Taking the Bucklos Air Suspension Fork Apart, What's Inside?

[@Omastian]

Very well done, I just bought these forks to put on my hybrid as the rigid forks are just torturing me, I ride over 100 miles per week all on the road and am so ready to get these installed.

[@WhskAZCL]

Tony, thanks for reporting back with this fork. I was able to install it in my Specialized pitch 27.5 and I love it. Good thing I had an extra crown race, since it didn't come with one. I took it to a blue trail here in AZ and it helped me climbing with its remote lock. I am very impressed with their absorption even though it doesn't really feel it moves with small obstacles. I finally gave a good break to my hands and forearms after riding that old stock pogo stick fork my bike came with.

[@TonyHob]

Sounds promising. I also to find the performance to be really good, specially for the price. Hopefully long term durability will be good.

[@yinghamlyn-chen2]

I find if you put 15wt rockshox fluid inside the air piston side the small bump sensitivity darastically increases añd the stroke becomes alot more smoother almost like a fox 32

[@wittech6116]

Great video! Thank you for sharing. Please remind people to purge the air from the air side before taking an air fork apart. Keep it up!

[@AlexDelMTB]

I know this is a big ask, but man you gotta make a video of how to maintenance these forks, its can really be intimidating especially for beginners like me, to take this apart and put it back together again, I tried looking for videos on how to maintenance these cheap forks for example taking them apart and putting grease on them and stuff. I would love to learn, once again there's no videos out there, that get into maintenance on these cheap forks. Just a thought I had while watching the video, also I will recommend people that video on my channel if you were to ever do it. Alot of these cheap forks get views, I can only imagine how many views it will get if you taught the basics of maintaining it, since people have trouble with them once in a while. I would do the video my self but I don't have the confidence to take it apart and mess around with it. Thanks man, and I really hope you take your time to make a video like that.

[@TonyHob]

It really is a good idea. In this video I give some hints on how to put it back together and I also have a video on servicing the Suntour which is almost identical to this fork. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKbOdpymas94mdU

[@AlexDelMTB]

@@TonyHob i really appreciate it dude!

[@ThatRedEm2]

Hi Tony, new subscriber here! I have been using chinese parts and tools for long time and is very impressive the quality and they really last. Recently, I bought one of these bucklos forks for my al comp. I haven't installed yet but the quality is very impressive. Let's see how it goes. In these days, everything comes from China, just relabel it and good to go. Great content, cheers!

[@WhskAZCL]

Luis, make sure you either swap the crown race from your old fork or get a similar to the original one. Unless you get an entire headset 👌🏻. I installed mine a week ago and I already enjoyed how my bike rides with it. Lighter and more responsive

[@ThatRedEm2]

@@WhskAZCL thanks for your advice, I bought a complete headset kit for my bike. The oem forks are tanks. Any issues installing the forks? I'm still waiting for the tools.

[@WhskAZCL]

@@ThatRedEm2 good choice. I just had to clean the headset thoroughly and reapply a good layer of grease. Look at the 1st video where Tony had to support the fork on a 2x6. I happened to have a piece around, and that helped me quite a bit to install the crown race and the star nut. Also, make sure to use a legit star nut tool l (if you havent done that procedure before) and get a good pipe cutter so you cut the tube correctly the first time.

[@ThatRedEm2]

@@WhskAZCL how much you cut the tube? Thank you so much, I appreciated

[@WhskAZCL]

@@ThatRedEm2 uff, that depends of your bike and setup. Did you get extra spacers too? Which type of bike do you have?

[@rodbrown8306]

Too good mate! Building an old 2007 Trek slr 6500 Medium, was going with the Bucklos, then went for the new 2023 edition of the Balony 32 26 QR manual lock, 1650gram +or- 50gr. Quite a few improvements have been made to the look and interns to these Forks could you do a Video? .....Trying to bring the old bike down to a 10.5kg+ nimble, climber/racer.

[@MASHLEY69]

Thanks for showing this. I think I have this exact fork. And I just noticed that the rebound knob doesn’t quite work it seems like it’s not installed properly. I’m going to attempt to get it working.

