The inner tubes (also known as stanchion tubes) of the forks (suspension) we commonly use on mountain bikes are generally made of ordinary steel or aluminum alloy (or magnesium alloy)! The outside of these tubes is coated with a protective layer of Teflon or nickel plating (for ordinary steel tubes, it's usually an electroplated coating)! These coatings serve to lubricate or protect the fork. High-end forks are typically Teflon-coated. FOX has even developed a new KASHIMA coating (a gold-colored coating). Many MARZOCCHI forks come with nickel plating, such as the CORSAWC—there are too many to list them all. In short, these coatings aim to enhance the performance of the fork, improving smoothness and lubrication. (When riders say a fork is "smooth," they're referring to how fluid and buttery the stanchions feel.)
Mountain bike forks are designed to help usridebetter. The main function of a fork is to reduce external impacts on our bike and improve tire grip!! In short, a good bike’s performance is reflected in many ways. But for the overall structure of the bike, I think the fork deserves first place!!
So, how can we extend the life of our forks? The most basic thing is to ensure proper daily maintenance.
First:Keep your fork clean. After every ride, use a clean, oil-free cloth (preferably a lint-free towel dampened with water or soapy water). To minimize water entering the inside of the fork, I usually turn my bike upside down. This helps avoid water getting into the dust wipers and damaging the oil seals and dust seals. After wiping with a wet cloth, dry it with a clean, dry one. This way, it dries quickly. Pay extra attention to cleaning the stanchions and the area around the dust wipers. By removing dust, you reduce wear between the stanchions and the wipers. Otherwise, over time, built-up dust will make the stanchions shinier and shinier from friction, eventually wearing off the Teflon coating and exposing the aluminum underneath. This greatly reduces performance.
Second:It’s recommended to buy fork dust covers. There are many available on Taobao—you can get a pair for just a few yuan, or better-quality ones for just tens of yuan. After cleaning your fork, secure the dust cover properly. This will effectively protect the inner stanchions of your fork, preventing damage from hard objects as well as dust intrusion, and reducing how often you need to clean it.
Third:It’s recommended to buy Teflon-coated lubricating grease or lubricating oil for your fork.A product made inTaiwan—CASTER silicone oil, 300# 60ml per bottle (sold on Taobao for 25 yuan per bottle, make sure it's the 300# type!) is a great choice. It lasts a long time, causes no harm to the inner tubes, dust seals, or oil seals, and offers excellent water resistance and sealing properties. It doesn’t corrode or swell rubber, is non-toxic to humans, and the silicone oil is odorless.
Because our forks perform a back-and-forth friction motion during operation, the inner stanchions rub against the dust wipers and oil seals. Over time, this leads to wear. The fork may then start leaking oil, feeling dry or rough, and its smoothness decreases. By the time this happens, it’s too late for maintenance.
So how do you use the lubricating grease? It’s simple. First, clean the inner stanchions and the area around the dust wipers. Then apply a small amount of lubricating oil at the junction between the dust wiper and the stanchion. Spread it evenly in a circle, about two centimeters high. Don’t apply too much. Then compress the fork several times. Finally, put the dust cover back on your fork, and you’re done. (You can apply some every time you ride, and after returning, clean it with a dry cloth if there’s dust. If there’s no dust, no need to wipe.) Make sure you use both the dust cover and the lubricating grease.
When we buy a fork from a bike shop, it usually comes with a warranty of about one year. Under normal riding conditions, forks rarely have problems within the first year. But by the time issues arise, your warranty period may have expired, meaning you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any maintenance. Full servicing—including replacing internal damping oil, cleaning, and replacing dust and oil seals—is something most local bike shops can’t handle. You’ll need to send it to an authorized dealer or specialized repair center. For normal riding on flat roads, servicing your fork once every year and a half is enough—just change the oil and clean the dust wipers.
So as long as you follow these very basic maintenance steps regularly, you’ll sufficiently extend the life of your fork. Remember the dust cover and lubricating oil, okay?
All of the above are some small tips I’ve summarized from personal experience.
Caution:Never apply machine oil or chain lubricant. These substances can damage the oil seals and dust wipers of your fork.