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Hi,
I've recently bought a Reverb (haven't used it yet as the bike isn't together at the moment) and am interested in protecting it from all the grime that's inevitably going to get flicked at it.
I know it's meant to be well sealed and fitting anything to protect it is going to look horrible etc etc but I don't care, I'd rather do what I can to keep it running nicely.
I was wondering if anybody had done anything with theirs or had any suggestions. I've thought about using/modifying a gravity dropper boot but I don't know whether it would be possible to make it work. I've also thought about an inner tube but feel that there must be a better option.
So any suggestions fire away.
Cheers,
Will
Inner tube zip tied round the clamp might work
Seriously, why bother? Do you fit boots to your forks? They're meant to be similar seals so they should cope.
If you must, I'd cut a section of thin innertube such as from a 700c road wheel, making sure there's plenty above and below the seals.
How about a lizard skin?
Having said that - I run mine without boots.
Do you fit boots to your forks?
Yes, I run Leftys. Having it all exposed just seems mad to me, and it's in a very vunerable position on the bike in terms of splatter.
I got some stretchy cloth from a free balaclava, cut it into a thinnish length about the 3rd of the posts length then zip tied it round the silver collar then pulled 2 top corners over the saddle rails at the back and tied them together. This works sweet because its stretched it doesn't flap about and when the seat is lowered it isn't so long that it gets in the way. Stops any grit getting to the seals. I feel this is better than a lizard skin or old inner tube as won't trap crap against the seals and post.
I'm running with a rear mud catcher thing, everyone's calling me a bender, but I love it (the reverb not the bender accusations) so don't want it to go wrong through the winter, the trails have been that dry pretty much since April, it can't last and now it's night riding so stuff is going to get muddy..
But I'd wondered about a neoprene sleeve thing.
Read the manual...it states not to use anything. At a guess, when post is compressed the protector will bunch up and may break the cable housing. A mate did this and sure enough, hose got pushed off.
Follow the manual.
I think the trouble with a neoprene sleeve is that it doesn't properly seal, giving muck the oportunity to get stuck behind it, potentially making things worse. Ideally I think you need something you can cable tie at each end.
Pictures of my home brew protection:
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brew Reverb protection[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/68308835@N02/ ]radsik gnarly![/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/68308835@N02/6269497813/ ]Home brew Reverb protection[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/68308835@N02/ ]radsik gnarly![/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6270018272_8ed952d863.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/68308835@N02/6270018272/ ]Home brew Reverb protection[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/68308835@N02/ ]radsik gnarly![/url], on Flickr
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/6269531333_e6197e2e2a.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/68308835@N02/6269531333/ ]Home brew Reverb protection[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/68308835@N02/ ]radsik gnarly![/url], on Flickr
I find that spray may get through but the grit etc won't.
Dont bother it will break anyways
mine went back went down and wouldnt come back up
repaired
now it wont go down even with no air pressure in so going back again .
not impressed with an expensive product that doesnt do what its supposed to
I wouldn't bother, if it's fit for purpose it doesn't need it, if it's not then it'll break and you can return it and get something that is. Gravity Dropper's design means it needs one so it comes with one. KS, despite the hassle I had with mine at first, I have to say has had no bother at all with all-round use in some horrible conditions.
Any kind of cover WILL let stuff in, and if it's not easily removed (I mean immediately and easily removed and put back on) most people can't be arsed. This means it will probably sit in the crap you're trying to avoid, which as mentioned above, will make matters worse.
I have a reverb and it has survived more than a little crap in France this year. It's just started to get a little wobble, but can't see this as being a result of poor sealing. I clean it after very ride (along with my forks & shock) and give it a splash of silicone spray.
Does silicone spray not make the seals swell? Only asking as I know there is some form of lube that makes the seals swell but I can't recall which one...
guess what..... my reverb has died. back to ride bikes for replacement I think
Read the manual...it states not to use anything. At a guess, when
post is compressed the protector will bunch up and may break
the cable housing. A mate did this and sure enough, hose got
pushed off.
Follow the manual.
+1
I thought I was very clever putting a length of road inner tube over my Hilo. all it did was chew a few holes in it on full compression. just holds more shite next to the shaft/seal then so overall its more likely to increase wear I reckon.
probably wiser to clean it and lube the seal regularly.
Does silicone spray not make the seals swell? Only asking as I know there is some form of lube that makes the seals swell but I can't recall which one...
I think that's gt85 and that type of lube you shoul avoid. Stendec crystal glide is just silicone spray.
Stendec told me that you have to be careful not to buy oil based sprays; anything synthetic is ok.
Ok, ta.
The mudguard idea is the one - keep the worst of muck out without trapping it in. A friend of mine has made one from a (cylindrical, uncut) length of inner tube about 140mm long. Put the post down the length of the tube and attach the end to the seat rails. It's not 'tight' on the seatpost.