Dear Fellow Mountainbiker, I store my bikes by hanging them on a hook from the wheels upside down.

(Obviuosly, storing rigid fork bikes this way is not a problem), but can I store suspsension forks the same method without causing damage to the forks? Thank you

If you have any questions or comments, please contact me immediately. Thank you

Best regards,
Philip Richardson
Keentron Development

Philip:

Good question! The sources we contacted all agreed that by securely hanging a dual suspension bike upside down, the benefits outweigh the risks. While it is true that there is an increased oil pressure load on the fork seals, the odds of seal failure is nearly null. In addition hanging a bicycle is very beneficial in terms of prolonging tire life, avoiding dry rot, and mechanical seizure.

Dear MBT:

I am writing to express my interest in Specialized bike’s Brain technology. I am considering several of their Stumpjumper models and want a nice simple explanation of exactly how Brain suspension works. Thanks, Steve Banks

Steve:

The Brain is a unique technology that makes efficient use of FSR 4-bar linkage. FSR’s claim to fame was that it allows the drivetrain and rear suspension to operate independently, and therefore remain fully active. However, there was a disadvantage to FSR in that the system’s sensitive nature sometimes responded when you didn't want it to, specifically when pedaling out of the saddle on smooth surfaces (the infamous condition we call pedal bob).

The Brain is essentially an external flow valve that acts in conjunction with the rear shock. Without making it overly complicated (as part of your question was a request for a clear, simple explanation) here are the basics: Within the Brain canister itself exists an oil supply, nitrogen, a floating piston, an inertia valve, and a spring. When the rear wheel is introduced to upward force (bumps) the inertia valve stays locked in place while the internal floating piston is sent upward toward a pool of resistant nitrogen. As this takes place, a tiny flow port is exposed that allows oil to flow through a separate compression circuit before entering into the rear shock. Once the terrain levels out again, that spring we mentioned earlier resets the inertia valve into place (covering up the flow port) until the next impact awaits.

What this all boils down to is a very active rear suspension set up that feels nearly as rigid as a hardtail over smooth terrain but as compliant as the FSR setup will possibly allow the moment the terrain requires it.

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