Fox F100RLT - advice

[NotSoBigBen]

Yip Kevin, we're in Brackendowns! We normally ride there Tuesday (we are going tonight, you keen?) and Thursday evenings at about 5:45. We ride just one lap cause we ride from home and back as well (gives us an hours ride or so).

 

We also ride there plus out towards either the blockhouse or the cellphone tower at least 1 morning on a weekend. We're off to SabieX and then holidays so will more than likely only resume our normal riding around the beginning of Jan!

[AndreZA]

Can't you just replace the steerer tube? Talk to Dirt Rider. He had one replaced in someone in his family's bike.

 

 

[NotSoBigBen]

Thanks Parra, will chat to the MTB sage after we get back! Might be the better option.

 

Right now just gotta get through SabieX with it like it is, 3 sleeps to go!

[AttieSlabbert]

Big Ben,

What is the weight of the fork and how much is it lighter than your Rock Shox? Expensive??

[NotSoBigBen]

Attie - The Recon was 1890g's and the Fox 1550g's so 350g's saved less the say 100g's of the final extender so I have reduced by 250 I guess in the end!

 

Cost I am unable to comment as I did not pay the normal proce for the fork. Due to my very close direct connection (my daughter's BF owns a bikeshop!) I was able to get it for next to nothing due to a trade in deal that happened!

[greatwhite]

Can't you just replace the steerer tube? Talk to Dirt Rider. He had one replaced in someone in his family's bike.

 

 

I replaced the steerer tube on my Duke Race with an RST steerer - rochshox would only sell me a complete upper assembly - what fox are like, I don't know.

 

[NotSoBigBen]

When I was inquiring (some time ago) for my Fox F100X they said upper assembly only as well! So it ended up on my S-Works hardtail cause it fitted!

 

But we'll see what the wise old MTB sage (DR) has to say. Just worried cause it may entail welding wood or something in his case!

[greatwhite]

When I was inquiring (some time ago) for my Fox F100X they said upper assembly only as well! So it ended up on my S-Works hardtail cause it fitted!

 

But we'll see what the wise old MTB sage (DR) has to say. Just worried cause it may entail welding wood or something in his case!

 

The process is pretty simple (but the tools required are harder to come by) - measure the shrink fit section in the crown of your fox fork, measure an RST on and make sure they are the same size. If they are the same size, you can swop them out.

 

Strip the fork and place the upper assembly in a heater at about 80?C (some surface treatments may fail if you go higher than this) and soak - i.e allow time for the heat to penetrate all the way through the crown.

 

Now the hardest bit - support the crown and press out the steerer tube. You MUST support the crown, not the legs - this is what make this part a bit difficult.

 

The RST steerers have knurling on them which many others forks don't - I suggest taking off the high points on the knurling so they don't put too much stess on the crown when pressing the new steerer in.

 

Pressing in the new steerer is much easier than getting the old one out, because the crown top (where the bottom of the headset goes) is flat as is the bottom of the steerer. Heat the crown again (not the steerer), press the steerer in until the it 'bottoms' and your done. (make sure you bottom it all the way round so the steerer is straight relative to the rest of the assembly)

 

Allow to cool and rebuild the fork!

 

 

[NotSoBigBen]

GreatEGGwhite - my better half may have problems me having bits of my fork in the oven at 80 degrees!

 

Guess the extender (which works fine BTW!) will stay! I will however investigate the lower stack height headset as this may still be an option.

[greatwhite]

Heating can be done in your oven at home - the problem tool is a press. I used a 3 tonne hand press when I did mine, which was ideal, but not everyone has such tools at their disposal.

[NotSoBigBen]

Makes me think of the time I 'baked' some brake pads that had become 'contaminated' in the oven . It worked but since then only stuff that has passed 'she who must be obeyed' may be placed in said oven !!!!!!!

 

The smell lingered for days......... at least the smoke not too long

[greatwhite]

GreatEGGwhite - my better half may have problems me having bits of my fork in the oven at 80 degrees!

 

Guess the extender (which works fine BTW!) will stay! I will however investigate the lower stack height headset as this may still be an option.

 

Hmmmm - it appears I completely overlooked the 'she who must be obeyed' factor. Just thinking about it now, unless you have a really BIG oven, it might not fit anyway.

 

And lay off the eggwhite thing......

[NotSoBigBen]

It occurs to me that the lighter part of the egg nomenclature was not instigated by myself but someone who at the time claimed to be a friend of yours but I guess you find it offensive and therefore I will refrain from using said term

[RockCoach]

'Twas me... 

Term only allowed to be used by close buds on rare occasions.

 

Apologies oh great one.

 

/hijack

 

[greatwhite]

It occurs to me that the lighter part of the egg nomenclature was not instigated by myself but someone who at the time claimed to be a friend of yours but I guess you find it offensive and therefore I will refrain from using said term

 

No harm done . Its not really a bit issue. The problem is, that name has a habit of sticking (as egg on your face does)