bike’s suspension system, then more frequent servicing may be required so that it doesn’t wear down prematurely from use.
How to service mountain bike forks?
If you want to keep your mountain bike fork in good working order, you will need to know how to service it.
If you are not familiar with how mountain bike forks work, or you do not have any experience repairing them, you must take it to a professional service.
A professional service can help ensure that your mountain bike fork is running smoothly and safely.
Fork service cost
The fork service cost will vary depending on the type of service you need. The most common types of services include:
- A complete overhaul (including oiling and greasing all parts) costs around $75.
- Replacing worn-out bearings costs around $35 per side.
- Replacing the stanchions costs around $50 per side.
- Replacing the seals costs around $10 per side.
Also, the price may vary on different brands, so I’ll give you some basic information about the most popular fork brands.
RockShox fork
RockShox forks are some of the most popular forks in mountain biking. RockShox suspension is known for having a smooth ride and giving riders a feeling of control over their bike.
RockShox suspension is also known for being reliable and durable with minimal maintenance required.
RockShox suspension service
RockShox suspension service should be performed every 15,000 miles or at the first sign of trouble.
This will ensure that your suspension is running at peak performance and won’t leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere with a blown shock.
If you ride in muddy conditions, we recommend having your fork serviced more often than this.
If you are unsure whether your fork needs servicing, call us and we will be able to help you with the decision.
Rockshox service intervals
How often should you service your RockShox suspension? The answer depends on many factors, including the type of riding you do and the conditions in which you ride.
However, as a general rule of thumb, we recommend that riders have their Rockshox service intervals every two years.
It is important to note that this does not mean that your suspension is going to stop working after two years.
It just means that it will be easier for us to diagnose and repair any problems that may occur over time if we can take a look at them more regularly.
Fox fork
Fox forks are a popular choice among mountain bikers who love to explore the trails.
The forks are made with performance in mind, and they have several features that can help you achieve your goals.
Fox fork service
Fox suspension service intervals are based on many factors, including the number of hours that you ride and the type of terrain that you’re riding on.
Fox fork service is necessary to get your suspension back up and running so that you can get back out there and enjoy yourself again.
Fox service intervals
Fox fork intervals depend on how often you ride and the terrain that you ride on.
If you ride more than once a week, we recommend having your suspension inspected annually by an authorized dealer or technician
Marzocchi fork
Marzocchi fork is a brand known for its high-quality performance, and for being some of the best options on the market.
Marzocchi fork service
To keep your fork running at peak performance, you’ll need a little routine maintenance. This is especially true if you’re an avid rider.
Here are some tips for Marzocchi fork service to ensure that your Marzocchi fork stays in good health:
- Use a torque wrench when tightening bolts on the fork. This will ensure that they’re tight enough to prevent movement or damage, but not so tight that they wear out quickly.
- Be sure to check all of your seals regularly and replace them when necessary. If any of them are damaged or worn out, this can cause problems with air compression and oil flow within your fork.
FAQ
I’ve created a list of some frequently asked questions about a mountain bike suspension service. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful.
How to tell if mountain bike shocks are bad?
The shocks on your mountain bike help you maintain control, but over time they may wear down and need to be replaced. Here’s how to tell if your mountain bike shocks are bad:
1. You feel pain in your arms and legs during rides;
2. Your hands or feet slip off the handlebars;
3. You hear a clicking noise from the shocks when you’re riding
What to expect from a service?
The mechanic will also check the headsets and bottom brackets for damage, as well as lubricate them where necessary.
The mechanic will also make sure that all of your bearings are in good working order by replacing any that are worn out or damaged.
They’ll be able to tell if they’re ready to be replaced by listening closely to how quiet they are while they spin freely with no resistance.
It’s important to keep your bearings clean and lubed so they don’t become damaged over time!
Service intervals for most modern suspension
The service schedule for most modern bicycle suspension is between 1,000 and 3,000 miles.
It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with your suspension, but anyway you should inspect it.
Final word
Ultimately, it seems that riding conditions are the key factor in determining suspension wear.
If you’re riding in dusty or muddy conditions, it’s best to service your suspension more often.
Most manufacturers suggest that you should service your suspension at least once a year.
In my personal experience, we would say that this is probably good advice.
Also, consider investing in some tools for DIY routine services. With that said, it’s definitely worth it to help make this process easier when you do need to get your hands dirty.
Of course, if you have any additional comments about how often should you service your mountain bike suspension, feel free to leave a comment here or on my social media accounts and I’ll do my best to respond as soon as possible.
