Should I store my bike fork extended or unextended?

Prowlus
Prowlus Posts: 539
edited November 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
Ok now that winter is fully set in, I guess I'll have to limit my main bike rides to extremly sunny days but heres a question thats been bugging me now that my new forks have been setup.
Should I extend my forks to max travel when the bike is in non-active storage or can I retract the forks to min travel in order to save space?
Just wondering if this will affect the springs in the long term

Comments

  • Prowlus wrote:
    Ok now that winter is fully set in, I guess I'll have to limit my main bike rides to extremly sunny days

    Not on topic as such,but why?? :?:

    And personally,I'd store it on max travel so the springs aren't compressed,but someone may know better.
    =========================================


    Dot 4 in the eye hurts. Trust me
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    what is the fork?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Prowlus
    Prowlus Posts: 539
    rs pikes coil and to CS I'm not that much experienced on muddy conditions especially in these climates . I don't want my bike developing rust this quickly too
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    so how are you going to compress it?

    i guess you mean it is a coil U-turn?

    TBH i cant see it effecting things but I would leave it in the extended position.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Prowlus
    Prowlus Posts: 539
    nicklouse wrote:
    so how are you going to compress it?

    i guess you mean it is a coil U-turn?

    TBH i cant see it effecting things but I would leave it in the extended position.


    yes its a pike 426 coul u turn and i'm gonna compress it to save space . Will there be any long term problems doing this?
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    there could be. ideally springs should be stored in their natural state. all that may happen is the spring may need replacing sooner than normal. But TBH what difference is 40mm going to make? ( well less as it is on an angle) take your wheels of will save more space.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • 40mm travel reduction will achieve bog all really.
    Purely at a guess...(trigonometry required) you may save 20mm on the front end

    Lower the seat,lose the wheels,remove cranks...space saved.
    Hell,remove the forks if space is that much of an issue..
    Prowlus wrote:
    I'm not that much experienced on muddy conditions especially in these climates

    No better time to learn mate...riding mud can be fun,and improve your skills :D
    =========================================


    Dot 4 in the eye hurts. Trust me
  • The way the uturn works it doesn't compress the springs, just moves the point where the spring is attached to the fork body. Storing it short will have no effect on them at all.
  • Prowlus
    Prowlus Posts: 539
    thanks for the advice Ciaran :lol: