Seizing up suspension forks (on purpose)

rubez

I see a lot of posts kicking around the internet with people having problems with their suspension forks seizing up, so how possible is it to reliabily seize them up on purpose, so that they effectively become rigid forks?

I don't know how suspension forks work, but could you open them up and replace/remove some inner parts so that they become permanently seized up?

This would be an alternative buying rigid forks, which is a hassle to fit and get right (with the risk of messing it up) as well as saving a good bit of money. With a further added bonus of the colour scheme on my bike surviving intact.

Thanks.

bompington

Riding around in mud and rain for three years without ever servicing them did for my last ones quite effectively ;-)

rubez

Yeah, I'd haved guessed that... any shortcuts?

Chunkers1980

You're off your head. And must be trolling. Everything you post seems to have a troll angle.

It wouldn't be hassle free as you'd need new and to fit internals, that are quite rightly not made as it is a stupid idea on many levels.

You could fill them with oil, but again, a stupid idea.

If you want no suspension then buy no suspension.

bompington

There you have it. You're a bad man for even thinking of it. You should be ashamed of yourself.


:roll:

97th choice

He might not be bad, but he's either nuts or a troll.

rubez

There are at least 3 big advantages to this, compared to buying rigid forks... why is that stupid?

I'm guessing people who have seized up suspension forks are still able to ride their bikes perfectly. If it happens incidentally, then I'm sure it can be recreated.

I mean, the lock out switch on the suspension forks exist for a reason - what makes it so puny that it can't be used for off-roading, and is there a way to strengthen it?

I'm not crazy (or trolling) you all just need your mind expanded.

Seized up suspension forks would meet my needs perfectly (paying for something that is less than perfect is what seems crazy)

BigAl

97th choice wrote:

He might not be bad, but he's either nuts or a troll.

He's all three. I kind of admire his tenacity though and this one's a cracker

rubez wrote:

you all just need your mind expanded

Yours certainly has been but what with, I've no idea.

It's a stoooooopid idea, end of.

JBA

Are you serious, rubez?
I have been reading the threads you have started and they are all the same - you don't like what you have got, want to change it in bizarre ways, ignore all the advice you are given and then make it obvious that you have no idea how to do any of the jobs anyway.
Now you want to deliberately seize a set of perfectly good suspension forks! Absolutely barmy!

If your Cube is only a couple of years old then you're better off selling it and buying another bike or swapping your current forks for rigid, suspension compensated forks.

What forks are currently on the bike? If they are decent then selling them will pay for the rigid forks and for someone competent to fit them.

njee20

Seized up suspension forks would meet my needs perfectly (paying for something that is less than perfect is what seems crazy)

And yet that's exactly what you're proposing...? You can't do it without somehow spending some money, but you'll end up with a really shit result, just buy some damn rigid forks! You can probably do it cost neutrally by selling your suspension forks.

rubez

I am getting rid of my suspension - I may as well try and stiffen the forks if that is possible. Because, why not? Otherwise they are going in the tip.

Does anyone have any useful information? (not alternatives which I am already aware of)

I'm keeping my Cube, and have fitted new wheels, tyres, and will be fitting new brakes and rotors.

Forks are the only problem.

Why is the lock out switch unable to handle bumps? Is it just a bit of plastic?

pesky_jones

Where's that ban stick

97th choice

Concrete, fill them with concrete. You'll go faster downhill as well.

BigAl

97th choice wrote:

Concrete, fill them with concrete.

Good idea, you'll find plenty between your ears

rubez

Pathetic... I can see due to a lack of knowledge, no-one knows anything other than 'be a good little consumer', so could I swap out the springs for some ULTRA stiff ones?

jimothy78

The reason no-one's taking you seriously is that you haven't explained your reasons for wanting to do this.

The only real benefit of rigid forks over suspension is the huge weight saving (a cheapish pair of rigids can be less than half the weight of even the lightest suspension jobbies) and pedalling efficiency. Deliberately seizing a suspension unit would just mean you'd have the world's heaviest rigid forks, so you'd be cutting your nose off to spite your face. Unless you can provide another, well-thought-through reason for wanting to do it, then no-one's going to believe your intentions.

JBA

rubez wrote:

so could I swap out the springs for some ULTRA stiff ones?

I'll ask again - what forks are currently on your bike?

rubez

The only reason rigid forks exist is to weight-save? That's false.

Say you dont care why I want a rigid bike (crazy, right ) any ideas how to make an existing suspension fork MUCH stiffer?

I am aware of the fact I can buy rigid forks, have explored that idea, and in fact, am still considering it... so could we put that to one side for now?

Chunkers1980

jimothy78 wrote:

The reason no-one's taking you seriously is that you haven't explained your reasons for wanting to do this.

The only real benefit of rigid forks over suspension is the huge weight saving (a cheapish pair of rigids can be less than half the weight of even the lightest suspension jobbies) and pedalling efficiency. Deliberately seizing a suspension unit would just mean you'd have the world's heaviest rigid forks, so you'd be cutting your nose off to spite your face. Unless you can provide another, well-thought-through reason for wanting to do it, then no-one's going to believe your intentions.

You've clearly not read many of his threads.

No suspension is and advantage in all situations, and the weight advantage from that is no advantage to him.

jimothy78

Ah, now I see, in that case, then, an additional weight penalty would be no penalty to him and he's already had a perfect answer - concrete.
End of Thread

JBA

rubez wrote:

any ideas how to make an existing suspension fork MUCH stiffer?

WHAT FORKS HAVE YOU CURRENTLY GOT? :roll:

pesky_jones

He doesn't have a forking clue

BigAl

How about a Surly Troll fork:



Just right for you

rubez

The forks are 100mm I think, or they are according to another thread I found with someone else wanting to switch out the fork on the same model and year of bike, that is a Cube Analog 2011.

100mm... does that sound right?

Found another guy on here who converted the same bike as me, CubeCrazy... the user looks de-regisitered or something now though

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12829771

Seen that surly fork before, looks crap though. Can anyone ID this fork?

Chunkers1980

BigAl wrote:

How about a Surly Troll fork:



Just right for you

Nope he needs the + version.





+ concrete

pesky_jones

Not what travel, what forks - as in make and model.

rubez

I don't know, I will check when I get home, though I thought they were johnny no-namers - Cube's own brand, will check for a name though, and try find out specs.

Chunkers1980

BTW, cube crazy was crazy, did it all for weight (unlike you) and then realised once he got into it that he need suspension.

rubez

Not caring about the weight. I'm doing it for the rigidity, funnily enough

What happened to him? Could have given me tips.

Chunkers1980

Last I heard he took Super Star to court over a scratch.

pesky_jones

Could be SR Suntours. What happened to him? He realised that he wanted/needed suspension. There's your tip. Will you take the tip on board? I think not