Fork boots/gaitors

slopster
slopster Posts: 19
edited August 2009 in MTB buying advice
What is available in the way of aftermarket fork boots to protect your for stancians from scratching and from the elements.

I've seen the lizard skin neoprene velcro on ones but would prefer a traditional style rubber concertina type one. Fox float R 32mm by the way.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    not worth it. they can trap dirt againt the legs and cause more damage.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    They are not really worth it. The seals are so good that they keep all the crap out - these gaitors keep it in and actuially scratch the stanchions more.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Feck me nick, that was quick.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Whytepeak
    Whytepeak Posts: 2,616
    Don't bother with them.

    All they do is collect dirt and gravel (esp. in wet weather) - this load will scratch the stanctions to bits. Same goes with shoch boots.
    Now that we are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. ROMANS 15:1
  • Whytepeak
    Whytepeak Posts: 2,616
    Feck me Nick and SS, that was quick :lol:
    Now that we are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. ROMANS 15:1
  • slopster
    slopster Posts: 19
    I was thinking more in terms of protection from scratches in crashes and in transit then from dirt and gravel. I'm planning some touring in india later this year and expect to be transporting my bike on buses and trains and planes where it might get knocked around a bit.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    They could make sense for transport, but when riding I would take them off.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Ok then what are the forks?

    as for touring i would not be running any suspension.

    for transport pipe lagging rules.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Flenser
    Flenser Posts: 372
    I've got fork boots on my Raleigh. Would it be worth taking them off or should I keep it stock?
    Claud Bulter Cape Wrath D27 (2009)
    Raleigh MaxLite FS1 (2001)
  • uk_mr_brownstone
    uk_mr_brownstone Posts: 343
    Flenser wrote:
    I've got fork boots on my Raleigh. Would it be worth taking them off or should I keep it stock?

    I'm guessing they are rubber concertina type things- if so leave them on. They're probably there because the seals are crap.

    In terms of the aftermarket things like sealskinz I've found that they are pretty good so long as you take them off when you wash teh bike- i.e. getting all the crap out from around them. They do offer some protection against stone chips on the stantions.
  • slopster
    slopster Posts: 19
    My old Manitou SXR forks had factory boots for 4 years and the stancians were still in good nick when the bike got nicked. At the time only the marzocchis had good enough seals to run without boots.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    slopster
    so what forks are you going to be using for this tour?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • slopster
    slopster Posts: 19
    fox float R 32mm
    As I wrote in the original post...
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    still would not use a SUS fork touring. ! fitting front paniers? getting spares.

    but it does depend on how long the tour is?

    also the wheels. i would have cone and cup and not cartridge.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Simple & serviceable is the way to go for any components on a long haul tour

    Rigid & Steel would be my choice for forks.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    uk_mr_brownstone wrote:
    They do offer some protection against stone chips on the stantions.

    I'm just wondering - has anyone actually ever had a stone chip their stanchions?
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    RealMan wrote:
    uk_mr_brownstone wrote:
    They do offer some protection against stone chips on the stantions.

    I'm just wondering - has anyone actually ever had a stone chip their stanchions?
    Yes, on my last bike the rear right hand side stanchion had a stone chip, luckily it was right at the top & not in the usable travel range of the fork .
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    RealMan
    nope. they kind of go the wrong way.

    scratches from boots on my old Jetts and big gouges on the DH forks from the odd stack.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Never heard of it myself, or seen it happen. Is it bad?

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