suspension service
50-HOURS, 100-HOURS, 200-HOURS
Every brand is different but in general, a routine oil change is recommended every 50 hours of ride time. Certain manufactures recommend oil changes more frequently at 30 hours. In general more substantial service will be needed every 100 hours or annually.
*Similar to changing the oil in your car, the more frequently you service your suspension, the better it will perform over time.
Suspension Service
How often do I need to get my suspension serviced?
Answer: Every brand is different but in general, a routine oil change is recommended every 50 hours of ride time. Certain manufactures recommend oil changes more frequently at 30 hours. In general more substantial service will be needed every 100 hours or annually.
*Similar to changing the oil in your car, the more frequently you service your suspension, the better it will perform over time.
Question
Answer
warning signs
WHEN TO COME IN SOONER?
There are other reasons for servicing your suspension before the required hours are up. These include your bike not riding right, and you should be on the lookout for the following symptoms.
- Dryness, the stanchion on your fork or rear air shock should always have a thin film of oil.
- You are experiencing greater friction during your ride – it’s less comfortable, and your fork feels sticky.
- The fork is losing air or oil, and both are a sign of a damaged seal.
- Bubble noises in your rear air shock.
- Creaking or clicking noises as the suspension compresses could mean the pivot bearings need to be replaced.
fork oil change
*RECOMMENDED EVERY 50 HOURS
This is your regular service interval maintenance so you don’t destroy those important and expensive parts of your bike.
This service includes:
- Complete external cleaning and inspection
- Disassembly as needed for work being completed
- We pull the lowers
- Complete cleaning and inspection for wear of internal parts
- Clean out the old oil
- Clean the dust wipers
- Reassemble the fork
- Refill with factory recommended oils
- Full function test after rebuild (rebound and compression)
- Recommended settings discussed with Rider
Estimate $70
FORK LOWER SERVICE
*RECOMMENDED EVERY 100 HOURS
If you're experiencing oil leaking in and around the dust wipers of your fork you most likely will need a Fork Lower Service:
This service includes:
- Complete external cleaning and inspection
- Disassembly as needed for work being completed
- We pull the lowers
- Complete cleaning and inspection for wear of internal parts
- Clean out the old oil
- We replace old dust wipers and foam rings
- Reassemble the fork
- Refill with factory recommended oils
- Full function test after rebuild (rebound and compression)
- Recommended settings discussed with Rider
Estimate $100 + parts
FORK OVERHAUL
*RECOMMENDED EVERY 200 HOURS
Your compression and rebound dampers control how your fork works as you bomb down or hustle up the trail. Includes Fork Lower Service, damper service and service of your air spring.
We disassemble, inspect, clean and reassemble with new o-rings, compression fittings and damper oil. This is a complete tardown of your fork.
This service includes:
- Complete external cleaning and inspection
- Disassembly as needed for work being completed
- We pull the lowers
- Complete cleaning and inspection for wear of internal parts
- Clean out the old oil
- We replace old dust wipers and foam rings
- Complete rebuild of the damper system including all o-rings
- Complete rebuild of the air spring and replacing all o-rings
- Reassemble the fork
- Refill with factory recommended oils
- Full function test after rebuild (rebound and compression)
- Recommended settings discussed with Rider
ESTIMATE $200 + PARTS
REAR SHOCK AIR-CAN OIL CHANGE
*RECOMMENDED EVERY 50 HOURS
Rear suspension feeling sticky? This is your regular service interval maintenance so you don’t destroy those important and expensive parts of your bike. Includes pulling apart air can cleaning and reassembling with new lube.
This service includes:
- Complete external cleaning and inspection
- Disassembly as needed for work being completed
- Complete cleaning and inspection for wear of internal parts
- Opening up the air can
- Cleaning the air can
- Inspecting seals for wear and damage
- Refill with factory recommended grease and/or oil
- Reassemble the rear shock
- Full function test after rebuild (rebound and compression)
- Recommended settings discussed with Rider
ESTIMATE $70
REAR SHOCK AIR-CAN SERVICE
*RECOMMENDED EVERY 100 HOURS
Is your shock loosing air but the damping and rebound seem fine and you haven't passed your 200 hour full service? Then its time for an air can service. We pull apart the air can clean and replace all air can seals and o-rings.
This service includes:
- Complete external cleaning and inspection
- Disassembly as needed for work being completed
- Complete cleaning and inspection for wear of internal parts
- Opening up the air can
- Cleaning the air can
- Inspecting seals for wear and damage
- Replace all rear shock air can o-rings and seals
- Refill with factory recommended grease and/or oil
- Reassemble the rear shock
- Full function test after rebuild (rebound and compression)
- Recommended settings discussed with Rider
ESTIMATE $100 + PARTS
REAR SHOCK OVERHAUL
*RECOMMENDED EVERY 200 HOURS
Does your suspension sound like some one is slurping through a straw or even worse is there a puddle of oil under your bike? Time for a rear shock overhaul. We will disassemble, inspect, clean and rebuild your entire shock, from the seals all the way down into the damper assembly and IFP. Includes all seals and new fluid and lube. This is a complete tardown of your rear shock.
