The front fork with shock absorber is one of the most important components of modern bicycles. Its main task is to absorb shock loads on the front axle in contact with bumps on the road.
The shock absorber is designed to quickly compress the fork when hitting an obstacle and relatively leisurely release. This principle of operation of the suspension fork allows the cyclist to remain in the saddle, especially when driving fast in rough terrain.
Naturally, over time, even the most expensive, reliable front bike fork becomes unusable. At the same time, far from everyone can afford to use the services of masters if it is necessary to maintain and repair it. Therefore, it is very useful to understand the structure of the plug, the features of its disassembly, assembly, maintenance, replacement of components.
Types of forks
Based on the design features and the depreciation device, the following types of bicycle forks can be distinguished:
- hard;
- spring;
- air-oil;
- air;
- spring oil;
- spring-elastomeric.
A rigid fork on a bicycle makes it possible to travel at higher speeds when riding on a flat, asphalt surface due to the absence of vibration of shock absorbers.
If we talk about spring-elastomeric and airy types of forks, they are primarily intended to soften contact with large irregularities, for example, to facilitate moving through curbs or springboards. At the same time, such forks perform worse when driving on small stones.
As for the air-oil and spring-oil forks, these mechanisms are able to effectively absorb and soften as much as possible any shock, even when running into minor cracks in the asphalt surface.
Bike fork device
The basic components of depreciation forks are:
- The stem is the axis statically connected to the crown. It acts as a connecting link with the frame of the bicycle.
- The crown is a transition element on which the rod and legs of the fork are attached.
- The leg is a component that is movably connected to the fork trousers. The inside of the legs, which contains the fork on the bike, is filled with springs, adjusters and shock absorbers.
- Pants consist of two glasses connected by a rigid bracket. They act as holders for depreciation fork legs.
Internal structure
The shock-absorbing fork on a bicycle has a special internal structure in comparison with standard, rigid models, which are relatively simple designs. The main internal components of depreciation forks are:
- Oil seals are parts that prevent moisture and dirt from entering the plug, thereby maintaining a stable level of lubrication to the mechanism.
- Guides, which are presented in the form of thin-walled plastic bushings placed inside the fork trousers.
- The stiffness regulators are bolts that are a continuation of the outer nut on the crown of the fork. Compress the springs of the legs of the fork under loads on the structure.
- Springs are installed at the feet of the forks to absorb impact energy by deforming the metal. The front fork of the air and air-oil type bike does not contain springs. This function is performed by compressed air.
Bike fork adjustment
Having picked up a suspension fork for a riding style and structural features of a bicycle frame, the owner of a two-wheeled horse gets the opportunity to adjust it. In order to correctly configure the bicycle fork, you need to understand what the individual settings are responsible for and in which direction they should be adjusted. At the same time, it is worth noting that you can talk about real adjustment only if there are air, oil-air and spring type forks.
Rigidity
Each fork on a bicycle initially has a certain level of stiffness. This characteristic is also called a negative move. Ideally, the stiffness indicator should be no more than ten percent of the total shock absorber travel capabilities.
It is recommended to adjust the shock absorber for a bicycle based on the weight of the cyclist. Usually, the parameter is adjusted once after buying a bicycle and is adjusted only when changing the riding style, for example, in the case of a transition from high-speed skiing in the plains to downhill.
Rebound
Setting the rebound of the suspension fork is important when changing the nature of the coating. To achieve maximum speed performance while riding a bicycle, a minimum fork bounce is required when in contact with irregularities. Only in this case, pedaling energy is not expended in overcoming obstacles. For riding on rough terrain, the level of rebound is adjusted, setting its increased indicator.
There are a sufficient number of innovative systems in which the shock absorber for the bike independently adjusts the level of rebound when changing the nature of the coating. The principle of operation of such forks is based on increased sensitivity of internal components to vibrations.
Compression
Setting a certain compression level of the bicycle fork makes it possible to reduce or increase the compression speed of the mechanism. This setting is the opposite of the previous one. Unfortunately, only a few specialists manage to correctly adjust the level of compression in practice.
Lockout
The setting involves locking the suspension fork in one static position. Useful for athletes who use mountain bike models to ride on even surfaces over long distances.
Dismantling the plug
How to disassemble a bicycle fork? It is recommended to disassemble the shock-absorbing mechanism in the following sequence:
- with the help of hexagons, the lower fixing bolts are unscrewed;
- a bolt is twisted, which is responsible for adjusting the depreciation properties of the spring;
- an elastomer is designed to limit the stroke of the spring;
- fork pants are carefully removed; at the same time, it is necessary to monitor leaking oil, pollution and water;
- oil seals and towers are removed.
Having understood how to disassemble a bicycle fork in practice, you can assemble it by performing the same steps, but only in reverse order. The main thing is to remain attentive and follow the instructions exactly.
Care and Repair
Timely care, maintenance and repair of the bicycle fork is the key to her "health". It is recommended that the fork be lubricated no more than once per season. However, with frequent driving or intensive use of mechanisms, this procedure will have to be resorted to much more often. In general, the lubrication process consists only in pouring oil under the boot with a syringe. Further, the legs of the fork are developed by pressing the mechanism, and the remaining grease is removed with a damp sponge.
It is imperative that the fork on the bike remains clean. Therefore, after each ride it is strongly recommended that you wipe your feet in the anther area. This will avoid clogging the internal mechanism, oil pollution with dust, which can lead to inadequate behavior of the mechanism.
As for the repair of the depreciation fork, then, without sufficient experience, it is better not to risk it once again, putting this task on the shoulders of specialists. To acquire the necessary skills, it is worth taking advantage of the experience of experienced cyclists, having performed several times the disassembly and assembly under the control of a knowledgeable person. Over time, even such a seemingly difficult task as replacing parts of a suspension fork and adjusting its mechanism can turn into a fairly simple procedure.