Suspension components are the most variable on a bike – each manufacturer has a different way of building and maintaining their forks and rear shocks. This makes it hard to give specific advice, but there are some common elements to all systems.
| Fork loses pressure The ride gets harsher, or the front of the bike seems lower than normal. |
Rear shock loses pressure The bike sags more than you expect, bumps are harsher, and pedalling gets harder. |
| Shock bolt breaks Although it sounds catastrophic, you may not realize the bolt is broken because the rest of the bearing/bushing pieces may hold it in. A “noodly” feeling frame is one indication. |