XC mountain bike forks - reccommend me some
Discussion
The suspension forks are a bit of a weak link on my mountain bike, so I am looking to source a replacement pair on ebay.
The bike is a GT Tempest, and therefore is fitted with Rockshox Jett (elastomer type I think) with about 65mm travel. I don't want to replace these with some kind of crazy downhill forks, because I don't want to add weight or upset the bike's excellent geometry (too much travel could make the bike sit too high at the front).
So, my selection criterion is as follows:
- Between 70 & 80 mm of travel
- V-brake mounts
- Plush movement
- Torsionally stiff
- Can be had for about £50
So, any makes/models you think I should scour ebay for?
The bike is a GT Tempest, and therefore is fitted with Rockshox Jett (elastomer type I think) with about 65mm travel. I don't want to replace these with some kind of crazy downhill forks, because I don't want to add weight or upset the bike's excellent geometry (too much travel could make the bike sit too high at the front).
So, my selection criterion is as follows:
- Between 70 & 80 mm of travel
- V-brake mounts
- Plush movement
- Torsionally stiff
- Can be had for about £50
So, any makes/models you think I should scour ebay for?
itsnotarace said:
Pace RC36, travel was adjustable from 70-90mm on the early models and 80-100 on teh later ones
Boooo! The only ones listed are fitted to this (rather interesting looking) bike http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Handsome-Dog-titanium-mounta...You might get a 2nd hand RS Tora for that, some of which come with V-mounts. Make sure you check the model number against the RS website as some of the OEM models used Steel steerers and Cromo stanchions.
If theres oil leaking from the bottom of the damper leg theres a recall that should have been done. Easy fix if not.
If theres oil leaking from the bottom of the damper leg theres a recall that should have been done. Easy fix if not.
I found these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pace-RC-36-Suspension-Forks-...
Disc only mounts on that pair though. The V brake mounts are quite expensive to add later, approx £40 I think I paid for my RC31 set (was a couple of years ago)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pace-RC-36-Suspension-Forks-...
Disc only mounts on that pair though. The V brake mounts are quite expensive to add later, approx £40 I think I paid for my RC31 set (was a couple of years ago)
itsnotarace said:
I found these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pace-RC-36-Suspension-Forks-...
Disc only mounts on that pair though. The V brake mounts are quite expensive to add later, approx £40 I think I paid for my RC31 set (was a couple of years ago)
Cor, they look tuff! But v-brake mounts are a must-have. I haven't accounted for a hydraulic disc upgrade in this purchase....http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pace-RC-36-Suspension-Forks-...
Disc only mounts on that pair though. The V brake mounts are quite expensive to add later, approx £40 I think I paid for my RC31 set (was a couple of years ago)
Although Pace are exellent forks they are a bit top end really, infact some of the most expensive forks out there so surely not the best choice for a £50 ebay bargain?
I'm with the Toras sensible travel and cost and geat performing. If you are after weight savings you could get some RS Sids from a few years back. Also you could look at an almost new pair if RS Pilots. They look a bit weedy but I have heard some really great reports on them. Only £100 for Pilots with lockout brand new so sensible money to begin with.
John
I'm with the Toras sensible travel and cost and geat performing. If you are after weight savings you could get some RS Sids from a few years back. Also you could look at an almost new pair if RS Pilots. They look a bit weedy but I have heard some really great reports on them. Only £100 for Pilots with lockout brand new so sensible money to begin with.
John
Edited by johnnyboy666 on Tuesday 18th May 10:21
johnnyboy666 said:
Although Pace are exellent forks they are a bit top end really, infact some of the most expensive forks out there so surely not the best choice for a £50 ebay bargain?
I'm with the Toras sensible travel and cost and geat performing. If you are after weight savings you could get some RS Sids from a few years back. Also you could look at an almost new pair if RS Pilots. They look a bit weedy but I have heard some really great reports on them. Only £100 for Pilots with lockout brand new so sensible money to begin with.
John
I'm either being thick, or I am failing to find any of these on ebay right now. I appreciate the suggestions though.I'm with the Toras sensible travel and cost and geat performing. If you are after weight savings you could get some RS Sids from a few years back. Also you could look at an almost new pair if RS Pilots. They look a bit weedy but I have heard some really great reports on them. Only £100 for Pilots with lockout brand new so sensible money to begin with.
John
Edited by johnnyboy666 on Tuesday 18th May 10:21
You're going to be very limited on choice because of the travel.
If you could live with 100mm, Marzocchi MX Pro-Lo's are a good fork, perhaps run a little more sag to get them sat right. They come with V brake mounts and disc brake mounts if you wanted to change later.
There are some 80m ones on ebay now, but they're 1" stearer ones.
If you could live with 100mm, Marzocchi MX Pro-Lo's are a good fork, perhaps run a little more sag to get them sat right. They come with V brake mounts and disc brake mounts if you wanted to change later.
