Rockshox Tora Coil U-turn - What Oil?

butcher of bakersfield

I think Rockshox recommend 5w oil for their forks, so I assume that's what's in them at the moment. Now I'm going to service a knackered old pair of Dart 3s (they barely work at the moment, so don't really care what oil for these), and once done I should be brave enough to service my beloved Toras! So I'm looking at oil that will do both jobs.

People recommend using different weights depending on your build and style of riding. Now I don't really do anything big, apart from act like a big girl. But I weigh around 13 stone, and at 130mm I have my lockout set about halfway, otherwise they nearly bottom out with minimal effort.

Question is. Would I benefit from a thicker oil, say 10w, and would it be safe to use for my forks?

And if I used a thicker oil, would I be able to have the lockout fully open?

nicklouse

Sounds like you have the wrong spring.

A thicker oil only ontols the peed that the whel moves in and out. If you are using the impression damping to do this your frk will feel like crap and will not be doing what it is designed to o.

butcher of bakersfield

OK, I think I get you. So with a thicker oil the fork would travel the same distance, but at a lower speed - mostly so it doesn't spring back out so fast?

Apologies for the novice terminology, but I'm clued up with most things on bikes....just not suspension.

It's a secondary concern really, the forks have never bothered me as such, it's just when it comes to get my wallet out....well I want the best option I can get.

But now you mention it....can you buy the springs? And do they cost much?

And would a stronger spring require a thicker oil??

The Northern Monkey

contact tftuned, yes you can get different springs to suit rider weight.

http://www.tftunedshox.com/

http://www.tftunedshox.com/Catalogue/Sh ... rk-Springs

butcher of bakersfield

Cheers Monkey.

Bit expensive for a spring. That's quarter of the price for the entire fork nearly. The whole point of servicing is supposed to be saving money. I may as well go out and by some Fox bling by the time I've bought the various oils, the tools, the seals, the springs....

But...

I can't help getting my hands dirty.

Does it sound like it would be worth fitting a firmer spring?

The Northern Monkey

depends what you weigh! but it does sound like you dont have the correct spring for your weight...
this is the 2012 version but you need the correct year for your fork
http://www.sram.com/sites/default/files ... _rev_b.pdf

they're a piece of piddle to fit... fox forks won't fix the issue, they're sh!t.

supersonic

The damper uses Torco 5w, you must stick to the same viscosity as is already in there.

butcher of bakersfield

Why does it always seem like a monumental effort gathering service information from the suppliers website? Can't find any weight comparissons for the Tora anywhere. But if the Tora follows the same pattern as other models in that chart above, then I'm 1 kg over (82kg) for the standard spring (which is, acording to the internet, a medium).

Would the general consensus be that Tora springs are quite soft by any chance?

Is it just Rockshox/SRAM that manufacture the springs, or can you buy aftermarket items too? Do they have part numbers like car parts? I know there's the link to TFT above, but they do seem a touch expensive and noticed jejames have them too. Are these the same: http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/rockshox ... 43733.html

I didn't realise this would be such a can of worms when I asked the question.

supersonic

SRAMs RS site is getting worse - your best bet is going to Fisher Outdoor for parts codes.

Some Toras use an odd combined pushrod and spring. Maybe an idea to fit an air cartridge.

butcher of bakersfield

So is the Tora Coil essentially the same unit as the Tora Air?

I'm just getting my head round coil forks. Know absolutely nothing about air forks.

supersonic

You lift out the whole spring and/or pushrod, then refit with the air cartridge and sleeve - do you know the exact year and model of your Tora? Then I can get you all the part codes.

butcher of bakersfield

The fork is from an '08 Fury. So I suspect '08, but possibly '07..?

supersonic

Tora 318, 06-08 were the same I think! Is the Uturn assembly. So:

Firm U turn spring: http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk//product ... tora+uturn

Air spring assembly: http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk//product ... c=tora+318

Air tube: http://www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk//product ... c=tora+318

Not sure if the assembly comes with the tube, will have to ring Fisher for that. Any RS dealer should be able to get these parts. They will fit, done it myself on the exact same fork!

butcher of bakersfield

Cheers Sonic. That's awesome.

I'm making the assumption of course that air sprung would improve the performance of the fork (I always thought it was mostly a weight thing, but I'm guessing not..) Would it be a vast difference. Or a tinsy winsy one? I guess the main advantage is setting exactly to your weight.

supersonic

You drop about 150-200g, and of course can set to your weight. Is a little bit more progressive for the big hits too.

butcher of bakersfield

Excellent. I shall be looking forward to this.

davenice

Hey - did you try the air sprint replacement?

What model tora were yours? I have 302s but I notice the 318 air spring was suggested (and I don't think you mentioned the exact model).

Thanks,

Dave