The arrow shows where the tiny crease is located in.

So the big question is: was it broken in the first place?

I bought my Gary Fisher Sugar2+ about a year ago, second hand. It has a rear FOX Float R suspension  and I must admit I never took the time or money to run it through a checkup service at a certified dealer. As I understand, this should be done every year to keep the suspension at pretty much new state (at least from the inside. It is maybe not that bad, that I took my time with the service, but what is worse is that I don’t know when this rear shox ever been through such a checkup, as I bought it second hand.

After I noticed it leaks air after I perform some jumps I decided to take it to the “doctor”. When I brought the bike to the “doctor” I consulted with him regarding the necessary treatment. Since the bike didn’t go through a check-up for some time I decided to give it the full treatment (overhaul). This includes opening it up, changing the oil, air seals, doing something that has to do with nitrogen cartridge and oil seals – the full kahuna.  A day later I got a phone call that cylinder of my rear shox had some dent to it and the “doctor” recommended replacing the whole cylinder as air might escape from it due to failed sealing.

The FOX Floar R cylinder closeup and the crease. It is so shallo that it really looks hramless.

As I am inexperienced and was not in the shop to see the dent with my own eyes I blindly counted on the “doctor” and answered positively his question if the cylinder should be replaced.

When I got to the shop the shox was already assembled and so I asked to see the damaged cylinder. I was a bit shocked to see how small and shallow this crease was. It actually looks like a flaking piece of paint lost grip and fell off the cylinder.

Now I am a bit confused – could this really be that big deal for the shox? Should the “doctor” really have replaced my cylinder in the first place?