Hi all spanner-wielding suspension fork Gurus!!
I have a Rockshox Recon Silver TK remote lockout 80mm COIL fork, purchased in Jan 2013 new. I have recently swapped frames (lovin' my new £30 2008 Rockhopper frame!) and would like to convert this to a 100mm fork to get a bit more travel and an increase in bar height.
Looking at SRAM's 2013 spare parts catalog from here http://www.sram.com/service/, I think I just need to swap the R5437130 coil/shaft assembly for an R5437080 (part number 19). This seems to be the only travel-specific part in the whole fork assembly according to the catalogue. The stanchions and lower legs are all the same part number for 80 - 120mm travel forks.
Does anyone know if this is correct? Can I just swap this part over?
If there are any other parts required, what are they?
The cost of the part is only about £40, which is a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing the fork, and I am a skint dad mtb'er. I don't mind doing it myself, always like to know how all parts of my bike work anyhow.
For some kind person with time to provide a longer answer, I have a supplementary question:
Is it possible to convert this fork to a 100mm solo air and if so what parts would I need to swap over?
Cheers guys
Mart.
I converted my 100mm recons to 120mm by changing the coil assy a few years back, was about £35 I recall, so you should be good to go.
edit the hardest part was getting the blue lockout bit off, but only because i didnt have any circlip pliers.
Fab, thanks.
I was thinking of going up to 120mm but I mainly do XC rather than trails and wondered if 120mm was a bit too far.
Was yours a Recon Silver or a Gold?
Cheers
Mart.
Do you need to touch the lockout side, I thought you could just take the Preload adjuster off and slide the coil out?
I did see a video on YouTube somewhere of how to swap the coils over...
Recon Gold I think, no longer have it. I definitely had to remove the lockout.
Also worth taking it apart to check as when I researched this, I recall that some models had spacers to limit the travel, rather than needing a new spring assy. Unfortunately mine did not, but I also need to go to the heaviest spring rate also.
Personally I would go to the 120mm & reduce preload if you need to.
I have splashed the cash on a new 100mm spring and gone for the firm blue one which according to SRAM's spec is right for my weight.
Thanks for the advice RightWing, much appreciated.
Just as a follow up for others, I managed to swap my spring over easily. The job took about 1/2 hour all in.
When I undid the hex bolt on the preload and removed it, I could see the top of the spring inside.
I then undid the bolt at the bottom of the lower leg a few turns, gave it a tap with a plastic hammer to free it up, then removed the bolt altogether. The string then just slid out and some oil dumped out the bottom of the lower leg.
When refitting, I put the new, greased spring almost all of the way in, then turned the fork on its side and syringed the 10ml oil in from the bottom. Put the spring in the rest of the way, tightened the bolt at the bottom of the lower leg, then refitted the preload and hex bolt at the top.
I know I will need to take it apart again to service it, but the fork is fairly new so doesn't need doing yet.
I now have 100mm of plushness and I am very pleased with the result.