Hi all,
Been wondering about upgrading my rigid to suspension. It's a 27.5+ Longitude (2016 version so tapered). However I'm no mechanic and worried about reliability. For bikepacking long distances through dust, mud, sand etc, in far-flung places, what would be the most dogged and reliable shocks?
Lauf
How long is the ride?
A fortnights holiday anything will do, just service it before you go.
A few weeks and I think I would go simple Fox model.
A few months, I would go for rigid fork.
Definitely Lauf - but with the heavier leaf springs....
I sometimes do 3+ months other times a few weeks or just a few days. I see a lot of people bikepacking with sus these days so wondered what comes out best in terms of reliability.
I suppose coil forks would theoretically be more reliable than air, but they'd probably be heavier.
Based on personal experience Maguras are the most bomb-proof and hassle free brand I have owned, though YMMV of course.
I use Rockshox Secktors on my muddy conditions training bike. They've done thousands of miles on horrendous slop with just a squirt of silicone on the stantions from time to time.
Change back to 26" and get some MX-Pro's off eBay. Good old open baths so really will do 1000's of miles without a service, no IFP, shaft seals or any of that stuff to wear out or go wrong.
And if they do wear out the bushings can be changed with just simple tools (socket, and Allen key).
Although to be fair simple rockshox forks like the sektor should only need a lowers service even in a long-ish tour and that only needs an Allen key.