Upgrading the front forks on the womans bike.

[ED209]

She has a 2011 gt avalanche hard tail and the suntour forks have given nothing but bother, So i was thinking rather than keep getting them serviced/fixed it might be worth upgrading to some new/second hand forks.

So I am pretty clueless bike wise, do i need a specific size fork? Are they easy to fit yourself? anyone reccoment any specific forks that are quite cheap?

[nammynake]

Some second hand Rebas, or if you want new, some of these Recons:

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/frame-forks/...

What sort of terrain does she ride - a pair of good rigids might be more appropriate and maintenance free:

http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=43&a...

[ED209]

Rigids no good really, we normally ride the red/blue routes at Hamsterly or Glentress or similar, She has even done the black a few times at Hamsterly on it. The bike doesnt get used at all on the road.

This is the bike she has which was meant to be a decent spec at the time so i cannot understand why the forks seem so crap, they have just been serviced too.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/avalanche-2...


these are on the 2013 spec bike, are they likely to be an improvement?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/rock-shox-xc-28...

Edited by ED209 on Friday 4th October 19:51

[nammynake]

I think the Xc28 are Rockshox's entry fork, with the Recon and then Reba sitting above. The Reba are highly rated, or if you're feeling flush then the Fox 32 are superb forks - ignore those who say they need wrapping in cotton wool and servicing every 10 miles - mine have been serviced once in 2 years and covered hundreds of miles in the UK and Alps.

You'll need to decide whether it is worth chucking a lot of money at the GT though...or better to put the money towards a new bike.

[ED209]

nammynake said:

I think the Xc28 are Rockshox's entry fork, with the Recon and then Reba sitting above. The Reba are highly rated, or if you're feeling flush then the Fox 32 are superb forks - ignore those who say they need wrapping in cotton wool and servicing every 10 miles - mine have been serviced once in 2 years and covered hundreds of miles in the UK and Alps.

You'll need to decide whether it is worth chucking a lot of money at the GT though...or better to put the money towards a new bike.

thats the dilemma, we are trying to save for our wedding next year at the min so trying not to blow money on none essential items.

I did spot this today though and its her size. Was cosidering buying it for her christmas present even though its a bit more than i want to spend!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/my...

[Gizmoish]

I'd want an air fork rather than coil at that price - see if your local Halfords has last year's Boardman FS discounted...

[ED209]

Gizmoish said:

I'd want an air fork rather than coil at that price - see if your local Halfords has last year's Boardman FS discounted...

is there anywhere where boardman get rid of their old model bikes?

[Gizmoish]

ED209 said:

Gizmoish said:

I'd want an air fork rather than coil at that price - see if your local Halfords has last year's Boardman FS discounted...

is there anywhere where boardman get rid of their old model bikes?

My local Halfords shop had a clearance corner the other week. Online, I've never found anywhere...

[ED209]

Gizmoish said:

ED209 said:

Gizmoish said:

I'd want an air fork rather than coil at that price - see if your local Halfords has last year's Boardman FS discounted...

is there anywhere where boardman get rid of their old model bikes?

My local Halfords shop had a clearance corner the other week. Online, I've never found anywhere...

Unfortunately i dont have a local halfords.