Suspension

Buying Used MTB Suspension

Suspension is the single biggest upgrade you can make to a mountain bike, and buying used is the smartest way to get high-end damping without the new price tag. A Fox 36 or RockShox Lyrik that’s had one season of trail use still has years of life left, especially if it’s been serviced.

Fork or Rear Shock First?

If you’re upgrading one at a time, start with the fork. It handles roughly 70% of impacts and has the biggest effect on how the bike feels. A quality fork on an otherwise budget build transforms the ride. Rear shocks matter most on full-suspension bikes where the linkage design is already decent.

Travel Ranges by Discipline

• XC and light trail: 100–120mm. Prioritise low weight and efficient pedalling platforms.
• Trail and all-mountain: 130–160mm. The sweet spot for most UK riding — enough travel for roots, rocks and bike park days.
• Enduro: 160–180mm. Built for sustained descents with bigger hits and higher speeds.
• Downhill and park: 180–200mm+. Maximum absorption, dual-crown forks, coil shocks.

Air vs Coil

Air suspension is lighter, tuneable with volume spacers, and suits riders who want one setup for varied terrain. Coil is heavier but gives more consistent performance run after run — it doesn’t heat up and fade on long descents the way air can. Gravity riders and anyone over 85kg often prefer coil for the feel alone.

What to Check on Used Suspension

• Stanchions: Run your finger along them. Any scoring, pitting or scratches that catch your nail means the fork needs stanchion work or replacement.
• Bushings: Grab the lowers and rock them side to side. Play or knocking means worn bushings.
• Seals: Oil weeping from the dust seals is normal after a ride, but dried oil caked around the seals suggests they’re past their service interval.
• Service history: Ask when it was last serviced and by whom. A lower-leg service every 50 hours and a full damper service annually is the standard schedule for most forks and shocks.
• Mounting hardware: For rear shocks, check the bushings or mounting bolts aren’t wallowed out. Replacement hardware is cheap but it’s a sign of how the shock was maintained.