Help with these forks

Dazbot

Hi, I was looking at a hybrid, but saw a giant xtc 3.5 for sale and have grabbed it.
Didn't come with the listed forks and other parts and im struggling to understand something.

The forks are suntour xcr mg's and as you can see on the top they have these dials. I was hoping that they would allow locking but which ever way I twist...it isn't happening. What do these dials do as they don't appear to do anything?

I suspect im better off getting rid, if so what entry level forks with locking should I go for? Second hand worth it?

Thanks Daz

benpinnick

Thats a preoad adjuster, so wont change much except the sag. Whats on the other side?

benpinnick

Depending on steerer and axle, I suspect that these would be the best value you can find http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... -2013.html if you want to replace. For £112.50 you'll not find anything even close.

Dazbot

benpinnick wrote:

Thats a preoad adjuster, so wont change much except the sag. Whats on the other side?

Thanks for the quick answer, same thing on the other side.

Dazbot

benpinnick wrote:

Depending on steerer and axle, I suspect that these would be the best value you can find http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/f ... -2013.html if you want to replace. For £112.50 you'll not find anything even close.

Thanks, shame they've sold out, at that price I can see why, will look on ebay as well.

What about these?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=67885

benpinnick

No rebound, so I would avoid if I were you. Ebay may prove fruitful, but watch out for steerer length issues. Look for a fork with external rebound adjustment and lockout.

Also, if your not in a desperate hurry, things will come back in stock on merlin, or prices on newer models fall.

benpinnick

If your after something cheapo.... http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... Forks_2011

Dazbot

benpinnick wrote:

No rebound, so I would avoid if I were you. Ebay may prove fruitful, but watch out for steerer length issues. Look for a fork with external rebound adjustment and lockout.

Also, if your not in a desperate hurry, things will come back in stock on merlin, or prices on newer models fall.

Thanks Ben, yeah can wait.

The Rookie

That looks like an XCR, so it will likley have a cartridge damper, as such it's not a hideously bad fork as long as it's working (seals and pants and they are prone to seizing or filling with water).

Personally I'd look for a good used pair on ebay.

Dazbot

The Beginner wrote:

That looks like an XCR, so it will likley have a cartridge damper, as such it's not a hideously bad fork as long as it's working (seals and pants and they are prone to seizing or filling with water).

Personally I'd look for a good used pair on ebay.

Funny you should say that, on first clean of the bike I turned it upside down and pushed the folks and a slurry of muddy water came out..nice.

The Rookie

Worth taking apart and cleaning then....just loosen the two allen bolts at the bottom of the legs, tap up with a hammer to loosen the interference fit of uppers in lower, then remove the bolts and pull apart - no need to even remove the forks first.

Red 'rubber' grease below the 'seal' helps keep the muck out and the stanchions/bushes clean and lubed.

Dazbot

Thanks for the reply..Just clean with soap and water? Can I just use chain lube?

The Rookie

Soap and water, yes, just make sure it's dry and then grease before reassembly! 'red rubber' grease is best but anything really thick and gooey (more water resistant) is OK, hwen the lad was running the (almost identical) XCM's I use to pry the seal up after a wet ride, allow it to dry, add a touch of grease and push the seals back on.

You'll see many XC series with rusty stanchions used as if crud gets in it wears the chroming off a bit fast!

(I put the lowers in front of a radiator, dries them out nice and quick!)

cmm303

Is it best taken apart with the forks/bike upside down or the right way up? (dont want lost of bits to drop out unexpectedly!)

Thanks
Chris