This service includes:
- Complete external cleaning and inspection
- Disassembly as needed for work being completed
- Complete cleaning and inspection for wear of internal parts
- Opening up the air can
- Cleaning the air can
- Inspecting seals for wear and damage
- Replace all rear shock air can o-rings and seals
- Replace shock bushings
- Complete rebuild of damper system
- Reset IFP depth
- Refill with factory recommended grease and/or oil
- Reassemble the rear shock
- Full function test after rebuild (rebound and compression)
- Recommended settings discussed with Rider
ESTIMATE $200 + PARTS
TUNE YOUR RIDE
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR FORK, REAR SHOCK, OR REBUILD YOUR DROPPER SEAT POST LET US KNOW AND WE CAN PROVIDE A LABOR AND PARTS ESTIMATE.
- Front Fork Travel Change
- Front Fork & Rear Shock Air Spring Volume Spacer Tuning
- Front Fork & Rear Shock Shock Coil Replacement
- Front Fork Damper Upgrade
- Fork Air Spring Upgrade
- Dropper Seat Post Rebuilds available call for estimate
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SHOCK SET UP
WE CAN HELP YOU SET YOUR SAG.
In addition to keeping your shock clean and maintaining it, there are other really important aspects to dialing in your ride.
Taking the time to properly set sag can be the difference between an amazing ride and a rough one.
A good starting point for shock sag is to go with the bike manufacturers recommended value; they’ll know the amount the suspension design works best with.
If you don’t have that information, our mechanics recommend starting at around 25% of the total shock travel, and you can fine tune from there. Sag is easily adjusted with a quality shock pump and increasing or decreasing the air pressure to suit.
WE CAN HELP YOU ADJUST YOUR REBOUND.
From there you’ll want to get the rebound right. Rebound damping is what controls how quickly your suspension returns to its original state after compressing to absorb a bump.
If set too fast, traction will suffer and your bike won’t hold a line. If set too slow your suspension will pack up and not be ready to absorb the terrain ahead.
Common Bike Suspension Service Questions
I don't live locally, can I ship my fork and/or shock to you for service?
Answer: Yes, you're responsible for shipping to and from our shop. Please include a return shipping label.
What brand suspension do you service?
We service RockShox, Fox, Ohlins, and Cannondale Lefty forks and suspension systems.
Is it mandatory that I stop everything and rush straight to the bike shop when my 30-hour or 50-hour service is due?
Answer: No, but you should service a service as soon as you can. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way, and with high end forks hovering around $1000, spending a fraction of that on an oil change is a worthwhile investment."
If you have ridden your fork at the bike park all year long, it might be time for a full tear down of the damper cartridge and air spring assembly. The same goes for the rear shock!
Do you offer suspension tuning?
Answer: Yes, at First Stop Board Barn we offer Suspension Tuning, we know that the ride feel is one of the most important aspects of riding. In order to link turns into a perfect downhill flow, every aspect of your bike needs to be dialed in.
The same goes for the uphill, if you're suspension isn't functioning properly you'll be wasting valuable energy that'll slow you down and burn valuable energy over the duration of the ride. Ask our experts how we can tune your front fork and/or rear suspension to achieve your riding goals.
Do you offer emergency service?
Answer: Our ability to do emergency service may vary, depending on needed parts and the current work-load in our service center. Rush delivery of parts is available, however expedited shipping fees will be charged in addition.
What brand bicycles do you service?
Short Answer: We service all brand bicycles.
Long Answer: We are an authorized Sram, Shimano, Bosch, Trek, Cannondale, and GT Bicycle Service center.
Do you service e-bikes?
We are an authorized Bosch e-bike service center. Bosch partners with some of the top brands in the bicycling industry.
I bought a bike online. Can you assemble it?
Yes, we can assemble your bike for you. Rates start at $xxx
What's the average turn-around time for bike service?
In general we try to service bikes with 3-5 business days. We do our best to service your bicycle in a timely manner. Sometimes part availability can delay the service.
Are walk-ins welcome? Or do I need to schedule my service?
Answer: Yes, walk-ins are welcome. Bring your bike in for a check up and our mechanics are often able to make minor adjustments within 24-48 hours.
More extensive services may require you to leave the bike for longer, especially if specific parts need to be ordered. Luckily, most parts are shipped from our east coast warehouse in 3-5 business days so we can get you back on your bike quickly.
Are estimates free?
Answer: When you bring your bicycle to First Stop Board Barn for service we're always willing to provide a free estimate. Together, you will decide how to proceed with the repair.
Please keep in mind, while our service technicians will do their best to give you an accurate estimate upfront they sometimes will call you once they service has begun if they find other parts that may need to be replaced.
When is payment due?
Answer: Our mechanic will call you when your bicycle is ready and you can pay in-store at time of pick up.
Michael was not only able to help me repair my current shock but he was able to help me find the ultimate upgrade and tune ride to perfection.
Detlef was able to rebuild my favorite Cannondale Slate from the ground up. It feels like I have a new bike!
I needed a new wheel for my Trek 520. Mark, Randy, and the team at First Stop Board Barn not only helped me find the right wheel they were able to do a full tune before I took off on a 1,000 mile trip.
