tpelle

I have a 1 year old Trek 820 mountain bike with an RST 191 front fork. I know that the fork is a low-end jobbie, but, hey, I got the bike for free as an airline frequent-flyer premium, so I can't complain. I mostly use this bike as an "unimproved-roadie" - riding on gravel roads, MUPs, etc., as opposed to "real" mountain biking. I have a feeling that the fork will probably hold up OK under this duty.

I've Googled for info on this fork, and other than hit after hit of people saying how cr@ppy this fork is, I can't find any sort of on-line manual that applies.

I have seen where mountain bike forks require maintenance, but Trek sent absolutely nada maintenance info with this bike. Outside of applying a little grease on the telescoping part and keeping it wiped clean of dirt and grit, what should I do to maintain/adjust this fork - at least until I retire it?

dminor 

Here's the spec chart link from RST's web site. That will give you the basics of its makeup.

https://www.rst.com.tw/product/pd2009/09-omni%20191.asp

Depending on whether it's the C or the T model, it will be coil or a coil/elastomer stack. Most RSTs have no oil in them - - they are grease-lubricated. As such, low-end forks like the 191 rarely need servicing in the traditional sense until the are clapped out or you are tired of it and want to replace it anyway.

If you are really, curious, though, here is a link to the basic owner's manual:
https://www.rst.com.tw/download/loadf...LO-English.pdf

. . . and a service manual that, while older, is representative of the way most lower-end RST are disassembled/reassembled.
https://www.rst-europe.com/manuals/m-e-p1.htm

Lebowski

dont worry about it. just ride it into the ground and buy a new fork. i've had some bottom of the barrel rst fork on my specialized for a couple years. i do some pretty hard XC riding from time to time. it's holding up wonderfully. it probably lasted this long because i weigh 140 lbs. my only complaint is there is no recoil damper. i've had the feeling that is going to blow out any day now for the last year or so. imo its not woth the time maintaining.

tpelle

Thanks, guys. I think I'll just ride it and keep it clean and greased, and not worry about it.

I just was on Nashbar's site, and they have a rigid mountain bike fork for about $50, and something like that is probably what I'll go with eventually when I finally get tired of the boingys.