Protect your Shocks with Socks or Boots

Temping though it is to let your mountain bike shocks, both front and rear, run free during what we call the end of the raining season, those dusty dusty days of mud-free delight still throw up enough particulate matter to shag seals and consequently play havoc with smooth running of your shocks. So, although most forks already come with shock boots, if you don't have any then think about investing in a bit of prevention.

Bike Thailand has yet to see any rear shocks come with socks as standard, though why this is we can't work out; they are just as prone to poop as fork sliders, and usually harder to service, so get them covered for increased longevity and unspoilt play.

There are a number of neoprene boots made for both front and rear shocks which can be attached and removed without any disassembly of the bouncing bike parts, which also means that you can take them off and check for any grit and grime build-up working its way under them but they are definitely not a 'fit-and-forget' item.

There is a valid argument that boots do stop forks sliding as smoothly and as far as they might, but we at Bike Thailand would rather have an few grams less slide than a ton of shock trouble.