[@tomasmartinez3936]

How’d it go Matt?

[@MASHLEY69]

@@tomasmartinez3936 I was able to get the rebound working. But about a little over a month ago I’ve discovered cracks in the lowers of the fork. So I haven’t been riding it. I’m waiting on a rockshox to replace the bucklos.

[@tomasmartinez3936]

@@MASHLEY69 sounds good, might be better for me to upgrade as well… rebound screw in is leaking oil after 1 ride. Guess it’s a hit or miss with this fork lol

[@M3garage1]

that sucks that it rubs. but hopefully everything still works fine. my air forks have plastic sliders too so our forks are pretty similar.

[@jansvasta2146]

What fork do you have? Mu guess is xcr air

[@M3garage1]

@@jansvasta2146 lol nope a Chinese air fork. The cycling hero 32

[@jansvasta2146]

@@M3garage1 Im curious about the longevity of the plastic ones. My raidon had metal sliders

[@juanherrera5149]

Saludos desde República Dominicana. Quiero saber si esa horquillas traen las esponjas que librican las barras por dentro . Agradezco una respuesta

[@TonyHob]

Saludos. No las tiene, tampoco tiene un espacio para añadirlas

[@juanherrera5149]

Muchas gracias por tu respuesta me decidiré por otra

[@NonLegitNation2]

so does this fork not have foam rings by the wipers? I have this same fork and I've had it for about 3 yrs and never serviced it so it's starting to stick. I figured I'd tear it down today and give it a cleaning and a relube.

[@TonyHob]

No foam rings since it only uses a small amount of oil in the one chamber

[@gustavoclarindo1063]

Buddy, my Bucklos suspension is leaking air. I need to open the suspension, but for that, I need to know the amount of oil in each part of the suspension and the viscosity of the oil used.

[@TonyHob]

Then watch the video, it’s in there…

[@denyscabanillas9386]

Hola Tony buena información acabo de comprar la horquilla pero está bloqueada no amortigua por más que giro la perilla de desbloqueo no funciona alguna recomendación de que hacer saludos y gracias

[@TonyHob]

Intentastes vaciar el aire del lado izquierdo a ver si se mueve? Si no se mueve bajando la presión de aire puede ser que el “lockout” esté dañado. En ese caso sería mejor contactar a Bucklos para la garantía

[@dannybarrera7637]

Thanks for your review. One question though. Why is your tapered tube scored is something rubbing? If it is, it might snap the tube in half eventually. You might want to check whybits doing that.

[@TonyHob]

At 4:53 I talk about it. The 44mm headtube on the Venzo rubbed the steerer tube. I later upgraded to a RockShox Recon

[@n8_vel868]

Question about the oil that goes into the air chamber. My Chinese air fork came with grease inside instead of oil. If I were to use oil instead of the grease would it work a little smoother? I can't tell if grease or oil is better. And that is of course using basic fork oil

[@TonyHob]

The oil only works with air fork in the sealed air chamber. For coil forks always use grease

[@rixtaman3837]

My suspension lockout blew out after a 50m test ride down my driveway

[@TonyHob]

😢

[@kennyscott562]

Hi tony I just got one. And I notice it bottoms out depending on what I’m doing. Do you know if it’s possible to add a spacer to the fork to reduce the chance of bottoming out

[@TonyHob]

There are no volume spacers for this fork. You can increase the psi and it will help. Theoretically you could also add a couple of ml’s of 80w suspension oil to the oil chamber

[@Lostpineappl]

Notice on mine there is little progression in the air spring side causing it to bottom out especially under breaking if air is set to make fork function efficiently, on search for volume spacers that fit, did you find any

[@ToyBoysChannel]

These forks don't have any of those foam rings that hold the fork oil inside the wipers? Or are they missing? I just got these and even with 80psi and the stanchions once compressed don't really return to its full length... like it doesn't go back to 120mm but goes to 90mm... I literally need to pull on them to get it back to full length... any idea on wat the problem is?

[@TonyHob]

Since there is no oil in the lowers, it doesn’t need them

[@tac6044]

Are you sure its not just returning to the sag point?

