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Front lockout. Useful at all if no long hills?

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#21 ·
GotoDengo said:
Does anyone actually fiddle with their lockout trigger frequently on technical (bumpy) singletrack?
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I do not. I generally don't fiddle with anything once I hit the trail. I certainly would not lock out my fork if I knew I was going to unlock it 15 seconds or a minute later. I might lock it out for a ride on pavement to the trailhead, but once on the trail I'm just going to ride the bike and not fiddle.
 
#23 ·
So to all of those who lock out their suspension when riding smooth trails or on the road do you honestly feel that by NOT locking out your fork you would have a much more difficult time riding your bike? Is your pedal bob while riding on the road that bad? Is preventing your fork from moving what, an 1/16th of an inch, while hitting a small pebble on the road really slowing you down?
 
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#24 ·
Douger-1 said:
So to all of those who lock out their suspension when riding smooth trails or on the road do you honestly feel that by NOT locking out your fork you would have a much more difficult time riding your bike? Is your pedal bob while riding on the road that bad?
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A "much" more difficult time? No. But I can notice a difference, more or less, depending upon which bike and fork I'm riding at the time.

In the grand scheme of things, I don't consider lockout to be a number-one feature. For example, I'd much rather have a Fox RC fork (if such a thing existed) than an RL model. I'd trade lockout for adjustable compression damping in a heartbeat.
 
#25 ·
Douger-1 said:
So to all of those who lock out their suspension when riding smooth trails or on the road do you honestly feel that by NOT locking out your fork you would have a much more difficult time riding your bike? Is your pedal bob while riding on the road that bad? Is preventing your fork from moving what, an 1/16th of an inch, while hitting a small pebble on the road really slowing you down?
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What experience do you have of riding my bike?
 
#26 ·
I actually enjoyed having lockout and used it a lot on my old Cannondale with a Headshok fork. Lock it when riding to the trailhead, when climbing, or when riding a mellow trail where the tires do a good enough job handling the rocks and roots. Let the fork bounce all it wants in long rock gardens, ledges, long rutted sections, or where the rocks and roots are too big to fly over with just tire compression.

My only real complaint was that I didn't like the knob on the stem. I would have much preferred a thumb switch near the shifter.
 
#32 ·
SteveUK said:
Are you ever likely to ride my bike?
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No but I fail to see how that pertains to the OP's question. He asked if lockout is useful when not climbing. The word "useful" implies some level of practical fucntionality that is of benifit to the rider.

What I read here is a lot of opinions and perceptions of what locking out a fork does or doesnt do for people. Which is fine if thats what you like. Please point me to where I told you that you or anyone else should not lock out their fork? You cant. What Im trying to get at is how would locking out a fork be 'useful' while riding on smooth surfaces?

The perception might be I can ride more efficiently on the road with a locked out fork but the reality is the effect is nearly 100% negligable. So would you say its useful? or just a preference?

See the difference? Hey man ride what you like. :rolleyes:
 
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#33 ·
Douger-1 said:
So to all of those who lock out their suspension when riding smooth trails or on the road do you honestly feel that by NOT locking out your fork you would have a much more difficult time riding your bike? Is your pedal bob while riding on the road that bad? Is preventing your fork from moving what, an 1/16th of an inch, while hitting a small pebble on the road really slowing you down?
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Actually, your fork compressing over that 1/16th inch pebble would speed you up, not slow you down. Front end bobbing on a smooth climb robs energy, but suspension action over an uneven surface saves energy, by reducing the backward force on your tire generated when you hit an obstacle.
Anyway, for me, smooth climbing doesn't happen that often as I rarely ride pavement, and I think the benefits of suspension are real, even on relatively smooth dirt. Every rock or bump you hit with a rigid bike raises your bike up, and/or applies a force back. In most cases, soaking that bump up with suspension travel allows you to keep more forward momentum.
Also, even on pavement, rear suspension bob is more of a problem than fork bob (because of peddle action, weight distribution back when climbing etc, although peddling style will have an effect). I almost never lock my rear either, but on the rare occasions I have, I have locked the rear and not the front.
 
#36 ·
What I read here is a lot of opinions and perceptions of what locking out a fork does or doesnt do for people.
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There is not just one type of lockout. As I clearly described in my first post, the current Fox FIT RLC system is a threshold. If you haven't ridden it, you simply can not comment. End of story.

What Im trying to get at is how would locking out a fork be 'useful' while riding on smooth surfaces?
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You can't understand how a locked out fork, even one which blows the lockout when it experiences a particular type of obstacle, could ever be an advantage? And you think that that is anyone's problem but your own?
 
#37 ·
Remember, in the UK, it is late enough for a guy to have quite a few drinks in him, which could lead to a nasty attitude, could lead to a simple question being misinterpreted as confrontational comment, or even a personal attack. It could lead to beligerence and a desire to prove superiority, with chest pounding and/or the internet equivalent. It could lead to accusing people of having a problem, or a delusional perception that there is a problem.
The best thing to do, is not let him breathe on you.
 
#38 ·
I would say it's useful if you have it, along with the aforementioned compression damping. Depending on how much variety is in your local trails, or how much you ride the road, you may use it a lot or just set and forget. I sometimes wish I could adjust my Brain on the fly, yet sort of shudder at the thought of the additional complexity. Since I'm not racing, I don't have a lot of motivation to take seconds off my time. Since I'm old, my spin is pretty damn smooth. Try it, learn to use it, then decide whether it fits your riding style.
 
#39 ·
smilinsteve said:
Remember, in the UK, it is late enough for a guy to have quite a few drinks in him, which could lead to a nasty attitude, could lead to a simple question being misinterpreted as confrontational comment, or even a personal attack. It could lead to beligerence and a desire to prove superiority, with chest pounding and/or the internet equivalent. It could lead to accusing people of having a problem, or a delusional perception that there is a problem.
The best thing to do, is not let him breathe on you.
Click to expand...
:lol: :thumbsup:
 
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