Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association - Forums

As the new owner of a bike w/ a lock-out front fork... I'm wondering if anyone actually locks out their front fork while riding?  And if you do, why? 

Also, while I have you... what about changing the amount of compression for your back suspension?  Any one do that while riding?  And, why?

Thanks for any advice/info you can give me!

It's definitely nice to have the option. Depending on the model, forks tend to bounce a lot, which is great for a smooth controlled ride, but not so great for efficiency. Where you really want to lock it out is on non technical climbs, especially if you are standing and climbing; you'll really feel the difference. And if you are ever on the road you can pretty much lock it out all the time unless you are curb jumping.

In the race at French Creek I locked out the fork on a road climb and of course forgot to unlock it in the woods. In a place like that you'll quickly realize how much you miss suspension!

The rear compression damping you probably won't change on the fly very often. But basically, if I understand compression damping right, it sets the shock so it will react only with a certain amount of force. At the Wiss, I'd leave it pretty open, where as at Middle Run, which is a lot smoother, I'd dial it up. You'll still have suspension but only when you really need it.

I can do the same with my fork, set the damping so it is pretty firm, or feels locked out most of the time but only reacts when I hit something significant, rather than bouncing with every stick, pebble and pedal stroke.

What fork/shock do you have? Others know a lot more about this and in person can really make sure you are set up properly. The more experienced I get the more I can notice the subtle changes in suspension.

Thanks Fish!  That was a lot of great info! 

I have a Giant Anthem w/:
Fork= Fox 32 F80RL, 80 mm travel
Shock= Fox Float RP2

I just got it a little over 2 weeks ago, and the clinic was the 1st time I really got to use it.  I won't mention that the hubby took it to Pennypack last night and broke the fork... but I didn't mention that... ;D :'(

It's gettin fixed!  ;D

On my 04 Marzocchi Z1,   I can only remember using the lock out once on a road race back from Porcupine ridge in Moab,UT, four years ago, it was Novak and I going head to head on the 9 miles of road back to town after the epic ride. He gave me a run for my money, but other than that I never really liked the feel of the bike with the fork locked out, personal preference I guess.

Typically you want to use the lockout for racing, when going up hills, and on straight aways, so less of your pedaling energy is absorbed by the suspension, and you can go faster.

I have a Rockshox Psylo on my singlespeed. it has the poplok remote lockout control option on the bar which is really nice for locking out the fork on the fly...no reaching down.   it's especially nice on a single speed because typically i'm out of the saddle on climbs and it's nice to be able to lock out the fork so more power goes to forward motion with less bob.