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Fork lockout?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi guys, I'm looking to do some sort of intra-day enduro event by the middle of next year as a goal for mtb skills and rehab from some old injuries.
On the equipment front, is a lockout on the front fork required and/or useful for these events? I have a Jekyll 800 with a plain-vanilla coil-sprung Lefty Max 130mm fork with rebound only, no lockout or pedal platform. Is it worth getting a lockout fitted to the front? It already has a Fox RL pro-pedal rear shock. Thanks for your help. Cheers, Hawkeye
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Not sure what kind of event you're talking about, but...
On the front I only ever lock the fork on the road (think the last 4Km of Dirtworks), or very rarely on long climbs that you can stand on (which due to grip isn't many on the dirt) - think the road climb up West Head Road between Duck Hole & Centre. I do tend to run forks quiet stiff though.
Think what I'm saying here is it's sometimes useful, but I wouldn't really miss a front lock out.
FWIW, when I had a Jekyll I used to lock the rear out on the road or some longer climbs only. Now I ride pro-pedal find this not really necessary. Although with an RP23 do like to put it on the 'firm' setting if we stop and need to climb on the road - otherwise mostly leave it.
I avoid the temptation of making the ride easier. What doesn't kill you...
I have a handle bar mounted lockout on my RockShox PIKE's.
I use the lock out on the steep climbs when you need to get out of the saddle and over the bars, stops the bob. Only problem is I often forget to turn off the lock out after the climb, makes for a bumpy downhill.
I also sometimes use the lock out if I'm doing a large roll over, it stops the fork saging to much which can send you over the bars.
Pikey
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Salad is what food eats
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I'm similar to Pikey with a bar mounted lockout for a RockShox Revelation.
I commute a fair bit and lock it out completely. For off road, I set it up so that the lockout still leaves some compliance ( using the external floodgate). Works really well up hills and still soaks up the big hits when you forget to switch it off on the way down !
Still getting used to it, but so far pretty impressed.
CB
Thanks for the feedback, guys. I don't ride the Jekyll on the road much - I have a Mongoose Tyax beater with skinny slicks for commuting duties.
Bottom line appears to be: it might be useful if I feel like spending the money, but it's not really a must-have item.
Thanks again!