odd, I live in Utah and ride year round and have no problems, used to live in Iowa and in the winter we studded them up and raced on the lakes, no fork leaks there either, hmmm
Finally a reply. Thank you for the response. Not uncommon to load the bike in the truck at -20 and and drive an hour. We used to ride at a place called the Sandbox in the winter time. It is an indoor arena X type of setup. Usually around 40 deg inside and it just destroys seals. I assume it is the big jumps without a chance to warm up the seals. It pays to take the heat gun to the shock and forks. Last year I changed out 3 different bikes and two friends had to do theirs too.
Lake riding seems to be fine. Lots of cornering, but no big jumps. Usually not -20, but I would still ride in those temps reguardless. They seem to hold up to single track at 30 deg just fine too, but when I'm doing that I don't really hit any good jumps either.
I assume a bit of warm up riding on the trail would get enough internal heat to keep them from blowing. I just know that I would have to jump the thing.
I kinda figured it was just seal temp without a good warmup. I think you confirmed that. Thanks