Suspension Servicing: Why It Matters and How Often to Do It

Suspension is one of those things riders only really think about when it stops working properly. When it’s fresh and smooth, you don’t notice it, the bike just feels planted, comfortable and controlled. But when suspension is neglected, it quietly loses performance long before it completely fails. The tricky part is that the change happens gradually. You adapt to it. The bike feels “normal”, even though it isn’t working as well as it could.

FOX Float Air Can Service

What Your Suspension Is Actually Doing

Your fork and shock aren’t just there to make the ride more comfortable.

They:

• keep your tyres in contact with the ground

• absorb repeated impacts

• reduce fatigue

• control how the bike behaves under braking and cornering

• protect the frame and other components from harsh forces

• 
  

In short, suspension isn’t a luxury, it’s a control system. When it’s working properly, the bike tracks the ground better, feels calmer at speed, and allows you to ride smoother with less effort.

What Happens When You Don’t Service It

Inside your fork and shock are seals, bushings, oil and air chambers all working together. Over time:

• oil becomes contaminated

• seals wear

• dirt works its way past wipers

• lubrication breaks down

The result isn’t usually dramatic at first. It’s subtle.

The fork might feel:

• slightly harsher

• less sensitive over small bumps

• inconsistent through its travel

Left long enough, wear increases internally and more expensive damage can occur. What would have been a straightforward lower-leg service can turn into worn stanchions or damaged internals.

Most suspension doesn’t fail suddenly, it slowly degrades.

How Often Should You Service It?

Manufacturers like Fox and RockShox provide service interval guidance, and it’s worth paying attention to.

As a general rule:

• Lower leg service / air can service: every 50 hours of riding

• Full damper service: every 100–200 hours depending on the model

Those are guidelines, not hard deadlines.

In real-world UK conditions, especially wet, gritty riding, suspension often benefits from servicing sooner rather than later. Mud and fine grit accelerate wear far more than dry summer riding. If you ride regularly through autumn and winter, your suspension is working harder than you think.

Signs Your Suspension Needs Attention

You don’t need to track hours obsessively, but there are signs to watch for:

• It feels harsher than it used to

• There’s visible oil or dirt around the seals

• Small bump sensitivity has reduced

• It feels inconsistent through the travel

• It’s been over a year without attention

If you can’t remember the last time it was serviced, that’s usually a clue.

Air and Coil: Does It Make a Difference?

Both air and coil systems require servicing.

Air forks and shocks rely on clean seals and fresh lubrication to maintain smooth movement. Coil systems remove the air spring, but the damper still requires maintenance. Neither is “maintenance free”.

Whatever system you run, regular servicing protects performance and longevity.

Servicing Is Cheaper Than Replacing

This is the part many riders overlook.

Routine servicing:

• keeps performance high

• reduces long-term wear

• prevents more expensive repairs

Neglected suspension often ends up costing more in the long run. A small amount of preventative maintenance saves significantly compared to replacing worn components. And beyond cost, the difference in ride feel after a proper service is often immediate. The bike feels smoother, more controlled and more predictable, like it should.

Atherton S170 with Rockshox ZEB Ultimate's

Final Thoughts

If you ride regularly, especially in typical UK conditions, servicing your fork and shock on schedule is one of the smartest maintenance decisions you can make. If you’re unsure when your suspension was last serviced, or you’re not quite sure how it should feel, it’s worth getting it looked at. Often a quick check can highlight early signs of wear before they turn into bigger issues.

At Trail Explorer Cycle Works, suspension servicing is something we see day in, day out. Whether it’s a routine lower-leg service or a full strip and rebuild, keeping suspension running smoothly makes a noticeable difference on the trail. Because when suspension works properly, riding feels easier, and that’s the whole point.

If you’re unsure when your suspension was last serviced, or you’d like it checked over, feel free to get in touch or pop into the shop. A quick inspection can often prevent small issues turning into bigger ones.