What forks shall I buy?

[Sammo123]

Morning,

I am currently building a new MTB and I'm stuck on what forks to buy. The bike will be used mainly for family bike rides but occasionally will get a blat around the woods and trails. Ideally something with a half decent amount of travel and lock out would be nice. They need to have a 1 1/8 steerer.

Cheers

Sammo

[richardxjr]

Budget? What frame? Assume 9mm QR fitting?

Rockshox Recon 100mm starter forks can be had for £130, Recon Silver TK = Coil, Steel - or £230, Recon Gold RL = Air & Ali, lighter, stiffer. Next up would be Reba which is highly regarded, from around £330

Limited availability at those prices based on a quick look at Planet X. Who also do a carbon rigid fork which will be cheaper, lighter, stiffer than a cheap bouncy fork, so think carefully about whether you need one or not. Decent tyres can add a fair amount of comfort.

[Justin Cyder]

I have Rockshot Rebas on my new build. They seem to be a decent compromise for trail riding, have lockout, decent service intervals, air sprung, feel very good out on the rides & you can pick up a set for around £200. All I know for sure is they're a world apart from my old Rockshot Dart forks, but I'm sure more knowledgeable chaps will be along with some more recommendations.

[ewenm]

Presumably the frame geometry dictates the best travel (if any) - what length of fork is the frame designed around?

[Sammo123]

richardxjr said:

Budget? What frame? Assume 9mm QR fitting?

Upto around £300ish. Ridley Blast 7DA frame. Ideally 9mm QR but not the end of the world if they're 15mm. Just means I will need to buy new wheels

[richardxjr]

Cool, found your earlier thread on it.

Id be hunting down a 120mm Reba.

[Sammo123]

CRC have an ex display set of Rebas with 100mm travel for a good price. Realistically will I notice much difference between 100mm and 120mm travel?

[Sammo123]

As I was typing that they bloody sold them

[richardxjr]

No, not really. +20mm would make the front end a bit slacker, so 120 would be ideal. But it's an XC frame so a lightish 100mm will be fine.

CRC says out of stock though

[richardxjr]

http://flatoutcycles.co.uk/fox-32-f130-rl-130mm-26...

http://flatoutcycles.co.uk/rockshox-reba-rl-120mm-...

Long steerers, but double check fit!

Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 17th July 10:31

[Sammo123]

Managed to find the Reba 120mm with a 9mm QR for £270 on Bike 24 so I have bought them