There's been some debate on here and elsewhere about stanchion wear on Fox forks. Having just heard from Mojo and paid for my service I thought I was in a reasonable position to share my positive experience, because, shock, horror THERE WAS NO MENTION OF STANCHION WEAR.
I've been running a set of 07 36 Float Rs from new. First fitted to a Giant VT in January 08, run for a few hours before I decide to reduce the travel from 160 to 130mm, which I did myself. I used the bike for I guess on average about 2-3 hours actual riding (rather than pushing up, drinking tea, eating cake etc.) per week for all of 2008 come rain or shine. I started storing my bike upsidedown in autumn 2008 after a friend suggested this would be a good idea.
In January this year the forks were transferred to a Cannondale Prophet and my weekly usage increased to more like 4-5 hours. A couple of weeks ago I noticed a bit of wetness on the LH (air) leg, this coupled with the increasingly noticable bush wear prompted the service. The only maintenance I ever performed other than the upsidedown storage was to wipe down the stanchions after every ride and then maybe every 2 weeks put a couple of drops of fork oil on the stanchions, let it wet out onto the seals, cycle a couple of times and wipe clean. I never even lifted the seals.
Admittedly 95% of my riding has been in the South East where its not really very gritty, and is the 'ride fast downhill for 2 minutes then push back up' type of thing, but it looks like my forks have survived 18 months and over 200 hours use unscathed other than acceptable wear and tear.
wish that had happened to my set, but after a year of riding in the peaks and yorks, with a few lift and clean of the seals every so often - about 4 times inc. last night... i discovered the scored stanchions 🙁
hoping you can buy the stanchions and steerer seperately rather than as part of a service, then I'll fit myself.
hoping you can buy the stanchions and steerer seperately rather than as part of a service, then I'll fit myself.
£180 I believe. Run 'em till they die then buy something else
CP yes you can £180 from mojo/tftuned at last check.
Bu99er! Sorry to hear that cp. My post was not a boast, but more trying to balance some of the hysteria (particularly from non-owners) about the issue. I would guess that it's a bit more gritty where you are which may be a contributing factor 😥
So readers, its one all so far...
NBT while i kinda agree with fox you need to be careful as that can ruin the bushes which means additional costs to fit more. one of those live with it choices ? wear the bushes out and pay later for new stanchions and bushes or buy new stanchions now?
Twice in two years (consecutive services) for me but they were older models 2004ish. Shame because they were lovely and plush.
Hope I'm not speaking too soon but my Van 36s have been fine so far.
Dusty Lilac maybe more contributing factors need to be accounted for type of mud. round here it's clay and any wyre rider will tell you it's ****ing awful mud that rips anything to pieces!
Fair point fozzybear, mud makes a lovely griding paste and how abrasive it is definitely depends on where you are and where you ride. My local trails are in woodland in a very soft sandstone area, so mud varies from loamy leaf litter to very fine, almost talc-like sand so I would expect a lot less wear than if I rode mostly in Wales or the Peaks.
This must surely link to other brands of fork and drivetrain wear too though.
bugger. i noticed on TFT you can have new stanchions as part of a service +120 quid on service cost.
at 120 i'd go for a replacement set, not sure at 180. trouble is, i've experienced scored stancions before (manitou) and once scored, they just let water and crap in and lock up within a few mins of riding in the wet, along with knackering bushings quickly etc...
shame, as I really like the forks apart from this issue. riding this weekend in the lakes, so we'll see how they get on.
my 120 quid maz mx comps are 4 years old and got opened up for an oil change after 3 years, no problems whatsoever!
oh, and my current SRAM pc971 chain is a year old and has hardly stretched at all! maybe there is a benefit to using expensive lubes (purple extreme).
locally we do go though rings, chains and forks more than most when it's muddy.
like i said initially the mud got stuck under the wiper seal and proceeded to score the stanchions and remove the anodising. this resulted in a thinning of the stanchions and air then leaked by during use.
