How long do old suspension forks last?
I have an old bike, circa 1997, with an Indy xc fork. I think it's an elastomer bumper inside.
Does that wear out and fail?
It seems ok on light riding, but am I going to hit a big bump and it just collapse and send me @$$ over tea kettle?
Old rockshox Indy xc : longevity
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pvnisher
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SkaredShtles
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Re: Old rockshox Indy xc : longevity
Probably. Those forks were $hit when they were new... I'm certain age will not have improved them. 
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justiner
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Re: Old rockshox Indy xc : longevity
The elastomers not did last long and would def need replacing. There’s third party companies that do so. There’s also companies that may be able to replace the elastomer system with something else (springs!). It would be a labor of love and maybe the better move is to source a replacement rigid fork.
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SkaredShtles
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pvnisher
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Re: Old rockshox Indy xc : longevity
I saw replacement rubber for sale, $67. Of course, the stanchions have rust, and I assume the seals are shot.
So maybe replacing the fork altogether would be better.
Why go for rigid fork?
The intent of the bike is basically for gravel riding and all around. I have slicks I put on it when it was my only bike, as well as pannier attachments, and trail tires and such for (hopefully) some bike packing in Thailand.
The bike shifts well, is light, so I figure just keep riding it. If I replace the fork what would a good cost effective one be for those uses?
Giant ATX 870, for the record.
So maybe replacing the fork altogether would be better.
Why go for rigid fork?
The intent of the bike is basically for gravel riding and all around. I have slicks I put on it when it was my only bike, as well as pannier attachments, and trail tires and such for (hopefully) some bike packing in Thailand.
The bike shifts well, is light, so I figure just keep riding it. If I replace the fork what would a good cost effective one be for those uses?
Giant ATX 870, for the record.
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SkaredShtles
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Re: Old rockshox Indy xc : longevity
It will be nigh on impossible to find a decent replacement suspension fork that will fit the head tube...pvnisher wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 5:32 pm I saw replacement rubber for sale, $67. Of course, the stanchions have rust, and I assume the seals are shot.
So maybe replacing the fork altogether would be better.
Why go for rigid fork?
The intent of the bike is basically for gravel riding and all around. I have slicks I put on it when it was my only bike, as well as pannier attachments, and trail tires and such for (hopefully) some bike packing in Thailand.
The bike shifts well, is light, so I figure just keep riding it. If I replace the fork what would a good cost effective one be for those uses?
Giant ATX 870, for the record.
