What are Front Forks?
The two tubes up front that absorb bumps and keep the front wheel in contact with the road.
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
Telescopic forks let the front wheel move up and down independently of the rest of the bike, soaking up bumps via a spring and damping that movement with oil so the bike doesn't just bounce endlessly.
“Like two pogo sticks either side of the front wheel, but with oil inside to stop them bouncing forever.”
How it works
A spring inside each fork leg supports the bike's weight and absorbs the initial hit from a bump. Oil forced through small internal passages resists that spring's movement, damping the bounce so the wheel settles quickly rather than pogoing. Many bikes let you adjust preload, compression and rebound to suit rider weight and riding style.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Diving excessively under braking
- ⚠Clunking or knocking over bumps
- ⚠Oil visibly weeping down the fork tubes
- ⚠Uneven bounce, side to side
£100–£600
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by bike, region, and parts brand.