Shock absorbers and dampers smooth functioning is even more essential for ebikes, since they are heavier than conventional ones.
Electric bikes suspensions can cost more than €1000. That’s why they deserve proper care. Their service should be done once a year, as manufacturers prescribe, or more or less frequently, depending on the usage of your e-bike.
Dust, sand, dirt and microparticles penetrate into shock absorbers
No matter how good their joints are, shock absorbers cannot avoid being soiled by dirt and dust, especially for e-mountain bikes. City eBikes, on the other hand, are subject to damage by those nasty microparticles, PM 2.5 and PM 10, emitted from car exhaust pipes, that sneak even into our blood vessels through our lungs.
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- This shock absorber needs revision
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- Dirt and oil on ebike shock absorber
Suspension oil is damaged by heat
During rides on trails, suspension oil is constantly compressed, becoming very hot, what degrades it. Hence the need for its regular replacement.
Correct care and service of shock absorbers and dampers
Joint rubber wears and dries out with time. That’s why, even if you seldom use your electric bike, maintenance frequency of shock absorbers depends also on time, not only on usage.
- Cleanup shock absorbers and damper every time you use your ebike, with a simple microfiber rag, in order to eliminate dirt, dust and sand.
- Verify the condition of the of dust scrapers, fork bushings or seals: residual oil on the suspension signals need for revision, since they are no longer capable of keeping off dust. Nevertheless, if your shock absorbers are new or just revised, spurs of oil, or rather grease on them are normal, since they have been just lubricated.
- Lubricate your suspension and damper stems with some specific grease or silicone oil. That will eliminate residual dirt on the bushings, also lubricating them, thus protecting them from sunlight, hot and chilly temperatures and keeping them flexible. Just apply the lubricant on the stems and push down twice the suspensions. Finally, with a rag, cleanup excess oil. Avoid using lubricants like car motor oils, since they absorb dust forming a sort of paste that penetrates through oil scrapers and bushings, damaging your suspensions.
- Beware of cleaning your ebike with a high pressure hydrocleaner. Some hydrocleaners, like Bosch Fontus, have a low-pressure setting, but most don’t, and their high-pressure can let water penetrate through the bushings into the suspension, thus damaging it and contaminating its oil. If you are to use such a cleaner, you should better apply its jet from bottom up, in order to safeguard bushings and oil scrapers. The safest way is just to use a water hose with some bike cleaners. You should never use aggressive products, like Chanteclair or other alkaline degreasers, that dissolve anodisations, hampering the smooth sliding of the suspension, and can dry joints and oil scrapers. Idem for car cleaners, because they are way too aggressive, being conceived for rubber parts that are much more resistant, like windshield joints.
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