Originally Posted by FS Tech
Do you need to add air during a ride? Before every ride? After 2 weeks? A month?
<snip>
If the fork goes "flat" or looses most if not all of it's pressure between rides, then obviously the air seals are bad (at least). You say it's had a recent rebuild, was it a rebuild, or a tune-up? Tune-ups do not usually include air seals for most models of forks. Did you do the job, or did you have it done?
It goes flat about every other ride, depending on the ride. It loses more on bumpier rides. It doesn't lose much if any air between rides. I had it rebuilt by a LBS.
Originally Posted by FS Tech
Also you say you did a "bad thing" to the fork, care to elaborate? If you did some major damage to it, there is potential that tolerances may be screwed up enough that no amount of rebuilding or seal replacement will help. Or there may be a crack or some other significant hard component damage.
Well, I took off the V-brakes to install disc brakes, and realized too late that the pins that acted as V-brake pivots were holding the ?brake bosses? onto the fork. Doh! So, I had it rebuilt, which should have included new seals. But it's not been the same since.
Originally Posted by FS Tech
I always test air-sprung components for leaks after a rebuild or a tune-up, I use the tried and true water tank method, and I aim for zero bubbles over a several minute observation, including hand cycling through the travel. If the seal contact surfaces are damaged or worn, it's usually somewhere in the middle of the stroke, not at top-out.
Bubble test! Brilliant!
Originally Posted by FS Tech
Anyway, the fact that it's a 29 probably has nothing to do with the leaking issue.
I didn't think so, but think that somewhere down the road, a new fork is in my future. 120mm with a lockout/ETA would be about ideal for me.
Thanks,
Josiah