Gone are the days of lugging your mountain bike to the farthest stretches of Boulder County. That’s right: there’s a lot more going on behind our maintenance counter than you might think! Not only do we offer a full maintenance menu and bike fitting service, but we can also take care of all your suspension needs.
Our Suspension Studio services some of the most important components on your mountain bike: your fork, shock, and dropper post. Without these modern elements, mountain biking would still be a bumpy experience cut out for only the hardest of spinal columns. And while often overlooked, it’s important to service these components at regular intervals to keep your ride as plush as possible. Think of it like putting oil in your car—you won’t notice there’s a problem until it’s too late.
We caught up with team member and bike mechanic, Blake Sommer, to find out why you should consider scheduling a suspension service sooner rather than later.
Blake Sommer
Manufacturers generally recommend a lower leg fork service every 50 hours. Can you explain how this isn’t quite as often as it sounds?
There are a lot of variables that can affect the wear and tear on your suspension. Riding the creek path up to Betasso puts far less wear and tear on your suspension than riding the chair lift at Winter Park. For example, Jesse gets his suspension serviced 3x a year, while Dan only opts for 1x. Both service schedules make sense for their riding schedule. Jesse spends a lot of time at downhill parks and also races enduro. Dan mostly rides trails and does a lot more pedaling to the trails.
Regular maintenance is definitely an investment. Can you explain how you can actually save money over time by servicing your bike?
Spending $110 to get your fork serviced can feel like a lot of money. However, it is less than 10 percent of the cost of a new fork. A new Fox Fork can cost as much as $1,249! If you service your fork once a year (like Dan), it would take you 11 years to spend that much.
Why is it so unique that Sports Garage offers suspension services?
The biggest benefit is timing. When you send your fork or shock off to a vendor like Fox, it can take 2-4 weeks to get it back. That’s 2-4 weeks without your bike!
At Sports Garage you can drop your bike off for scheduled suspension service in the morning and we will have your suspension overhauled by the end of the day.
At Sports Garage we are able to offer a full factory service on Fox, Rock Shox, and DVO suspension. This requires an investment in expensive, specialized equipment. The complex internals of suspension require intricate tools to do the job correctly. It also requires a lot of training and know-how from our suspension technicians. They regularly recharge dampers and deal with nitrogen in excess of 500 PSI.
What else can riders do to increase the longevity of their suspension components?
Wiping down your suspension after each ride can keep that dirt from getting into your suspension components. Everything else is internal so there’s not much maintenance to be done. Servicing your suspension at the recommended intervals will keep your suspension working better for longer.
Find out more about suspension maintenance here. To schedule your service, give us a ring at (303) 473-0033.
Riding around muddy sections widens the trail and ruins singletrack trails. Photo BoCo Open Space. Photo: Nick Hanford, 303 Trail Monitor
5. Pick up after yourself – Leave No Trace
This one should be obvious, but the amount of wrappers and trash that we’ve seen left out on the trails this summer has blown our minds. Follow the simple rule: If you pack it in, pack it out.
If there’s any question as to what’s acceptable, check out the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethic’s principles here.
6. Mind the yield triangle.
It may hurt to swallow this one, but we must acknowledge that mountain bikers are the lowest members of the proverbial trail-use totem pole. It’s our responsibility to yield to all other trail users out there in order to keep the peace.
Yield to horses.
Yield to hikers.
Yield to trail runners.
Yup, just slow down and give way.
7. Use a Bell
While it may not be absolutely required, a bell is about the best way to lower tensions out on the trail. It’s the best ten bucks you’ll ever spend.
8. Obey All Trail Closures – Know Before You Go
There are days where Mother Nature speaks her mind and tells us to just stay home. On those days, it’s our responsibility to listen. Riding muddy trails can damage and permanently alter the terrain for years to come and it’s our duty to exercise a little self-control and wait it out when the trail just isn’t ready.
If you find yourself out on a ride and in a questionable scenario, consider turning back. Are your tires actively sinking into the mud? Is your rear tire slipping and sliding as you pedal? These are good indicators that the trail is too saucy to ride.
Thankfully, we have a ton of resources available to us to check on trail conditions to avoid showing up to a messy trail. If you feel as though conditions might be uncertain, check the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance Trail Conditions page for status updates before you head.
Another excellent online resource is 303 Trail Monitor on Facebook. This is an active online community with over 16,000 members constantly chattering about trail conditions in Colorado. If you’re looking for the status on a trail, odds are someone here knows!
Salida Gravel Rip ?
Food & Water
There are no stores or water re-supply locations on the route, pack enough food and water for your whole ride.
Where to Park
Riverside Park in downtown Salida is your jumping off point. Park in the free parking lot on the other side of the river and take a dip in the water after your ride!
When You’re Done
Grab a brew and a bite Soulcraft Brewing in town and enjoy the fruits of your labor.