I've got a Stumpjumper, '06, FSR, with a Fox Float RL fork. Lately, it seems like I notice some flex, like the two legs twist or something, when I hit rocks and whatnot. Like, if you took the two fork legs in your hands and pushed one and pulled the other, it would move them. Is this normal? Are there stiffer forks? Does this affect performance? Or, am I imagining it all? What's the deal?
Mavic XM 317 Disc with Stout hubs. Is that flexy? I don't know enough about them to say. Personally, my feeling is that the flex was coming from the fork. Maybe it's normal.
I think you are riding harder and putting that puppy to the test. That fork is a good fork and it is not known to be that flexy. I am will Arrr on this one, could be the wheel set.
fox forks are know for their huge stanchions and good stiffness. i think the culprit is the wheel(s). how much do you weigh? the 317 is a 400g xc rim....alot of guys race on that rim. i used to use it with stan's back in my 26" wheel'd days and could get it to flex a good bit. i am only 170 or so.
I vote the wheels are flexing. I've seen bigger riders then you on that fork with no complaint of flex. Did you check for loose spokes?
i am not sure there is a culprit. all forks/wheels flex to some extent. gurp, are you noticing more flex than in the past (ie, are you riding harder?). if there really is more noticeable flex, the wheels are probably pretty flexy (relatively speaking). You have pure XC rims and depending on the spokes (and/or loose spokes), flex come from wheels as well.
i would double check the skewer and if the axle is seated in the drop outs correctly and any play in the hub...may be the head set? inspect the entire front end. good luck
Yeah Good Advice Get A Karpiel Armegedeon With A Super Monster With Some Halo 48 Spoke Wheels= Zero Flex JUST KIDDING
Fack. Loose spokes? Headsets? I am sooo screwed. I have no idea how to tighten spokes (okay, only half true, my Alien tool has spoke wrenches on it and I know how to tighten but not how far) or how to tighten my headset. It's threadless so er, what? Anyway, I think what I'm getting is that it's all natural and normal and maybe I'm just riding harder because, well, I'm an effing animal of off-road riding and sh*t. I'll get someone to look at it, I guess. Or ride until something busts.
for piece of mind, if i were you...which lucky for you i am not, just bring it into a good local shop and have them look it over. If they dont need to do much just chalk it up to normal stuff to experience....at least you will no lnoger think about it.
I'll try that. It's just that my "local" shop is Incycle in San Dimas (you did say "good" local shop, right?) which is about a 40 mile round trip for me. Thanks for the advice.
