SRAM RockSchox service frequency

[lcarron]

I have a question about how often you are servicing your RockSchox fork and rear shock. I did my 50 hours service at 1,000 miles and now I have over 2,000 miles.

Btw I service my post dropper and it make a big difference. Is it the same for the suspension?

I think this is a bit over killed. What do you do and how often are changing the rings on the fork and rear shock?

Thanks!!

 

[R120]

I service mine twice a year, one in the spring around March, and again in the autumn, usually October. I do this because the kit takes a pounding over the British winter, so get it all sorted before we move into the hotter months, and then again after the summer because I tend to ride the bike harder and further over the summer.

IMO from my own bikes, the suspension takes far more of a hammering on the EMTB, so giving it a service tend to make a far more noticeable difference.

 

[steve_sordy]

I have never bothered with lower leg services, air can services etc. I just ensure that the stanchions are clean and lubed before every ride. Then when I reach one year or 1200 miles, whichever comes last, I send the fork and shock off for a full service. In 12 years it has served me well, so far.

 

[SquireRides]

Recently I did the first lower leg service on a bike I bought in 2001. Other than the sponge just below the seals being a bit dry, it was in perfectly good condition!

Anyway I gave it a clean, new oil, put it all back together but had a spare circlip left over, and i cross threaded the top cap.

In hind sight I probably shouldn't have serviced it even once....

 

[salko]

I have never bothered with lower leg services, air can services etc. I just ensure that the stanchions are clean and lubed before every ride. Then when I reach one year or 1200 miles, whichever comes last, I send the fork and shock off for a full service. In 12 years it has served me well, so far.

I try to avoid lubing stanchions as this attract more dirt/dust in much less time, after every ride I just wipe the stanchions and dust seals until they are nicely clean and dry, seems to work well.
Few weeks back I did a first 50h lower leg service on Lyrik Ultimates and I noticed foam rings were completely dry which is not good, imagine not making this service and keep riding such forks for whole year or more ... I will start to practice leaving the bike hanging by the front wheel or upside down over night every now and then to make sure foam rings gets soaked up in oil & don't dry up ...

 

[R120]

After I clean my bike I use Fenwicks suspension lube on the forks, shock, and dropper, wipe it down, the cycle everything a few times. and wipe off any excess. No scientific proof that it works, but does a good job on keeping stuff smooth imo, especially on the dropper.

 

[urastus]

After I clean my bike I use Fenwicks suspension lube on the forks, shock, and dropper, wipe it down, the cycle everything a few times. and wipe off any excess. No scientific proof that it works, but does a good job on keeping stuff smooth imo, especially on the dropper.

I do a similar thing with brake oil that has been expelled from bleeding. Clean all hydraulics, then use a cotton tip to apply a smear of oil. Then the same as you. It has the added benefit of getting the dust out from the top of the seals. When you push down, there is an oil ring left on the stanchions with the dust suspended in it. I wipe this off.

 

[Like a Boss]

The foam below the seals does run dry. I don’t know how much oil is splashed up when riding, but there isn’t much oil in the lowers in any case. So a good practice is to turn your bike upside down for a while every of couple rides so the oil runs back and soaks that foam, along with wiping the stanchions clean and brushing the dirt away from the seals after every ride. Also a little sram butter or the like on the stanchions can’t hurt.

 

[salko]

Sram butter only on inside dust seals...

 

[steve_sordy]

I try to avoid lubing stanchions as this attract more dirt/dust in much less time, after every ride I just wipe the stanchions and dust seals until they are nicely clean and dry, seems to work well.
Few weeks back I did a first 50h lower leg service on Lyrik Ultimates and I noticed foam rings were completely dry which is not good, imagine not making this service and keep riding such forks for whole year or more ... I will start to practice leaving the bike hanging by the front wheel or upside down over night every now and then to make sure foam rings gets soaked up in oil & don't dry up ...

I clean and lube the stanchions and cycle them up and down several times. Then I wipe them clean so that they do not attract dust. What this process does is to float off muck from the top of the wiper seals. If I see too much I repeat the process until it comes clear.
Your comment about turning the bike upside down is a good reminder to me. When I used to transport the bike in the back of the car, it was upside down at least twice per ride. Now it's on a towbar rack, it is only upside down if I fall off! Must put upside down more frequently!!

 

[Like a Boss]

Sram butter only on inside dust seals...

Yes, sram butter on the inside of the seals. All over the stanchions is probably not necessary or desirable. If I’m really feeling it, I will apply sram butter with a toothpick, all the way around the seal. Too much grease and it just attracts more dirt. Otherwise I use q tip and wipe it around the seals. Shock and dropper too.

 

[urastus]

I'm just doing a 50hr service (@120hrs) on my rockshox 35 gold. The foam rings were black. They are reasonably clean now, but I'd really like new rings. I imagine I will be replacing these every time. Does anyone know where I can buy these in bulk? Some places have bags of 20, but none that I can order from . I'm wondering if the seals are any good on these? I clean the stanchions before every ride; only done 1300kms.