Help with front forks.

[DazBock]

Hi

I was out on Saturday morning on my GIANT hybrid MTB when the adjustable front suspension decided to fail rather catastrophically causing me to be thrown from the bike. It is clear that it is beyond repair so I need to start having a look into replacing the fork.

I have never really seen the sense in having the suspension as I mostly ride the bike on the road and it really just feels like extra weight to carry. I am not sure though if I will be able to replace it with rigid and would like some advice please?

FYI I have written to GIANT asking that it is replaced under EU warranty but I'm not too hopeful.

Cheers Daz

[anonymous-user]

DazBock said:

Hi

I was out on Saturday morning on my GIANT hybrid MTB when the adjustable front suspension decided to fail rather catastrophically causing me to be thrown from the bike. It is clear that it is beyond repair so I need to start having a look into replacing the fork.

I have never really seen the sense in having the suspension as I mostly ride the bike on the road and it really just feels like extra weight to carry. I am not sure though if I will be able to replace it with rigid and would like some advice please?

FYI I have written to GIANT asking that it is replaced under EU warranty but I'm not too hopeful.

Cheers Daz

how exactly did they fail? sounds like they have suffered an air leak if a seal has failed and the rebound probably doesnt work as i cant imagine they are coil springs. probably not too much to repair.

you can retro fit rigid forks, just remember that if the bike has disc brakes you will need rigid forks with a suitable mount position. also remember that the bike has been designed for suspension forks and fitting rigid forks may affect the geometry.

[Sarkmeister]

If you are considering replacing them with rigid forks I suggest you measure the crown to axle length (the crown is where the forks site against the head tube of the frame). Ideally you will want some forks with a similar length.

You also need to check the steerer size (and whether it is threaded or threadless). Most mountain bikes now are are 1 1/8" threadless type. It may be the 1" ISO standard.

[DazBock]

Hi

Thanks for the help so far. At least I have a clue about where to start measuring now. Will I have to change the headset or is this dependent on the fixing the new forks come with?

To answer the first question; they are adjustable shocks and there is a large bolt which screws into the schock with another set within it which controls the damping. They were adjusted to about half way as they always have been. The bike is properly maintained and serviced. But...

The bolt somehow sheered causing the whole assembly to explode (for want of a better word). The bolt hit me in the head, the shock dropped to the bottom end of it's travel and I was thrown over the handlebars, not much fun really. Had cleats on too so the bike followed me over. Little scratched and bruised but no real harm done, that's the main thing.

[Sarkmeister]

Is it a threadless (new style) headset or threaded (old style)?

A threadless simple has a steerer through the headset and the stem clamps onto that.

Tell us what exact bike it is and we should be able to tell.

[DazBock]

Sarkmeister said:

Tell us what exact bike it is and we should be able to tell.

No idea but it is a 24 speed 2010 Giant Boulder. They don't sell it anymore. Think it is intended as a Hard tail MTB but it has a short frame and slicks so sold as a hybrid which is what I use it as, don't like going out on the road bike in the wet.

[DazBock]

Hi



Just a quick update for you. I got in touch with Giant and they were brilliant. I explained the problem and that the bike was 3 years old and therefore had no warranty. They suggested I take it to the place I bought it from and they would correspond with them directly.



I took it in to Chaineys in MK, they said it was clear that the bike was well looked after and that this was something that should never have happened. A few hours later they called me and told me all the parts had been replaced.



Picked it up the next day, good as new (hopefully) and no charge whatsoever.



You can't fault that for service. I would definitely buy a Giant bike again!



Thanks for the help



Daz

[daz3210]

Did they give any indication as to what caused it?

I would be pretty worried it may happen again, although I would hope it didn't.