Ask the experts

[jm2e]

Everyone in here is an expert at something, right?

First question: if coil suspension is superior in every way except weight, why have Fox and RS stopped making coil DH forks?


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[Groomer Gambler]

.

[toast2266]

Everyone in here is an expert at something, right?

First question: if coil suspension is superior in every way except weight, why have Fox and RS stopped making coil DH forks?


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Air is more tunable, and the lower pressures + larger volume air chamber in forks means the performance gap between coil and air is smaller than with rear shocks.

That said, there's still a market for coil forks. Just ask mrp and ohlins.

[Dee Hubbs]

Just a warning, if you put an aftermarket coil spring in your air fork, you can't go back to air. The spring will mar the inside of the stanchion, and f you try to go back to the air shock, it will not seal properly on the marred stanchion.
Thats my expert opinion for the day. Glad I got that out of the way this early in the day.

[EWG]

Air is more tunable, and the lower pressures + larger volume air chamber in forks means the performance gap between coil and air is smaller than with rear shocks.

That said, there's still a market for coil forks. Just ask mrp and ohlins.

This, but with more detail - shock companies are now pretty focused on getting sag right based on weight, and you can tune an air shock without replacing any parts, making it far more consumer friendly.

I still have a shock parts box full of replaced/replacement springs of various weights for various shocks.

[Dantheman]

That said, there's still a market for coil forks. Just ask mrp and ohlins.

Push seems to sell a decent number of ACS3 conversions, too.

[Andeh]

It's my understanding that coil forks have lagged because of lack of bottom-out control systems. Frames can be designed to be progressive, so that with the right frame, you don't need a bottom-out control system and can use a "simple" coil shock / damper. But forks need bottom out control or you're going to be either running a very firm spring, or "ringing the bell" often. That's why Push & Vorsprung conversions are popular, because they provide air / hydraulic bottom out control (respectively).

[jm2e]

Yup. Above question arose after mrsjm2e put the ACS3 on her trail bike. Reports that it’s a game changer. Wishes she had a fork that felt as good on her DH rig. Which is kind of ironic, right?


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[toast2266]

Yup. Above question arose after mrsjm2e put the ACS3 on her trail bike. Reports that it’s a game changer. Wishes she had a fork that felt as good on her DH rig. Which is kind of ironic, right?


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I think coil forks are more game-changery for lighter riders, and people pushing a bit less hard. The heavier you are, or the harder / faster you're riding, the less a little bit of seal stiction matters and the more ramp up, support, and bottom out resistance matters (all of which are more present, and more easily tunable with an air spring). It's certainly possible to get those traits dialed on a coil fork with a good damper and other tech fuckery, but it's more complicated (and thus more expensive). That added expense, combined with the issue of having to buy / swap springs to dial in rate and sag, means that coil forks are significantly less viable for a broader audience. And they're heavier, so there's that.

If nothing else, Rockshox and Fox are looking to make forks that are spec'd as OEM equipment. But specing a coil as OEM equipment means the shop / end user needs to fuck around with swapping springs, which is potentially an added expense, and certainly more involved.

[El Chupacabra]

Here's my ask the experts question: when the side knobs tear off on the Schwalbe Nobby Nic that I currently have on the rear of my hardtail, is the tire going to hold air still? A bunch of the knobs are tearing from the base - undercut, basically.

I got this stupid tire for cheap, but it sure didn't last long. Was pretty good for a couple rides, then got sketchy as summer trails got loose and dusty. If the knobs stay in place, I can use it for another month until winter sets in, then put on a fresh tire and new sealant in the spring. I'd rather not have to walk out of a trail with a shredded tire though.

[skaredshtles]

Here's my ask the experts question: when the side knobs tear off on the Schwalbe Nobby Nic that I currently have on the rear of my hardtail, is the tire going to hold air still? A bunch of the knobs are tearing from the base - undercut, basically.

I got this stupid tire for cheap, but it sure didn't last long. Was pretty good for a couple rides, then got sketchy as summer trails got loose and dusty. If the knobs stay in place, I can use it for another month until winter sets in, then put on a fresh tire and new sealant in the spring. I'd rather not have to walk out of a trail with a shredded tire though.

I'm impressed you got ANY rides out that fucking tire.

[SchralphMacchio]

I’ve never seen a Nobby Nic with more than 5 rides on it that wasn’t missing at least 1/4 side knobs

[El Chupacabra]

So... replace it ASAP?

[EWG]

So... replace it ASAP?

It'll hold air, but it'll be super fragile - if you hit anything that will slice the casing where a knob fell off it's instantly done. Which is bad if you are going downhill at 25 mph when it happens. Less bad since it's on the rear. But still bad.

I've ridden tires with nobs coming off but I was young and stupid and broke and reliant on shipments of free gear for maintenance. Didn't end in disaster, but I wouldn't do it now.

[John_B]

My wife just had a nice 4 mile rocky downhill walk due to a Nobby Nic center knob falling off. She was not amused.