How do you look after your front shocks on mountainbike?

Question

I have rockshock 'Pilot's' but not sure how to look after them. Do I just wash the chrome or do I also silicone spray them?

Answer 1

I think that the Pilots have elastomers in them. This means that in place of springs or gas, they just have small rubber grommets to absorb the shock. If this is the case, simply keep the sliders clean and lubricate the sliders about every 10 hours of use with a good lubricant like RockShox lube or Pedro's.

Remember that just because a bike has shocks that it isn't necessarily a mountain bike. Most everyone that calls their bike a mountain bike actually owns an atb, or all-terrain bike. An atb is intended for on-road and off road on smoother trails. Chances are if you paid under $900 for it, you have an atb.

Also, it might be important to note that shocks on a bike are there for the same reason as shocks on a car... not comfort, but handling, to keep the wheels on the ground. Although some shocks do indeed reduce vibration, again, they are primarily on heavily padded "comfort" bikes or atbs, which are built for an entirely different purpose than a mountain bike.

Answer 2

clean the stanchions with a clean cotton rag. then wipe them down with automotive wax. voila, shiny, slick stanchions. thats just basic upkeep. you may need more depending if you have a coil spring or air system. do not use silicone spray. you dont wanna risk getting anything inside the inner legs, so be careful when using the wax. shocks generally dont make any noises requiring silicon or WD40 unless you really effed it up, in that case, get a new one. talk to your LBS if you need more info

Answer 3

There are kits available for maintenance of front suspension ( pro bike mechanics in your area are qualified to answer your queries....). Make an inspection if you hammered in fire roads, thousand-mile singletracks for any damage ( if you got into rock gardens or 'black diamond' terrain)-----