Only getting 4 inches of travel from Fox Vanilla R
paulswilliams2
Posts: 137
When to Cwmcarn yesterday and though I tried my best to be a downhill god, I still only managed 4 inches of travel from my forks. I am sure I would have been v. close to bottoming out on a couple of rooty sections (especially with my clumsy hit the rocks at full whack stylee) but maybe not. I have stock springs in, and to be brutally honest, haven't tuned the settings at all though I don't think this will help in how much travel I get as it is only compression dampening and sag.
Will test and set the sag tomorrow to probably 1.5 inches, but are there other obvious things to check? The forks are cleaned well, straight after ride, and have done maybe 4/500 miles now. I am about 14.25 stone if that adds light....
Any other obvious things to check?
Will test and set the sag tomorrow to probably 1.5 inches, but are there other obvious things to check? The forks are cleaned well, straight after ride, and have done maybe 4/500 miles now. I am about 14.25 stone if that adds light....
Any other obvious things to check?
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I take it its the 140mm fork?0
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Stupid stupid stupid. I know, I know. Only have rebound dampening.
Also, how strictly do people obey fox's oil change and service guidelines - come on - every 200 miles for an oil change. Thats once every 3 weeks or so!0 -
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I'd remove the spring stack, and compress the fork without, to see if it can physically travel 140mm.0
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Is that a relatively easy job to do? Never opened a set of forks before though it does tie in well to being self sufficient. Will look at the Fox documentation.0
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Just a case of getiing the right size socket (or good fitting spanner) and taking the top cap off I think! then pulls out.0
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Cheers for advice, will have a go on the weekend. Checked the sag and it is set to about 1inch. Checked their weight charts and I am at the upper end of their range, so have a softer spring if anything!0
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25mm of sag from 140 is quite low I'd say. 35mm is the normal '25%', and some run more than that.0
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Presumably, adding sag will decrease the spring rate as the spring is more extended the sitting position?0
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The overall spring rate is unchanged - it only changes the force required to start the suspension moving, usually overcome by your weight. If you cant get the desired sag using the spring preload adjusters, you will need to change springs. New forks can take a while to bed in though.0
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Really good step by step guide for taking apart your forks here.
http://service.foxracingshox.com/consum ... ILLA_R.htm
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.
I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result0 -
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If the damper leg has been overfilled during assembly, it'll get to a point where it'll hydraulically lock. Basically, too much oil, and you can't compress it. (correct oil level is 160cc)
Another possibility is a damaged damper assembly. Although it's the R model, there's a high speed compression stack in there too, you can't externally adjust it though.
This may be malfunctioning.It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.0 -
If you read other fora, you'll have seen quite a few posts saying, "my Fox forks have scored stanchions, and my annual service is now going to cost me £200 blah blah blah &^%$£$^£%$%$!! Mojo."
They are the ones that didn't follow the maintenance schedule.
And the fork, far from being crap, just kept working while emulsified oil ate the stanchion coating undetected, and took the punishment.
Change the oil & seals at least twice a year to give them a chance of survival.It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.0 -
The best thing you can do for your Vanilla 140 is to figure out if you have the right spring and, if you don't (i.e. you're too light or too heavy) change it.
As with all these things, they come with a spring rated for Johnny Average. If you don't fall into the average bracket, the spring will not be the optimal rate. Note that adding preload is not the same thing as having a heavier spring (doubtless Sheldon brown has thoughts on this matter).
I am heavier than Johnny A so I had a chat with Mojo who recommended and sent a beefier (Green) spring which completely transformed my ride. I adjusted the pre-load to set the sag, as outlined in the Fox manuals (links below). Oh, and replacing the spring is a piece of cake (see also the links below).
Of course, you may well be Mr. Average. I'd still,have a read of the manual and/or give Mojo a call - they'll dish out advice for nought.
Mojo Suspension: http://www.mojo.co.uk/
Fox Forx Manual 2007: http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_c ... om_eng.htm
Fox Forx manual 2008: http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_c ... om_eng.htm0
