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So recently ,February, i bought a new canyon spectral cf.7, it came with a set of pike rc's
which initially felt super plush and smooth out the box, and for the first 10-15 rides. However, they've recently started to feel rather harsh (dry) and feels as if there is friction when i cycle the suspension, it also sounds like some sort of click is coming from the forks interior under compression. Anyone have any suggestions on what this could be? I dont fancy taking the fork apart as its almost new!
I'd hazard a guess either you or someone else will have to take the forks apart. A lower leg service is really easy. Its not unkown for RS forks to come with little or no oil in lowers
A long time ago, I had a Rock Shox Psylo (tells you how long ago). I’d never been that impressed with it and whilst at a Mountain Mayhem I was able to get the Rock Shox tech to look at it. He stripped the fork and it was bone dry inside. He sorted it out and it was much better after that. Not saying your fork is the same, but if you’re not happy get them investigated.
Sounds like you want to do a lower leg service.
A good thing to learn anyway as it will prolong the life of your fork
10-15 rides could quite easily exceed the 50 hour interval.(because "ride" is a not an si unit )
Seems odd as i wouldnt say its had anywhere near 50 hours riding(plus it seems to have suddenly started), but might be the way forwards. Any suggestions on what the clunk could be ?
Felt super good initially though!
Its not unkown for RS forks to come with little or no oil in lowers
Rockshox quality control is piss poor... I wouldn’t fit a Rockshox fork to a bike without first giving it a lower leg service, as they often come very dry from the factory. I’ve seen many many Rockshox forks warrantied for scored or worn stanchions inside a year for this exact reason.
Ill give the lowers a service and see if thats the problem then. You recommend a full change of seals and foam rings ?
Either warranty them or pull the lowers off for a look. Sram tech turnaround is quick for warranty work at the moment (assuming service issue or parts in stock), but couriers can be delayed.
You also check if the click is a creaky CSU.
Ill give the lowers a service and see if thats the problem then. You recommend a full change of seals and foam rings ?
If its new I would just strip/clean/grease/oil as appropriate, I would probably fit new foam rings as I have loads, but would happily clean and re use at that age to DIY at home.
warranty will just do the same thing probably (lower leg service) so suppose ill give it a go myself.
its not really a creak. sounds like more of a tap or clunk. Stanchions are making a bit of noise though maybe due to friction and lack of lubrication.
You can cycle the damper by hand with the lowers off, if you have circlip pliers its easy to pull out the air shaft as well. Depends how far you want to go.
I think they have got harsh because they have gone dry
lower leg service & make sure the foam rings get a good soaking in suspension fluid too
I bought a new set of Pikes and they felt shit and knocked. After three rides they got stuck mid travel. I returned them for a refund.
The next set I bought, I pulled the lowers off before fitting them, there can't have been more than 5ml of oil in them. I rebuilt them with the correct amount of oil and they've been great.
I just fitted some new lyriks but changed the air shaft prior to fitting. I was surprised by how little oil came out of them. Worth a lower leg service id say.
Followed all your advice and serviced the lowers today, hardly any oil came out when i removed the lowers (it cant have been the right amount). Cleaned, greased, re-filled with oil (10ml in each) and they're running nice and smooth so far (although haven't been on a proper ride yet). Surprised sram fail to put the correct amount of oil in there rockshox forks, but it was good to learn how to service the lowers anyway.Ill update once ive ridden them in .
Thanks for all your advice ,seems to have worked out well so far !
Nice one- it sounds scary but if you can undo a bolt, pour a shot, and wipe your arse you have all the skills required to do a rockshox lowers service
When servicing the lowers, its also worth doing the air shaft at the same time, as that can dry out and start to become sticky as well.
so it feels good , however on hard compressions it feels slightly rough like its scraping something. Any ideas?
I've just dropped the lowers of a new Lyrik.
Plenty of oil but the foam rings were dry and there was no grease on the iners of the seals.
Sounds like you have the spring backed IFP Damper, they need more TLC than the sealed one as they purge their oil through the port over time, and when the oil mixes with the lower oil it tends to not be very lubricating although I think thats supposed to be ok. It's very noticeable how much the performance drops off quite quickly even if the lower is full of damper oil. Whip the lowers off, get rid of any purged oil and re-lube with some 0W30 as described and you've done and be back to good in no time.
You may find the damper starts to run dry too, its a fairly easy bleed. People who ask me get on my opinion get that same advice - great forks but a higher maintenance proposition than the sealed units.
So you recommend just servicing the lowers again?