MTB Suspension Forks - £200-£250 Budget
Discussion
As above, the Suntour XCM forks that came with my HT (Cube Attention) are knackered and cannot be serviced or repaired....nor is it worth it!
I'm on a limited budget and seeing as I'm planning on upgrading to a FS in the next 18 months or so I see little point in going for some forks that will cost the same as the bike (although I do understand their importance). Riding wise I'm not just going on flat trails/canals, there's lots of XC, downhill with a few small jumps thrown in when I'm feeling brave. I'm by no means an expert (as going out with a group of hard core MTB'ers has proved) but I'm learning, getting fit and having a bit of fun at the same time.
I'm after something up to £250, new or used, any recommendations? Also any advise on what to look for, travel, features, makes or if anyone's seen anything cheap on the bay of e is greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
edit: I need something that will just use a quick release wheel rather than a fixed axle and take a disc brake (which I presume is pretty standard anyway these days).
I'm on a limited budget and seeing as I'm planning on upgrading to a FS in the next 18 months or so I see little point in going for some forks that will cost the same as the bike (although I do understand their importance). Riding wise I'm not just going on flat trails/canals, there's lots of XC, downhill with a few small jumps thrown in when I'm feeling brave. I'm by no means an expert (as going out with a group of hard core MTB'ers has proved) but I'm learning, getting fit and having a bit of fun at the same time.
I'm after something up to £250, new or used, any recommendations? Also any advise on what to look for, travel, features, makes or if anyone's seen anything cheap on the bay of e is greatly appreciated!
Cheers!
edit: I need something that will just use a quick release wheel rather than a fixed axle and take a disc brake (which I presume is pretty standard anyway these days).
Edited by Maty on Thursday 8th August 09:16
I have just built my first bike with suspension. I came to the conclusion that 100mm travel was enough for me and after about a month of using the bike I think I made the right choice. However, you may make the wheels on the bike leave the ground more than I do.
I ended up with RockShox SID from On One as they had a great deal on them and they were popular for the bike I bought (On One Whippet). The forks are quick release and disk brake, which is what I wanted. Slightly above your budget but there are lower models within your budget new from them. One thing that I really like is the remote lock - you can lock the travel or go back to slushy mode just by pressing a button, which is far easier than leaning down and turning something on the fork itself.
I understand that Air is better than Coil and obviously weight is a consideration if you do more than just down hill stuff.
Other than that I am a complete noop when it comes to suspension so can't really help much further.
I ended up with RockShox SID from On One as they had a great deal on them and they were popular for the bike I bought (On One Whippet). The forks are quick release and disk brake, which is what I wanted. Slightly above your budget but there are lower models within your budget new from them. One thing that I really like is the remote lock - you can lock the travel or go back to slushy mode just by pressing a button, which is far easier than leaning down and turning something on the fork itself.
I understand that Air is better than Coil and obviously weight is a consideration if you do more than just down hill stuff.
Other than that I am a complete noop when it comes to suspension so can't really help much further.
I've just been looking at the RS Reba's, these in fact:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRRL120/rockshox_re...
Any good at the price (£269)?
When does the travel actually take effect? I've no idea whether 100mm is sufficient or if that extra 20mm is going to make a massive difference? Does more travel mean I can leather it down bumpy/rocky hills faster??
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRRL120/rockshox_re...
Any good at the price (£269)?
When does the travel actually take effect? I've no idea whether 100mm is sufficient or if that extra 20mm is going to make a massive difference? Does more travel mean I can leather it down bumpy/rocky hills faster??
You need to roughly match the travel of your existing fork with your new one (and ideally the axle to crown 'a2c' measurement). Going slightly out e.g. 90->100mm travel is okay, but going 120->150mm will almost certainly ruin the handling (it will raise the BB height and slacken the head angle).
My suggestion would be Rebas or Recons from On-One or Merlin. I got fully boxed official Sektors from On-One for £200 ish the other week, too much travel for you I guess though (not knowing how much your fork has).
