LBKloppers

It doesn't matter. I rode with both and on a long ride there are no real-world measurable differences. The human body is immensely adaptable and your body overcomes those differences without you realising it. But even if you're right, then so much more reason to address the issues I have, because at the moment, my Fox sucks!

I do service the fork lower frequently. There is nothing wrong with the foam rings. Just dirty. I think you're right about the oil seal wiping off the light oil on the stanchions, but it does initially improve the fork movement while the oil is still fresh and present. I agree with your sentiment about the LBS, but that is part of a much bigger problem in the technical world. It's easter weekend and I am away, but I certainly am going to explore the Air shaft recommendations with too much grease. Finding the Fox tutorials about the Air shaft is not so easy though. Have a great Easter weekend everyone!

This is NOT a RS against FOX issue but it is a rant. I ride a Scott Spark 27,5 plus with a Fox 34 boost fork. It is a lovely ride suiting my kind of riding like a glove, but the Fox Fork the bike came out with has a quirk I absolutely hate. In my endeavours to resolve the matter I have replaced and serviced the forks using the lbs and other times I did it myself. It's a pretty simple task with the available service kits. BUT The fork has a severe sticktion problem. I need to bump the fork really hard on the first time out to overcome the sticktion. The fork will then be quite smooth but as the distance increases while riding the dirt, the dust carried by the tires collects on the stanchions. It appears this dust contributes to the sticktion and it will get worse until I give it a huge bump again. I have tried lubing the stanchions before every ride, but the same thing happens over and over. All the recommended lubes were used when the seals were replaced with new ones and I even short-serviced one set because I got the impression something was very wrong with the fork. It turns out there are several contributing factors and I would like to hear the Hubber's opinions on these. I noticed the stanchions become very clean and dry in a short time even after I started the ride with fresh lube on the stanchions. My bike has a Fox mudguard, but it is more of a show than anything else (South Africa is drier than muddy and these things are mostly designed for a wet, muddy Europe). Most of the dust collects on the front of the stanchions leading me to assume that the Fox mudguard deflects the dust up and the bike then rides into the suspended dust. I measured one of the seals and I found the ID to be 33mm (34mm fork). That is quite a tight fit. 1. Do you think the 1mm smaller diameter is contributing? 2. Do you think I over-service? I once had a bike with an RS Reba that was visibly more lively than the Fox and I hardly ever serviced it. 3. And why in the world can someone in the manufacturing line not design a proper catch-and-deflect dust guard for those who ride in the dry? Surely avoiding dust from collecting on the stanchions will be beneficial. 4. Am I the only one?

I have a KOM coming out of a mining pit in Tanzania. It will stand forever as the mine is now active and the road is not accessible anymore.

Getting older is a bummer. I am in the category where things start to hurt that never did before. My wrists also gave me problems with my stock Scott Spark grips. I found that the diameter was too small for my hands and I solved to issue by wrapping road bike tape over the existing Scott grips. That little increase in diameter made my life on the bike and on my wrists much more bearable.

Do not discount speed. Generally, people do not realise how close the relation between speed and momentum is and momentum converts into force. Just do a simple calculation of momentum at speed if you weigh 60kg and move at 60km/h. Your answer should be 1 metric ton. Now you refer to fatigue and you are right, that sideways whipping will hurt, but what is the likelihood of such an event? The more realistic scenario is when you come down with falling. Have a look at some YT videos of people falling. In most cases, the head goes down fast. Where is the impact going to be? Mostly on the road, pavement, rocks or something standing proud close to the road. Again you may argue that the extra weight will contribute to the velocity, but what about the sudden stopping bit? The thing is, one can argue the whole day but it boils down to the single thing that we want to protect our noggin. Your head contains what makes you who you are. Damage that and it can not be repaired. Damage it enough and it's bye-bye. I think about two things when I buy a helmet. Safety is the no1 priority, but comfort comes a close 2nd otherwise the burden of discomfort becomes an excuse NOT to wear the helmet even on a short trip to the cafe. For the record, I came down in the port of Cape Town with my head on the edge of a railway line. My helmet saved my life that day because without a helmet my noggin would have cracked open like an egg. The physical signs of the broken helmet indicated the rail hit my head diagonally right through the middle. I am not taking a chance with my head, finish en klaar! You go and get a helmet with MIPS as a minimum. As mentioned, this site is indeed a valuable gauge. https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html#!

He is based in Wildernis, but he arranges the couriers. His work is exceptional and his deliveries better than you would expect. Check him out on the internet https://wheelbuilder.co.za/

What do you mean bigger platform? There is the general sales pitch of a bigger platform using the simple SPD concept, but there are those massive pedals that actually look like no-cleat pedals but are. My comment refers to the SPD concept. It boggles the mind that every time one of the big OEMs mentions one or the other gimmick, most just simply believe it. Big platform, my @ss. Since you've been riding the XT platform, have a close look at the wear patterns on it. The platform size seldom contributes to the contact between the shoe and the pedal. The SPD design locks everything right around the cleat. The rest is cosmetic (excluding weight, bearings and seals).

Dude, just contact Nick.

I get your frustration, but my 2011 Edge500 is still running fine. I use it most for a speed indicator. the rest of the data is collected on my Forerunner 935. Working well thank you.

I am not a 4x4 owner but I've seen the time some of these guys take to re-inflate after they get out of the sandy 4x4 routes. Some of them had the best mini compressors money could buy and it still took forever to re-inflate. AND the noise! The speed and convenience of the onboard 2nd compressor were something to behold. I think most underestimate the volumes of air those aircon compressors can move. Additionally, it's mounted on the engine, activated with a switch and all the driver has to do is connect the hose to the wheel. For home, I've made an adapter to fit on a Sodastream bottle. It's a super duper CO2 bomb. Note, this thing will blow your wheel (if it is a bicycle wheel) to smithereens is it is not controlled. Those bottles are charged to 160Bar. Do not mess around.

I am just curious. What do you use for a 4x4 pump? Years ago I was a guest on a very remote Kalahari game farm and when the hunting was done, we helped with the regular farm work (We've got to pay for the free accommodation😉). Two things I learnt there. 1. A manual sun tracking device for borehole pumps, and 2 an additional air conditioner pump in the cruiser for QUICK inflates in the field. Both worked like a charm.

Dude! Hope you heal up quickly. Elaborate on the brake issue? What brand, model, pad, the wear before you started the downhill, and why the heck did you allow it to overheat?

I have noticed quite a number of cyclists around Babsfontein when I pass through. I would like to explore the area a bit. If I start in Babsfontein, where do I head out for a lekker exploring 30/40 km without transgressing onto private property and staying off the paved surfaces? a GPS file will be most welcome. Anyone?

You can disagree as much as you want. I've been there and I have done it.