Levo Gen 2 Importance of shocks maintenance

ohadbenita

ohadbenita

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I've recently bought a 2020 Levo comp. I've been told by the bike shop that shock maintenance is key part in the bike's regular maintenance routine.
Is there any written guidance or explanation on the importance of different maintenance operations that need to be done every X hours, etc?

Thanks in advance
 
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yes...just look up your fork and shock on the manufacturers web site ( RS or Fox etc). I think for Fox forks the general advice is lower leg service at 50 hours and full service at 100 hours.....or something similar. Obviously it also depends on the type fo riding you do and the trail conditions.
 
If I was a hero rider, which I'm not, then following those recommendations would be the correct thing to do. What I do instead and for the last 14 years have always done is to send off the shock and for fork for a full service every 1200 miles or 12 months, whichever comes last. So far, I have had zero problems. Even after a third service, still no problems. I've never had a bike long enough to need a fourth service.

I keep the suspension service records and they get sold with the bike. I've also never had a complaint from the buyer.

I am not saying that I know more than Fox or Rockshox, quite the opposite. Initially, my approach was driven by the fact that I couldn't afford the designated regime. But now that is not a problem, I still do what I do because it works for me.
 
Just wipe the shock stanchion with a rag after each ride and do nothing else regardless of mileage. That's what real mechanics say and that's what I do and never had any problems with forks or shocks.

Trust me, the time and money you put in shock maintenance is wasteful and does nothing maybe first 10 years and you can just wipe stachions for 10 years after each ride and buy multiple shocks after 10 years on the money you saved and just replace your 10 years old shock by a the new one.

But the myth about necessity of shock maintenance will never die.
 
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ohadbenita said:
Is there any written guidance or explanation on the importance of different maintenance operations that need to be done every X hours, etc?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

You'll find the service frequency and the procedures on the web page of the manufacturer.

Your shock is filled with fluids. They degrade over time. They become contaminated over time. They migrate out of the shock over time. If you want your suspension components to function well and last a long time, you'll service them according to the schedule.
 
I was reminded by @TQFreak 's post. :)

What I do in addition to what I said in my previous post (#3) is to never ride without having wiped clean the stanchions (including the dropper), lubed with wet lube (some use a proprietary lube like "Fork Juice"). Then I cycle the suspension up and down and wipe off the surplus lube. If I see any mucky rings, wipe off and repeat the process until clean.
 
steve_sordy said:
I was reminded by @TQFreak 's post. :)

What I do in addition to what I said in my previous post (#3) is to never ride without having wiped clean the stanchions (including the dropper), lubed with wet lube (some use a proprietary lube like "Fork Juice"). Then I cycle the suspension up and down and wipe off the surplus lube. If I see any mucky rings, wipe off and repeat the process until clean.
Click to expand...
Yes my approach is similar but different withthe fork and shock simply because the fork ( both mine are Fox 38 Factory/Performance Elite) is so much more expensive. So I get a full service on the fork once a year ( in winter) for £100. The shock the same but at about 18 months................and yes my cleaning lubing routine for them is the same as you.
 
My shock is less than $80 (I just purchase new old stock on eBay or eBay auctions. You easily can find new high end past gen stuff for cheap) so it is cheaper just to toss your 1 year old shock in the trash bin or sell it on craigslist for cheap and buy a new shock if you are really so sensitive to feel the difference between the new shock and the 1 year old shock kept clean. My fork is the same, past gen pre high end unit not worth to maintain even every 3 years. This stuff lose value faster than you lose your cash and time on maintenance.

If maintenance would costs less than $15 then maybe it is OK, but even in this case you lost your valuable time for managing it while you can just one click purchase a new shock with delivery to your doorstep faster.

Basically if you can not maintain it within 1-2 hours and it bothers you, just buy a replacement. The newer generation replacement will likely work even better for less price than you spend on your old shock to maintain. But it will likely not even bother you because of if you keep it clean then it will likely work just like new.

People who can not afford professional shop maintenance or a new shock just maintain this stuff themselves and reuse the old components without even purchasing new gaskets and seals just recycling them and do not question if it is necessary to maintain it and how to maintain it.
 
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TQFreak said:
Just wipe the shock stanchion with a rag after each ride and do nothing else regardless of mileage. That's what real mechanics say and that's what I do and never had any problems with forks or shocks.

Trust me, the time and money you put in shock maintenance is wasteful and does nothing maybe first 10 years and you can just wipe stachions for 10 years after each ride and buy multiple shocks after 10 years on the money you saved and just replace your 10 years old shock by a the new one.

But the myth about necessity of shock maintenance will never die.
Click to expand...
Not the common viewpoint, but basically I have to agree with you.
I don't know if a shock will last 10 years without maintenance, but I do agree for most of us (well, at least for me) maintenance costs will eventually amount to more than the cost of new shocks/forks.
 
I change shock seals and lubricant every 50 hours in line with the fox reco. I do the same with the fork lowers.

