How Long Do Mountain Bike Shocks Last

Mountain bike shocks are the most important component of your suspension system. They allow you to absorb the bumps in the trail and keep your tires in contact with the ground. Shocks are designed to last for a long time, but they do wear down over time and will eventually need to be replaced.

The life of a mountain bike shock is dependent on many factors, including rider weight and terrain. There is no set guideline for how long shocks will last because it can vary from person to person and trail condition.

When should I replace my bike shocks?

It feels dry. The fork or shock begins to feel harsh, and loses small bump sensitivity. The rebound and compression don’t seem to affect anything.^[1]

How long do bicycle forks last?

Based simply on fatigue life a well made and properly installed composite fork should last virtually indefinitely if the bike is not crashed or otherwise abused. From Easton: There are two failure modes that could cause a fork to fail, fatigue or impact.^[2]

How do you know if your rear shocks are blown on a mountain bike?

If there is any whooshing noise at any point during the compression or rebound, your shock needs to be rebuilt. It has injested air. If you’ve been riding your shock for longer than a season or two, and you ride hard, the shock is most likely blown.^[3]

How often should I service my MTB suspension?

How often to service mtb suspension. If you are a regular mountain biker and ride steep, technical terrain, having your suspension serviced every 20 – 40 rides is recommended. For more recreational styles of mountain biking, once per year during an annual overhaul/tune-up is suggested.^[4]

How do I know if my bike shocks are bad?

You may notice that your motorcycle starts to swerve when you applying the brakes. Worn shock absorbers could cause your bike to swerve as well as making an unusual knocking sound in the process. If you notice any unfamiliar movements or sounds, then it could be time to get your shock absorbers replaced.^[5]

How often should I tune up my mountain bike?

No matter how often you ride you should give your bike a tune-up at least once a year. Today we’ll learn how to tune up your bike, which I’d recommend doing at least once a year, or even every few months if you ride every day.^[6]

How long does suspension fork last?

Fox recommends that the minimum suspension fork and shock service is 125 hours of use, yearly, or whichever comes first. That is certainly on the longer side of things. Similar to changing the oil in your car, the more frequently you service your suspension, the better the fork will perform for longer.^[7]

Why are carbon forks better?

From commuting to traveling short distances, carbon forks have become a cyclist’s choice for every type of ride due to their lightweight and high tensile strength. Replacing a steel fork with a carbon fork can reduce the weight of your bike to up to 50% of the weight of the fork.^[8]

Are carbon forks strong?

Best fork material (carbon or aluminum) Carbon fiber forks outperform only slightly in performance (speed and handling), and comfort. Whereas, they are much much stronger than aluminum forks.^[9]

How do you know when your rear shocks need servicing?

No damping. Leaking oil. Adjusters not moving properly. Leaking air. Squelchy noises.^[10]

Can you use WD40 on bike suspension?

Please don’t use WD40, GT85 or any similar products! Instead of cleaning your seals, they will wash away the grease under the seals, letting dirt in much more easily– even if you’re careful you will also risk contamination of brake rotors/pads and these products can also dry out seals.^[11]

How much does it cost to service a full suspension mountain bike?

Full-suspension Mountain Bike Maintenance Cost So, instead of your suspension costs working out to approximately $110 per year, on a full-suspension mountain bike, you should plan to spend around $200 every year. These costs can vary depending on the quality of your mountain bike.^[12]