Suntour XCR Forks - Problems

[spdpug98]

I have a set of Suntour XCR front forks on my bike (I know not the best!) but whilst out riding at Afan yesterday they developed a bad problem.

The forks are fine under compression but then they just spring back to the top of the fork with no rebound damping whatsoever.

I don't really know anything about bike forks but guess they will need a service or new oil or both, is it an easy job or is it a LBS job

[stu8975]

Sounds like a new rebound damper is needed, what model are they xcr, xcr-lo,xcr-rl, personally unless they are under warranty, i'd get better forks, standard xcr can be had for £55 new, you may end up paying £30 for a part and to have it fitted, maybe more.

[spdpug98]

I had a quick look on ebay and found them for £50/60ish, so thought a new set may be the easiest fix.

But then if I am buying a new set should I not bother with Suntour and maybe go for a decent set, I don't want to spend loads of cash as I am by no means an MTB god!!

Any recomendations for a low price, decent set of forks - is it worth buying second hand or could that be more trouble than its worth

[MATRS]

Whats your budget?

These are reasonable for less than £150 http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/marzocchi-and-rocksh...

[spdpug98]

That's the sort of budget I was thinking off (£100 - £150) the only make of shocks I have ever really heard of (apart from my Suntour's) are Rockshox

[stu8975]

Rockshox toras will be you best bet for £150 if buying new, if second hand look at the Rockshox recons. eg

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rock-Shox-Recon-2008-100mm-w...

Bear in mind if you do go 2nd hand, make sure the steerer is the correct length (ie..not too short) and make sure the brake fitting is the same (or that you can get a suitable adapter - for discs only)

[spdpug98]

I have been offered a set of Marzochhi MX Comp forks for a reasonable price, anyone have any experience/knowledge of these forks

[stu8975]

Mx Comps aren't that bad, but they did stop making them a couple of years ago, so you might have trouble getting parts if you need them, and as they are an 'air' fork, you will have to buy a shock pump (£15-£20, unless you get one inc.) to set/adjust the correct pressure. You could prob pick up 2nd hand xcr's for £30 from fleabay.

[snotrag]

Rockshox heirarchy is Dart < Tora < Recon < Reba.

Darts are a budget fork - if you can try and hunt out a pair of Toras they are worth it - the first of the range that is genuinely off-road worthy. Big step up in stiffness from the Dart - Dart is 28mm stanchion, Tora and above are 32mm.