The shocks are an essential component of the mountain bike suspension system. The shocks are fastened under the top tube of the frame, and often appear as external coils wrapped around a cylinder. When riding on a dampened trail, dirt and mud can easily splash onto the coils of your mountain bike shocks. Dried mud can hinder the ability of your shocks to absorb the impact of jumps and maneuvers. BikeRadar.com recommends using an old toothbrush to clean the hard to reach areas of your mountain bike suspension.
Step 1
Fasten your mountain bike into the clamp of a repair stand to keep it stationary during the cleaning process. Squeeze a generous amount of dish soap into the base of a plastic bucket. Fill the bucket with hot water to create a soapy mixture.
Step 2
Dip the bristles of an old toothbrush into the bucket. Scrub the outside of the external coils to remove any dirt or mud.
Step 3
Insert the head of the toothbrush under the coils. Rotate the toothbrush until the bristles make contact with the underside of the coils, and clean under the coils to displace any dried mud or dirt particles.
Step 4
Dip the toothbrush into the bucket to clean the bristles.
Step 5
Insert the soapy toothbrush under the external coils to clean the cylindrical tube of the shock.
Step 6
Spray down the newly cleaned shock of your mountain bike with a water hose.
Step 7
Dry the shock with a cotton cloth to prevent rust accumulation.
Things You'll Need
- Repair stand
- Dish soap
- Plastic bucket
- Old toothbrush
- Water hose
- Cotton cloth
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