Mountain Biking - Mein Bicycle

My old-school Rockhopper:

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7113/img0529smalleb4.jpg

Bonus points if you can tell me what kind of fork I have, all I know is that it's RockShox.

This is where I ride:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/1637/img0530smalljf0.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2634/img0535smallnz7.jpg

That is a Judy XC

Schweet, any idea how I can adjust it so that it's not so freaking stiff? That is, besides adjusting the knobs on the top of the stachions.

w00t! BIG PIX!

thats how i like em

Replace the elastomers in the Judy with softer ones? I know they are done by colors.

I can't find a website online that sells replacement elastomers, but I found a site that can replace the elastomer stacks with air shocks that fit in the fork -- www.ekosport.com

I see, forget it then, I might as well get a low-end marzocchi or something for $250-300, and skip the hassle.

It just doesn't seem right though, it's sooooo stiff. The only time I feel it working is under break dive, and when I land on it with most of my weight. Beyond that it hops and bobs over everything that goes under it.

I found this picture on the net of what my fork looks like new:

http://www.btt.com.ar/foto/o/11/40/1140842008_rockshoxJudyXc.jpg

Notice the top of the guide for the center-pull brakes is below the bottom of the steer tube? Now notice that mine is significantly above the bottom of the steer tube, have I been riding on a busted shock for nearly four years now?

The MCU springs in your fork went flat a looong time ago. Sounds like your damping cartridge went out years ago as well.

The MCU springs in your fork went flat a looong time ago. Sounds like your damping cartridge went out years ago as well.

Cool, any idea as to how I can pull my fork apart to verify this? Internet manuals on this fork seem to be lacking...

There's a hex nut on the bottom of each of the stachions, I assume I start there?

The caps atop each fork leg unscrew counter-clockwise to reveal the MCU spring stacks. I think I remember there are six MCU segements in each leg and each segment should measure about 1.2 inches.

The lower legs can be removed by loosening the allen bolts at the bottom of each leg about three turns, whacking them with a mallet to break the internal rods free, then removing the bolts and pulling down the lower fork legs from the upper part of the fork.

Geez. You mtn bike guys sure know a lot of stuff! I'm impressed. Us runners don't know jack. I take my camelbak on a long run, and almost everyone in the group wants to know what kind of "hi-tech" gear I'm using. Maybe I should carry a Fox fork on my next run and impress the rest of the folks with it.

Ok, I have decided to get a new fork for my bike. (finally)

What I need to know is whether it is a 1" or a 1-1/8" steer tube. Thanks.

Ok, I have decided to get a new fork for my bike. (finally)

What I need to know is whether it is a 1" or a 1-1/8" steer tube. Thanks.

easy and sure answer, pop off your stem and grab a ruler!

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

you should find enough information there if you don't know how to take your stem off and readjust your headset.

I'll do that if I have to, but I was just wondering if someone on here knew just from the bike/fork whether or not it's 1" or 1-18". I'd really like to be positive before I plunk down $250+ for a new fork.

thats why i suggest you just measure it. better to do that and know for sure, than to depend on the recolection of some punter on das interweb.