Hi guys, first of all I’m noob as I can be. 4 weeks in and already overwhelmed and burned multiple times. I was wondering if you can help me with my bicycle suspension questions.
So first let me give you quick rundown.
Bought a bike 2012 Santa Cruz LT2 from a friend of mine for a bargain price ($150) that was sitting for a very long time in his garage. I didn’t know what I was getting I just wanted cheap bike so I can give my old hardtail to my son (9) who just got tall enough to ride my old so his small went to my other son (5)
The issue I had when I clean the bike was with the front fork that sag
all the way down under my weight. Since I was new to these more advanced bikes and due to my busy work schedule I decided to take the bike to a local bike shop. A big mistake :-( they told me that they can service the fork and BTW my rear suspension is leaking oil which I didn't know as it was firm and still holding the air they quoted me >$200 for the service after 3 weeks they said that my rear shock is still leaking and that its discontinued model and they need to order some other parts. At that point I was already at $260 for the rear not even fixed and $125 for front,
I pulled the plug as I didn't agree on any of that extra work and I pick up the bike and find out that my rear shock was in even worse condition than before completely collapsed and I was not able to even ride the bike as it was too low to the ground. They claimed it was due to that missing part and oil going from one chamber to another bla bla bla they also said that they having another parts on order but they try to quote me additional $180 + to continue the service. I hassle the price down to $300 just to get my bike back.
I started doing some research on my own and took the rear shock apart just to look around. As a former engine builder I still do have all my tools so it was not that hard for me to open the body and look inside, however what I found out inside was horrid. The shaft gauged on several spots and the worst part was when I took the top part out for the oil chamber and find out that all the shims are just piled up inside not even screwed together (see the pictures) As you can see this turned into a nightmare and the sweat deal I got on the bike which was ($150) is not so sweet anymore.
At that point I already know that this shock was beyond repair and now I’m looking to buy another RP23 I found one that is brand new for about $190 its listed as
Fox Float RP23 8,5x2,125" Specialized Enduro 2010-2012 26er
My old shock that was on the bike based on the serial is:
2010 FLOAT RP23 BV XV, [ 8.50, 2.50 2.9 Cr, VTM, RTM, BV175, S16 AM ]
Will the other one work on my bike? The length seems to be the same but looks like different stroke?
The second question is about my Front Fork
The bike I got is as far as I can tell from my research equipped with:
FOX TALAS 32 RLC 140-110 mm Front Fork
The issue I had with the front was a sagging under my weight which could been due to low pressure. The shop that butchered my bike claimed that they fix the issue by adding oil they didn't as far as I know, replace any seals, but when I got the bike back I noticed several things wrong.
- The compression adjustment dial was assembled incorrectly where they did not attach the dial into the groove with the 3x ball bearing. I ran into the same issue when I cleaned the bike prior to taking to the shop and figured it out on my own so I fix that since I already know how to. However, when I was putting the dial back together I noticed that at least in one area that I remember there was a missing detent spring and ball. However, I can't find any complete parts diagrams for that fork to determine what else is missing and mainly what to order. If some one have picture of that 3 part adjustment dial on right side that will be awesome so I can look what’s missing
- The other issue I noticed is if I adjust the pressure to what is recommended based on the model and my weight which should be around 90psi it sags I had to pump up to 150psi. I weigh about 179lb
- Also the top lockout force dial is a bit harder to turn now from what I remember. Its not smooth.
- And yesterday I noticed that adjusting the ride height is not working at all as well and it's stuck on full extension.
I spent probably a week on researching so now I definitely know more than a week ago and knowing all this I would done things differently. If the shop will not give me my money back after I send them the list what was wrong I will be already in $300 deep hole + $145 for that used RP23 that I bought.
I approached FOX but they said that my suspension is old and they no longer support the product. However they were nice enough to share a link to this website and very likely I will be sending my front for to them for rebuilt
Fox TALAS fork rebuild service | Risse Racing Online Store
Also this is the exact model of my fork.
2007 32 TALAS
Serial number: 127890-0144
Part number: 910-00-164
Description: 2007 TALAS 140RLC, Fox Blue, Disc, OE
Apology for this long post but this experience so far is very unpleasant and trying to not dislike this bike, the only thing I regret is that I didn’t do my homework and trusted someone
So first let me give you quick rundown.
