Entry Level Forks-SunTour XCT

[ChrisKH]

Hi, I bought my son a cheap Decathlon second hand MTB (3 years old) to use at Uni. Typically it looked better than it actually was and I have ended up stripping it back to the frame and re-building it. I have no issues with any of the re-build - had a freewheel back cog for the first time which was interesting - but no real issues.

However when I got to the fork, which I could tell had some problems as it was squeaking although still working I'm a complete novice. Have never had a fork, even entry level before. I had a choice to replace (which I'm still considering) and a complete strip and re-build to see if I can get some further life out of it. Anyhow, stripped it down and the inner stancheons were totally different. One side (RHS, as you sit) had a spring and an inner part made of rubber all of which is salvageable and can be cleaned and re-greased. The other side had nothing.

I have two questions (or maybe three). Ditch it and buy a new fork?

If not, should there be a spring each side, or do the cheaper forks only have one side sprung? It's just that the LHS fork (as you sit on the bike) seems totally pointless without a spring, but when has logic had anything to do with bikes? I thought previous owner could have taken it out, had it nicked etc. I have no idea.

Do these entry level forks use oil? I think not, being only sprung, but then when I opened up the RHS it was full of, well, something. Wouldn't call it oil, probably water seepage as it was black and watery, but way too much IMO. Again, am clueless.

I can't even find a product manual that will provide any clues. You Tube is only partially helpful and I've not seen anything close to the fork version I have being dismantled, as the ones I have seen in parts have two springs. Clearly not a gas or air fork. It's a pre-tensioned fork, as you can adjust it hard or soft on the RHS, but that's it.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Milkfloat]

I have some old Suntour XCR forks, you are welcome to them if you want as I spent £20 on some rigid forks as an upgrade for a commuter bike. The fact I am willing to give away the suspension fork over a £20 lump of iron says quite a bit.

 

[raleighnut]

Single spring and no damping other than a bit of rubber is standard for cheapo fork,

 

[Drago]

No oil, just grease. They're truly hideous forks, and if your boy is a hefty lad he'll overwhelm them. You can buy different weight springs, but they all seem to be mysteriously exactly the same and sag exactly as much as the old ones.

 

[iluvmybike]

To take them apart you need a special cap remover tool. Those Suntour forks never last very long and get play in stanchions quite quickly. I'd replace them with something like the Rockshox 30

 

[derrick]

Hi, I bought my son a cheap Decathlon second hand MTB (3 years old) to use at Uni. Typically it looked better than it actually was and I have ended up stripping it back to the frame and re-building it. I have no issues with any of the re-build - had a freewheel back cog for the first time which was interesting - but no real issues.

However when I got to the fork, which I could tell had some problems as it was squeaking although still working I'm a complete novice. Have never had a fork, even entry level before. I had a choice to replace (which I'm still considering) and a complete strip and re-build to see if I can get some further life out of it. Anyhow, stripped it down and the inner stancheons were totally different. One side (RHS, as you sit) had a spring and an inner part made of rubber all of which is salvageable and can be cleaned and re-greased. The other side had nothing.

I have two questions (or maybe three). Ditch it and buy a new fork?

If not, should there be a spring each side, or do the cheaper forks only have one side sprung? It's just that the LHS fork (as you sit on the bike) seems totally pointless without a spring, but when has logic had anything to do with bikes? I thought previous owner could have taken it out, had it nicked etc. I have no idea.

Do these entry level forks use oil? I think not, being only sprung, but then when I opened up the RHS it was full of, well, something. Wouldn't call it oil, probably water seepage as it was black and watery, but way too much IMO. Again, am clueless.

I can't even find a product manual that will provide any clues. You Tube is only partially helpful and I've not seen anything close to the fork version I have being dismantled, as the ones I have seen in parts have two springs. Clearly not a gas or air fork. It's a pre-tensioned fork, as you can adjust it hard or soft on the RHS, but that's it.

Thanks for any help.

Fit a light wieght rigid fork. Much nicer.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Fit a light wieght rigid fork. Much nicer.

Light weight rigid fork will save weight and pfaff, and who needs a suspension fork like that anyway, all it's doing is adding weight and supposedly ornament. Made to sell bikes, not cushion them all that much.