Suspension clunk

[Cruzbob]

I've had my Sofrider since 2008, but due to living in a very hilly area; and the weather, I didn't ride it much in 2009.

Now I have settled in cycle-friendly Lincolnshire UK and I'm riding it more, a 'problem' I noticed when I first got the bike has re-surfaced. When going over a pothole or ridge in the road there is a metallic clunk from the bike. This seems to be coming from the front fork, so I wonder, is it the rubber suspension 'bottoming out', or is it a sign of either an assembly or other problem with the front suspension?

I have tried riding over the same ridge with different pre-load settings on the rear shock, and the clunk has remained the same, so I assume it's coming from the front rubber suspension. Is it possible to upgrade this? Is a spare 'rubber bit' available in the event that mine has split.

All suggestions welcome except avoid bumps......

 

[John Tolhurst]

Avoid hitting bumps. Oh! sorry.

Your front suspension has springs, not rubbers, but it can still knock if it runs out of travel. Travel is 40mm. There will always be cases with sprung suspension that you run out of travel. Mountain bike suspension can be 100mm, so handles compressions beyond 40mm. The front suspension is for comfort, yes, but to help keep traction because front traction is pretty important on a bicycle or motorbike.