Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the March Giveaway: Coming Soon 3/24


DIY suspension help
#1
Hello, I have an old racing bike, in the future i´m planing putting an electric motor, so I need a shock absorber system, haven´t found a suspension neither for front or rear wheels for this kind of bikes, so I thought of creating it myself, the main problem is that I don´t know where or what to do, never done this before, that´s why I need some help, guiding, ideas, etc. Anything can help.

I would like to keep the original forks if possible. Can I add a suspension to this forks ?

I´ll wait for your answers.


Matias.
  Reply
#2
I don't think this is a good idea, but if its possible I think we need some pictures of the bike.
  Reply
#3
If this is a standard frame to start with then the basic answer is no!. Not without a lot of modification.
You could possibly swap the front forks for some 700c suspension forks and use a suspension seat-post and comfy saddle?
Maybe best to look out for a cheap full suspension MTB frame.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#4
No. Just no.

A standard MTB rear shock that isn't a POS elastomer (which won't work anyway as they won't take the abuse) is under pressure, anywhere from 70-200PSI depending on manufacturer and rider weight. Throw an electric motor into the equation and you'll probs need something beefier.

Front suspension requires you to have anodized tubes that fit perfectly into tight bushes in the lowers (what the wheel bolts on to). IF the bushes in the lowers are not perfectly aligned and fitted, they'll have play and this will gradually tear them apart.

Proper suspension forks (Not RSTs, they die really quickly and you'd be better off with a rigid) cost a lot of money new for a reason; a lot of effort goes into their design.

Poorly built and setup rear suspension is more dangerous than dodgy forks! Don't try and mod your frame to take a shock.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
5,821
09-02-2017, 08:38 AM
Last Post: WesleyNL
 
11,971
04-07-2016, 05:57 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
11,552
05-26-2013, 09:05 AM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
11,166
02-06-2013, 11:07 AM
Last Post: Dan
 
15,763
10-10-2010, 06:48 AM
Last Post: xerxes

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Santini fluted frame
Today 01:52 AM
2010 Specialized Hardrock
03-26-2024 09:16 PM
1990 Specialized Rockhopper How to Fluff...
03-25-2024 07:05 PM
Thread busted on right pedal crank
03-24-2024 08:52 PM
Trek domane tyre
03-24-2024 05:48 PM
Modern rims crack at spoke holes
03-24-2024 05:32 PM
Cup & Cone — Simple & Durable or PITA & ...
03-24-2024 04:53 PM
Falling back
03-24-2024 04:45 PM
Derailluer Hanger Alignment Tool
03-24-2024 02:51 PM
Chain sits on top of chainring when shif...
03-24-2024 02:41 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Painkiller
20 posts
no avatar 2. ReapThaWhirlwind
16 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
15 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
15 posts
no avatar 5. Jesper
15 posts