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Couple of basic questions

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CG Sam
Crazy Courier



Joined: 08 Apr 2013
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PostPosted: 14:51 - 28 Jan 2014    Post subject: Couple of basic questions Reply with quote
Hi, I know these are probably pretty noobish questions but they're things I'm not sure on and thought I'd ask.

What's the difference between regular forks and upside down ones?

What are the advantages of monoshock rear suspension?

What's the difference between a fixed and a floating caliper?

Thanks,

Sam
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lihp
World Chat Champion



Joined: 22 Sep 2010
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PostPosted: 15:14 - 28 Jan 2014    Post subject: Re: Couple of basic questions Reply with quote
CG Sam wrote:
Hi, I know these are probably pretty noobish questions but they're things I'm not sure on and thought I'd ask.

What's the difference between regular forks and upside down ones?
USD forks have the heaviest part of the fork above the suspension, therefore reducing unsprung weight

What are the advantages of monoshock rear suspension?
Compact design, allows shock to run through centre of the bike increasing ground clearance, also no risk of 2 shocks working at different rates, also allows use of different linkages to adjust shock rate

What's the difference between a fixed and a floating caliper?
You mean floating and non floating discs I imagine? Floating discs aren't solid to the hub and therefore can move slightly while not been clamped by the caliper reducing drag, it also allows manufacturers to use an aluminium hub with a steel disc, instead of single piece of steel, again reducing rotational and unsprung mass

Thanks,

Sam
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Islander
World Chat Champion



Joined: 05 Aug 2012
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PostPosted: 15:14 - 28 Jan 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
In a regular fork, the slider is on the wheel and the stanchion is fixed to the steering head via the fork clamps. In an upside down fork, the stanchion is on the wheel and the sliders are fixed to the steering head. This reduces the unsprung weight.

A monoshock rear suspension is supposed to reduce swingarm torque and having a single point of adjustment (as opposed to two) is easier to adjust and balance.

A fixed caliper is fixed to the swingarm or forks and cannot move relative to them. A floating caliper has a plate fixed to the swingarm or forks with slider pins attaching the caliper itself so that it is free to move relative to the forks/swingarm.
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 15:17 - 28 Jan 2014    Post subject: Re: Couple of basic questions Reply with quote
CG Sam wrote:

What's the difference between regular forks and upside down ones?

Reglular forks have a chromed stanchion attached to the steering yoke and an alumium/steel fork leg that fits over it attached to the wheel.

The upside down ones have the stanchion attached to the wheel and the sider attached to the steerer. It should be more rigid and have a lower unsprung (no suspension between it and the road) weight which allows the suspension to be more responsive.

Quote:
What are the advantages of monoshock rear suspension?

The linkage allows you to have variable rates of compression and more suspension travel with a shorter shock. I believe there is less sideways flex in the swingarm too.

Quote:
What's the difference between a fixed and a floating caliper?

A floating caliper is free to move in a sideways direction (often mounted on sliding pins) so the two sets of pads strike each side of the disc similtaneously. If there is some warping on the disc, irregular wear on the pads or the disc isn't exactly centred, the caliper can move to compensate.

In tedious reality, it doesn't float as freely as you'd like.

A fixed calliper does not move sideway, any discrepancies in the straightness of the disc and suchlike are taken up by movements in the brake pistons (usually opposed pistons). Modern sports bikes usually have a floating disc instead of a floating caliper.
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CG Sam
Crazy Courier



Joined: 08 Apr 2013
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PostPosted: 17:17 - 28 Jan 2014    Post subject: Reply with quote
Cheers guys, that's cleared it up for me. I kept reading about these different things in bike reviews and specs but wasn't sure about them.
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