[The Engineer]

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing problems with their rear shocks (RP23 - 2009 before boost valve)/ suspension.

During the 14 months ive owned my bike ive had a great time thrashing my mates over the local tracks but have been dogged by my rear shock. Its gone back to Mojo twice under warrantity and is off for its third outing all for the same problem (loss of rebound) Thanks again to Chris at Mojo for covering it after Warrantity period.

Chris seemed to think that ive either got very unlucky with the shock that came with my bike or that ive got alignment issues with the rear suspension which is putting undue stress on the shock.

When replacing the rear pivots and bushings I noticed that the central pivot was worn on the left side only (gouge) and the left hand (smallest) pivot was very loose within the bushing.

Has anyone else experienced this? Im getting the bike shop to check alignment when they send off the shock for me. Ive not contacted Turner as not sure whats going on but know there as good as gold when it comes to these things

Cheers TE
PS how can I shrink my pics to post - its been a while........

 

[Andrew Evteev]

As a possible test idea you could try removing the shock and then compressing the suspension to see if it goes straight or not. If the upper shock mount goes directly to lower - I'd say it seems fine. If not - there might be a potential issue.

Though I have no idea how easy/hard it is to detect any misalignment using this method. Just a thought.

 

[lidarman]

Since you are an Engineer, you should be able to get some calipers and figure out your frame's alignment.

To help you out, get those calipers and measure the BB pivot to the rocker pivot on both sides and see if there is a difference-- for starts

 

[geo025]

Just curious, is your wheel alignment OK?

 

[The Engineer]

Sorry for not posting before now but been away with work for a few days.

Ive had the alignement checked and all seems to be fine with that but the guys at the bike shop did notice that the rear suspension did not move freely and was very sticky.....not sure if this is a common trait on turner bikes Silver fish (uk importers) seem to think so as well.
Will try and also look at the wheel alignment as well

 

[Andrew Evteev]

The suspension should move freely, if it's sticky there is a problem.

What did Silverfish say about it exactly?

 

[The Engineer]

Not sure what they said about it but they did so without looking and was in my mind, go away we don't want the hassle, attitude.

Ive emailed Greg at Turner to see if its a problem.....it might just be me and my LBS comparing it too much to a rear suspension with bearings. This is the first Turner they have seen.

 

[windhoar]

"Very sticky" is subjective.

The bushings found on Turner bikes have some initial stiction to overcome. However, the force required is minimal compared to the weight of the rider.

 

[The Engineer]

Best way I can describe it is it feels notichy almost as if its going through set points in its travel. This isn't just at the start of travel but all the way through it. This movement is felt without the shock attached to the bike

 

[Andrew Evteev]

I'd say this is definitely strange.

My DW Spot (and as HL Spot I used to own) both go through travel smoothly and suspension compresses under its own weight w/o shock. IMO this is how it should feel when bushings are bedded in.

Correct me if I'm wrong please!

 

[The Engineer]

Hi Andrew/ all

After a lot of run around by my LBS, & Greg, Silverfish demonstrated that there is resistance on a new frame by comparing my bike *without shock) against a frame off the shelf (shock removed). The frame off the shelf had more resistance than mine........I didn't see the demo but the LBS mechanic did.

It does sound like my expectation of the smoothness may be more than what the bike does deliver (although still nt sure about the pivots and swing arm wearing on one side only).

Will have to put this one down to lack of experience in Turner frames and bad luck with the shock.

 

[Andrew Evteev]

Hmmm..

OK, let it be.

Then can anyone tell me - is it normal that my frame compresses under its own weight w/o the shock? All bushings have just been replaced.

 

[geo025]

I (although still nt sure about the pivots and swing arm wearing on one side only).

Will have to put this one down to lack of experience in Turner frames and bad luck with the shock.

Sorry I should have posted this in my first reply.

My 2011 had a loose/sloppy seat stay pivot along with the wear marks from new. I didn't notice it till after a few rides but when I pulled it apart the pivots looked a little dry.

Gregg sent me out some replacement bushes with sleeves, so all is good now.
He also said the pivots are reamed before assembly,so that accounts for those marks.

How is your wheel alignment ?

 

[BBW]

Hmmm..

OK, let it be.

Then can anyone tell me - is it normal that my frame compresses under its own weight w/o the shock? All bushings have just been replaced.

yeap:thumbsup:

 

[abevern]

is it normal that my frame compresses under its own weight w/o the shock? All bushings have just been replaced.

Desirable: yes.
Normal: Arguably not.

If you hunt around here a bit, you'll find a post from the man himself saying that it should be not be so stiff as to not be compressible with one finger on the seat.

After new bushings, I can just get mine down with a single finger. Previously I've had to use the heel of my palm.

There's a lot of alloy-on-composite contact area, so an amount of stiction is expected.