Fork not working - MTB a writeoff?
Discussion
I bought a new Kona Coilair (Model Year 2008) on ebay in 2009 for less than half of its £3700 then-list price. I rode it for a few weekends and but life got in the way, so it stood the back of the garage for many many years.
I'd like to be come more active so I drove the bike to a small local shop to get it serviced. He immediately identified it as an "oldtimer" when I rolled into the shop.
I inquired about a full service. The owner of the shop noted that the fork must be damaged because it no longer extends all the way out. He told me that Marzocchi forks are a pain to repair because they were bought by another company and that it will be almost impossible to find a decent replacement fork because my bike is so old — something about the steering tube being straight and the wheels being too small and whatnot.
After some more discussion he politely declined servicing the bike because he didn't want to rob any money from me.
Has bike technology really evolved so rapidly that a decent bike from 2008 is now worthless because of a defective fork?
Here's a picture of the bike and all its components: http://www.konabikeworld.com/08_coilairsupreme_w.h...
I'd like to be come more active so I drove the bike to a small local shop to get it serviced. He immediately identified it as an "oldtimer" when I rolled into the shop.
I inquired about a full service. The owner of the shop noted that the fork must be damaged because it no longer extends all the way out. He told me that Marzocchi forks are a pain to repair because they were bought by another company and that it will be almost impossible to find a decent replacement fork because my bike is so old — something about the steering tube being straight and the wheels being too small and whatnot.
After some more discussion he politely declined servicing the bike because he didn't want to rob any money from me.
Has bike technology really evolved so rapidly that a decent bike from 2008 is now worthless because of a defective fork?
Here's a picture of the bike and all its components: http://www.konabikeworld.com/08_coilairsupreme_w.h...
Shirley you can fit another fork?
Or get a second hand one that is like for like: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_tr...
Or get a second hand one that is like for like: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_tr...
Not a write off at all just could be tricky to find parts
See below some 130mm forks with 20mm axle.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/manitou-...
They are 30mm shorter but should be too much of an issue.
But he was obviously talking s
t so I reckon those forks need a lowers service and new seal kit. Ring TF TUNED and see what they can do.
See below some 130mm forks with 20mm axle.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/manitou-...
They are 30mm shorter but should be too much of an issue.
But he was obviously talking s
t so I reckon those forks need a lowers service and new seal kit. Ring TF TUNED and see what they can do. Take a look in the Classifieds over at Singletrack, you should be able to find a suitable fork quite easily.
as above or try here:
https://www.merlincycles.com/suspension-forks-8118...
That filtered search should be what you want (but double check!) You didn't mention what axle you need (ie. QR, 20mm, 15mm etc), so check that as well.
I've got some of those Sektor RL forks and they're fine. Not glamourous in any way but do the job.
https://www.merlincycles.com/suspension-forks-8118...
That filtered search should be what you want (but double check!) You didn't mention what axle you need (ie. QR, 20mm, 15mm etc), so check that as well.
I've got some of those Sektor RL forks and they're fine. Not glamourous in any way but do the job.
phil-sti said:
Not a write off at all just could be tricky to find parts
See below some 130mm forks with 20mm axle.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/manitou-...
They are 30mm shorter but should be too much of an issue.
But he was obviously talking st so I reckon those forks need a lowers service and new seal kit. Ring TF TUNED and see what they can do.
He is absolutely talking sSee below some 130mm forks with 20mm axle.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/manitou-...
They are 30mm shorter but should be too much of an issue.
But he was obviously talking s
t so I reckon those forks need a lowers service and new seal kit. Ring TF TUNED and see what they can do. t. I'm still riding about on a year 2000 Marin, no parts that I can't get for it. Second recommendation for TF Tuned, had them service my Fox rear shock and tune it for my weight. Great service.budgie smuggler said:
as above or try here:
https://www.merlincycles.com/suspension-forks-8118...
That filtered search should be what you want (but double check!) You didn't mention what axle you need (ie. QR, 20mm, 15mm etc), so check that as well.
thank you. The ideal fork would be 26", 1 1/8" steerer, 120-160mm adjustable travel, 20mm axle. I don't mind losing some travel.https://www.merlincycles.com/suspension-forks-8118...
That filtered search should be what you want (but double check!) You didn't mention what axle you need (ie. QR, 20mm, 15mm etc), so check that as well.
I will check the classifieds and contact TF Tuned.
Out of curiosity, would the average newly bought £1000 fully match this bike in terms of build quality, component quality, ride comfort, handling, etc? He seemed to suggest that.
It's certainly true that finding a brand new 26" wheel fork for a straight steerer is very tricky now. Long travel single crown ones were a niche at the time too - I'd say you definitely do not want to put a much shorter fork on there.
Marzocchi have been through the mill too - they've been bought and sold a couple of times now so I'm not even sure what distributor arrangement they have for spares these days. Worth contacting TFTuned (.com) to see if they can service/repair but even on their website they say to call and check because they have limited parts available.
