Violently, fully compressed front fork

[Avg_Joe]

I have a Rad Rover StepThrough 1, and this weekend I was doing a new trail. At least twice, I fully and very violently compressed the front fork - the front tire actually smashed into the downtube. Ya I know, slow down...

Anyway, in the automotive world, suspension springs aren't real keen on being fully compressed. I am wondering how bicycle fork springs react to this type of compression? Did I just shorten their life considerably?

When I got back on pavement, everything seemed ok, although I have more thorough checking to do this evening. It almost feels as if I munged the handlebar stem mount or crunched a bearing in the headset; or it could just be my imagination.

 

[AHicks]

I have a Rad Rover StepThrough 1, and this weekend I was doing a new trail. At least twice, I fully and very violently compressed the front fork - the front tire actually smashed into the downtube. Ya I know, slow down...

Anyway, in the automotive world, suspension springs aren't real keen on being fully compressed. I am wondering how bicycle fork springs react to this type of compression? Did I just shorten their life considerably?

When I got back on pavement, everything seemed ok, although I have more thorough checking to do this evening. It almost feels as if I munged the handlebar stem mount or crunched a bearing in the headset; or it could just be my imagination.

Those forks are NOT designed to be used off road. When thinking damage from bottoming hard like that, the bigger risk is pinching the inner tube, causing a blow out. If that's holding air, and nothing looks bent, you're proably fine.

There are inexpensive (125-150) front forks that will bolt right on to your bike that offer MUCH better damping. Air pressure (that you can adjust) replaces the springs. Those are STILL junk though, when compared to top of the line forks that are available for slamming around off road.

 

[Avg_Joe]

Those forks are NOT designed to be used off road. When thinking damage from bottoming hard like that, the bigger risk is pinching the inner tube, causing a blow out. If that's holding air, and nothing looks bent, you're proably fine.

There are inexpensive (125-150) front forks that will bolt right on to your bike that offer MUCH better damping. Air pressure (that you can adjust) replaces the springs. Those are STILL junk though, when compared to top of the line forks that are available for slamming around off road.

Fortunately my front tire, tube, and rim are all good - rolled smooth and true on the ride home.

I really didn't intend to slam it (seriously), and hope to not slam it like this again. Stuff happens. I had a look around at some of the high end forks and they're beyond what I would spend. I guess if this one continues to work, I'll stick with it - I'm not super picky.

I intend to do a deep dive on it tonight, make sure everything is ok. Just wonder if these springs are still ok...

 

[Avg_Joe]

Results of the deep-dive: Everything seems in order. Wheel spins true, the fork works (it did throw a small amount of oil up through the preload and lockout knobs), steering / control are good. Couldn't ride y'day due to insane rain, but will ride it today.

The only impact seems to be: It looks as if a spoke pierced the front tube. I have a small amount of FlatOut on the rim, around 1 spoke, and lost 1 psi in that tire.

 

[AHicks]

Results of the deep-dive: Everything seems in order. Wheel spins true, the fork works (it did throw a small amount of oil up through the preload and lockout knobs), steering / control are good. Couldn't ride y'day due to insane rain, but will ride it today.

The only impact seems to be: It looks as if a spoke pierced the front tube. I have a small amount of FlatOut on the rim, around 1 spoke, and lost 1 psi in that tire.

Thinking that's a repair that shouldn't be put off....

 

[Avg_Joe]

Thinking that's a repair that shouldn't be put off....

O, agreed! I grabbed all of the spokes and a few of them popped (for lack of a better term); on the 2nd pass, none of them moved or made a sound, just the usual slight deflection of the actual spoke. Wheel/tire still spun true after this. I'll pull the tire off and check everything closely.

 

[Avg_Joe]

Pulled tire and tube, have a small patched hole thanks to the FlatOut. I will need some rim tape, however. Otherwise the bike was 100% fine on my 10 mile ride! The springs seemed fine, guess I'll run 'em til they die...

 

[rich c]

I have a Rad Rover StepThrough 1, and this weekend I was doing a new trail. At least twice, I fully and very violently compressed the front fork - the front tire actually smashed into the downtube. Ya I know, slow down...

Anyway, in the automotive world, suspension springs aren't real keen on being fully compressed. I am wondering how bicycle fork springs react to this type of compression? Did I just shorten their life considerably?

When I got back on pavement, everything seemed ok, although I have more thorough checking to do this evening. It almost feels as if I munged the handlebar stem mount or crunched a bearing in the headset; or it could just be my imagination.

Automotive springs may relax if kept under constant compression, but it has nothing to do with a sudden full compression. Spring failure is usually associated with fatigue and fracture. Again not from a few full compressions.

 

[TrevorB]

Radrover isnt MTB and never design to be used like one. Rough 4wd tracks at low speed are about its limit.

 

[AHicks]

Radrover isnt MTB and never design to be used like one. Rough 4wd tracks at low speed are about its limit.

While I agree the RAD Rover will never make a good true MTB bike as compared to bikes costing 4 times what it cost, I would ask we consider/remember MTB's can be 10 different things to 10 different people. For those that would like to throw stones at the idea of a Rover being an MTB, would you be willing to compare it to your FIRST MTB?

 

[Avg_Joe]

Radrover isnt MTB and never design to be used like one. Rough 4wd tracks at low speed are about its limit.

I get that. However I prefer riding on dirt as much as possible due to all the knuckleheads in their cars. And I am not running MTB trails, just "rough tracks." Sometimes you just get surprised by something you didn't or couldn't see, kinda like when riding on a road (with any transport).