DIY Manitou II rebound damper...

[We_are_Stevo]

Having championed the 'Wings' spring kits on here before, and finally got around to sorting out at least one of my forks, I decided to give the lack of damping issue some thought...

Developing the long-travel conversion idea, the link to which was kindly posted recently by Ben...

http://206.75.155.18/kmr/manitou.html

...I bought some 30mm longer stainless allen-bolts and a couple rubber bungs with a 5mm hole. Using the original internal washers I came up with this;

...which I reckon is going to be just dandy...

I've also bought a Manitou M-Sport fork (see above link...) so that I can convert them to 100mm travel with some extra springs and even longer bolts (180mm as opposed to the std 120mm - the bolts pictured above are 150mm...)

I'll post photo's at both stages and report on the improved response in due course...

 

[Rio]

Hi Stevo,
any news on this yet? Very interesting idea. I've got a M-sport as well. Elastomers are completely gone, so now wondering if I should buy new ones or springs.

 

[drcarlos]

If you want actual damping you will need to buy replacement elastomers, if you just want to elimnate the rebound clunk you would get with an undamped fork with the wings kit you can put in some rubber bungs.
Unfortunately elastomers aren't a great medium for bike suspension but in the old forks that originally had them it's the best you'll get, unless there is a coil spring and damper cartridge conversion (wasn't there one for the Mani3 and 4 to make them like the EFC?).

Carl.

 

[Rio]

If you want actual damping you will need to buy replacement elastomers, if you just want to elimnate the rebound clunk you would get with an undamped fork with the wings kit you can put in some rubber bungs.
Unfortunately elastomers aren't a great medium for bike suspension but in the old forks that originally had them it's the best you'll get, unless there is a coil spring and damper cartridge conversion (wasn't there one for the Mani3 and 4 to make them like the EFC?).

Carl.

maybee spring in one leg and elastomer in the other? I read about people riding that way and really getting more out of their forks

 

[drcarlos]

If you want actual damping you will need to buy replacement elastomers, if you just want to elimnate the rebound clunk you would get with an undamped fork with the wings kit you can put in some rubber bungs.
Unfortunately elastomers aren't a great medium for bike suspension but in the old forks that originally had them it's the best you'll get, unless there is a coil spring and damper cartridge conversion (wasn't there one for the Mani3 and 4 to make them like the EFC?).

Carl.

maybee spring in one leg and elastomer in the other? I read about people riding that way and really getting more out of their forks

Certainly an option, it would provide some damping, you could also try out the longer bolts and extend the stack by 30mm (think thats the height of one elastomer) if the leg are long enough. Would be nice to use the spring in one leg and damper in the other arrangement but I don't think they are stiff enough to handle that.

Carl.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

IMHO unless you are going to be hammering down long steep hills with terrain like a washboard you really don't need sophisticated suspension on a pushbike;

M'cycles are a different kettle of fish because you have a lot more weight going a hell of a lot faster so it all needs to be controlled.

With a pushy all you need (generally...) is something to make the bike more comfortable to ride; for the type of riding I (and probably most of the members on here if they're honest...) do, the correct rate springs for your weight are perfectly adequate.

Set up correctly you'll have a degree of 'sag' to accommodate rebound, my much derided 'rubber bungs' eliminate the annoying 'clunk' in the event of topping out, and springs are 'fit & forget...'

...and no I haven't got around to extending my MII's travel yet I have all the bits I need apart from some 200mm M6 bolts (which I shall probably cobble together myself courtesy of some threaded M6 bar from B&Q).

I'm also thinking about making myself some Delrin spacers to join the two springs I'm using so the they locate centrally withing the fork leg rather than just flopping about round the bolt...

...NOTE TO SELF: GET ON WITH IT! :roll:

 

[mikee]

generally agree with you stevo , however this time your not right , bicycles still benefit from properly functioning suspension
have you ridden a properly set up modern bike?
in comparison to most old bikes its night and day
weather we need this level of sophistication is another matter and seeing as my ride time is split between fully rigid s/s and GT LTS DH
oh and a modern carbon wonder bike i cant say i do (well not all of the time )

 

[We_are_Stevo]

I didn't say they didn't benefit from it, I just said it wasn't really necessary...

...and that is just my opinion, I don't expect many people to agree with me!

It just amuses me to see commuters on expensive bikes with sophisticated suspension when all you need is a decent volume tyre;

For the sort of riding I do beefed-up 'retro' suspension is perfectly adequate, and springs suit my build cos I'm lardy enough to make them work

(...the Leigh Hill ride I missed out on is just my cup of tea - lots of single track, a few climbs and some 'down' bits - perfect )

 

[FluffyChicken]

Most people just get on their bike and ride and many on here just buy some forks, stick them on and do little with them. Either think they're crap or ace or just a bit comfier.
Few set the fork up for the correct sag.
Fewer adjust the damping (or even know if they have it)
Not many venture into the internals of the forks.

Give them air oil and as long as they can pump them up to a 'nice feel' when they push the front end down.
Hardly any would setup oil heights and play around with the forks to make them work 'properly'

Many are riding the wrong springs if they have them.

Half the time even I cannot be bothered to pump my forks up if they are a bit flat, or try to make sure all my travel is being used.

Faff with the small difference of damping Elastomers might (people still debate if they actual do or they are just shite at returning to original length anyway) that I cannot see any problem.

Enough rant,
have fun playing with them and see what you can come up with.

 

[We_are_Stevo]

...they are just shite at returning to original length anyway

Makes me smile when people point out their fancy suspension that they fail to notice disappears as soon as they sit on the bike because most suspension comes out of the factory set for young teenagers, not tubby middleaged blokes!

Hence my 235lb rated springs

...which, technically, I'm still too heavy for!