Fox Talas rebuild

[willemjnaude]

Need a bit of input from hubbers that have had their forks rebuilt....please

 

Think I destroyed my Talas RL 32 today....went for a ride in Karkloof and the front was feeling pretty horrible for the first 20k's...harsh and just not feeling confidence inspiring. Then it just collapsed, the crown sagging down almost onto the top of the fork legs, with alot of oil on the stachion (not running out but quite noticeable amount). It would extend back up again when I get off, but then just progressively sink down after 20 meters pedalling or so. Locked it out to limp back to the car, but it still did this, although to a lesser degree.

 

Now, I got it second hand with my bike so the service history is patchy at best and it is pretty old, I think 2003. So I presume it is in need of a complete rebuild

1. How much is this going to hurt my wallet?

2. Where is the best place to have this done? LBS or suspension specialist

 

I just need some info on what is going to have to be done, as I have read the Talas unit (controlling the adjustable travel) is a complex business that needs to go via the agents...

 

Will the LBS suffice (live in Pietermaritzburg) or should I rather ship it to somebody like Stoke suspensions in CPT?

 

Thanx!

[Skylark]

Greg minnaar in pmb are authorized fox service agents last time I heard.

Hopefully a major service , which is about R800 will sort it out

[willemjnaude]

Greg minnaar in pmb are authorized fox service agents last time I heard.

Hopefully a major service , which is about R800 will sort it out

 

Thanx...spoke to the guys at GMR.....will have a look at it tomorrow

[Skylark]

Good stuff, let us know how it goes and the cost

Good luck man

[willemjnaude]

Must say...the new Greg Minnaar premises near Cascades is quite nice....the pool looks inviting, but everytime I see the Santa Cruz and Cannondales standing around it makes me feel like playing the lotto ...just in case

 

Will post regarding the cost...if the cost comes in too high to justify I might just be in the market for a fork....

[willemjnaude]

OK...got the fork back after two-ish days. Cost me 7 buffalos....serviced oil and air side, seals, and a bearing on which the lockout runs.

 

The problem is solved, and for a change the TALAS mechanism actually works, and I can see the fork travel extend and decrease with adjustment as it should. The only gripe now is that it is bloody hard!....makes for painful riding.

So I need to take the bike in to set up both the fork and shock for my weight (I dont own a shock pump)

 

Must just say that I hope some fine-tuning of the shock helps, cause I am not finding it to be a very forgiving fork at all. Overall the front end feels very unpredictable and 'numb'.

[Mojoman]

Do yourself a favour and a shock pump if you can. Money well spent.

[willemjnaude]

Do yourself a favour and a shock pump if you can. Money well spent.

 

Def gonna do that....need to find a Scott pump (I think) that'll work for the Genius rear shock..the manual recommends the use of the specific pump. Any idea where I can find one, and whether it'll work fine with the Fox?

[Bobbo_SA]

 

Def gonna do that....need to find a Scott pump (I think) that'll work for the Genius rear shock..the manual recommends the use of the specific pump. Any idea where I can find one, and whether it'll work fine with the Fox?

 

I call marketing BS.

 

Check the "which shock pump" thread in the tech section, plenty of options but boils down to budget, they all work and even the accuracy of the gauge is not a major factor, that is if you setup by sag.

[Skylark]

Your fork is pumped up to hard, lucky a service sorted it out tho, styling!

99% of forks and shocks use Shrader valves, so virtually any shock pump will work.

I bought the cheapest Giant shock pump for my Fox/RS setup, was R200 - works perfectly. I'd say in retrospective spending around R350-400 for a Topeak or similar pump would be better value for money, the pump will be better made, last longer , possibly slightly more accurate and easier to use.

 

You have to have your own pump though, nothing worse than a fork or shock that's not set to your weight and riding style and over time and with hard riding you need to set the suspension up again, normally on a Sunday afternoon when all the shops are shut.

Edited October 6, 2013 by Skylark

[droo]

Which Genius do you have? If it's the slightly older one with the piggyback TC1 shock, you'll need to be careful about which shock pump you get - there's not much space around the positive valve for the chuck to get in. Take the bike with you when you go shopping.