[nyfan78]

Hi everyone. I am getting back into moutain biking after doing it back in high school. My starter bike is a Giant Boulder SE. The front shocks i can push down on and when i go off curbs they sometimes bottom out. Does this mean the shocks are blown or what? Thanks in advance for the responses!

 

[bigbeck]

You need a heavier spring in the fork.

 

[nyfan78]

Is that an expensive thing to do? And is that just becuase I weigh 275?

 

[PnkCrnk]

Is that an expensive thing to do? And is that just becuase I weigh 275?

Price depends on your shock model. Ranges from $15-$90. They are called 'tuning springs' or 'spring kits'.

 

[manabiker]

Has the oil leaked out of the forks??? if so you probably need seals/oil, then check the springs, I wouldn't put much money in it, it was a $300. bike to start with new, it looks like a good starter bike, get a repair manual like Zinn & the art of MB maintenance, and enjoy the bike, and learning how to wrench on it. Good Luck

 

[bad mechanic]

And is that just becuase I weigh 275?

Yes. Manufacturers guess at the spring weight for the average rider, which means it's very frequently either too soft or too hard. Unfortunately, you're probably not going to have much luck finding a new spring for that bike. In your case it might be worth spending some extra money and buying a air sprung fork, since those can be adjusted exactly to almost any weight. That means you could dial it in for now when you weigh 275, and be able to adjust once you've dropped weight.

 

[bigbeck]

Is that an expensive thing to do? And is that just becuase I weigh 275?

Because of your weight, you'll need to buy a fork that costs more than your bike. You'll probably destroy your wheels pretty fast too.

Browse around the Clydesdale forum which is for riders over 200 lbs. You'll get much more accurate info than a 160 pound weenie can give you. There's quite a few riders in your weight range - a few are almost 400 lbs.

good luck

PS. I'm not quite a clyde, but my 16 year old son is 6'7" 310lbs size 17 shoe and still growing. He eats as much or more as 3 - 200 lb. men. Clothes are expensive too,very expensive. No dept. store shopping for him. Can I borrow a few bucks from you? I can't afford to buy chain lube.

 

[logbiter]

A decent fork for your weight w/ proper springs will run $200-300 (ie rockshox tora/manitou drake) but will be waay better than whatcha got.
It's unlikely you will be able to get heavier springs for the suntour fork that came on your bike.
Another option is to ride what you got til it's destoyed, grab a rigid fork & a fat front tire (2.35-2.5" wide) and save pennies for upgraded fork and/or bike, if you find you really get back into riding.