Maybe a bit obsessive but I like the process and it gives me a chance to check things like frame & headset bearings etc.

Always runs like new.
 
TQFreak said:
My shock is less than $80 (I just purchase new old stock on eBay or eBay auctions. You easily can find new high end past gen stuff for cheap) so it is cheaper just to toss your 1 year old shock in the trash bin or sell it on craigslist for cheap and buy a new shock if you are really so sensitive to feel the difference between the new shock and the 1 year old shock kept clean. My fork is the same, past gen pre high end unit not worth to maintain even every 3 years. This stuff lose value faster than you lose your cash and time on maintenance.

If maintenance would costs less than $15 then maybe it is OK, but even in this case you lost your valuable time for managing it while you can just one click purchase a new shock with delivery to your doorstep faster.

Basically if you can not maintain it within 1-2 hours and it bothers you, just buy a replacement. The newer generation replacement will likely work even better for less price than you spend on your old shock to maintain. But it will likely not even bother you because of if you keep it clean then it will likely work just like new.

People who can not afford professional shop maintenance or a new shock just maintain this stuff themselves and reuse the old components without even purchasing new gaskets and seals just recycling them and do not question if it is necessary to maintain it and how to maintain it.
Click to expand...
What shock do you have that comes for less than 80 pounds?

I completely disagree with your thoughts on maintenance btw.
 
TQFreak said:
Just wipe the shock stanchion with a rag after each ride and do nothing else regardless of mileage. That's what real mechanics say and that's what I do and never had any problems with forks or shocks.

Trust me, the time and money you put in shock maintenance is wasteful and does nothing maybe first 10 years and you can just wipe stachions for 10 years after each ride and buy multiple shocks after 10 years on the money you saved and just replace your 10 years old shock by a the new one.

But the myth about necessity of shock maintenance will never die.
Click to expand...
I actually thought you were just taking the piss. Apparently not from your further posts.
 
Mikerb said:
yes...just look up your fork and shock on the manufacturers web site ( RS or Fox etc). I think for Fox forks the general advice is lower leg service at 50 hours and full service at 100 hours.....or something similar. Obviously it also depends on the type fo riding you do and the trail conditions.
Click to expand...
Here they ask for 400$ for a full service maintenance, sounds somewhat ridiculous.
 
at least do the lowers service, and change the oil. you can really feel the difference.

All that dirt in there can't do the stanchions much good either if left in there for years grinding them down.
 
James_C said:
at least do the lowers service, and change the oil. you can really feel the difference.

All that dirt in there can't do the stanchions much good either if left in there for years grinding them down.
Click to expand...
Is it something that can be done at home?
 
ohadbenita said:
Is it something that can be done at home?
Click to expand...

Yes you can. Don’t attempt to service the forks damper cartridge, just do a lowers and air spring service. For the shock, only do an air can service.

Fork service manual here:



Rear shock service manual here:


Head to YouTube as well, heaps of good clips on how and what to do. Buy the basic service kits for both. Forks will need fresh wiper seals.

Enter the fork and shocks serial numbers into this page to get the right service kit part numbers

RockShox Setup Guide | SRAM

trailhead.rockshox.com trailhead.rockshox.com
 
ohadbenita said:
I've recently bought a 2020 Levo comp. I've been told by the bike shop that shock maintenance is key part in the bike's regular maintenance routine.
Is there any written guidance or explanation on the importance of different maintenance operations that need to be done every X hours, etc?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
I service my shock and fork every 50 hours. I quite like doing it, it’s not difficult, gives me a chance to check over everything and it keeps the bike feeling like new.

However if I did not have my own tools and inclination to do the job myself, then I’d only give it to the bike shop to service once a year regardless of mileage, unless I was having problems.
 
Yeah and consider DVO which IMO are better made, work better, and improve times and speed. I had a big bike shop in LA recommen this to me as soon as I bought my Levo and it was the best upgrade I have ever done on any bike, excepting replacing SRAM brakes with Shimano dual pistons of your choice. Seriously different and better bike with DVO products that are custom tuned.
 
tabrat said:
Yeah and consider DVO which IMO are better made, work better, and improve times and speed. I had a big bike shop in LA recommen this to me as soon as I bought my Levo and it was the best upgrade I have ever done on any bike, excepting replacing SRAM brakes with Shimano dual pistons of your choice. Seriously different and better bike with DVO products that are custom tuned.
Click to expand...
I fitted a DVO Topaz T3 instead of the fairly basic Rockshox Deluxe R Debonair to my previous emtb (Focus Jam2). It was a revelation! The ease of tunability and the performance was light years ahead. :love:
 
My forks and shock away for a first full service. Bottoms on forks been done twice. So be four years old come June interesting to see how they do 7500 miles . Been a dear month new derailleur and hanger , hope pistons and seals on one brake and 2 new roters.
 
Sorry? Four years, 7500 miles and you've had two lower leg services??? :oops:
 
I service my forks myself inc damper o my Mezzer but rear shock don’t have tools for Ohlins so send off
 
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