Suspension lockout

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By visiting and using our website, you are consenting to our use of cookies in accordance to our Cookie Policy. An account exists with this Email Address. Click here to continue your shopping. When you first heard that you could use a Lockout to stop your front suspension from compressing with ease, you might have wondered; why do Rigid Bicycles even exist and why do we need a suspension lockout? This article is to help explain what the purpose of a lockout suspension fork is and why you might want one.

Suspension lockout

Usually the only times you would lock out your rear shock or front fork would be when on a long non-technical climb, or other long distance ride. Mountain bike suspension often features multiple modes, to better set up the bike to climb or descend, and one of these common features is the lock out. But when should we be using it? This rear shock lockout is used at specific times when riding to help prevent wasted pedaling energy in the form of bobbing of the suspension. Instead, each pedal stroke transfers more of your energy into forward momentum — or at least that is the theory. However, with more of your weight and pedaling power from further back on the bike, the majority of the energy wastage is going to typically happen via the rear shock. Climbing on a fireroad or slowly riding up another non-technical climbing trail is one of the most common times that riders use their bike suspension lockout. Why I specifically say non-technical climbing is because often the more technical climbing trails with roots and roots and other tricky features to navigate actually can be better to ride with more active suspension, to help maintain traction and momentum. The rear wheel will also have far less ability to track up and down over rough trail at speed, and if you were to ride a trail forgetting to first switch off, would feel very harsh and skittish over bumps and rocks. Some years back I was using a basic Fox Float rear shock which had come with my Bronson build that developed a tendency to lose air pressure slowly. I was already planning on upgrading the shock, so just made do as best I could until I had the funds spare for the new shock. Not good. If I lock the shock out, would that somehow reduce the amount of shock sag, and make it more possible to get down the trail without bottoming out every 2 minutes? Any day at a bikepark is a good day!

But when should we be using it?

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A lockout fork is a feature found on mountain bikes that allows the rider to lock the front suspension fork in a rigid position, preventing it from compressing and rebounding. This means that the fork remains in a fixed position without absorbing any impacts or bumps during the ride. Essentially, it turns a suspension fork into a rigid fork, providing a completely stiff front end to the bike. The suspension lockout fork feature is important for mountain biking because it offers several benefits to riders, including:. Climbing Efficiency: When climbing steep inclines or riding on smooth, flat terrain, a lockout fork allows the rider to transfer more power to the pedals without any energy being lost through the compression and rebound of the suspension fork. This can result in increased efficiency and speed. Better Control: On rough downhill sections or when riding over technical obstacles, a suspension fork absorbs the impact and helps to maintain traction and control. However, on certain sections of the trail where the rider wants more precise handling, such as tight turns or steep descents, the lockout fork provides a rigid front end, giving the rider more control and responsiveness. Energy Conservation: By utilizing the lockout fork when it is not needed, riders can conserve energy and reduce fatigue over long rides.

Suspension lockout

Suspension is the biggest component differentiating mountain bikes from road bikes. A fork and shock soak up bumpy terrain and make it smooth…well, a little smoother at least. But what is it even for, and why would you ever use it? Lockout effectively eliminates pedal bob —the side effect of riding a bike with suspension. This compression — as well as the speed at which the suspension rebounds after compressing — is controlled by the flow of oil inside the suspension. Yes, even though you add or subtract air to adjust your fork and shock sag, they both contain oil as well. Increasing the flow of oil within the suspension increases its travel. Reducing the flow of oil decreases travel. This adjustment is made via the compression lever on the fork and shock which is typically blue but depends on the brand. When you fully restrict the flow of oil, the fork or shock effectively become locked out, meaning they will not compress.

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Let's see if I can demonstrate that for you a little bit. Generally, if it's a pretty smooth road, you may just want to leave it locked out. So again, the ride will be a little bit bumpier, but we'll be more efficient. It's just off or on basically. No energy is being absorbed by the suspension so it is all going into the surface. So instead of just being a regular, just a rigid one-piece fork, like you see in more conventional bikes or like most road bikes, about maybe 30 years or maybe almost 40 years ago, they started to come up with the suspension, just like you have on a motorcycle. Advise to buyers. Based on personal experience, I recommend CMB, for people who intend to make an informed purchase. So I have to accept that was my mistake but they really amazed me by giving the original part at free of cost Close. And it's either in an open or basically unlocked, or closed or locked position. The reasons why you'd want to do this is, first of all, if you have it in suspension mode and you're able to take the shocks like that, it means you can ride on bumpier terrain, and then it'll feel like a smoother ride.

When I heard that I could use a Lockout to stop my front suspension from compressing with ease, my first question was… Why do rigid bikes even exist then? This article is to help explain what the purpose of a lockout fork is and why you might want one.

I bought Giant ATX in March End, however I have been engaged with the portal for cycling information for a couple of months ahead of my purchase decision. Happy with the product. And you can even see in this particular one, there's a window that has a little green. In this case, the suspension is mostly just for comfort, to help absorb some of the shocks of your body so don't have it. These can even be installed for a rear suspension lockout. Read More Rupinder Singh. Cookies and Privacy By visiting and using our website, you are consenting to our use of cookies in accordance to our Cookie Policy. Have A Nice Day. This article is to help explain what the purpose of a lockout suspension fork is and why you might want one. At that time my pedal was not fit it into the crank arm. Not being familiar with the inner workings of a mountain bike shock, I wondered… If I lock the shock out, would that somehow reduce the amount of shock sag, and make it more possible to get down the trail without bottoming out every 2 minutes? If you liked it, please do like it and hit subscribe.