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MOUNTAIN BIKE 

SUSPENSION SERVICE


Comprehensive In-House Mountain Bike Suspension Service

Your mountain bike suspension system—including both your front fork and rear shock—is a complex set of components that require regular maintenance to function properly. Proper suspension service will remove dirt and contamination from internal parts and fluid—enabling your components to perform better and last longer.

Cardinal Bicycle is one of the few bike shops in the region that has the tools and expertise needed in-house to provide the annual service that all mountain bike suspension systems require. We can perform all levels of suspension service from basic lowers and air can service to comprehensive fork and shock overhauls. Most shops will send your suspension back to the manufacturer or to another shop for the more advanced, yet essential, annual required service.

 

Fox Service

Intervals

RockShox Service Intervals

Cane Creek Service Intervals

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Mountain Bike Suspension Service Offerings

Fork Lowers Service

$100 Est.

Every 6 months or after 30-50 hours of ride time

We remove the lower legs, clean and inspect them, and reassemble the fork with fresh wiper seals, foam rings, and fresh fluid. This service removes dirt and contamination that can cause damage over time.

Shock Air Can Service

$90 Est.

Every 6 months or after 30-50 hours of ride time

We will remove the air can, clean and inspect it, and reassemble the shock with fresh seals and fluid. This preventative maintenance will help keep your shock smooth and supple.

Fork Full Service

$190 Est.

Once a year or after ~100 hours of ride time

We perform a full lowers service, rebuild the damper, and service the air spring. Rebuilt dampers will allow the rebound and compression adjustments to work smoothly, improving performance and control.

Shock Full Service

$170 Est.

Once a year or after ~100 hours of ride time

We perform air can service, damper rebuild, and negative spring charging. In addition to the benefits of the air can service, this service will also remove any air or other contaminants from the damper fluid. This service allows the rebound and compression circuits to work properly and smoothly, improving traction and control for your rear wheel.

If you are not sure which suspension service is right for you, bring your bike to either of our locations for a free estimate.

Recommended Mountain Bike Suspension Service Intervals


You can extend the life of your suspension and improve performance by following the manufacturer recommended service intervals. If you ride frequently in wet and muddy conditions, your service needs may be more frequent than the intervals listed below.

Required Annual Suspension Service
All suspension manufacturers, such as Fox, RockShox, and Cane Creek, recommend a Fork Overhaul and Shock Overhaul every year or after 100 hours of riding. You can extend the life of your suspension and improve performance by following the manufacturer recommended service intervals. If you ride frequently in wet, muddy, and even dusty conditions, your service needs may be more frequent.

Recommended Suspension Service Every 6 Months
Between your annual Fork and Shock Overhaul appointments, having a Lowers Service and an Air Can Service can help extend the life of your components by removing dirt and other contaminants. Fox recommends this service after every 30-50 hours and Rockshox recommends every 50 hours. If you do not track your riding by the hour, simply planning it between your annual suspension service will meet the needs of most riders.

Why Cardinal for your Suspension Service

We perform all suspension service in-house
Cardinal Bicycle is one of the few bike shops in the region that has the tools and capabilities to perform fork and shock overhauls in-house. Most shops need to send your equipment to a third party for these services.

Suspension specific equipment for the best results
We have an Andreani SP4 vacuum pump that allows us to bleed and fill sealed dampers with zero air. Even brand-new factory assembled shocks are not all vacuum bled. This means we can service your equipment to better than new condition. We also have the capability to perform a nitrogen fill. Nitrogen creates a more constant pressure and reduces leakage. A nitrogen fill is required for some shocks and an upgrade for others.

Faster turnaround times
Since we perform all suspension work at our Orange Avenue location, we have faster turnaround times compared to shops that do not have the tools and expertise to care for your suspension.

How to Schedule Your Suspension Service

You can schedule a drop off time with us, or just bring your bike by without an appointment. Scheduling in advance can allow us to make sure we have the parts you need so you can spend more time with your bike.

  1. Have your Tune ID and Serial Number handy when scheduling. You can find these numbers listed on your fork or shock. We use this information to look up the service parts needed for your fork or shock so we can be ready when it arrives. 
  2. Complete our online form.
  3. Drop off your bike.

How to Ship Your Suspension

  1. Complete the form linked below so we know to expect your suspension. Have your Tune ID and Serial Number handy when completing the form. You can find these numbers listed on your fork or shock. We use this information to look up the service parts needed for your fork or shock so we can be ready when it arrives.
  2. Ship your suspension to Cardinal Bicycle, 2901 Orange Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24012
  3. When we receive your suspension, we will send you a text notification that your suspension is in queue for service. If your work will exceed the listed service cost, we will notify you. For return shipping, we will call you with a quote and for payment, and there will be an option to include insurance.