Are RST Forks any Good?

RST forks are a popular bike fork design that is gaining popularity. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the RST (recoil Spring) fork. These forks use a spring-loaded mechanism to dampen shock absorption and provide more control while riding. So, are RST forks any good? In short, yes, they are. 

They come in many different configurations and can be found on a wide range of bikes. RST forks provide an easy way to add more control to your riding and can make a big difference on challenging terrain. This article will discuss RST forks, their benefits, and their drawbacks. I’ll also provide tips on choosing a good set of RST forks for your bike. So, keep reading!

What is an RST Fork?

The term “RST” stands for “recoil spring technology”, but why is it called recoil? These forks have an elastomer at each end of the spring that has been compressed outwards. It’s a telematic spring that has been made with a flexible material. As you compress this spring out of the fork, it will recoil back to its original position to absorb shock. They act like pneumatic shocks without requiring any pump or canister-mounted shocks. The technology was originally designed for off-road use and has found its way onto high-end mountain bikes. RST forks are easy to add more control and comfort to your ride. 

The main feature of RST forks is the elastomer side springs. These fork springs are positioned under the slider (or damper) tube at the bottom of the fork. They are designed to compress up to a certain distance and return to their original position.

The History of the RST Fork

RST was founded in 1989 by Gary Klein and Ken Foltz. Gary Klein is well known as an innovator in mountain biking. He has been involved with several notable bike companies, including Klein Bicycles, GT Bicycles, Cervelo Bicycles, KHS bicycles, and Merida Bikes.

In production from 1989 to 2005, RST forks are well known for their performance in downhill mountain biking. They were used on many of the best gravity racers of the day, like Geoff Duke and Paul Kimmage. RST’s design is based on a motorcycle fork suspension design.

A motorcycle fork suspension does not rely on coil springs to absorb shock. Instead, it uses a spring-loaded “cartridge” assembly. This cartridge is filled with oil and has springs inside that help dampen the road’s impact on the wheel. It serves as an oil-filled shock absorber that provides an active force to combat shocks from rough terrain. The benefits of this design are numerous, but they are not without their drawbacks in practice.

The Benefits of RST Forks

RST forks can be found on many budget bikes, including mountain and cyclocross bikes. Some of these forks do not perform well, but others are quite good. The performance of an RST fork depends a lot on how much money you are willing to spend on it. For instance, the RST Gila fork below is very basic, with only 3 levels of adjustment and fixed compression damping.

The Gila costs about fifty dollars when purchased new, and it works surprisingly well for the price. It allows for pretty good small bump absorption for a fork at this price point and is easy to adjust. I used one of these forks on my old cyclocross bike, and it served me well through many miles of racing.

At the other end of the spectrum, you can find RST forks that are more expensive and have more features. Like the fork below, these higher-end forks will perform just as well as their cheaper counterparts, sometimes even better.

Other benefits of RST forks include:

1. They can be adjusted very easily and allow for fine-tuning on the fly. Also has a wider range of adjustments than coil-sprung bikes. It makes them much easier to use in all types of riding conditions. It is also easy to adjust for rebound and compression damping, which is good for extreme applications where it is important to adjust these settings quickly and efficiently.
2. They are very rigid, which means that the wheels contact the ground, even when turning. It means that your bike will tend to corner better, and you will have the stability of a fully rigid bike without the added weight.
3. These forks are easy to adjust in an emergency. If you crash on a trail and leave your bike behind, these forks will let you ride home on flat tires while they are still in good condition.
4. The spring-loaded design is also very easy to service if necessary. Just open up the cartridge assembly and add oil when needed.
5. RST’s design makes them relatively simple to build and assemble, requiring only basic hand tools.
6. They are usually less expensive to build than a comparable coil-spring fork.
7. The spring cartridges can be serviced and adjusted easily, even by an amateur or beginning mechanic. Many people like to experiment with different oil weights and damping settings. It can do very easily with RST forks.

Who Makes RST Suspension?

