General Cycling Discussion - "Bootless" Shocks?

Is there an advantage to "bootless" shocks? I'm not sure if that's the correct term for them, but I'm referring to shocks that don't have a rubber "boot" type thing over the shock. It seems like mostly the higher end shocks are "bootless" - is there an advantage to this?

EDIT:
Boot:
http://www.rockshox.com/03RSGraphics/03RSJudyCB.jpg

VS
Bootless:
http://www.rockshox.com/03RSGraphics/03RSSIDWorldCupB.jpg

The "bootless" shocks supposedly have better seals to keep the dust/dirt out. I've found that the ones I've had with boots just seem to keep the crud inside better though. I cut them off or take them off when I service them.

Just another marketing gimmick.

CHEERS.

Mark

Originally posted by Dirtgrinder
The "bootless" shocks supposedly have better seals to keep the dust/dirt out. I've found that the ones I've had with boots just seem to keep the crud inside better though. I cut them off or take them off when I service them. You can cut them off? What would you use to do so? Can you get it all off?

Just start at one end with a knife and cut to the other end. They'll come right off. You could probably even use scissors.

So just slice top to bottom, or around it?

(I just want to make sure I'm doing it 100% correctly before I go slicing things off my bike)

Yep. Top to bottom or bottom to top. You can probably start in the middle and work your way towards the end. Then when you get close to the end you can just pull it apart the last little bit. Just be careful not to scratch the stancheon tube underneath. There's plenty of room to work though.

Originally posted by Dirtgrinder
Yep. Top to bottom or bottom to top. You can probably start in the middle and work your way towards the end. Then when you get close to the end you can just pull it apart the last little bit. Just be careful not to scratch the stancheon tube underneath. There's plenty of room to work though. Cool, thanks, I think I'll do that. :)

looks cooler huh? =]

Originally posted by tFUnK
looks cooler huh? =]

And more expensive. :thumbup:

Just to reiterate what Dirtgrinder said - You definitely don't want to be scratching the stanchion tube (the part of the fork covered by the boot) while slicing them the fork boots off.

-Moab