Rockshox J1. Repair or replace?
03-25-23, 01:18 AM
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Rockshox J1. Repair or replace?
I have an old Rockshox J1 that's well over 10 years old and likely in need of an overhaul by now.
Is it worth a rebuild or is it tome to upgrade the fork?
Is it worth a rebuild or is it tome to upgrade the fork?
03-25-23, 09:30 AM
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No suspension expert here (although I did a few Mag 21 services way back when) but I would wonder if replacement parts are still even available. IIRC it was the rapid "advancements" and hard life suspension parts saw that fueled the industry to stop looking at the fork as a frame part but a component. Most fork manufactures then chose to offer after sale support (parts/service) for only 3 years. Now that 10 years has gone by... Andy
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03-25-23, 04:29 PM
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is the steerer tube 1" or 1 1/8"?
Threaded or non-threaded steerer?
Have you looked for a rebuild kit yet?
there MAY be something available...
1" steerer forks are getting tough to find..
threaded steerers need to be matched Exactly to the previous fork's length, making them nearly impossible to find.
i'd consider pulling the fork open and cleaning/re-lubing it, then thinking about getting a Rock Shox Recon as an upgrade
IF the fork is a 1 1/8" steerer....
... all bets are off if it's a 1"
Threaded or non-threaded steerer?
Have you looked for a rebuild kit yet?
there MAY be something available...
1" steerer forks are getting tough to find..
threaded steerers need to be matched Exactly to the previous fork's length, making them nearly impossible to find.
i'd consider pulling the fork open and cleaning/re-lubing it, then thinking about getting a Rock Shox Recon as an upgrade
IF the fork is a 1 1/8" steerer....
... all bets are off if it's a 1"
03-26-23, 09:17 AM
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Did it sit in the garage for those 10 years or is it so worn that you can see grooves where the seals contact the fork? As others have noted, your decision might be driven more by availability of the needed parts than the actual wear on the fork.
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03-27-23, 12:28 PM
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is the steerer tube 1" or 1 1/8"?
Threaded or non-threaded steerer?
Have you looked for a rebuild kit yet?
there MAY be something available...
1" steerer forks are getting tough to find..
threaded steerers need to be matched Exactly to the previous fork's length, making them nearly impossible to find.
i'd consider pulling the fork open and cleaning/re-lubing it, then thinking about getting a Rock Shox Recon as an upgrade
IF the fork is a 1 1/8" steerer....
... all bets are off if it's a 1"
Threaded or non-threaded steerer?
Have you looked for a rebuild kit yet?
there MAY be something available...
1" steerer forks are getting tough to find..
threaded steerers need to be matched Exactly to the previous fork's length, making them nearly impossible to find.
i'd consider pulling the fork open and cleaning/re-lubing it, then thinking about getting a Rock Shox Recon as an upgrade
IF the fork is a 1 1/8" steerer....
... all bets are off if it's a 1"
I've noticed it's stiffer in movement and doesn't respond to the sharper bumps anymore.
I had a similar shock wear to the point that the front wheel would change direction without the handlebars moving so that was.... terrifying and would prefer to avoid that in the future.
I've seen a few seal kits here and there but honestly not sure what to look for.
03-27-23, 01:33 PM
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1 1/8"
It's actually been used the whole time.
I've noticed it's stiffer in movement and doesn't respond to the sharper bumps anymore.
I had a similar shock wear to the point that the front wheel would change direction without the handlebars moving so that was.... terrifying and would prefer to avoid that in the future.
I've seen a few seal kits here and there but honestly not sure what to look for.
It's actually been used the whole time.
I've noticed it's stiffer in movement and doesn't respond to the sharper bumps anymore.
I had a similar shock wear to the point that the front wheel would change direction without the handlebars moving so that was.... terrifying and would prefer to avoid that in the future.
I've seen a few seal kits here and there but honestly not sure what to look for.
03-27-23, 10:36 PM
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With Andrew R Stewart spares are going to be the biggest issue, seals will not be an issues, as there are aftermarket options, anything else for a 10 year old Rock Shox, unless you can find NOS, forget it.
Will it be cost effective vs a new fork, no, will it be worth giving it a go to see if you can, why not, all you lose is a little time, and will gain experience
Will it be cost effective vs a new fork, no, will it be worth giving it a go to see if you can, why not, all you lose is a little time, and will gain experience
