Is it OK to remove the rubber front suspension covers on my bike?

Question

http://www.bicycleparts.us/mtb-fork-530.jpg

These things. No one seems to have them any more and I agree they look better without so just wanna make sure it's not damaging to my bike to take them off. Thanks!

Answer 1

They are usually there for a reason which is to keep dirt and debris out.

Newer models do not have them because they have closer tolerances and tighter seals.  You may not have problems but I would recommend leaving them in place.  It's not cheap to rebuild the internals of a shock fork.

Answer 2

You can take them off but they serve a purpose.  They keep dirt from destroying the seals on your shock.

Google bicycle fork boot and you will find all kinds.

http://www.modernparts.com/aspx/Store/Pr...

Answer 3

Should be yea

Answer 4

Yeah, you can....but be extra careful with water and fine dust because if your fork has the rubber boots, that means it probably doesn't have the better-quality seals and wipers that most forks today use.  It's hard to find replacements but if you look hard you might come up with some (might even be able to get a very old used cheapie fork for $10 to $25 and rob the boots from it).   Lizard Skins makes a neoprene boot that you can put on there, too, if you want.  

Answer 5

i did and its much better but as that other person said the fork that don't have them they have seals to keep dirt out

Answer 6

These are dust covers (gaters) that protect the suspension from wear due to dirt fouling the lubricated shocks, you can remove them but run the risk of early wear.  

Answer 7

Indeed it is!

Those covers just look cheap and cheerfull. I do it to all of my bikes.

It gives the bike a certain rougher look.

Most mountain bikes come with them off, so just slit them with a sharp knife and off they come, leaving good suspension forks.

Although, be careful to wash them reguarly, as that grit and dirt can slip into the suspension, causing rust which leads to a less life of suspension and causes them not to react as good. So keep them clean.

Hope i Helped!

Answer 8

The are called gaiters and are there to protect the oil seals from grit exsetera. without them the life of the seals will be shortened.

Answer 9

yes you can but by doing so you expose the suspension to grit and dirt. this can shorten the life of the suspension