What is the difference between a locked and unlocked front fork?
2 Answers
There is a significant difference between locked and unlocked front forks on mountain bikes. The specific differences are as follows: 1. Different levels: Locked front forks are of a higher level than unlocked front forks. 2. Different functions: Locked front forks have a shock absorption lock function, which allows you to turn off the shock absorption function when riding on flat roads such as asphalt roads. This can help save energy and increase speed. Unlocked front forks do not have a shock absorption lock function. When riding on flat roads such as asphalt roads where shock absorption is not needed, the shock absorption function of the front fork will absorb some of the kinetic energy from pedaling, which is not beneficial for riding.
I've been commuting by bicycle for several years, and my personal experience tells me that the difference between locking and unlocking the front fork is really significant. Locking mode fixes the front fork in place, making the bike more stable when I ride on smooth asphalt roads. The force from pedaling is more directly transmitted to the wheels, saving a lot of effort, especially since there's no wasted energy on absorbing vibrations. On the other hand, the unlocked state is the complete opposite—the front fork can compress freely. When encountering small potholes or cobblestone roads, the entire bike shakes less, and my hands and butt don't feel as much bumpiness, making the ride much more natural. I think the most important thing is to switch modes according to road conditions: lock for efficiency on smooth roads and unlock for safety on rough terrain. Over long-term use, I've also noticed that maintenance frequency is affected. Frequent locking reduces wear on the damping system, but more unlocking requires regular lubrication of the oil tubes. In short, using it flexibly can extend the bike's lifespan and make the riding experience more enjoyable.
