dieselcruiserhead
16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
I've put many an air fork through hell and the only issue is occasionally they need new oil and new seals. does not take much for special tools and is done in about a 1/2 hour. I don't know if this is still current but the only fork that was "complex" and required a specialist was a Fox Talas because the Talas unit has a precharge of nitrogen. Manitou and many others including some dearly beloved small fork manufacturers I've used ultimately do not hold up that well and Fox and Rockshox is where I believe it's at after lots of experimentation. the high volume high budget high precisions manufacturers really do have a leg up on most others that are small or medium. All of my friends who have tried Manitou again lately recently, for example, have been burned.
The only way I would feel any concerns with a suspension fork would be if I were to do an around the world trip or something and it might need to or 3 oil swaps. Same oil as motorcycle fork oil, again not rocket science.
I've ridden rigid quite a bit and even being young and dumb and can take a beating I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I would also definitely do steel or ti bare minimum on any hard tail as aluminum transmits right to the rear. But honestly I would go lean and mean like the link I posted above and continue to ride a full suspension. Hard tails and single speeds, or poor or limiting gearing ratios have little appeal to me and I have considerable time on single speed and hard tails. There is a reason everyone is on a full suspension and mine has been through hell and back with maybe 4K miles and two oil changes riding rough and dusty off road terrain only exclusively. This could be drastically stretched on a touring bike.
For bikes, the more spokes or the smaller wheel diameter the better for wheel strength. If running 29er and a heavy load (yourself or the bike) then 36 hole goes a long way. Hub makes a big difference too. I am about 235 these days (tall guy, 6'5) and ride 32 hole 650b, 29er front also 32 hole. I have ridden a set of Hope hubs with 36 hole NoTubes Flow rims that were light and indestructible of course... 36 hole is nice but not necessary but depends drastically on weight.
Lots of 2012 bikes are running through axle 142mm rear instead of old traditional 135 mm rear. this is also not overkilled or needed but helps as well too.
thanks / good luck
The only way I would feel any concerns with a suspension fork would be if I were to do an around the world trip or something and it might need to or 3 oil swaps. Same oil as motorcycle fork oil, again not rocket science.
I've ridden rigid quite a bit and even being young and dumb and can take a beating I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I would also definitely do steel or ti bare minimum on any hard tail as aluminum transmits right to the rear. But honestly I would go lean and mean like the link I posted above and continue to ride a full suspension. Hard tails and single speeds, or poor or limiting gearing ratios have little appeal to me and I have considerable time on single speed and hard tails. There is a reason everyone is on a full suspension and mine has been through hell and back with maybe 4K miles and two oil changes riding rough and dusty off road terrain only exclusively. This could be drastically stretched on a touring bike.
For bikes, the more spokes or the smaller wheel diameter the better for wheel strength. If running 29er and a heavy load (yourself or the bike) then 36 hole goes a long way. Hub makes a big difference too. I am about 235 these days (tall guy, 6'5) and ride 32 hole 650b, 29er front also 32 hole. I have ridden a set of Hope hubs with 36 hole NoTubes Flow rims that were light and indestructible of course... 36 hole is nice but not necessary but depends drastically on weight.
Lots of 2012 bikes are running through axle 142mm rear instead of old traditional 135 mm rear. this is also not overkilled or needed but helps as well too.
thanks / good luck
