2nd hand fox fork condition?

[mtb_Josh]

Hi all

 

 

 

I have found a 2nd hand fox f100 RL at quite a good price. My only hesitation is - how do I know what kind of condition it is in (without riding it) before I buy it? What signs can I look for? The stachions look fine, but the adjustment knobs feel a little 'gritty', is this a bad thing or does it just need a clean?

[Johan Bornman]

The Fox adjustment know is another sub-optimal design (there you go Anton). It works by three steel balls that rotate around an aluminium shaft. The balls work in the dirt and will feel gritty. That is no indication of the fork's overall condition. You need to open it up to see what's going inside. After buying a new fork it is a good idea to have it serviced in anyway. Dirt inside the seals cause irreversible wear.

 

I suggest you do a deal with the buyer where you agree to buy it only after it has been opened. May be tricky, but that's the safest.

 

Alternatively, inflate it as hard as possible and see if you can see scratches on the stanchions just above the seals. Usually those scratches are inside but often you can see them if you look carefully.

 

 

[mtb_Josh]

Ok thanks, will try my best but I doubt he will open it... How much do you charge for a service? And have you got any of your servicing courses scheduled for the near future?

[Johan Bornman]

Ok thanks' date=' will try my best but I doubt he will open it... How much do you charge for a service? And have you got any of your servicing courses scheduled for the near future?[/quote']

 

Next Fork Service Workshop is this Saturday at 14:00.

 

Phone me if you have questions: 0823086847

[mtb_Josh]

Thanks but I won't have the Fox by then, so I think I'll rather wait until I have a decent fork to service.