[@ToyBoysChannel]

@@tac6044 not really coz I've tested it on max psi and zero damping...

[@dirtyfingersninja]

Nice this is perfect

[@modogeist]

Hi Tony. You mentioned that it was 120mm travel. I got one for my son. Travel is only 80mm. Have you measured actual travel on yours?

[@TonyHob]

The exposed part of the stanchions measures 120mm but realistically got about 100mm when riding. The only way to get the full stated stated travel is if you bottom out, which you won’t be able to do by manually compressing it.

[@chrisbalser3808]

I have this fork on my MTB. The red rebound knob on the bottom of the fork has suddenly frozen. Any idea what causes this? Is it fixable with a Suntour servicing kit or other means?

[@TonyHob]

The knob connects directly to the sealed cartridge so it is not serviceable

[@renorides5143]

Mine frozen too.. I forced it to turn ends up broke the dial shaft.. I've just ordered a new cartridge around 15 bucks..

[@joehozzy2616]

@@renorides5143 hi. Where did you order the replacement cartridge from? Thanks

[@Pocketferrari12]

How have these held up? Still going or did they break?

[@TonyHob]

They worked well on easy trails. I sold the bike I had them on

[@kevinjamesdawes7223]

40 miles! Talk about low expectations. I did 4000 on a set of marzocci lo pros, which is what these are loosely based on, and never stripped them at all other than wiping the stations clean. These are garbage, cheap, but garbage,. The damper lockout deserves a better fork because its not bad.

[@joehozzy2616]

Mine just locked up on the third ride? Any tips for a solution? Thanks

[@TonyHob]

Most likely the lockout mechanism on the cartridge. I would contact Bucklos and see if they will replace the fork

[@joehozzy2616]

@@TonyHob Thanks yes I pulled it apart. The rebound sealed cartridge had popped open at the top 😅. I managed to push it back in and 'indent' the cartridge with a hole punch (in an attempt to 'seal' it again). This fork failed on my son's third ride. These are really rubbish forks. I will try and get a refund- thanks!

[@The02061968]

Nice video, I just want to know if the stantcion is thick? Hope to here from you soon

[@The02061968]

Hope to hear from you soon rather he he he ...

[@The02061968]

I am asking this 'cause I am planning to buy one. I just want to know if it is recommendable or worth it

[@TonyHob]

32mm stanchions, they feel really solid

[@The02061968]

Thank you for your reply tony, it really helps me on my decision. Have a nice day

[@GroundZ3R0Gamer]

Need a budget recommendation for my GT avalanche 29er. What do you suggest?

[@TonyHob]

What type of riding do you do?

[@GroundZ3R0Gamer]

@@TonyHob light duty trails, sometimes small drops (1 to 2 ft) and small jumps from time to time.

[@TonyHob]

​@@GroundZ3R0Gamer the Bucklos will work well if you don't go too crazy but might fail if ridden hard. I have had good results with the Rockshox TK Silver and the Suntour XCR Air. I prefer the Rockshox of the two

[@amadventures7474]

Is the travel adjustable?

[@TonyHob]

No

[@tac6044]

Did you find this fork to have a bit of stiction?

[@TonyHob]

not any more than any of my other forks. I currently have Fox, Rockshox and Suntour. The Recon has the most stiction of them all.

[@tac6044]

@@TonyHob sounds like it's normal on most forks to some degree. I just got back into riding after a 20 year break and I've never owned an air fork before. Always had coil spring. My Bucklos seems to leak about 3 psi every 24hr.

[@TonyHob]

@@tac6044 that seems like you have a weak seal. Mine doesn’t lose air

[@tac6044]

@@TonyHob When i first pumped it up for about 30 seconds i could hear air coming out of the bottom of the fork from the bolt. I tightened it and it hasn't done it since but something is failing or damaged. It doesn't effect its operation outside of having to put in one or two pumps of air every few days. I was outside of the return window when I installed it so I'm stuck with it. For the price I'm still happy with it, it's a lot better than the Suntour coil spring fork I had on it. Might buy another one and just return my defective one.

[@tac6044]

@@TonyHob I'm going to try the gas version..... not even sure what that is but I have seen a few very positive videos about that version and it's only $15 more.

