Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

inspecting used suspension fork?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

inspecting used suspension fork?

Old 02-16-10, 11:50 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
inspecting used suspension fork?

I'm planning to upgrade the suspension fork on an older mtn bike to something new enough to have disk mounts. I'm trying not to dump too much money into the project, so I will be looking at swap meets for a fork.

Question is, how do I inspect or what do I look for to make sure I am getting a usable fork?
TBatty is offline  
Old 02-16-10, 12:28 PM
  #2  
New Orleans
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Thom,

Look for the usual stuff.
1)What do you want in a fork- how much travel, how much adjustment (compresion damping, rebound damping adj , preload adj,, travel adj -maybe can have 120 or 100 mm of travel)do you want actual damping, or do you just want a cheapo sprung fork(you don't want just a sprung cheapo wal mart bike type fork, but just covering all the bases).

2) Brand specific-Rock shox, Manitou etc? Name brands are easier to find parts for.

3)Price
4)Weight- all air usually 3.5 or less-metal spring about 4 lbs.
4) Defects-rust, corrosion, leaks, broken knobs adj , scored up fork sliders etc. Decent length steerer. What size 1" or 1 1/8" lots more selection on 1 1/8.
Make sure it has enough steerer length for your frame- VERY IMPORTANT- too long is no problem, too short is death-useless.

It is much easier to really check a fork if it is on a bike.
Too bad you don't live next door.I would sell you a Manitou Black elite120/100 with all sort of adj- 8.5" steerer for $85. Low use, low miles no real trail use.

Just don't be in a hurry to buy. You can bounce a bikeless for up and down to check to see if it still has damping-not as good as riding, but better than nothing.
phoebeisis is offline  
Old 02-16-10, 02:39 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
BCRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Posts: 5,556

Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 35 Posts
First and most important is to look for any dings on the swept portion of the legs. Any such thing will eat seals quicker. Then there's the steerer length as mentioned above. And finally if the fork is not on a bike grab the stanchion and leg and try to wiggle to see if the bushings are still good with no free play that would allow the wheel to kick around a little.
BCRider is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AST236
Bicycle Mechanics
6
07-02-14 01:27 PM
MiddleAgeMan
Bicycle Mechanics
8
01-08-14 03:54 PM
Greg T
Bicycle Mechanics
25
03-21-13 12:04 PM
upstairsdave
Bicycle Mechanics
8
07-04-11 10:56 AM
mhcrouse
Mountain Biking
1
06-26-10 10:50 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.