gromacs

Hi everyone, first post here, please have mercy on the ignorant newb called gromacs :3

I got a bike model# 224w0711540 that's been hanging in indoor storage for over a year. This is my first bike that is somewhat decent (because I can finally lift my bike with one hand and not break all my fingers). Everything is ok, except the forks are stiff, I can't even make them budge lol. What steps should I take to make it bouncy and awesome again? The only experience I have with bikes is adjusting V brakes and derailleurs after watching youtube videos; I don't know any advanced bike terminology etc so please break it down for me or link to guides.

Here are a few photos of the bike in question, I don't know the model number of the shocks unfortunately. On a side note, is this a guy's bike or a girl's bike (any raised eyebrows seeing a man riding one of these?)

LarDasse74

What you posted was not the model number but the serial number and it is unlikely to give any information regaring the bike to anyone except the factory where the bike was made for CCM (in China). THe make and model of that bike is the 'CCM Vandal.' I think it replaced the 'CCM Fringe' in the model line up. I used to laugh when I saw one because the name was so close to 'CCM Fridge'

It is a men's or 'unisex' bike,.

If I were you I would first try to squirt some oil (not WD40) or silicone lube into the legs. You might have to partially peel up the rubber wipers on the top of the forks lowers to get the oil inside. THen see if you can get some movement and work the legs up and down to free things up. If that does not free them up, check on the very bottom of the legs for a bolt, or pop the caps off the top of the legs and shine a flashlight inside and see what is holding them together. You will likely need a very long socket or metric hex key. Of course, all this will be much easier to do with the front wheel removed.

Those are some very very basic, inexpensive forks. It is unlikely that many people have experience working on them as it would usually be more cost-effective to throw them away and replace them, if you can find something of similar quality for sale. A half decent set of suspension forks will easily cost as much as replacing the whole bike. THey were likely not designed to be serviceable. I don't want to be too critical of the bike, but I don't think it is really up to any type of riding where you need a suspension fork, and those forks most likely don't behave as the forks on a good off-road bicycle should... what I am trying to say is that even if they aren't working like you think they should, it isn't much of a loss.

Good luck!

FastJake

+1

Squirt some oil in there, if that doesn't work there probably isn't much that can be done.

What are you using this bike for? A used bike shop bike in decent condition could probably serve you much better and be many pounds lighter than an x-mart dual suspension model.

bradtx

gromacs, I looked, but have been unable to find any info on your fork. Because the bike is an entry level DS mountain bike it wouldn't be cost effective to repair/replace. Try riding the bike and see if it'll free itself.

Brad

dedhed

If you're actually riding this on street it'll actually be more efficient with the fork stiff.