5 Tips for Maintaining Your Bike's Suspension

Suspension is one of the most crucial components of a mountain bike. It is also one of the most complex, expensive, and, unfortunately, overlooked. Here are some tips to keep things moving smoothly in your forks and shocks.

Proper and consistent maintenance is essential for keeping your bike running and saving you money; the better you maintain components, the longer they will last, ultimately saving you a trip to the bike shop for replacement parts. The importance of maintaining suspension components cannot be overstated, but it sadly gets overlooked, and most people don't even know where to begin!

I know forks and shocks can be confusing, and it is glaringly noticeable when they aren't functioning as intended. Knowing how to keep suspension functioning efficiently while extending its lifespan is invaluable information for every rider, regardless of experience. Here are some key things to look out for and tips on how to keep your suspension working efficiently.

1. Regular Cleaning

Dirt, dust, and mud can infiltrate the suspension system, damaging seals and scratching the stanchions. When a stanchion becomes worn, it can leak suspension oil, and the seal between the closed-off reservoir of the system becomes compromised.

What you can do : After every ride—especially in muddy or dusty conditions—wipe down the fork stanchions and rear shock body with a clean, dry cloth to remove any debris. This will prevent the introduction of foreign bodies into the sealed system.

Stanchions

Keeping the stanchions lubricated prevents premature wear and ensures smooth movement. Be careful to use suspension-specific lubricant, as the usual lube found for chains can ruin the seals.

What you can do : Apply a light coat of suspension-specific lubricant to the stanchions after cleaning your bike. This helps keep the seals supple and minimizes friction.

Seals and Wipers

Seals and wipers prevent dirt and moisture from entering the suspension system. Worn or damaged seals can lead to internal contamination and premature stanchion wear.

What you can do : Regularly check seals for wear, cracks, or leaks. If you see oil around the seals or stanchions, it may be time for a replacement, which is vital for long-term maintenance.

2. Monitor Air Pressure

Most modern MTB suspension systems rely on air pressure for optimal performance. There are outliers that rely on coil springs and a few options that will use a hybrid of coil springs and air pressure. This is important to keep track of for a couple of reasons.

Riding with insufficient air pressure can cause you to bottom out and damage your suspension, while riding with too much air pressure can make your bike feel stiff and rigid, resulting in a bad experience on the trail or a crash. Properly tuned suspension is crucial to enjoying the ride.

What you can do : Use a shock pump to check and adjust the air pressure based on your weight and riding style. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the correct settings for both the fork and rear shock.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Mountain Bike Cleaning and Maintenance: Pro Tips Included

3. Change Suspension Oil

Suspension oil lubricates the internals and controls many performance variables, such as compression and rebound damping. However, over time, oil can degrade or become contaminated or more viscous as dirt and water mix in the system.

What you can do : Change the suspension oil as part of your routine service, typically every 50 hours of ride time for an oil refresh & 100 hours of riding for a complete oil and seal service. If you are not comfortable with performing this service, most bike shops can provide this service. Many mail-in service options are available if your local shop cannot accommodate this service.

*If you frequently ride in wet or muddy conditions, you may need to service it more often.

4. Monitor Performance and Noise

A sluggish, harsh, or unresponsive suspension can indicate a need for maintenance. Any clunks, squeaks, or squelches should be addressed immediately. We’re all used to our bikes making sounds but keep track of the sounds that are out of the ordinary as they can often be telling you something is wrong.

What you can do : Pay attention to how your bike feels and sounds on the trail. If you notice changes like frequent bottoming out, loss of rebound control, squeaky noises, or sloshing sounds, it’s time to check the suspension or take it in for service.

Check for Play

Components may develop looseness over time, affecting bike performance and increasing wear. Likely you will notice this play as a knocking or rattle before you will feel it on a ride.

What you can do : Periodically inspect the bushings, linkage, and mounting bolts for movement or wear. Tighten loose bolts to manufacturer specifications and replace any worn bushings or pivot bearings as needed.

5. Rebuild or Service the Suspension

Even well-maintained systems require occasional rebuilding to replace worn internals. Depending on the manufacturers' recommendations, this can be anywhere between 100 and 200 hours of ride time. I suggest looking up your suspension service intervals; chances are it is overdue for some work! Some suspension systems are easier to service than others, and they don’t all require the same tools and oils, so double-check that you have everything you need before cracking into things.

What you can do : Always follow the manufacturer’s service intervals for a full suspension rebuild. This typically includes replacing seals, oil, and worn parts. While many riders opt for professional service, experienced individuals can perform basic maintenance at home.