Discuss - heard some bad vibes on here a while ago,whats people reckon ?
I'm kind of thinking,we no longer have them on our front suspension,so why have them on the rear shocks ? Suppose the rear is liable to get covered in shite more so than the front obviously.
A service guy at Mojo told me they were a bad idea as they force crap into the seals. I made a sleeve out of a piece of plastic overflow pipe which didn't touch the moving parts instead.
never heard of these before, but looking at them and they look a good idea, how could they force crap into the seals? they appear to be loose fittingm so forcing anything seems odd? certainly seem a good idea to stop random kicked up crap from hitting the shock?
the ones I've seen have been tight fitting
A very very bad idea.
I've had one on my float RL for over 5 years with no ill effects. Keeps all the crud off the shock. Regular cleaning of shock and cover together with wiping the shock shaft and lubing before every ride will keep it in good nick.
In my experience, finer material in wet puddle mud soaks through neoprene guards like these, and when dry leaves abrasive material trapped underneath. Bad idea IMO.
Mixed opinions - expand kingtut - sounds like you speak from experience ?
I heard mojo giving out that advice, but the evidence I've seen on the trail with my regular riding buddies is the opposite.
Firstly, if you make sure the shock and boot is clean before you put it on, only water can penetrate the neoprene - the grit remains on the outside.
Secondly, it takes about a second to whip it off after a ride and allow the shock and neoprene to dry.
I've used a shock boot for pretty much 8 years. My service intervals seem to be twice as long as those that ride without them and the TFT service reports always come back as 'clean interior in good condition'.
That said, I actually use a swingam boot designed to deal with chain slap, since its just large enough to grip the outer air can, but stand away from the shaft itself. Its also long enough to cover the lower shock bushes, and has extended their life too.
YMMV
Mixed opinions - expand kingtut - sounds like you speak from experience ?
Yep, I had one years ago when I took my bike into the LBS they gave me a stern look and took the boot off, the amount of dry mud trapped underneath was surprising which can't be a good thing.
I guess if you take the boot off and clean it on a regular basis then it may be fine personally I wouldn't bother, regular servicing is the key to a happy shock.
Strangely, I've found the opposite. Whenever I remove the boot, there's nothing there. Perhaps the tight fitting ones DO hold crap in.
Cheers fellas
I have used one for 3 years and the shock is in good condition as it is well sealed .Having said that it is worth keeping an eye underneath as if sh!te does get in it stays in, also when fitting one make sure the velcro is opposite end from the sh!te being sprayed from the wheel.