Suspension fork - 26inch wheel with v brakes

[l4dva]

I currently have some RST 381R forks, they work but not smooth at all.

Google searching suggest this is not serviceable or not worth the expense. I can’t find any parts, but not searched super hard yet. Is it worth me trying to service it. I haven’t opened it up yet.

Or should I find a replacement. What options do I have. I won’t be doing anything hard core, the odd mountain bike park trip and then canal path, off road trails etc. needs to be 26inch and v brake compatible, I have no desire to go disc brake on this bike

 

[Yellow Saddle]

A proper suspension fork (singular, with the s) is expensive and requires regular maintenance by a professional. Proper 26" forks with V-brake mounts are rare and still expensive with expensive maintenance every 50 hours of riding, otherwise they become regular forks.

Therefore I always recommend people go for a rigid fork in this scenario. Like you say, you're not doing hardcore stuff after all.

Cheap suspensino forks are just expensive and heavy rubbish. Go rigid or go full-on, but be prepared to pay,

 

[joeegg]

If your bike came with the RST forks you'll probably find that a new pair of forks are more expensive than what the bike is worth.Open the forks up but RST have always been towards the bottom end of effectiveness even new.

 

[l4dva]

Fair advice - thanks.

I’m not too clued up on suspension gear - never had any before. The bike is 90’s kona, with deore group set. I got it second hand recently. I rode it a few times on the trails and was very impressed with the comfort. So the forks are rebounding for sure, but I have now stripped the bike down to clean it up and fit a new 1x group I’ve noticed the forks are a little notchy when I press them down. I haven’t tried to turn the dails, they are a bit stiff. In honesty I don’t know what I’m doing at all when it comes to suspension forks. I need to spend some time learning. I think I’ll leave it as is for now, it’s not broken (yet) and I can still ride them as they are. Maybe try service them myself if I can find parts/learn enough to give it a go or find a shop that will do it.

I think modern very sophisticated forks are overkill for me for sure. But something basic that will give a bit of comfort might be worth keeping IF I can maintain it myself. Otherwise I’ll just ditch them and put a normal fork in.