The RST suspension is a type of semi-independent coil spring. They are in use on cars, trucks, and buses. They can also be fitted to boats or other watercraft. The RST suspension system is composed of two main parts. The upper body consists of a spring incorporating a damper, and that is attached to an aluminum mounting plate. This suspension system uses a single-leaf non-adjustable spring, not confused with the multi-leaf adjusting type.

The upper part contains an air chamber where air pressure can adjust by sliding a metal sleeve across the air chamber. It lets the operator alter the spring rate of the suspension. The variability is only in spring stiffness, not ride height. The spring is mounted to an aluminum block attached to the vehicle’s body. This configuration allows spring movement while providing a stable mounting surface for the rest of the suspension. The RST has a coil spring with a central tube and oval-shaped cross-section. Because of its oval shape, there is less tension on one end than on the other, which reduces scissoring. This asymmetric spring characteristic ensures that wheels do not tend to follow bumps in opposite directions as in conventional leaf springs.

How do you Adjust the RST on a Fork?

When adjusting the RST on a fork, it is important to use the correct tool. If a crescent wrench doesn’t work, you need to use an adjustable wrench. It often happens with high-end bikes that are fitted with quick-release wheels.

To adjust the RST on a fork, the user will first loosen the axle nuts. If these are not tight, you will not be able to adjust the RST on a fork. Next, you want to unlock and turn the fork crown one full turn. It will increase and decrease the amount of air pressure within the fork.

After turning the crown one full turn, check to see if it is still loose or if there is too much pressure inside the fork. Sometimes, a small amount of pressure can cause discomfort in someone’s legs while riding their bike. In this case, you will adjust your RST accordingly.

Why is my Suspension so Stiff MTB?

While riding a suspension MTB, your bike’s suspension platform is the major component for absorbing shock. Though there are different types of suspension, within any suspension MTB, the suspension platform has to do a lot of work to absorb impact.

This concept helps to understand how a traditional bike without rear suspension works by imagining that the pedals and crankset are pivoting on ground contact points. When you pedal and your feet hit a bump, energy is transferred up through the bicycle chain, over the crank arm, and down through pedaling force into the rear wheel hub and then tire as torque which travels into the ground, pushing you ahead.

Since the bicycle chain and crankset are not moving, the weight of the bicycle is transferred over to the wheels as they roll along, creating a momentary push in one direction or the other. If either wheel begins to slip, it can become unstable and spin sideways. Since the rear suspension on a mountain bike does not absorb force directly, it is made of two chambers separated by a linkage. Compressed air inside the first chamber causes movement in the second chamber, which causes a coil-over shock absorber movement.

The coil then pushes back down onto compression air and absorbs up to 40% of the motion. This motion is much smaller than other forks and shocks because it travels through a very small space between the two chambers. Even though this small amount of travel is not as strong as other suspension types, it still requires more work to absorb energy as weight transfer happens at both ends and in between.

How do I make my mountain bike forks softer?

Stiffer mountain bike fork springs can make for a better ride. However, you may want to soften them for a smoother experience on some occasions. For example, when you start loading and going up a steep hill.

When you load your bike up with gear and head up a steep climb, you rely on the spring in your forks more than ever. If your forks are too stiff and don’t have enough give, it can be jarring on the frame and legs, particularly if the ride is over washboard or bumpy terrain.

Dampening can help to make the ride more comfortable, but sometimes you want to soften your forks up entirely. Our article on softening your mountain bike fork springs has several easy ways to do this, so check it out.

Are there any RST 156 forks up for auction?

Maybe you’re looking for a unique piece of silverware for your own home? If so, then you have come to the right place. A goldsmith in a Canadian city called Fredericton has auctioned off more than 1000 teaspoons from his collection. If you are interested in getting one of these spoons, this article is highly informative and worth reading.

It all started with 750 teaspoons from the famous RST 156 silverware collection. The owner sold these spoons to a collector who had been looking for an old spoon for a long time. He was trying to find some unique ones that would not be available on any other marketplace. Hence, he required items like gold-plated spoons or gold-plated spoons with engravings. These unique spoonware items are hard to find and are highly sought after by people like him.

