430 euros in service costs in two and a half years - that was not the plan. With every note that the fork service swallowed, our reader's trust in the brand with the blue foxtail dwindled: the annual service was accompanied by a displaced seal and a new stanchion tube unit. And this after a mileage of a mere 4,000 kilometres. How can that be, with a high-tech product costing over 1,000 euros? The costs are not the only reason for frequent frustration with forks and dampers. The often very long waiting times for repairs and maintenance are also a regular source of reader emails to our editorial team.
Dust, mud and sludge are tough on suspension forks
Extraordinary visits to the repair service can be avoided with a little care, however. It is important to remember that suspension elements are high-tech products that contain a lot of technology in a very limited space. They must function precisely and smoothly and must not allow dirt to penetrate. Bearings and rubber seals in the form of O-rings and dust wipers are necessary for all these requirements. Parts that are subject to a certain amount of wear. A fork makes around 90,000 spring movements during an 80 kilometre marathon. If adverse conditions in the form of dust, mud or other dirt are added to this, the wear and tear occurs in fast motion. Sophisticated technology therefore also means regular maintenance.
Maintenance intervals often tightly scheduled by manufacturers
Nevertheless, the maintenance intervals specified in the operating instructions are sometimes extremely short. As a rule, manufacturers recommend changing the oil in the fork after 50, maximum 100 hours. For a frequent rider, this would mean an oil change every two to three months. The reality is different. Forks and dampers are often ridden for so long that their function noticeably deteriorates or the oil starts to drip. If you only then go for a service, you should not be surprised that, in addition to the usual wear parts, one or two expensive components have to be completely replaced.
Even dampers need a service
The maintenance effort for the shock is usually somewhat lower, unless it has to absorb a lot of lateral forces due to the frame construction or is in direct mud contact with the rear wheel. As neither an hour meter nor an odometer are prescribed on a bike, the interpretation of the mileage in the event of damage is often pure interpretation. An annual service should be sufficient without any noticeable functional impairment.
You can find the exact maintenance intervals prescribed by the manufacturers for their suspension forks and shocks and what you can check yourself in the PDF download below.
