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rebuildable or toss it?
Howdy All;
Bought a Craig's List bike. A 1995 and it has a deflated Rockshox Mag-21 front fork. Looking around on google and some reading I see that they are air/oil and require some "special" tools to work on them. Are they worth hangin' on to or just toss'em and buy a newer front fork? Thanks for your thoughts. hank |
95, too old, no replacement parts are available . replace with brand new.
More Money in Model T Fords, so replica replacement parts are made for Collectors of Those. |
Might as well try to air it up. Then if it leaks back down try tearing it apart. The tools are not hard to come by, shops shouldn't have tossed them out if they are smart. Parts besides the O rings will be hard to find. But it's been my experience that these oil forks saw less internal wear then the next gen (of bumper springs and cartridge dampers). Working in an oil bath helps minimize the wear. But even when a Mag 21 (and the Specialized Future Shock) is in good shape it's a far cry from today's forks. Andy.
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Andrew R Stewart, Howdy;
Andy, thanks for the suggestion. The Mech at the LBS did pump it up and it took air. How long it held it I don't know as I left it there for the "Experts" to do the mid-level tune-up. Been over a month and the LHT fork is on back order so bike is still at the shop. Hope you have/had a Happy and Safe 4th of July. hank |
Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
(Post 18885285)
Might as well try to air it up. Then if it leaks back down try tearing it apart. The tools are not hard to come by, shops shouldn't have tossed them out if they are smart. Parts besides the O rings will be hard to find. But it's been my experience that these oil forks saw less internal wear then the next gen (of bumper springs and cartridge dampers). Working in an oil bath helps minimize the wear. But even when a Mag 21 (and the Specialized Future Shock) is in good shape it's a far cry from today's forks. Andy.
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cyccommute, Howdy;
Sorry, about not including the rest of the bike. Was just concentrating on the forks themselves with this question. The bike has a 1 1/8" stem and I already have a LHT front fork on order. I was just being curious as the whether or not it is feasible to re-build the Mag-21 or not. If it is then I could have it as an alternate should I decide to change it. Right now I'm thinking about putting some MTB drops on it for the gravel roads that abound in the area where I live. Should I decide to go back to a straight bar then I'd have the forks for it already instead of having to hunt up a new one. Just looking to have "Options". hank |
Originally Posted by hankaye
(Post 18888151)
cyccommute, Howdy;
Sorry, about not including the rest of the bike. Was just concentrating on the forks themselves with this question. The bike has a 1 1/8" stem and I already have a LHT front fork on order. I was just being curious as the whether or not it is feasible to re-build the Mag-21 or not. If it is then I could have it as an alternate should I decide to change it. Right now I'm thinking about putting some MTB drops on it for the gravel roads that abound in the area where I live. Should I decide to go back to a straight bar then I'd have the forks for it already instead of having to hunt up a new one. Just looking to have "Options". hank Unless you are converting to disc brakes, the other problem is finding a good air/oil fork with v-brake mounts. They are quite rare. You also should look for a fork with a lockout for those times you don't need suspension...links between trails, for example. Your only option may be Fleabay. Look for Fox Forks which I've found to be about the best forks...old or new...around. |
cyccommute, Howdy;
Thanks for the input. Not going Disc, and the roads around here are mostly gravel (did I mention that earlier???), so I don't anticipate requiring anything other then the solid forks. As I mentioned ^^^ should I decide to return to a suspension then I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Again, thanks for the input. hank |
If your going to toss it, stick it on ebay, and let someone else with the tools/knowledge/interest re-built it.
RS Mag series forks are easy to work on, but do require the correct tools, no point in it becoming un-necessary land fill. |
jimc101, Howdy;
Originally Posted by jimc101
(Post 18888414)
If your going to toss it, stick it on ebay, and let someone else with the tools/knowledge/interest re-built it.
RS Mag series forks are easy to work on, but do require the correct tools, no point in it becoming un-necessary land fill. That was my intention if it works out to be a, to me, toss away item. hank |
Originally Posted by hankaye
(Post 18888151)
I already have a LHT front fork on order.
You want to get an MTB fork in the 415-430 mm range. |
MR BIG STUFF, Howdy;
You know me not yet attempt to tell me what it is that I want. :foo:, :foo:. Perhaps you may want to have that, I chose what it is that I want. Went to the following thread; http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...nversions.html and saw what I would like to attempt to create for my own riding enjoyment. I also realized that I will be mostly riding on the local gravel roads an minimal "regular" road surfaces. I will probably wish to add a fender at a later time and perhaps a rack for a basket or a milk crate haven't gotten to that point yet. I am open to suggestions but have a firm dislike for what others feel I need or want. Those folks, in my experience wish others to emulate their desires or build their dreams when they themselves can not. I do not know you either so I am only speaking from my experience. You probably mean well, just express it not so well ... IMO. Thank you for your thought. hank |
I think he's asking why you didn't get a suspension corrected fork.
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A 700c trucker fork is pretty damn close (13mm) to the Mag 21 (roughly 400mm a-t-c). Of course, if that's not what he got, well...
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Yep, probably wanna shoot for a 400-410mm fork.
the 26er lht fork is only 376, I think. |
Howdy All;
I'm not looking for a suspension fork at all. I would prefer to have a ridged fork. That's why. Bike has 26" wheels I am also thinking of changing from V brakes to the canti brakes. Why is it that everyone (so it seems), wants to tell what I want??? The question was originally, about the feasibility of re-building, if necessary, the Mag-21 forks that came with the bike when new or tossing them out (sell to someone that wants'em). Should the ridged fork not work out to my liking, then I'll work that out when it becomes relevant. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. hank |
I think you should look up what a suspension corrected fork is before getting insulted.