What size are the forks on an RST Omni 191 C5?

The forks are approximately 4.75″ long, and the spoons are 5.75″ long. The knives are about 6″. All utensils are held within a common configuration and use similar cutlery materials. Still, each is used for different functions that help to create a meal full of flavor and delicious textures. This article will discuss what size forks you should use for your dining set according to the number of people sitting around the table and their height and weight.

How much does it cost to rebuild a mountain bike fork?

The cost of rebuilding a mountain bike fork depends on several factors, including its manufacturer and the parts used to make it. For instance, if a simple fork upgrade includes a new set of bearings, you will be spending less than $100. On the other hand, if you opt for an aluminum or carbon fiber fork, the price could get upwards of $300.

If you don’t mind your bike unfinished and would rather DIY it yourself, creating your own low-cost mountain bike fork is not that difficult. So, before you go buying replacement forks for all your old mountain bikes, consider the time that has been put in by your old ones when looking at replacement parts. Although the exact price varies with the fork’s brand and the company you purchase it from, if you are interested in mountain biking as a hobby, this information on rebuilding a mountain bike fork should help you make more informed decisions when buying new parts of your bikes.

Manufacturing costs of forks can be anywhere from $3 to upwards of $100. Depending on the brand and model being rebuilt or purchased, prices vary drastically. The cost of a fork is only one small part of the total price involved in replacing an entire bike or purchasing one; another variable that can raise or lower the cost is shipping. It all depends on where you purchase your equipment and how they charge for shipping. Shipping charges can add up quickly if you are not careful.

Can you use WD40 on bike forks?

WD40 can help keep your bike’s steering and braking systems running smoothly. An occasional spritz of this powerful oil will remove rust from metal, clean and lubricate hinges, and unstick sticky items like zippers. The best thing about using WD40 on your bike is that it won’t harm essential parts of the bicycle.

When you choose to clean and lubricate your bike, it’s important not to allow any WD40 residue to remain on the painted surfaces of your bike. Use a rag and water to clean away WD40 when you’re finished, and keep your bike inside if you’ll be using the solvent outdoors.

If you’ve never used WD40 on a bicycle before, it may feel weird to spray this liquid directly onto the metal parts of your bike. If you’re worried about marking up your bike, try using a rag to apply the WD40 lightly. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but WD40 is powerful enough to get most jobs done once you have.

Can you use GT85 on bike suspension?

A very popular product around these parts is GT85. A suspension oil lubricates fork and shock bushings on mountain bikes. But can you use GT85 on bike suspension, or is there something else you should use?

GT85 is not suitable for use in bicycle suspensions. Suspension oils are designed to remain fluid under high-temperature conditions and a high viscosity index. Otherwise, they will not provide sufficient lubrication over time. As the GT85 website states, it is used primarily in the offroad industry, where cyclists are most likely to use it. Excessively high temperatures will cause the oil to flow and lose viscosity, especially in low-speed applications. The viscosity reduced not only reduces leakage but also protects against thermal shock due to vibration and shock.

How big is the fork tube on an RST Omni 191?

A fork tube is a tube that allows the fork to rotate. The fork attached at one end of the bearing has a small axle on its other end, which passes through the fork tube. A separate fork tube must be used since oil is not pumped up from below, as it would be in an upright bike, but rather from above in the headtube via an upper and lower bearing (or crown-race). There are two types of forks with such tubes: those with a taper and those with conical tapers.

The taper forks are supposed to have the best functioning overall, but they also have the shortest fork tube lengths and the most expensive average price. The useful length of taper fork tubes is from 25 to 35 cm, while the price of the same length taper fork tubes is between $100 and $200, measured by the amount of material in them. The conical taper forks are more rugged and should use longer tubes, but they are also more expensive. Thus, these tubes are from 40 to 50 cm long.

Is creating an RST fork right for you?

One of the most common reasons for cyclists to convert their beloved bicycle into something else is for a new lease on life. The conversion offers a fresh start and an easier ride, but it also allows riders to take their bike on adventures in places they would never have been before.

