Lawwill/Control Tech Leader, anyone familiar with these?

[manbeer]

I'm getting a bike that is equipped with one of these next week and am trying to figure out if i want to keep it or not. It looks pretty cool but when i think of linkage forks i just think how many more exposed parts there are to cause me headaches down the line.

Has anyone had any prolonged experience with these and if so, how do you feel about them in terms of performance and durability. I try my best to maintain my stuff fanatically but it doesnt always happen.

As of now i have a regular mag 21, spec FSX carbon/ti mag 21 which both need seals and a 99 SID that i could easily throw on so if its going to be a problem i would rather just remove it now and throw it up for sale. Thanks

 

[jimjim2012]

If these are the forks i'm thinking of the jimmy5willy would be very interested in them.
Give him a PM if you are selling.
They would go with his Coyote frame.

 

[jimjim2012]

out of interest what bike is it that's going to be added to the collection?

 

[manbeer]

out of interest what bike is it that's going to be added to the collection?

Nothing too exciting, its a mid 90's Barracuda Cuda Comp that has an eclectic mix of high end parts and crap that looks like it came off a department store bike. It has this fork, a nice salsa stem, king headset,and other goodies, and most of the drivetrain is like shimano alivio/acera. Have a feeling it was one of those deals where someone got it secondhand, brought it to a bike shop that didnt understand the value of it and threw on whatever would fit at a time where the good comps where turning into 9speed. I'll def PM the member that you mentioned should i decide to part with it. Thanks for the heads up

 

[jimjim2012]

That's an aluminium frame, right? quite liked the look of them.

are these the forks? can only imagine that the shock might be a bit of a hassle for spare parts but then i wouldn't be thrashing a bike with this fitted.

 

[Senri]

I can't say I have prolonged experience with them, but I have them on my Rafty. I rode this summer with them and I am very satisfied. Very light and do the job well, dispite the stated short travel. Depending on the model, be carefull with the vent for the air. It is a rubbber thingy that is hard to replace.

 

[manbeer]

^Thats the one!!!

Anyway since this is going to be a sort of "beater" bike i just want something that can be ridden hard with as little maintenence as possible. In addition, if it winds up being in as good of shape as it looked in the pics id rather send it to a good home than abuse it.

And yes, the barracuda is an Easton ProGram frame which should be pretty nice. I have an XX Team on the way which was just their house brand 7005 alum on the way as well so i am curious to see if there is any discernable difference between the two.

 

[jimmy5willy]

If these are the forks i'm thinking of the jimmy5willy would be very interested in them.
Give him a PM if you are selling.
They would go with his Coyote frame.

This is true!
I'm after a Lawwill for the Coyote if you're gonna get rid....
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... c&start=15

 

[FairfaxPat]

I helped Mert Lawwill develop that fork and the name for it back in 1990. It is very sturdy and will take a lot of abuse without breaking. Risse Racing is still in business in Northern Cal. and can rebuild/supply parts for the shock.
The reason it has 2 lower links is to control the amount of trail. When the fork is fully compressed or fully extended, the amount of trail does not change, unlike a tubular fork. This gives a consistent handling feel- unlike a tubular fork, where the amount of trail shortens as the fork compresses and the steering quickens up.
Another feature is the upward sloping links, that allow it to rise up easily when ramming into a curb or similar obstruction in your path. There are also grease ports to service it.

 

[manbeer]

Got this in, weird that it seems to be a 1" in a 1 1/8 headset :shock:

Looking pretty mint though