are FS bikes high maintenance?

xylophone
xylophone Posts: 23
edited July 2013 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi all,

I'm wanting a full suss for my next bike.

Are they alot higher maintenance than hardtails? I'm thinking because of all the bearings / linkages / swing arms etc.

How often would you need to strip / regrease / replace rear suspension bearings? Can you get the parts?

Thanks

Comments

  • kirby700
    kirby700 Posts: 458
    In my brief experience - yes but only if your tolerance to creaks / squeaks is very low. I hate how noisy they are but then I dont mind the maintenance thing and really enjoy cleaning / lubing the bike back up.

    I strip / regrease roughly every month depending on weather conditions
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  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Replaced my bearings and shock bushing once in just over five years, so no. No squeaks or creaks neither - that only seems to happen to people who bugger around all the time.
    Bearings are sealed anyway.
    Parts depends on the bike, some are easy, some aren't. Most use standard bearings, so no problems.
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  • warpcow
    warpcow Posts: 1,448
    Depends. On my old Heckler you could change the bearings (a once every 5 or so years job) in a few minutes with an allen-key and a mallet. It never got washed or 'stripped and regreased' or any of that guff either. My mates Cube on the other hand took several hours, much swearing and losing the will to live just to change 2 of the 12 bearings on it (and that was with the right tools, followed by a mallet). All the linkage bolts were made of cheese and it ate shock bushings for just for fun too.
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  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    kirby700 wrote:
    In my brief experience - yes
    And in my 20 years experience of full sussers, no. Not at all.

    My advice is to get a Marin, and ride it. You can then pretty much forget about maintenance.
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  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    cooldad wrote:
    No squeaks or creaks neither - that only seems to happen to people who bugger around all the time.
    +a truck of potatoes. Don't tinker, you'll just make things worse.
    My photos
  • spacedog
    spacedog Posts: 97
    I think the amount of maintenance required depends greatly on the bike, where you ride, how you ride and how well you look after the bike.

    For example the shock placement on my old spesh XC was rubbish so the bike went through bushes like there were no tomorrow. My stumpy had different placement and the bushes lasted many times as long.

    If you ride hard, you are going to wear the bearings quicker than someone who is lighter on their wheels.

    If you look after your rear shock with servicing and cleaning it will last longer and save you a hefty bill to replace it.

    Etc...
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Spacedog wrote:
    If you look after your rear shock with servicing and cleaning it will last longer and save you a hefty bill to replace it.
    I don't agree.
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  • spacedog
    spacedog Posts: 97
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    Spacedog wrote:
    If you look after your rear shock with servicing and cleaning it will last longer and save you a hefty bill to replace it.
    I don't agree.

    Good for you :)

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