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i'm tempted by a smashpot coil conversion for my fox 38's, but finding conflicting opinions online as to if it's a reversible process if i don't like it.
i know that you can't on smaller diameter sanctions as the spring scratches the inside of the sanctions, leading to issues for seals if you want to go back to air spring, but on 38's there seems to be a sheath around the coil spring to protect against this. I also thought the 38 air springs where in a self contained smaller diameter cartridge inside the stanchion - surely this would negate any issues should i want to reverse the coil conversion?
anyone know for definite or have real world experiences, otherwise it could be an expensive experiment!
Very easy to look up from vorsprungsuspension website:
Can I convert my fork back to air afterwards?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Going back to air, should you wish to, may not be an option - spring rub may score the inside of your stanchion, so the the air piston may not seal again. The spring is both isolated and guided to minimise stanchion knock and rub, however there are no guarantees an air spring will seal again after riding with a spring installed. We'd be pretty surprised if anyone actually wanted to do this after riding the Smashpot though.
I'm pretty sure no. Isn't it on the Vorsprung Website Q&As?
Very easy to look up from vorsprungsuspension website:
Can I convert my fork back to air afterwards?<br style=”box-sizing: border-box;” />Going back to air, should you wish to, may not be an option – spring rub may score the inside of your stanchion, so the the air piston may not seal again. The spring is both isolated and guided to minimise stanchion knock and rub, however there are no guarantees an air spring will seal again after riding with a spring installed. We’d be pretty surprised if anyone actually wanted to do this after riding the Smashpot though.
yes, i'd seen that, but its a fairly general statement , rather than specific to larger diameter sanctions or the seemingly cartridge airspring of the fox 38,which is why i was asking for real-world experiences
Can you not just switch the leg side the air shaft runs in? I know you can do this with the Formula Selva forks.
Seeing as the smashpot runs in a thick plastic sleeve which protects the inner on 38s/Zebs, and the fact 38s use the catridge style air spring, Id suggest youd be very unlucky if you converted them back and they leaked air.
Have a look at Vorsprung 9n YouTube. About 3 years ago, Steve did a strip down of the 38 and clearly explained the new air spring.
The inner tube doesn't go all the 2ay to the top of the stanchion so in theory, it would be 3xposed to the spring should it run through the sleeve. However, that's not the area where you would expect the spring to buckle.
As above, you'd be really unlucky if it wasn't reversible. Not sure how many people have 3ver wanted to though.
Be surprised if you didn’t stick with smashpot given how good it is plus the initial cost of it. Though consider extra cost if you end up trying a few different springs. Just be aware that on weight the claimed extra weight was optimistic. I was easy an extra 200g over the website claim. Worth it though.
I think you would be fine. The 38 air spring isn't inside the stanchion, its inside a tube in the stanchion and sealed about 2" down from the top cap. With the newer spring isolators Vorsprung have supplied us with for sale with the smash pot I think you would be very unlucky not to be able to go back. IMHO spring oscillation will be greatest in the middle, far away from where the air spring seals.
We have had customers go back too air on 38's without problem. However their is always a slight chance of it marking inside the stanchion however remote that might be,
Great stuff, thanks for all the input, has made the decision easier to give it a go
FWIW I removed a Smashpot from a Yari after a few months of use and had no issues with leaks.
I removed a smash pot from a customers Fox 36 this week and the inside of the stanchion was immaculate with no scratches or wear whatsoever. The original air assembly was re-fitted at the request of the customer.