...I make a bar to go between the 2 shock mounting bolts?
Basically I'm at work with bike (and car) but the snow is making driving bad and I'm thinking of riding bike home -
Problem: My rear shock has gone in the post today to get a service @ TF. Can I ride my bike if I make a suitably sized bar (aluminium) to go between the 2 shock mounting bolts? I'm a machinist so can knock something up really easily...
Steve
I'd ride it home, gingerly... But wouldn't even think about riding down a curb!
In my mind the lines/swingarm etc is designed to have the "give" the suspension offers before bottoming out.
Wouldn't ride it out of choice, but a soft rear tyre and no rough stuff should be alright. If you die I have nothing to do with it though.
No....
There was a guy in one of the mags years ago who swapped it for a bit of wood.
It's not like FS bike stays are any skinnier than hardtails.
The only bit I'd be worried about are the shock mounts.
No real problem using it on the road.
"In my mind the lines/swingarm etc is designed to have the "give" the suspension offers before bottoming out"
Quite, but it is designed to bottom out and therefore receive a fair old force (notwithstanding any bump stops). The force from bottoming out off a drop has to be many times what you are likely to dish out on a run home.
I was about to say that tinas! It was MBUK IIRC and I'm pretty sur there was a piece of turf in there for "damping"!
I think I won't do it..don't want to screw anything up.
Thanks guys 🙂
I'd say it's be OK, although the shock mounts are designed to have a shock between them, as opposed to something solid, so they could potentially get damaged if ridden hard - you probably want something softish in contact with the axles too, to prevent them getting scratched or damaged.
I'd say go for it, but post some pics.
I would hope the frame has been designed to take a decent load when the shock is fully compressed, so yes, it should be ok.
i reckon it's be fine for a commute. there is a pump that does the same for emergencys.
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I did with my il carrera. Used a piece of wood to jam the shock. I called rear suspention block out. Worked a treat
I reckon wood is th ematrial of choice, should be softer than anythign else, so no damage. And ride it gently.
I was about to say that tinas! It was MBUK IIRC and I'm pretty sur there was a piece of turf in there for "damping"!
I remember that. THink he used balsa or something which ave him about 5mm of compression.
The pic I saw was a Turner, or simliar, that kind of linkage design. I would guess this would be better than single-pivots for wood-replacement as it should isolate it from turning forces more. Or am I just making that up?
I have seen a suss bike with a machined aluminium bar in place of the shock that was ridden for years like that. The bar was made to look very similar to the shock.
Tomthumb.
Who makes that pump?
Want.
absolutely no problem at all as you say your a machinist, just use the mounting hardware for the shock and you'll be fine
lots of shocks can be locked out so no difference, as long as its dimensionaly the same then no problem ... you'll have just made an expensive hardtail
What about shocks that allow you to lock them out? Surely that is nearly the same, ok they will have a bit more give.
If its just riding home in the snow probably no issue. Might wear your shock bushings a bit though.
Wasn't there a company a bit back selling metal bars to do what you're describing? Sure it'll be fine
they put solid bars in place for testing frames on test rigs
the one i have has a pair of threaded rod end eyes and a pair of luck nuts to adjust for length
I remember that. THink he used balsa or something which ave him about 5mm of compression.
The pic I saw was a Turner, or simliar, that kind of linkage design.
Pretty sure it was a turner.
It's got a Topeak logo on it, don't think it's part of their current line-up though (at least I can't see it on their website!)Who makes that pump?Want.
Who makes that pump?
Want.It's got a Topeak logo on it, don't think it's part of their current line-up though (at least I can't see it on their website!)
[url= http://http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/PropShock ]Topeak Propshock[/url]
wheelbase sell them for £45....or at least that's what their website says...
Bloke in our club sometimes comes out with an old carbon fibre Trek Y frame bike with the shock replaced by a couple of hefty steel plates, 'cos he didn't like the bobbing suspension 😯
I'm always expecting a bang as the mounting gets puched straight through into the frame. That I'd not recommend, but I reckon you'll be OK riding home on the road.
Did you Die ?
It all comes down to how you approach the design and manufacture of the part.
If you just bosh in any old peice of metal with no real thought to the fittings/dimensions at each end then yes you'll cabbage your frame.
If you carefully machine the ends to be the same size as standard shock (1/2 inch width and a 1/2inch hole for the DU bush) and fit your normal shock mounting hardware as fitted in your shock then you'll be right as rain as it will be like running a shock thats locked out.
Suspension frames are more than capable of being riden in a 'rigid state'