This specification establishes the performance requirements and associated test methods for qualifying designs of suspension and nonsuspension production forks employed on bicycles that are intended for use in Condition 3 topography. This kind of condition pertains to rough trails, rough unpaved roads, and rough technical areas and unimproved trails, wherein contact with the irregular terrain and momentary loss of tire contact with the ground may occur during usage. The forks shall go through compression load, bending load, impact resistance, and fatigue tests. Models that fail to meet the specified test requirements shall be rejected.

1.1 This standard establishes testing requirements for qualifying designs using production forks intended for use in Condition 3 per Classification F 2043.

1.2 This standard is applicable to suspension and non-suspension bicycle forks for use of a bicycle on rough trails, rough unpaved roads, and rough technical areas and unimproved trails. Contact with irregular terrain and momentary loss of tire contact with the ground may occur during usage. This usage is referred to as Condition 3 per Classification F 2043. Other types of bicycle uses exist and other specification standards will apply for uses other than Condition 3.