Keeping lockouts locked..

snakey_75

Might be a brainless question! I have front and rear lockouts on my bike, when I'm commuting to work I keep the lockouts locked and then when I'm done, unlock them. Question is, if I leave them locked for a long period of time, will it do them any damage long-term? Cheers!

rockmonkeysc

Yes, of course it will.

JGTR

How? Lack of use??

The Rookie

Depends on what sort of lockout is fitted to your units, mechanical or hydraulic?

mugensi

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Yes, of course it will.

Very informative answer...

Jonesinamilion

I only have front lock out (mechanical) and always release it when storing the bike, I figure that it may stretch the cables
if stored taut?

avalanche_expert

MugenSi wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Yes, of course it will.

Very informative answer...

I was thinking the same thing!

mugensi

Anyone care to elaborate on why the lock-outs shouldn't be left in the locked position? I personally cant seen any reason not too, there is no pressure on the forks when the bike isn't being used and so its not like they're in a compressed state.

The Rookie

On a mechanical lockout your more likely to get rust forming and locking in solid if you leave it on all the time, riding over rough ground with it locked can create damage due to the shock inputs.

snakey_75

Cheers everyone... (think I've started a bit of a debate on this one lol!!) More info is required I think. Front shocks are Rockshox Recon (SL I think - air sprung), rear is Suntour Raidon - air sprung with hydraulic rebound). The longest I've left them locked is maybe a day or two (over the weekend), but normally I do unlock when I'm finished biking, nothing that anyone would call a long period but asking anyway! Cheers!

welshkev

snakey_75 wrote:

Cheers everyone... (think I've started a bit of a debate on this one lol!!) More info is required I think. Front shocks are Rockshox Recon (SL I think - air sprung), rear is Suntour Raidon - air sprung with hydraulic rebound). The longest I've left them locked is maybe a day or two (over the weekend), but normally I do unlock when I'm finished biking, nothing that anyone would call a long period but asking anyway! Cheers!

do you ride your bike off road at all? or use a full suss just to commute?

I was told by tf tuned that locking my old coil sprung pikes out for long period of times will damage the forks. unfortunately I can't remember why. but I never lock my forks out now, just don't think of it.

snakey_75

welshkev... Full sus is mainly used for commuting when weather is bad, I do have a play in the mud now and again, although when it's sunny/dry I do have a Carerra hybrid..

cooldad

I have just one word.

Why?

swod1

I have been riding my mega tr to work while weather is decent as I can go off road on the way back.

I've not had any issue so far with both locked out when on the road and then open them on the way back along some very bumpy canal towpaths that got destroyed in the floods we had a while back.

mugensi

So despite all the answers given, no one actually knows if its recommended to unlock the front/rear suspension when a bike is not being used.