Bought a bike 2012 Santa Cruz LT2 from a friend of mine for a bargain price ($150) that was sitting for a very long time in his garage. I didn’t know what I was getting I just wanted cheap bike so I can give my old hardtail to my son (9) who just got tall enough to ride my old so his small went to my other son (5)
The issue I had when I clean the bike was with the front fork that sag
all the way down under my weight. Since I was new to these more advanced bikes and due to my busy work schedule I decided to take the bike to a local bike shop. A big mistake :-( they told me that they can service the fork and BTW my rear suspension is leaking oil which I didn't know as it was firm and still holding the air they quoted me >$200 for the service after 3 weeks they said that my rear shock is still leaking and that its discontinued model and they need to order some other parts. At that point I was already at $260 for the rear not even fixed and $125 for front,
I pulled the plug as I didn't agree on any of that extra work and I pick up the bike and find out that my rear shock was in even worse condition than before completely collapsed and I was not able to even ride the bike as it was too low to the ground. They claimed it was due to that missing part and oil going from one chamber to another bla bla bla they also said that they having another parts on order but they try to quote me additional $180 + to continue the service. I hassle the price down to $300 just to get my bike back.
I started doing some research on my own and took the rear shock apart just to look around. As a former engine builder I still do have all my tools so it was not that hard for me to open the body and look inside, however what I found out inside was horrid. The shaft gauged on several spots and the worst part was when I took the top part out for the oil chamber and find out that all the shims are just piled up inside not even screwed together (see the pictures) As you can see this turned into a nightmare and the sweat deal I got on the bike which was ($150) is not so sweet anymore.
At that point I already know that this shock was beyond repair and now I’m looking to buy another RP23 I found one that is brand new for about $190 its listed as
Fox Float RP23 8,5x2,125" Specialized Enduro 2010-2012 26er
My old shock that was on the bike based on the serial is:
2010 FLOAT RP23 BV XV, [ 8.50, 2.50 2.9 Cr, VTM, RTM, BV175, S16 AM ]
Will the other one work on my bike? The length seems to be the same but looks like different stroke?
The second question is about my Front Fork
The bike I got is as far as I can tell from my research equipped with:
FOX TALAS 32 RLC 140-110 mm Front Fork
The issue I had with the front was a sagging under my weight which could been due to low pressure. The shop that butchered my bike claimed that they fix the issue by adding oil they didn't as far as I know, replace any seals, but when I got the bike back I noticed several things wrong.
- The compression adjustment dial was assembled incorrectly where they did not attach the dial into the groove with the 3x ball bearing. I ran into the same issue when I cleaned the bike prior to taking to the shop and figured it out on my own so I fix that since I already know how to. However, when I was putting the dial back together I noticed that at least in one area that I remember there was a missing detent spring and ball. However, I can't find any complete parts diagrams for that fork to determine what else is missing and mainly what to order. If some one have picture of that 3 part adjustment dial on right side that will be awesome so I can look what’s missing
- The other issue I noticed is if I adjust the pressure to what is recommended based on the model and my weight which should be around 90psi it sags I had to pump up to 150psi. I weigh about 179lb
- Also the top lockout force dial is a bit harder to turn now from what I remember. Its not smooth.
- And yesterday I noticed that adjusting the ride height is not working at all as well and it's stuck on full extension.
I spent probably a week on researching so now I definitely know more than a week ago and knowing all this I would done things differently. If the shop will not give me my money back after I send them the list what was wrong I will be already in $300 deep hole + $145 for that used RP23 that I bought.
I approached FOX but they said that my suspension is old and they no longer support the product. However they were nice enough to share a link to this website and very likely I will be sending my front for to them for rebuilt
Fox TALAS fork rebuild service | Risse Racing Online Store
Also this is the exact model of my fork.
2007 32 TALAS
Serial number: 127890-0144
Part number: 910-00-164
Description: 2007 TALAS 140RLC, Fox Blue, Disc, OE
Apology for this long post but this experience so far is very unpleasant and trying to not dislike this bike, the only thing I regret is that I didn’t do my homework and trusted someone