If they can't help then it's trawling ebay/pinkbike/STW for something similar, ideally RockShox or Fox that you can still get the bits for. CRC do have last year's RockShox Domain for about £350, 180mm but can be travel reduced to match the 165mm ones you have.
Shame the shop seemed unhelpful but I doubt they much (if any) backup from Marzocchi, or that you want to pay their workshop rates for them to scratch around online trying to find the bits needed.
Marzocchi have been through the mill too - they've been bought and sold a couple of times now so I'm not even sure what distributor arrangement they have for spares these days. Worth contacting TFTuned (.com) to see if they can service/repair but even on their website they say to call and check because they have limited parts available.
If they can't help then it's trawling ebay/pinkbike/STW for something similar, ideally RockShox or Fox that you can still get the bits for. CRC do have last year's RockShox Domain for about £350, 180mm but can be travel reduced to match the 165mm ones you have.
Shame the shop seemed unhelpful but I doubt they much (if any) backup from Marzocchi, or that you want to pay their workshop rates for them to scratch around online trying to find the bits needed.
Yeah unfortunately 'standards' in cycling and Mountain Biking especially are anything but, they change all the time and several aspects of your bike will be different in incompatible with current stuff.
Your fork is one of the major ones, your frame won't take a tapered steerer tube (well there's a 5% chance or so it might, but even that it a massive faf to make work) which has been the current standard for a few years now, they're also deisgned for the 'wrong' wheel size, but that's a recent thing and there is still stuff for the older wheels.
whilst Marzocchi have changed hands twice since 2008 and avoided going under by the skin of their teeth a few months ago, but it doesn't mean they're obsolete, you can still get the seals for them and if they worked when you put it away 6 years ago it's unlikely anything major has broken by magic.
Below is a link to a seal kit for them, it's only the 'lower' / external seals so it might not fix your problem, but the seller is also one of the best service/repair specialists in the UK. They're decent guys, sometimes hard to get on the phone, but by all means give them a call - check the model of forks you have (this is probbaly it http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?... and give them a call, if they can be repaired TF T will do it, if they say they can't - they I'd take it as read they can't - if so, report back and we can have a dig for some second-hand forks of the right configuration and length you can buy and have serviced to 'as new' condition for not much money.
http://www.tftuned.com/marzocchi-seal-kit/p2913
The rest of your bike is 'legacy' but there's nothing there that cannot be serviced or replaced to make it work pefectly again.
Your fork is one of the major ones, your frame won't take a tapered steerer tube (well there's a 5% chance or so it might, but even that it a massive faf to make work) which has been the current standard for a few years now, they're also deisgned for the 'wrong' wheel size, but that's a recent thing and there is still stuff for the older wheels.
whilst Marzocchi have changed hands twice since 2008 and avoided going under by the skin of their teeth a few months ago, but it doesn't mean they're obsolete, you can still get the seals for them and if they worked when you put it away 6 years ago it's unlikely anything major has broken by magic.
Below is a link to a seal kit for them, it's only the 'lower' / external seals so it might not fix your problem, but the seller is also one of the best service/repair specialists in the UK. They're decent guys, sometimes hard to get on the phone, but by all means give them a call - check the model of forks you have (this is probbaly it http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?... and give them a call, if they can be repaired TF T will do it, if they say they can't - they I'd take it as read they can't - if so, report back and we can have a dig for some second-hand forks of the right configuration and length you can buy and have serviced to 'as new' condition for not much money.
http://www.tftuned.com/marzocchi-seal-kit/p2913
The rest of your bike is 'legacy' but there's nothing there that cannot be serviced or replaced to make it work pefectly again.
Herman Toothrot said:
You don't need a 26" fork to used 26" wheels, 650b forks will be fine I have a bike at home 650b fork 26" wheel, all it'd mean if you go same travel is a fractionally slacker head angle which basically means making the geometry more modern.
Interesting as I came here for researching this very topic! Can you elaborate a bit more on how the bike feels afterwards? Any issues with 9mm QR on the 27/650b fork (dangerous loss of rigidity)?I too have an older 26" wheeled hardtail and am considering getting 27.5" Rockshox Rebas as they are better priced than the 26" versions. Bike is a Specialized Rockhopper ~10yrs old but still like new as I've hardly ever used it since buying new.
Finding a 160mm travel, 1 1/8" straight steerer, 20mm axle fork shouldn't be too onerous - Marzocchi 55R, Rockshox Lyrik, or Fox 36 will be your main options. Personally I'd go for a Lyrik (and I did) as spares and servicing options are plentiful. Have a look in the Pinkbike classifieds, eBay, put a wanted ad up on the Singletrackworld.com forum. A good used Lyrik will be about £200.
Alternatively there's brand new Suntour Durolux on eBay for £300.
Alternatively there's brand new Suntour Durolux on eBay for £300.
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