Bicycle Forks and Bike Shocks

A bicycle fork is the part of the bicycle that connects the front wheel to the frame and handlebars. The handlebars are connected to a single tube called the steerer. Two blades branch off of the steerer on either side of the front wheel. The point where the steerer meets the blades is called the crown. At the ends of each blade are the dropouts, or slots that hold the axle of the wheel.
 
Most bicycle forks are designed with an offset to provide better steering. The offset is the slight curve of the fork blades away from the frame.
 

Bicycle Forks and Bicycle Shocks

Some bicycles now also come with shocks on the fork. This offers a form of suspension to increase comfort and handling ability. Bicycle shocks are most often seen on mountain bikes and on some road bikes.
 
Bicycle shocks consist of two parts:
  • The damper is used to minimize the rebound of the spring when the load is released. If a damper is not used, the shock will bounce back and forth until all the energy from the impact has dissipated.

  • The spring is used to absorb the shock of an impact.
Bicycle shocks are attached to the steerer at the crown and replace the traditional fork blades.

Bike Shocks and Forks: Impact on Performance

Bicycle forks and bike shocks play a critical role in the performance of a bicycle beyond steering and connecting the front wheel, including:
  • Bicycle forks on racing bicycles provide a leading aerodynamic edge that defines how the bicycle cuts through the air.
  • Bike shocks on a mountain bike quickly absorb and dissipate impact on a bumpy trail, keeping the front tire in contact with the ground so the rider can control direction and speed.
Road bikes also use bicycle shocks to maintain a smooth rise and reduce fatigue in long rides.

Materials Used for Bike Shocks and Forks

Bike forks and shocks can be made from a wide variety of materials, including:
  • aluminum alloy
  • carbon fiber
  • steel
  • titanium.
Steel and aluminum alloy are the most common, due to their strength and low cost. Titanium and carbon fiber offer the lowest weight-to-strength ratios but are much more expensive.

Maintaining your Bike Shocks

Shocks require regular maintenance to maintain proper performance and durability. The dampers that prevent excessive spring compression and rebound need to be regularly checked to assure the oil levels are adequate. The shocks must also receive regular lube jobs.
 
Resource
 
How Stuff Works (n.d.). How Mountain Bikes Work. Retrieved April 18, 2008, from the How Stuff Works Web site.