Stay away from the Magura Boltron eBike fork

[Rick Bullotta]

Just a piece of friendly advice based on recent experience. Contrary to virtually every other fork manufacturer, Magura does not provide instructions for even the most basic fork maintenance, let alone a service manual to allow competent mechanics or 3rd party shops service the fork.

The design of the fork (self-lubricating sliders) will inherently require frequent fluid service, yet there is no way to "do it yourself".

This fork came stock on my KTM Kapoho Macina - and will soon be replaced with a proper Fox fork. At least KTM wised up and switched the spec to Fox for the 2018 bikes.

If anyone currently owns a Boltron and wants mine for spare parts or as a backup fork while yours is in the service centre, message me and let's make a deal!

 

[Gubbins]

Just a piece of friendly advice based on recent experience. Contrary to virtually every other fork manufacturer, Magura does not provide instructions for even the most basic fork maintenance, let alone a service manual to allow competent mechanics or 3rd party shops service the fork.

The design of the fork (self-lubricating sliders) will inherently require frequent fluid service, yet there is no way to "do it yourself".

This fork came stock on my KTM Kapoho Macina - and will soon be replaced with a proper Fox fork. At least KTM wised up and switched the spec to Fox for the 2018 bikes.

If anyone currently owns a Boltron and wants mine for spare parts or as a backup fork while yours is in the service centre, message me and let's make a deal!

My fox forks developed a slight fault and LBS said we don't service forks we just send them back. 7 to 10 day turnaround. I assumed that was the normal procedure.

 

[Rick Bullotta]

My fox forks developed a slight fault and LBS said we don't service forks we just send them back. 7 to 10 day turnaround. I assumed that was the normal procedure.

Depends on the issue(s). Basic periodic service is pretty easy (fluid changes, cleaning internals and cleaning/replacing seals). Bushing replacement is a whole different beast.

But as a consumer (or LBS), I'd expect to have access to basic periodic maintenance instructions.

I do my own basic service on Fox and RockShox forks and shocks.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Depends on the issue(s). Basic periodic service is pretty easy (fluid changes, cleaning internals and cleaning/replacing seals). Bushing replacement is a whole different beast.

But as a consumer (or LBS), I'd expect to have access to basic periodic maintenance instructions.

I do my own basic service on Fox and RockShox forks and shocks.

Interesting! I put Marzocchi Gran Fondo forks on my bike (cheapest air forks I could find). They were from Ebay new in the box, bought by the seller for a project that didn't go. I've never done any maintenance to them in 3 1/2 years and 4500 miles - not even cleaned or checked the air pressure. They seem to be getting better with time.

 

[Russelliow]

How much are you after for the forks? My KTM kapoho is a 274 and came with some sun tours that need sending back to fix a rattle but I don't want to be without a bike.

Sent from my TA-1033 using Tapatalk

 

[RobF]

At least KTM wised up and switched the spec to Fox for the 2018 bikes.

It's all sales and marketing.

I suspect what happens is KTM invite tenders for a few hundred forks.

Fox come in at £30 a unit, Magura come in at £29, so Magura it is.

Lots of marketing bullshine follows about how wonderful the Magura design has now suddenly become.

For the next model year build, Fox undercut Magura, so all of a sudden Fox is the best fork - according to KTM.

None of which has anything to do with how the bike performs on the trail - the hapless customer is left to worry about that.

 

[Rick Bullotta]

It's all sales and marketing.

I suspect what happens is KTM invite tenders for a few hundred forks.

Fox come in at £30 a unit, Magura come in at £29, so Magura it is.

Lots of marketing bullshine follows about how wonderful the Magura design has now suddenly become.

For the next model year build, Fox undercut Magura, so all of a sudden Fox is the best fork - according to KTM.

None of which has anything to do with how the bike performs on the trail - the hapless customer is left to worry about that.

Perhaps, but it's a ton easier to find a place to service a Fox or RockShox fork (and to find parts and fluids) than it is to have a one-off, low-volume fork like the Boltron serviced. In fact, even if you send it to a Magura service center, odds are that it is the first one that tech has seen! Definitely the case here in the states.

And if you're a LBS or 3rd party service center, it doesn't make business sense to buy specialty service tools for low volume forks like the Boltron.

I also don't understand why Magura is so "secretive" about the service and maintenance instructions. That's just ridiculous.

In any case, a Fox 36 is going on my KTM this week. Problem solved.

 

[Rick Bullotta]

How much are you after for the forks? My KTM kapoho is a 274 and came with some sun tours that need sending back to fix a rattle but I don't want to be without a bike.

Sent from my TA-1033 using Tapatalk

Retail is about £850 - plus it's a 20mm axle. I'll sell both the fork and the DT 350 20mm boost hub for £400 plus cost of shipping from the USA.

 

[Rick Bullotta]

Retail is about £850 - plus it's a 20mm axle. I'll sell both the fork and the DT 350 20mm boost hub for £400 plus cost of shipping from the USA.

FYI, I'm just going to keep the fork as a spare. It'll fit a couple other bikes in the stable, so it'll be kept as a "just in case" fork.