[@peterstaniszewski8802]

Hey Tony just pulled my bike out of the shed to go for a ride after not riding for a few months. I compress that the bucklos fork and then noticed oil coming out of The rebound knob side which I find extremely odd because of the oil been on the other side do you think the cartridge might have oil and is busted?

[@TonyHob]

It sounds like the seal in the cartridge is leaking. That would be my best guess. You should notice a lack of rebound dampening if it’s shot

[@peterstaniszewski8802]

Thanks Tony yes you're right and there doesn't seem to be a replacement that I know of. But it's all good have got plenty of us out it.

[@garylow708]

Possible to service bothside of shaft? Like suntour?

[@TonyHob]

The rebound side isa sealed cartridge that is not serviceable

[@mcchanel1050]

I’ve had the same forks they came clicking halfway through compression do u know a way of fixing it?

[@TonyHob]

I would try to return it. It should not be making noises. You might want to make sure the nuts are tight first. If it’s the cartridge on the rebound side there’s no way to fix it

[@mcchanel1050]

@@TonyHob ive taken the forks apart and the plunger thingy on the air side is wiggling about, unsure if this is normal the part is at 1:35

[@TonyHob]

It should be stable once it is mounted and the bolt tightened. Check out my video showing the upgraded bolt from a Suntour fork. It gives it more stability. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGjZgJ-Kfp2aa8U

[@espejodominicg.1144]

hellow its bucklos fork can lowered?

[@TonyHob]

I don't think so

[@JasonPepe5]

I did. You need to add a spacer between the spring and the silver "bolt" piece on the air side. I had a 29" and needed to lower it to run on a 27.5 bike. You lose travel and gain correct(er) geometry.

[@djsiyreful]

Hi! Just purchased one of these forks. How much oil do you recommend to put and what weight? I want to tune the fork before installing it.

[@TonyHob]

The fork should have the proper amount and wt oil (5ml of 80w). Fine tune it by adjusting the air pressure and rebound until it needs servicing. Then change out the oul. SR Suntour sells the oil. Your LBS might have it too

[@wony_0423]

hey man, i was wondering if you noticed your bucklos forks not compressing fully when you apply force really fast, but then compresses well when applied force slowly. i just got mine and it seems to be a problem.

[@TonyHob]

Ride it and see how it feels. I think it’s normal

[@smileyguyz]

that's how it's supposed to work.

[@jacklo325]

How is it compared to xcr air? Is it identical enough that you would use this fork over the xcr in long term?

[@TonyHob]

I would say as of now they work about the same but long term the build quality of the Suntour is a little better and I trust it more

[@jacklo325]

@@TonyHob Tony, thanks for the reply!

[@luckymalonzo6186]

How sad. My bucklos only have 1 coil spring. Thats why not very responsive during the rocky road. 🤦

[@chickencorgi5827]

can you adjust travel?

[@TonyHob]

No

[@s.n.r145]

Is it good company

[@TonyHob]

I have not dealt with them but I heard the customer service is not too good

[@s.n.r145]

@@TonyHob which is the best front suspension under 200 dollar's . Can I get it to india sir

[@TonyHob]

The Bucklos is actually really good. Tou can also check the SR Suntour

[@SlimPickins_07]

Would there be a way to shorten the length if you didn't need as much travel? My bike has a 420mm length and don't need a ton of travel, but don't want a super long fork. Gravel bike forks are way too expensive so wondering if you could modify a regular fork.

[@TonyHob]

Not that I am aware off

[@fullchrist4405]

I had a bad experience with a Bucklos Factory 32 140mm fork that I installed on my 26" bike. After about 300km in the city, I noticed that I was losing oil from the rebound screw. No help from Bucklos and I couldn't find anything on KZbin to solve the problem. The lower air side screw spins in a vacuum and does not want to be removed and does not want to be tightened again.$#%&*(*(% To help those who wonder how many milliliters and what kind of oil; 5ml / 80W

[@jonc5422]

Looks like a Suntour Epixon copy. Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a Chinese clone.

[@TonyHob]

agree