Want to protect new forks

ben1777
ben1777 Posts: 128
edited January 2008 in MTB general
I have just bought some rock shox tora 302 coil u-turn 80-130mm and need a way of protecting the stanchions because i often ride in lots and lots of mud. I have looked at lizard skinz fork boots but they get rubbish reviews and only work with forks up to 100mm of travel. Something cheap would be good.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Ben

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The steel stanchions are more than tough enough to cope with any dirt, and the seals on modern forks so good that boots just arent needed any more! Plus boots can trap grit under, scoring the stanchions and retaining moisture.
  • dhxcme
    dhxcme Posts: 1,467
    just wipe them off with a cloth after a ride if it's just dust on them or do a full bike wash down if it's wet out.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    ben1777 wrote:
    [ Something cheap would be good.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks, Ben

    wash and apply a touch of lube after muddy rides.

    and as above not needed.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • ben1777
    ben1777 Posts: 128
    Maybe i just worry too much :?
    I was out the other day and there was mud stuck between the arch and the stanchion surely that must be causing damage to the stanchions and seals?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I wont say they dont get scratched, but it usually has to be a very conveniently sized sharp pebble to do it. If they get baddly clogged, stop and poke it out with a stick.
  • ben1777
    ben1777 Posts: 128
    Thanks thats put my mind at rest. Now i can concentrate on riding and instead of worrying about it.
  • shin0r
    shin0r Posts: 555
    The forks are built to take a huge amount of abuse; a bit of mud and grit won't do them too much harm. Besides, they look better with a few battle scars.

    I find wiping some teflon lube or gt85 on the stanchions after I clean the bike helps stop the mud sticking too badly.
  • GT Destroyer
    GT Destroyer Posts: 1,719
    Just checking here. When cleaning and applying something like GT85, are you OK to put this directly onto the stanchion, what I mean is the section that goes inside the fork leg itself.
  • dunker
    dunker Posts: 1,503
    best lube to put on the stanctions is what rockshox recommends, which i think is just rockshox 10-15w fork oil? expensive stuff though.
  • shin0r
    shin0r Posts: 555
    Hi - yes, that's what I do. Some people seem to think this can harm the seals, but I don't agree - BT use GT85 to drive out water from electronics, BMW use it on engine and electronic parts, it's used on navy helicopters etc. If there was any risk of it degrading rubber/plastic it surely wouldn't be used in this capacity.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    shin0r wrote:
    Hi - yes, that's what I do. Some people seem to think this can harm the seals, but I don't agree - BT use GT85 to drive out water from electronics, BMW use it on engine and electronic parts, it's used on navy helicopters etc. If there was any risk of it degrading rubber/plastic it surely wouldn't be used in this capacity.

    Mmm i would actually use a contact cleaner rather than GT85 for cleaning any electronics.

    And yes it can damage rubber.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • shin0r
    shin0r Posts: 555
    nicklouse wrote:
    shin0r wrote:
    Hi - yes, that's what I do. Some people seem to think this can harm the seals, but I don't agree - BT use GT85 to drive out water from electronics, BMW use it on engine and electronic parts, it's used on navy helicopters etc. If there was any risk of it degrading rubber/plastic it surely wouldn't be used in this capacity.

    Mmm i would actually use a contact cleaner rather than GT85 for cleaning any electronics.

    And yes it can damage rubber.

    They don't use it for cleaning; they use it to drive out moisture and repel dirty water.

    GT85 contains a form of naphtha, which in theory could degrade natural rubber over time I suppose. It's marketed as being safe on rubber and plastic, so I'll take their word for it.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    RS says to avoid sprays like this on the seals. Best to use teflon chain lube, or fork oil.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    On my tora's I used white lightning wet lube to just lift up the crud from the seals, kept them running well until they were nicked :(
  • ben1777
    ben1777 Posts: 128
    I have some weldtite lubricant spray with teflon (TF2) is this a good thing to use on the stanchions?
  • Will Snow
    Will Snow Posts: 1,154
    what forks??? sum forks say dont use anything, as there self lubing (ie marzocchi). check the manual!!!
    i ride a hardtail
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    TF2 should be kept away from seals.

    Zocchi used to say use silicon spray - thats a bad idea too! Chain lube or fork oil, thats it.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Redrum is probably the smarter choice.
    http://www.dirtworld.com/productreviews ... &rn=0&rt=0
  • Will Snow
    Will Snow Posts: 1,154
    id personally worry about mixing oils in my fork.. but its up 2 you.
    i ride a hardtail
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    I've used Redrum in oil/pneumatic forks for years. Never had a problem. It's a good damping oil and protective lube. I now use a pneumatic only shock, FOX RLT F100.
  • dav1
    dav1 Posts: 1,298
    i use my finish line wet lube on my forks, worked well for me so far.
    Giant TCR advanced 2 (Summer/race)
    Merlin single malt fixie (Commuter/winter/training)
    Trek superfly 7 (Summer XC)
    Giant Yukon singlespeed conversion (winter MTB/Ice/snow)

    Carrera virtuoso - RIP
  • I just got those forks to! I love them. I scratched mine on purpose with my switch
    blade to make them look cooler!
    Me like trials biking me do
  • gt85 is fine so long as you apply it sparingly (i.e. spray a little bit on a clean soft cloth then rub the stanchions with it). however, i only do this after i have had a long muddy ride, or on a hot dry dusty ride. if you flip the bike over about 30mins before a ride the oils and lubricants in the lowers will moisten the internal seals, so no lubrication is needed. just compress the fork a few times after flipping the bike over again and you will see the oil on the stanchions. job done!
  • Will Snow
    Will Snow Posts: 1,154
    isnt gt85 like wd40??? which is very bad for fork oil, as it isnt oil itself...
    i ride a hardtail
  • as far as i know its similar, but when the gt85 is applied it evaporates leaving a PTFE lubricating "film". if you apply it to the stanchions and wait for about 5 mins before compressing the fork, it should evaporate and all that would be left is the film. i doubt that the film will screw up the inernal oils and whatnot.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Both are solvents, with GT85 having added PTFE (teflon) which gives it more lubrication properties. When sprayed on they can penetrate the seals, and rot them, Ive seen it happen.

    Some forks do run an oil bath so turning them upside down can work (providing the oil gets past the bushes)
  • Will Snow
    Will Snow Posts: 1,154
    yeh i knew it was something dodgy... i think generally heavier forks (ie marzocchi, manitou have the oil baths) which is what makes them lower maintainance, and plusher action
    i ride a hardtail
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    RS forks do too, oil is added to the lowers, though the damper is sealed in the top of the leg (in fact manitou is like this). Some forks use an oil bath damper that allows the damping fluid to lube the innards.
  • ben1777
    ben1777 Posts: 128
    Had a quick look on the Rockshox website. It says:
    Wipe your upper tubes clean of dirt, water, mud, and oil after a ride. Apply a small amount of fork oil, RedRum, or :? Teflon-based :? chain lubrication to the area of upper tube closest to the dust seal.

    I don't know what to believe because Rock Shox tell me Teflon is fine but on here I get told it rots seals.

    Maybe it's just a way of getting people to buy more seals???
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Teflon is inert, as is silicone. It rots nothing.