Discussion
I've got the chance to acquire a pair of Rockshox SID front forks for not too many shillings. They have a small scuff down one side and also are the wrong colour (yes, I know). I've spoken to my LBS about stripping them down to get them either resprayed or powdercoated to which he replied he wasn't interested as it's too much bother ensuring the seals are fitted properly.
So, is it folly to make the purchase, and is he correct in that it's too much of a PITA? I have a friend who, if the forks are taken back to bare metal can powdercoat them for a tenner, so they'd need shotblasting first, then obviously put back together afterwards. They're on offer for £100, including the shock pump, so do I buy or stick with what I've got on my 2011 Rockhopper SL?
So, is it folly to make the purchase, and is he correct in that it's too much of a PITA? I have a friend who, if the forks are taken back to bare metal can powdercoat them for a tenner, so they'd need shotblasting first, then obviously put back together afterwards. They're on offer for £100, including the shock pump, so do I buy or stick with what I've got on my 2011 Rockhopper SL?
can you not live with the forks the colour they are?
maybe your LBS knows something i dont about SIDs (wouldnt surprise me, as I have had no experience with them at all) but stripping and rebuilding a fork shouldnt be that hard. you could probably do it yourself if you're reasonably mechanically confident
maybe your LBS knows something i dont about SIDs (wouldnt surprise me, as I have had no experience with them at all) but stripping and rebuilding a fork shouldnt be that hard. you could probably do it yourself if you're reasonably mechanically confident
removing the lowers and seals is a very easy job, certainly less work than prepping and spraying them to a high standard. You'll need replacement seals however, but that's no major issue, they're widely available.
Bike shops will tend not to deal with fork servicing themselves, and will send it to professional tuners, mainly because it's fiddly and time consuming, but not difficult.
Look for a guide online on how to strip down your forks, and grab a spanner.
What you should really do is ignore the colour mismatch and go and ride your bike.
Bike shops will tend not to deal with fork servicing themselves, and will send it to professional tuners, mainly because it's fiddly and time consuming, but not difficult.
Look for a guide online on how to strip down your forks, and grab a spanner.
What you should really do is ignore the colour mismatch and go and ride your bike.
Thanks for the replies so far. LBS has said he sends forks off to be done rather than bothering himself - fair enough. I am reasonably mechanically minded - I built a car meself - but have never really had the need to strip anything down on the bikes as they're all reasonably new. Powder coating is an option, but not the be all and end all, just an alternative to a respray. And, being the tart that I am, there's no way I could live with silver forks on a white bike with red wheels and red and black highlights.
well as shalmeneser said, stripping and rebuilding isnt difficult as such, you just have to make sure you do things in the right order, and use the correct amount of oil etc.
some instructions, attention to detail and a basic understanding of what you're looking at should see you through rebuilding a fork.
though i guess you could just send the bag of bits way to tim flooks and get him to do it if you dont want to risk it yourself.
some instructions, attention to detail and a basic understanding of what you're looking at should see you through rebuilding a fork.
though i guess you could just send the bag of bits way to tim flooks and get him to do it if you dont want to risk it yourself.
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