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Hi
You may remember me from such recent forum posts as https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/help-with-rs-revelation-fork-please/
I thought I had got things resolved but after a couple of rides this week that clearly isn't the case. After equalising the negative air chamber by removing the air chamber cap and fully extending the fork, and getting the sucking sound, ride quality was better on small bumps.
However today the ride has gone back to feeling almost like a rigid fork. On inspection mid-ride I notice that even after just riding along a level trail for a couple of minutes, with no bumps, jumps, roots or rocks, the fork is sitting at 20% sag (unweighted). As I watch for 30 seconds or so it gradually re-extends. On my final run back towards home on a track that is bumpy but not technical I'm almost getting bucked off, and find it almost impossible to hold a line.
After cleaning the bike I depressurise the air chamber and the fork sucks almost completely down. I remove the air cap, haul on the brakes, jam my foot on the tyre and fully extend the fork. I get the sucking sound which I'm led to believe is the negative air chamber channel clearing its throat. When I take my foot off the tyre the fork now sits with a couple of inched of travel. Cap back on, pressurise to the RS recommended psi. Until I ride this week I won't know if it's better.
The problem is I don't want to have to go through this rigamarole after an hour's riding. I certainly don't want to undertake any decent size rides or trail centre visits.
So, Rock Shox have a two year warranty on their products. I've had the bike 18 months so I'm within the warranty period. Have I got a reasonable case to get them to sort this out under warranty? I'm fed up with not knowing how the bike is going to ride from week to week, and I don't think that's great on a £2.7k bike.
Thoughts please. (Don't suggest new forks or dampers, I don't have the money at the minute, and I don't feel it's unreasonable to expect these forks to work for more than 18 months of fairly steady riding.)
Some details of bike and fork:
2018 Whyte T130S, RS Revelations (lowers serviced about two months ago by LLB at Flyup 417), rider weight 105-110kg, so RS suggests approx 120psi in the fork. Two bottomless tokens installed. I'm a steady rider who keeps his wheels on the ground most of the time so the bike and forks aren't getting hammered.
They're not working, take them to a shop and get them to send them to Sram.
Sounds like there is nothing left to do without striping and if you have to get someone to do that you might as well try the warranty approach. BTW doing the air shaft cycling is a lot easier with the front wheel out and putting your foot on the axle. I feel your pain as struggling myself trying to set some pikes setup.
I found rockshox service great. On a 6 month old set of forks I found the damper cracked during my own service, and they took the lot back, and did a full rebuild and fitted a new damper for £12 postage.
Has the issue been only ever since fly 417 did a lower leg service .if so I know where they may have cocked up ?
LBS can send the forks to Sram Tech for warranty inspection.
If the air shaft is scratched, or obvious lack of maintenance they may say its not a warranty issue.
Sram are generally good about warranty replacement, but will decline obvious neglect/damage.
I'm going to swing past the bike shop after work today and book the bike in to get the forks sent off.
The forks were poor before the service, which made me think a service was what they needed. The bike shop didn't mention any neglect or damage issues when they did the service.
Update to follow after I've been to the shop...
Its a very basic system - three seals (base, cap and piston) and a balancing port the piston seal must pass over to balance the chambers. It sounds like your negative is charging deeper into the stroke, which then doesn't discharge again as your forks are now sticking down and so the piston seal won't pass over the balancing port. Theres only two reasons for that - Either the seal on the piston is shot/poorly installed, or some dirt got in (normally through the valve) and has caused you to get a new balancing groove somewhere near the top of the stroke.
A service should have sorted/identified either so while I do agree RS service is generally top class, I they go back to RS I wouldn't expect it to be free if the forks were past their service interval or damaged inside. However, all that said, given your forks are gradually extending again I would say its a seal issue. A 10p o-ring thats easily replaced luckily.
Not really sure what the issue is. You have a problem with your forks, they are 18 months into a 24 month warranty, just go back to the bike shop and let them sort it out with Rockshox or Whyte. Yes they shouldn't really go wrong in 18 months but sometimes things just develop unexpected problems which is why they have warranty. Just move on and get them sorted under the warranty.