Noodle of a fork

[Wannabe]

How much "flex" / forwards, backwards movement is acceptable on a Rocshox Recon GoldAir 29?

Noticed over the weekend that my fork rocks forwards and backwards quite a lot when I apply the front brake and move the bike forwards and backwards.

 

I checked all the logical things, no movement on the headset, disc is tightened, no movement there, stanchions seems ok, but when I rock the bike forwards with the front brake applied, there is a lot movement. 

 

Is this normal, can't think that it could / should be.  

[Mongooser]

maybe something on the fork is loose

like the lowers? they could be slightly loose

[BaGearA]

maybe something on the fork is loose

like the lowers? they could be slightly loose

I hardly think foot nuts play A role in movement , the stanchions will move inside if the bushes are significantly worn out.

 

If it's QR there may be more flex , but in general xc forks are pretty flex ( new fox stepcast is actually suprisingly flexy , to me anyway ) 

 

Are your stanchions 30mm or 32 mm ? 

[Goodbadugly]

Flex in the frame?

[Wannabe]

I hardly think foot nuts play A role in movement , the stanchions will move inside if the bushes are significantly worn out.

 

If it's QR there may be more flex , but in general xc forks are pretty flex ( new fox stepcast is actually suprisingly flexy , to me anyway ) 

 

Are your stanchions 30mm or 32 mm ? 

 

32mm

[Wannabe]

maybe something on the fork is loose

like the lowers? they could be slightly loose

 

Checked, not loose

[Wannabe]

Flex in the frame?

 

 

No flex in frame, no movement at top or bottom of steerer. Movement is definately in fork, although I cannot see anything loose.

 

It is time for a complete service, will take it in and see what techie says.

[Brakepad]

sometimes the brakepads move a bit too

[Breezer]

I have a reba and there is a lot of movement on the bushes. My fork is also really forked. Mine is definitely wear and tear.

[Meezo]

sometimes the brakepads move a bit too

 

this!

 

also experienced this!

[dave303e]

the fork flexes at the base of the neck... most mtb forks do.

 

If you look at all motorcycles they run 2 triple trees/ triple clamps 1 above and 1 below neck with the forks as separate entities clamped into that, similar to how the lefty mounts. This is why lefty's feel better because they don't flex at the neck. Lefty owners will tell you lefty is better suspension but the motorcycle separate function forks says otherwise, but the mounting of a lefty fork is what makes it better  in my opinion.