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Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
(Post 18891766)
Yep, probably wanna shoot for a 400-410mm fork.
the 26er lht fork is only 376, I think.
Originally Posted by hankaye
(Post 18891945)
Howdy All;
I'm not looking for a suspension fork at all. I would prefer to have a ridged fork. That's why. Bike has 26" wheels I am also thinking of changing from V brakes to the canti brakes. Why is it that everyone (so it seems), wants to tell what I want??? The question was originally, about the feasibility of re-building, if necessary, the Mag-21 forks that came with the bike when new or tossing them out (sell to someone that wants'em). Should the ridged fork not work out to my liking, then I'll work that out when it becomes relevant. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. hank If the fork and bike had been newer...by about 5 years..., the travel on the fork would probably be longer. Modern forks have around 100 mm for a cross country bike with a few pushing 125mm. This moves the front of the bike up an inch to about 2". More importantly, the bike has been designed around that kind of travel. If you were to put the LHT fork on that bike, it would pull the front end lower and steepen the head angle. The bike would have much quicker steering and would be a handful to ride, particularly on downhills. You feel like you are being thrown over the bars all the time. But your bike should work just fine with the LHT fork. |
Rigid.
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cyccommute, Howdy;
Originally Posted by cyccommute
(Post 18892400)
4 mm is about 1/8". It's not going to make that much difference.
Chill a bit. We really are trying to help. For some bikes, you need a rigid fork that is longer to compensate for the longer suspension fork. The Mag 21 is an 80mm travel fork which doesn't mess with the geometry much so the rigid fork you got will probably work without issue. If the fork and bike had been newer...by about 5 years..., the travel on the fork would probably be longer. Modern forks have around 100 mm for a cross country bike with a few pushing 125mm. This moves the front of the bike up an inch to about 2". More importantly, the bike has been designed around that kind of travel. If you were to put the LHT fork on that bike, it would pull the front end lower and steepen the head angle. The bike would have much quicker steering and would be a handful to ride, particularly on downhills. You feel like you are being thrown over the bars all the time. But your bike should work just fine with the LHT fork. The phrasing of "You want", "You Need" "You have to" do not convey as suggestions or recommendations. They are directions. Growing up in a strict home and 25 years of military and governmental employment required that I always follow directions and orders. Since leaving the Gov'mt's employ I have developed a Yuge fondness for being able to make my own decisions. I attempt to educate myself about any and all endeavors that find myself entering into so, that said ... Thanks for the reassurances about the LHT fork working for my bike. Also the explanation about the geometry and handling. That is something that I hadn't been aware of. Also thanks to all others as well. Even if y'all need to work on your electronic verbal presentation. Please, remember, Suggestions convey much better than Directions, unless specifically asked for. hank |
I just replaced a 1-1/8" fork on my similar age mtb. There ARE very good modern suspension forks available for your bike, like the Manitou I bought. This type of fork has a dial for stiffness, with a lockout position. But even on bumpy pavement roads I don't lock it out, but it's easy to adjust while riding. I get that you are considering a rigid fork, but a suspension fork will give you more flexibility should the roads get a little rough. And a more comfortable ride, even if you choose to use higher pressure tires. You'll also have the ability to swap tires and hit the dirt trails should you like.
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
(Post 18892400)
4 mm is about 1/8". It's not going to make that much difference.
Chill a bit. We really are trying to help. For some bikes, you need a rigid fork that is longer to compensate for the longer suspension fork. The Mag 21 is an 80mm travel fork which doesn't mess with the geometry much so the rigid fork you got will probably work without issue. If the fork and bike had been newer...by about 5 years..., the travel on the fork would probably be longer. Modern forks have around 100 mm for a cross country bike with a few pushing 125mm. This moves the front of the bike up an inch to about 2". More importantly, the bike has been designed around that kind of travel. If you were to put the LHT fork on that bike, it would pull the front end lower and steepen the head angle. The bike would have much quicker steering and would be a handful to ride, particularly on downhills. You feel like you are being thrown over the bars all the time. But your bike should work just fine with the LHT fork. Wonder how fat a tire an LHT 26er fork will take. Jamming a 2.4" in there could mitigate the front end drop a bit |
Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
(Post 18893424)
I count about 24mm difference between 400 and 376.
Wonder how fat a tire an LHT 26er fork will take. Jamming a 2.4" in there could mitigate the front end drop a bit There are not so many 80mm-corrected rigid forks out there for 26" wheels, which probably led to the shop's(?) suggestion for the LHT fork. |
LesterofPuppets, Howdy;
Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
(Post 18893424)
I count about 24mm difference between 400 and 376.
Wonder how fat a tire an LHT 26er fork will take. Jamming a 2.4" in there could mitigate the front end drop a bit They mention a 26X2.1" tire as max. hank |
wschruba, Howdy;
Originally Posted by wschruba
(Post 18894139)
The axle-to-crown measurement does not take into account the sag of the fork, which the frame is designed around. That happens to be 20-30% of the travel (24mm, in the extreme, in this case). A more laid-back head angle is never a bad thing on a general use bike, in my experience, hence some suggestions for a suspension-corrected fork--which for the LHT fork would require the 700c fork to meet the a-t-c requirements of a suspension corrected fork...
There are not so many 80mm-corrected rigid forks out there for 26" wheels, which probably led to the shop's(?) suggestion for the LHT fork. hank |
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