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Rebuild low end RockShox or go rigid?

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Rebuild low end RockShox or go rigid?

Old 01-14-24, 10:59 AM
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Rebuild low end RockShox or go rigid?

So, I decided to dig into the Indy C, and found the ends of the elastomers crumbling. Instead of replacing the elastomers, should I just replace the shox with a chromo fork?

Both the elastomers and the rigid fork cost around the same amount, and the reviews of the Indy C say that they’re very stiff and useless on anything besides gravel anyway.

Should I rebuild it or replace it?
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Old 01-14-24, 01:28 PM
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I would go hardnose, some bikes are ok with a strait swap. Some may claim that you need suspension compensation for the swap. I had the Kona Project 2 on the Trek 930 I did for a campus cruiser.

What bike are you building up?
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Old 01-14-24, 01:34 PM
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What kind of riding does this bike see? Road, gravel, single track, etc.?
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Old 01-14-24, 03:18 PM
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My DIY RockShox Indy XC Elastomers on the cheap!
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Old 01-14-24, 07:11 PM
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Rigid
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Old 01-15-24, 12:33 PM
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Not sure but I might have the same problem.

I snagged this Devenci from the dump (landfill site near my lake cottage). I took it for a short spin after ensuring that it was road worthy and safe to ride. It rides, compared to my vintage road bikes, like a tractor, but that is to be expected. Anyway, looking forward to a complete refurbishment when I get back to Canada in the Spring...
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Old 01-15-24, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by JustinHS777
So, I decided to dig into the Indy C, and found the ends of the elastomers crumbling. Instead of replacing the elastomers, should I just replace the shox with a chromo fork?

Both the elastomers and the rigid fork cost around the same amount, and the reviews of the Indy C say that they’re very stiff and useless on anything besides gravel anyway.

Should I rebuild it or replace it?
I would put a Carver rigid fork on it- they come in 1" and 1 1/8" steerers and AtoC of 410mm which is pretty good for elastomer suspension fork swaps on '90s MTBs.

https://www.bikeman.com/CARV-FK410S-S1009-RK.html
https://www.bikeman.com/CARV-FK410S-O1009-RK.html
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Old 01-15-24, 01:34 PM
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If you're going to use this bicycle for commuter duty, or just tooling around in a metro area, I suggest you get a nice rigid fork with some braze-ons/"bottle mounts." While the suspension is nice to have...it is kind of annoying to maintain over time. If you are unsure of whether you're going to want/need the suspension later, you can always just clean the grease and grime off your suspension fork, and put it away in a clearly labeled box you can shove away in a closet.

I have found that a good overall fit with better-quality tires offers the most cost-effective suspension with the least amount of maintenance. The only major exception to this rule is when riding off-trail/going actual mountain biking.
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Old 01-15-24, 11:22 PM
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Rebuild kits

This company has replacement elastomers. I remember years ago, I also found springs to replace the elastomers that worked well for a Quadra 21. Don’t remember that company, though.

https://www.suspensionforkparts.net/...dy-s-1998.html
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