Which headshok do you have? I just picked up a 1997 F900 with DD60 headshok and it is rough, sounds like no grease inside but surprisingly it locks out with very little play. By the way Mendon Cyclesmith charges $85 now and return shipping is not free.
Headshok DLR's are not poorly designed they just need proper looking after. Headshok's do not suck, owners that ride their bikes into the ground with no service and expect them to function, suck! Count on Headshok's needing yearly maintenance (damper seals replaced) for heavier riders and riding. No set and forget walmart fork, like any high performance racing equipment Headshoks need attention; if you just want a commuter fork you can ignore for years, the Headshok fork will probably let you down and you should look elsewhere.
Headshok is a great invention that requires some real knowledge to work on, seldom found at even authorized shops. I have a Headshok, in fact I insist on Fatty fork on my bike. It's light, responsive, easy to maintain. But you have to learn it's language. Otherwise it's a mess up. You should be quite happy for having fatty fork, because nowadays mtb standards are keeping short travel forks far in the past. It's excellent for your commuter bike though. I ride hard XC with it, trying to knock the soul out of it.
Paddle hard, very much agree. Headshoks, my older one on my 2000, works fine. I’m sorry the original poster may have just gotten s lemon; it’s a mechanical device, and sometimes the best designed items will have fail for many different reasons.
This fork got a bad reputation just because Cannondale didn’t care enough about competence of their own technicians at service centers. This fork is the superior one, but requires a superior knowledge and skills for proper maintenance/service.
They've had issues with head shocks for over 20 years now, I would think they could do better today. I think Cannondale has put many small shops out of business because the warranty problems. Pretty sad. I've ridden them and it's a great fork when they work!
I don't know how your shops fared for the parts but the new Cannondale does not support headshoks anymore. They are great when they work, really great, but when they brake then it's like you're on your own and hope you have some mechanical ability..
I have the old headshox I've had no issues besides just normal wear have a 2005 f-600 furio mountain and had to replace the seals once..I love this bike i ride it every day and feel confident and fearless on and off road......
You can google around, they just don't last, require rebuilds more often then other shocks, I think this may be fixed now but with these years it was bad
I have 2 cannondale since 1999 F600; never had to rebuild and yes one of the bike needs a need shok but i keep it locked-OFF that way my son uses it no problemas.
Unfortunately, you have to understand those shoks. Other forks you don’t have to understand, you just ride them and don’t care. Once you understand headshok, you have to get yourself a set of special tools. Then you’re ready to enjoy all benefits this marvelous system provides. But even then the oil cartridge can leak fast. But last iteration KF264 cartridge has metal oil caps with better seals, and it’s worth the investment. I like my headshok fatty, it has many advantages over lefty, except the travel. So sad C stopped the production.
