Do I need a fork pump?

kenmc

My new MTB came with RockShox Tora 318s, and i was pleasantly surprised to find that they have a valve for adding air to them; I can only assume therefore that they are indeed air suspension forks

Anyway, not having ever had one of these beasties before, I don't really know when or how I should adjust the air pressures. Is it something that needs to be done regularly like a tire? Or is it something that once set is good pretty much forever?

And finally, do I need to get a specific shock pump like I see on CRC e.g. this, and if so, what should I look out for when buying one? (and can they also be used for pumping tires?)
Or can I get away with using my track pump?

seamus

Depends on how accurate your track pump is tbh. The amount of air required in the fork to increase the pressure is relatively small such that one full downstroke on a track pump could more than fill the shock leg. Then when releasing the pump, you will lose some air. This isn't a huge deal in a tyre, but where you only have a tiny bit of air to begin with, the tiny "FSSH" when you release the pump could be 25% of the air you just put in.

In my experience, it's not something which you need to screw with very often - you generally set the pressure that fits you, and you're done. But if you need to service the fork or some little f*ck comes along and releases the pressure, you're going to need the shock pump.

CheGuedara

Yes you need a fork pump, it's unlikely that a track pump would fit and you wouldn't have the accuracy on it to correctly set the pressures for the fork (i'd imagine)

I've reeba race's on my mtb and use this pump to set them up, http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14346. It's a bit big but it doubles as both fork and tyre pump, can be carried on the bike (althought the gague needs to be stowed in a saddlebag or pocket) and seems to be spot on accurate regarding pressures. Inflates tyres pretty fast too.

concussion

SRAM's air pressure tables -

http://www.sram.com/_media/pdf/service/air_inflation.pdf

Set it for your weight and go for a ride - add or remove air as needed to suit yourself. If it starts to feel a bit boggy just top it up. Messing around with it won't do anything unless you start using it with way too much pressure or way too little. You should check it regularly to ensure pressure is being maintained - if you have air/air or air/coil the other leg could end up doing all the work.

Halfrauds

seamus wrote: »

Depends on how accurate your track pump is tbh. The amount of air required in the fork to increase the pressure is relatively small such that one full downstroke on a track pump could more than fill the shock leg. Then when releasing the pump, you will lose some air. This isn't a huge deal in a tyre, but where you only have a tiny bit of air to begin with, the tiny "FSSH" when you release the pump could be 25% of the air you just put in.

.

god a track pump would ahnialate a fork, plus i think the valve is countersunk on all forks??? and you need a adaptor??

when you release a pump that noise of escaping air is air escaping the pumps line, not the tube.


Rockshox were giving out free forks there last year beause of a probem with using the wrong seals on the dart/tora range, you may get lucky;)

kenmc

thanks for the replies, there's one in the post from CRC as I speak erm type.

seamus

Halfrauds wrote: »

god a track pump would ahnialate a fork, plus i think the valve is countersunk on all forks??? and you need a adaptor??

Yeah, though afaik they all come with an adaptor.

when you release a pump that noise of escaping air is air escaping the pumps line, not the tube.

I was actually thinking of the cheapy screw-on barrell pumps which everyone has at least one of in the their shed, but you're right for track pumps.

logistic

kenmc wrote: »

And finally, do I need to get a specific shock pump like I see on CRC e.g. this, and if so, what should I look out for when buying one? (and can they also be used for pumping tires?)
Or can I get away with using my track pump?

I have the same shock pump you listed. Nice and compact, accurate dial for readouts and great bleed function. I can highly recommend it.

kenmc

bit late now that I've ordered it, but good to know. thanks.