There are some 80m ones on ebay now, but they're 1" stearer ones.
Rock Shox Tora's can be set at 80mm (iirc) or an older set of Rock Shox Judy's. Both have V-brake tabs but are heavy.
Personally, any forks bought for £50 are going to be pony, or in need of maintenance or both.
Rock Shox Reba's can also be set at 80mm travel. As for the 'V' brake. Avid BB-7 cable brake is what you need. As long as your hubs have the six bolt fixings then yo can do the conversion for £40ish. Just need a new cable and outer.
If you can't stand riding the forks then why not stick on a set of rigid forks. Exotic ali ones are £50 and come in 1 or 1&1/8 steerers, 'v'-brake and disc.
Personally, any forks bought for £50 are going to be pony, or in need of maintenance or both.
Rock Shox Reba's can also be set at 80mm travel. As for the 'V' brake. Avid BB-7 cable brake is what you need. As long as your hubs have the six bolt fixings then yo can do the conversion for £40ish. Just need a new cable and outer.
If you can't stand riding the forks then why not stick on a set of rigid forks. Exotic ali ones are £50 and come in 1 or 1&1/8 steerers, 'v'-brake and disc.
mk1fan said:
Rock Shox Tora's can be set at 80mm (iirc) or an older set of Rock Shox Judy's. Both have V-brake tabs but are heavy.
Personally, any forks bought for £50 are going to be pony, or in need of maintenance or both.
Rock Shox Reba's can also be set at 80mm travel. As for the 'V' brake. Avid BB-7 cable brake is what you need. As long as your hubs have the six bolt fixings then yo can do the conversion for £40ish. Just need a new cable and outer.
If you can't stand riding the forks then why not stick on a set of rigid forks. Exotic ali ones are £50 and come in 1 or 1&1/8 steerers, 'v'-brake and disc.
It's not that I can't stand my current forks, it's just that I guessed my current ones are out of date and there MUST be some better options kicking around on the second hand market for a relatively small upgrade fee.Personally, any forks bought for £50 are going to be pony, or in need of maintenance or both.
Rock Shox Reba's can also be set at 80mm travel. As for the 'V' brake. Avid BB-7 cable brake is what you need. As long as your hubs have the six bolt fixings then yo can do the conversion for £40ish. Just need a new cable and outer.
If you can't stand riding the forks then why not stick on a set of rigid forks. Exotic ali ones are £50 and come in 1 or 1&1/8 steerers, 'v'-brake and disc.
You might be right though- maybe I need to spend a lot of money to get any benefit, in which case, I won't bother.
I just gave away a nice set of forks that I had kicking around, as it happens they were 130mm Bomber Z1 QR20 of the 2000 vintage. What an amazing old chool pair of forks! I'm afraid I don't have anything else that would work. Surely someone on the forum has an old pair of forks kicking around?
John
John
johnnyboy666 said:
I just gave away a nice set of forks that I had kicking around, as it happens they were 130mm Bomber Z1 QR20 of the 2000 vintage. What an amazing old chool pair of forks! I'm afraid I don't have anything else that would work. Surely someone on the forum has an old pair of forks kicking around?
John
My girlfriend's bike has Rockshox Tora and they are a big improvement over my forks, so I am currently waiting for a suitable pair to come up. They seem to go fairly cheap.John
Any offers from PHers considered!
john_p said:
How critical is fork length to the bike's geometry?
I have some very crappy Suntours which are due replacement as I'm not convinced they actually do anything
but I think they have 50mm travel or maybe less (M3000)
If I put 80mm travel forks on, what happens?
You will upset the steering head angle. Steep steering head angle makes the bike steer fast and feel nimble, but makes it also a bit unstable.I have some very crappy Suntours which are due replacement as I'm not convinced they actually do anything
but I think they have 50mm travel or maybe less (M3000)If I put 80mm travel forks on, what happens?
A shallow steering head angle (caused by long forks) will make the steering feel heavy and slow, with the added bonus of "flopping" into corners at low speed. You can get away with anything, but its a pretty fundamental geometry change you are making and it will make the bike handle very differently.
john_p said:
How critical is fork length to the bike's geometry?
I have some very crappy Suntours which are due replacement as I'm not convinced they actually do anything but I think they have 50mm travel or maybe less (M3000)
If I put 80mm travel forks on, what happens?
To be honest, if you're talking banging a set of 200mm Triple clamps on a frame designed for 80 then yes, you'll cause all sorts of issues with handling.I have some very crappy Suntours which are due replacement as I'm not convinced they actually do anything
but I think they have 50mm travel or maybe less (M3000)If I put 80mm travel forks on, what happens?
But... crappy suntour forks are very long for their travel. They designed to sit as OEM forks on entry level bikes in replacement of the 80-100mm forks you get on the higher-end ones.
It's the crown to axle length that's important, not the travel per-se. Check out the higher-end versions of your bikes (with the same frame) if they're running 80mm or more travel forks you'll be fine.
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