thisisbenji

Feel free to flame me if this topic already exists as I didn't both to do a search. As my hands are way too cold right now. It's -2 out with a -29 windchill and I just rode home from work.

Anyways I'v noticed that the suspension on my MTB (RockShox Dart 2) seems to freeze up when it gets cold out. Is this a common problem with bicycle suspension, or is probably due to the fact that I have a cheap suspension fork?

It doesn't really bother me as I almost never commute on my MTB anyways and am used to having no suspension and tiny tires.

What are you guys/girls thoughts on this?

crazzywolfie

i have never had any problems with the suspension on my bike freezing and my bike is built out of cheap Canadian tire brand bikes. maybe some moisture is building up on them and freezing.

HappyStuffing

I have a rather low end suspension on my $700 mountain bike. Never had my suspension freeze up though.

Captain Blight

Rigid forks never freeze. Just sayin'.

cachehiker

Literally freeze up? No. Never had that happen.

But the viscosity of the oil used for damping can get really high. I notice a definite lack of travel when I'm out thrashing about in the winter, like my 100mm fork has suddenly transformed itself into an old elastomer sprung 63mm fork.

electrik

Yes, you're probably rocking an elastomer rebound in that fork, they can freeze solid and really reduce travel. Either that or something has broken? When is the last time you serviced it?

KTse

That's pretty normal... I had a Dart 1 and it froze up in the winter (there's no damper in the fork though). The reason why it froze up was because the heavy grease used in the lowers congealed and was not providing enough lubrication. I opened up the fork and put about 10-20 ml in the fork lowers. Fork worked better than when it was new.

Try it, it takes only about half an hour to an hour to do and probably not bad for the fork either if hasn't been serviced at all.

It is also possible that the damper is slow as well; using lighter oil in the damper should help too.

lopek77

Yeah, me 2...but Dart 2 is different...its loud and hard when cold ( 32-45 ) I'm pretty sure its worst when colder... I didn't have any issues with cheaper forks... I will fill it partially with synthetic motor oil...