Mountain bike forks

[Kayos]

Didnt take long

I'm happy with everything on the bike except the front forks, looks like they have been left outside and got water in them.

Where do I measure to know what size they are?

 

[pedrobedro]

Wheel size, distance between the dropouts and steering head tube diameter for bearings.

 

[chunkolini]

How old are they? until recently there were two sizes one inch and 1 1/8th in steerer tubes, the length varies but the diameter was simples, weird when everything else is measured in mm,.
Wheel size was just 26" now they have all sorts just like when I started mountainbiking in the late 80's.
If they have elastomer springs just throw in the canal. Ar and coil springs can both work a treat. Old Marzochi forks last forever.

 

[Munkul]

also the travel length, if you don't already know this... steerer length is one to watch too, as so many second hand forks have been cut way too short for a lot of bikes.

It'll either be a 1 1/8" straight steerer, or a 1 1/2" - 1 1/18" tapered steerer, if its been made in the last 30 years or so.

go with more travel if anything, not less. Just not too much more than designed for. e.g. 20-30mm max

 

[stuvy]

What frame is it?

 

[Ashley Burton]

If its the bike you posted earlier, Then it looks like it's got a 1 1/8" Threaded steerer

It could be changed to 1 1/8 threadless, But would involve new headset, stem & forks

Personally I wouldn't bother if I was to be straight with you

 

[Kayos]

If its the bike you posted earlier, Then it looks like it's got a 1 1/8" Threaded steerer

It could be changed to 1 1/8 threadless, But would involve new headset, stem & forks

Personally I wouldn't bother if I was to be straight with you

Yes it is, I'm looking at cheap/second hand forks. I don't want it to be a project as I know its not worth it but for what I have in the bike its worth me spending £30 on some and having it ride nicer. I won't bother converting it to threadless

They do look threaded at the top, 2 nuts on top of each other

 

[Kayos]

What frame is it?

A blue one, No idea. I posted in today I acquired

 

[Munkul]

oh

Yeah I'd just clean it up and use as-is, TBH.

 

[Kayos]

oh

Yeah I'd just clean it up and use as-is, TBH.

Forks are doing my head in, I've drained the water out and sprayed some lube down to see if that helps, but if I spend £30 the bike owes me £60 so I'm happy with that.

Although you and Ashley are right, it's not worth it and there is a good chance it won't happen

 

[Ashley Burton]

@Kayos Save your money mate

 

[Kayos]

@Kayos Save your money mate

Lube seems to have done the job

I'm not a biker and I'm not spending loads on a bike. Most expensive part of this whole endeavor has been the 4 bike carrier so we can go for a ride with the kids

 

[m_c]

As others have said, I wouldn't recommend spending the time/effort needed to fit anything else.

However, if you have some time and suitable grease (something like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/r-s-p-Unisexs-Special-Grease-Transparent/dp/B008HDCQTK/ I'm sure there are similar non-bike specific options, but you have to make sure it's not something that will attack the rubber, be too sticky, or dry out), stripping them, cleaning them, and giving the internals a coat of the grease will make a difference. They're likely to just be a very basic elastomer fork, so not much to actually go wrong.

 

[keithski122]

Found this place that does cheap bike parts inc forks.I'm after a cheap set for my lads bike but can't seem to find anything that meets all my needs.

https://www.bankruptbikeparts.co.uk/

 

[Nomad]

I'm fixing up an older bike and recently got new suspension forks for £25 from dealer of old stock. Carefully measure how long the steerer / stem is before ordering. I took the opportunity to change from threaded to unthreaded, with hindsight (and if I'd known what other bits I'd pick up cheap) I'd have converted to a disk front end at the same time. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/bankrupt_bike_parts/m.html

Edit- beaten to it

 

[atomant48]

How old are they? until recently there were two sizes one inch and 1 1/8th in steerer tubes, the length varies but the diameter was simples, weird when everything else is measured in mm,.
Wheel size was just 26" now they have all sorts just like when I started mountainbiking in the late 80's.
If they have elastomer springs just throw in the canal. Ar and coil springs can both work a treat. Old Marzochi forks last forever.

Elastomer. Judy Butter. Now you’re bringing back memories!!

 

[angellonewolf]

i bought my otherhalf a bike must be 10 year ago a muddy fox for £35 the forks where rock solid(why i got so cheap ) over a few days kept spraying with wd40 stood up on the pedels slamed on the front end a few times the forks give way oiled otherhalf been using the same bike for 10 years untill a last year its beeb passed om to youngest son

the gears are worn it needs a chain ,rear cog and new chain ring and new forks ive never changed them just kept oiling them

its on its death bed but son uses it for school morning and night but its well rideable gears work just a couple of the gears jump a bit

only thing ive done on it gear cables and brake cables and only recent a new rear spindle as the last gave up and snaped son would have kepted riding it untill i do my normal quick cheaks and seen the back wheel wobbles and after trying to nip it up took apart and the spindle fell in 2

 

[pedrobedro]

Kid who used to live next door had a cheap suspension bike and the swing arm had worn out so the rear wheel was always at a crazy angle. I set the wheel straight and welded the rear arm so it couldn't flop again and he had it for a couple of years till they flitted.