However, as with anything that goes from road-bound to off-road, there are costs involved in converting your bike into something that can handle dirt paths and rocky terrain. If you’re looking to convert your bike into an RST fork, you want something as unique as the bicycle that it covers. For this reason, RST forks aren’t cheap.

RST forks are an excellent choice because they’re strong and lightweight. Because of this balance between strength and weight, you won’t have to worry about being stranded on the side of a path because your bike is too heavy to pedal. Additionally, an RST fork will help you skim past any potholes or rocks in your way. However, if you’re looking to take your new RST bike to the trails and want a fork that can handle all types of terrain, then one of the options that you should be looking at is industry-standard MSX. Only MSX has been designed specifically with off-road applications, meaning it will work perfectly on trails and light off-road terrain.

Is the RST Deuce TNL 100mm suspension fork in good shape?

If you are thinking about buying a suspension fork for use on your mountain bike, you might be considering an RST Deuce TNL 100mm. I did some research to find out what current owners have to say about their experience with these forks. I’ll share our search results below and then compare this fork to similar products to help you decide whether it’s the right product for you.

If you consider buying a suspension fork for your mountain bike, there are a few things worth considering first. Fortunately, these are some of the top features that can determine if a fork is in good condition or not:

1. Track of Stanchions – You should be able to see where the stanchions move within the suspension fork from one side to the other, and there shouldn’t be any cracks.
2. Bend in Blades – The blades should have very little bend unless they’ve been tweaked by crashing or bending them yourself.
3. Matching Numbers – The fork should have a serial number on the bottom of each blade. The number on the top blade should match the bottom blade to ensure you have a matching pair.
4. Damaged Stem – The top cap and crown of the fork should be in good shape. Any scratches or serious dents should be cause for concern.
5. Missing Parts – All suspension fork parts should be present and accounted for, including the spring and rebound adjuster knob, dust seals, and upper assembly cup.
6. Rust – There shouldn’t be any rust on shafts or other fork parts usually covered with grease. You would only see rust if it’s been left outdoors.
7. Cheap Construction – If the fork has a flaw in it, such as a bent stanchion or damaged top cap or crown, then the cost of a replacement would overwhelm the good review ratings.
8. Thumb Screw Adjuster – If there’s a need to open the fork, you should be able to adjust it with your thumb. It allows easy adjustment of feel and damping settings.
9. Stem Clamp Screw – The clamp should have no wear on the threads and no loose threads that can be easily stripped out by turning.

How big is the tube of MTB Forks?

MTB Forks come in different carbon and aluminum versions. The tube on which the forks slide is not the same for all MTB forks. For example, a reputable brand of bike frame, such as Cannondale, may use three different tube sizes, depending on the year of production. The tube doesn’t just affect the overall weight of the fork; it also affects its rigidity, strength, and how well it will flex. Each size creates a different feel when pushed up or down, which dictates what kind of bike you want to build.

When researching forks, you will find that those with a larger tube have stiffer suspensions. These are usually the sharp-cambered models, while others are more relaxed. If you are getting a new bike, understand these differences and make an informed decision. You will get better performance if you get a stiffer fork.

Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminium- Forks

Carbon and aluminum are the two materials most commonly used to make MTB Forks. Each material has its pros and cons to see a mix of both on the current market. The cost of carbon forks is very high, so they are mainly limited to high-end bikes and casual riders who may not be as tough on their equipment as professionals are. Carbon fiber is more durable and lighter weight than aluminum models. It can also be shock-proof, great for beginners and experts alike.

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative, choose aluminum MTB Forks. They are heavier than carbon forks and will flex more than the latter, but they are also cheaper. One thing to bear in mind about aluminum forks is that those with camber will not be as flexible as others. Regardless of the material used to make it, however, a good MTB Fork should have a good warranty and a solid level of traction, so you don’t feel like they slip or lock during training or competitions.

Final Words

Many experts believe that there is no one perfect type of bike for all riders, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing. Some people may find them helpful, while others may not. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide if they think they are worth using. However, if you are looking for a way to improve your workflow or are just curious about the concept, RST forks may be a good option for you.