A smoother, steadier ride: SKF launches fork seal range for mountain bikes

SKF is well known as a leading provider of industrial and automotive components that push the boundaries of engineering. Enabling smooth rotation and energy efficient performance is at the core of SKF’s capabilities.

Now, SKF is taking its engineering capability to the wet, muddy, dirt tracks that mountain bikers around the world face every day. With its new Dual Compound fork seal kits for mountain bikes, SKF is helping riders by providing less friction and more ground contact – enabling a smoother, steadier ride – in almost any conditions.   

The SKF Dual Compound fork seal for mountain bikes has been newly developed on top of SKF’s existing performance offer. It consists of new rubber compounds and geometries for both the scraper lip and the sealing lip. The co-molded combination of compounds offers enhanced followability on the shaft. In addition, there is a new metal insert and an open wound spring on the dirt scraper lip, reducing the risk of contamination.

Nicolas Berruet, Two-Wheeler Business Development Manager at SKF, says: “SKF has been providing sealing solutions for two-wheelers since 2009. Our ability to draw on engineering competence from the extreme conditions experienced in high-performance motorcycle racing and other demanding two-wheeler applications ensures we can provide mountain bikers with the best possible solutions. By making them easy to select and install, we can also make them available to a wider range of riders.”

SKF Dual Compound fork seal kits for mountain bikes were presented at this year’s EICMA show in Milan, Italy, one of the world’s foremost two-wheel tradeshow. In addition to the new seal kit, SKF also profiled its range of sealing solutions for two-wheelers, including mountain bike single compound fork seals and a range of offer for motorbikes, including single and dual compounds fork seals, seal head units, floating piston seals, air cartridge seals, mud scrappers, glide kit and wheel seals.