Re: How do the shocks work (break?) on Specialized Rock Hopper Comp FS

Linda Donovan said:

[email hidden] (Jim Edgar) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There is a circular sticker on the right side fork which
says Specialized Future FS Shock Sport (made in USA)

... the Future Shock FS you describe is probably what you have
... the Rock Shox Judy had thicker legs that did not taper

I just looked and these shocks taper ever so slightly, at the bottom.

Quoted message said:

If your shock is the Mag21, it used an air spring, so if someone used
it and "blew the seals", it would remain fully compressed as you
describe.

That *does* explain some things.

Quoted message said:

It does date back to the early days of suspension

The bike is about 5 years old (is that the 'early days' of
suspension)?

No. The "early days" of suspension were about 5-6 years before that.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

... for $250-300, you can get a brand new & complete bike with
a suspension fork.

Wow. Prices must have come *way* down! I paid over 700 dollars for
this mountain bike about 5 years ago in the bay area. I haven't priced
anything recently, but, $300 seems almost free. Even so, it seems like
forks should be a wear-and-tear item so parts & instructions would be
very accessible I would have thought.

Not really. For $250-$300 you will get a piece of junk. Your
Rockhopper FS Comp was/is a nice bike. It would be worth it to get the
shock fixed.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The FS Comp you own probably has a 1" steerer tube diameter,
which will make finding a currently manufactured fork reasonably
problematic...(most are 1 1/8" now and use a different type of stem).

Stem doesn't matter. You just match it to whatever fork you have. Back
in '94 the Rockhopper FS Comp was using an Ahead-Set, so I would assume
that it still would be in '99. If I remember correctly, it was an 1
1/8" steerer.

Quoted message said:

Just a few weeks ago I added a three-inch or so handlebar stem. The
bike shop was *not* a Specialized shop (so they didn't know anything
about the forks) but they did remove the handlebars and measure the
stem to be a standard that the off-the-shelf "Delta" adapter fit (to
compensate by adding height height due, in part, to the collapsed
forks).

Quoted message said:

probably find a 1" rigid (non-suspension) fork for $20-40.
Then you need to have a shop install it - probably $20+.

Wow. At those prices, it makes no sense to fix the shocks. But, I
really did like those bouncy things when I rode down the Santa Cruz
mountains along the San Andreas fault line. The rocks on the steep
4000 foot trail are as big as houses and the ride was as smooth as ...
well, as smooth as can be on a rocky trail.

Are my shocks that old (about 4 or 5 years) that it would be so hard
to find replacements?

No. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a shop that can fix your
bicycle correctly, or replace the shock with a more modern version.

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Threeducks <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If your shock is the Mag21, it used an air spring, so if someone used
it and "blew the seals", it would remain fully compressed as you
describe.

I have borrowed a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp FS mountain bike with
dual shocks of about the same age as yours (4 or 5 years). I think it
has metal springs. So, whoever borrowed your bike almost certainly
abused it beyond belief. I would consider ditching that friend if I
were you as it's almost impossible to break those metal springs. They
are like garage door torsion springs, they are so strong. I suspect
your friend purposefully broke them as they are really very hard to
break. Can't say how they did it, but, I'd confront them if I were
you. Shocks just don't break on their own.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The bike is about 5 years old (is that the 'early days' of
suspension)?

No. The "early days" of suspension were about 5-6 years before that.

Actually, the early days of suspension were about 1902, but, bicycles
(being the low tech things they are) never caught on. For example, I
wonder when bikes will finally get seats that don't require padded
panties for the rider to compensate for the poor engineering which
bike engineers pass off on consumers. The poor consumer has to add 10%
of the bike price for pads to compensate for lazy engineering. Amazing
we put up with that. They should all be fired ... or better yet,
offshored & bangalored in my opinion.

Orak Listalavostok

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Threeducks <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If your shock is the Mag21, it used an air spring, so if someone used
it and "blew the seals", it would remain fully compressed as you
describe.

I have borrowed a Specialized Rock Hopper Comp FS mountain bike with
dual shocks of about the same age as yours (4 or 5 years). I think it
has metal springs. So, whoever borrowed your bike almost certainly
abused it beyond belief. I would consider ditching that friend if I
were you as it's almost impossible to break those metal springs. They
are like garage door torsion springs, they are so strong. I suspect
your friend purposefully broke them as they are really very hard to
break. Can't say how they did it, but, I'd confront them if I were
you. Shocks just don't break on their own.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The bike is about 5 years old (is that the 'early days' of
suspension)?

No. The "early days" of suspension were about 5-6 years before that.

Actually, the early days of suspension were about 1902, but, bicycles
(being the low tech things they are) never caught on. For example, I
wonder when bikes will finally get seats that don't require padded
panties for the rider to compensate for the poor engineering which
bike engineers pass off on consumers. The poor consumer has to add 10%
of the bike price for pads to compensate for lazy engineering. Amazing
we put up with that. They should all be fired ... or better yet,
offshored & bangalored in my opinion.

Orak Listalavostok

--
rec.bicycles.off-road is moderated by volunteers. To find help solving
posting problems, or contact the moderators, please see http://rbor.org/
Please read the charter before posting: http://rbor.org/rbor_charter.txt