My Cannondale F600's headshok (single shock at the tube) is pretty much shot, and I have no idea what needs to be done. Two bike shops have told me that it's obsolete, and the only option I have is to install a new fork. Can you direct me to a shop that could help me with this? I don't plan on keeping this bike for much longer, so investing in a new fork doesn't make much sense. Thanks. PS: I am not a mechanic, so I am not comfortable with a do-it-your-self approach with parts from ebay at this point.
For what it would most likely cost to replace parts and repair, you could find a nice new or second hand Tora/Reba/Recon. It's possible to score a used Headshock on e-bay, but it's a crapshoot that it WILL be in good working order and the odds of getting one in a color that matches or looks decent aren't especially attractive. It would be worthwhile to look into, but shop carefully. If you do decide to put a regular fork on there, be sure to factor in the cost og a new adaptor headset like the Double XC Reducer style from Cane Creek. Make sure you get the right one as there are several different models. Or you could get the FSA Orbit DL Reducer: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18...-Orbit-DL-Reducer-Headset-1.5-1-1_8-Black.htm I recently replaced a friend's Headshock with a Tora and used the one from FSA and I used a Cane Creek when I did mine on a Super V back around 2005.
I was in the same boat about 3 weeks ago. All of the local Cannondale shops would not even touch it, recommendation were to ship it off to Cannondale for repair. You can go to see Win in Thousand Oaks. Shudder recommended him when my wife's bike (lefty) need rebuilding. Drake Thomas may be able to help you as well. For me, Win is closer, and he was a mechanic for Cannondale. http://www.winswheels.com/ FWIW, he quoted me $50 to repair the blown up lefty, and end of the day, was about $30.
Welcome to the world of Cannondale. #-o I think a Headset Reducer and a standard Fork is the best idea. You can look at replacing it with a Magura Damper. http://www.magura.com/en/products/older-products/suspension-forks-2008/prod/magura-ccs-1.html
I had my headshok (circa '97) overhauled at Sand Canyon Cyclery about two years ago and it is still going strong. They had to order parts and it took a couple of weeks but I'm still riding. http://www.sandcanyoncyclery.com/index.php My bike uses V-brakes and I would love to have a disc up front. in the future that may be enough of a reason in and of itself for me to swap forks.
Just dropped my bike off at Irvine Bicycles (formerly Sand Canyon Cyclery). Josh seems to be very knowledgeable.