Just reading the post about Totems too, it appears we are not alone! Old school Marzocchis do seem impervious to anything, my 06 66 Lights are working perfectly and I've never done anything to them apart from cleaning. BUT they weigh a tonne! Durable - possible, light - possible, durable and light - possibly not....Light weight cost more to purchase, so maybe it also needs more investment to maintain?
+1 for Fox/Mojo
I abused a set of Talas 32 2005 from new, never touched them beyond wiping with a rag. Seals eventually went, ruined the stantions. Sent them to Mojo in June who serviced for £100 and replaced the crown assembly (stantions) for £110......and they replaced the bottom legs for free and put on new decals. Very very happy with that and the guys over there were a pleasure to deal with.
Have to say of all the dozens of brands of various kit I have put on my bikes the one manufacturer I'm most loyal to is Fox.....and Middleburn.
Hi, i'm a long term reader first time poster, and i've got a problem with my fox forks (32 80mm) wonderin if you can help while on the subject.............
when the forks are locked out manually they're totally stiff and fine, but when they're bouncin' there seems to be a bit of movement feels like it's the headset, but it's definatley not, and i've tightened the cones but to still no joy!
there doesn't seem to be any lateral movement/play between the legs when i've checked, can anyone help me out please?
had the bushes checked?
i haven't but because there's no movement between the upppers/lowers, didn't think it would be them?
if it is the bushes, am i running the risk of "inflicting" more damage?
i was under the impression it's not unusual to feel a bit of play in fox forks. mine don't, but i've heard many do.
Yeah these have recently started rattlin' like a good'un, but it's really weird, cos there'e no play in the lowers.
my local bike shop is quite reputable, will they be trained to look at fox or do they really have to go to moto or the likes?
I dont tend to see it too much on Fox 36's but 32's are terrible for stanchion wear, as are the rear shocks.
I think its down to the flex that you get from a 32 which allows the grime to get stuck under the wiper seals. To most people they would think of popping the wipers off to clean under them.
It isn't great though when a customer buys a £900/£1000 bike with Fox's on & then a year later has to spend £250 on a service & new upper legs. You try explaining to them why.
This problem certainly doesnt seem to happen with any other brand in the same sort of numbers. Maybe this is why Fox are testing out this new Gold coating? Maybe its more durable.
Mcboo - we have also had a few early sets we sent back for a service which came back with new lower legs fitted for no apparent reason. The only thing i can think of is the current legal case which has resulted in Fox having to change their dropouts & as a precautionary measure are changing every set that comes back for a service.
J
Rebas...
I thought TALAS were the worst for stanchion wear, I had a pair a while ago, apparently all the gubbins in the left leg (iirc!) means there's less space for the oil to slosh about and lube everywhere, my lbs said that rubbing a little fork oil on the stanchion prevents this, good advice a bit too late for me unfortunately!
Wow! Got my forks back today and it looks like I got a new crown, steerer and upper tube assembly under warranty due to marks in the anodising on the inside of the air chamber. Let's hope the anodising on the outside of the new stanchions lasts as well as on the old ones.
Props to Mojo 😀
ironic result given your starting post hu 😉
Another fair point fozzybear, now I can worry about my stanchions all over again...
hahah 😆 😀 good point, hehe.
what problem does stantion wear cause?
i got some with worne stantion....they feel fine tho...smooth...fun to ride with etc...just spring side is worn abit? might pull the seal off and have alook underneeth
is the key thing. There is very little lubricating oil in the fork IIRC so unless you do this the top bush runs dry and ruins the stanchion as splash lubrication willnot reach the bush. Store the bike upside down and the bush remains lubed - or put a load more lubrication oil in themthe upsidedown storage
what TJ said - Exactly.
fwiw a wiper seal lube service is a 10 minute job at home for anyone, however inept you are mechanically 🙂
still riding my 2002 vanillas every day no sign of wear yet (have you tried cleaning them) 🙄 ps in the peak district.