My suggestion would be Rebas or Recons from On-One or Merlin. I got fully boxed official Sektors from On-One for £200 ish the other week, too much travel for you I guess though (not knowing how much your fork has).
Just been and checked the existing forks. They are Suntour XCM SR-851 apparently. From grabbing the brake and pushing on them I get a massive 40mm of travel, as per the line in the dirt on this picture:
I presume however that the travel is measured on the stainless steel (chrome) section in which case they are 90mm.
The A2C measurement is 45cm.
So if the existing forks are that knackered and I'm only getting 40mm of movement going for some new 100mm forks is going to make a massive difference in how it performs, is that right?
I presume however that the travel is measured on the stainless steel (chrome) section in which case they are 90mm.
The A2C measurement is 45cm.
So if the existing forks are that knackered and I'm only getting 40mm of movement going for some new 100mm forks is going to make a massive difference in how it performs, is that right?
Maty said:
Just been and checked the existing forks. They are Suntour XCM SR-851 apparently. From grabbing the brake and pushing on them I get a massive 40mm of travel, as per the line in the dirt on this picture:
I presume however that the travel is measured on the stainless steel (chrome) section in which case they are 90mm.
The A2C measurement is 45cm.
So if the existing forks are that knackered and I'm only getting 40mm of movement going for some new 100mm forks is going to make a massive difference in how it performs, is that right?
Ignore the travel then, just go on the a2c. On rebas they are 80mm - 453mm, 100mm - 473mm, 120mm - 493mm (those figures are from 09 so might be slightly out now).I presume however that the travel is measured on the stainless steel (chrome) section in which case they are 90mm.
The A2C measurement is 45cm.
So if the existing forks are that knackered and I'm only getting 40mm of movement going for some new 100mm forks is going to make a massive difference in how it performs, is that right?
I reckon the originals are 80mm travel but you'll be alright going with either 80 or 100mm Rebas/Recons.
As for performance, the travel is only one aspect, quality of damper, bushings and chassis will also make a massive difference. All in all, they will likely be a million times better
Edit:
these: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRGOLRL/rockshox_re...
or these: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRGRL13/rockshox_re...
]
would both be decent, don't get the 'TK' damper, look for RL, RLT, etc. TK is the low end one.
Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 8th August 10:31
Maty said:
Thanks for the help guys, I've just ordered the Rockshox Recon Gold RL 100mm Solo Air Fork (£225) with On-One. Couldn't find them in stock anywhere else for a 26" wheel and if I did they were more expensive.
They'll be perfect - night and day compared to the s
t you're ditching. Maty said:
Thanks for the help guys, I've just ordered the Rockshox Recon Gold RL 100mm Solo Air Fork (£225) with On-One. Couldn't find them in stock anywhere else for a 26" wheel and if I did they were more expensive.
Good choice! They will serve you well and be 34665456 times better than the Suntours!Vladimir said:
Maty said:
Thanks for the help guys, I've just ordered the Rockshox Recon Gold RL 100mm Solo Air Fork (£225) with On-One. Couldn't find them in stock anywhere else for a 26" wheel and if I did they were more expensive.
Good choice! They will serve you well and be 34665456 times better than the Suntours!Maty said:
They do indeed:
Spare seals, pump and stickers are included with the fork too!
What's involved with fitting them? Is it LBS job or can I have fairly easy DiY??
Check, double check and triple check and mark the steerer length against the old fork. If they have a steel steerer use a hacksaw after checking again that the line is in the right place. Spare seals, pump and stickers are included with the fork too!
What's involved with fitting them? Is it LBS job or can I have fairly easy DiY??
Otherwise if they are alloy steerer, go to wilkos or a plumbing shop and buy a cheap pipe cutter like the one below and use that, again after checking the length!
Only other PITA bit is hammering the star-fangled-jangler-tangler nut in. Just be careful to make sure it goes in straight. Or buy one of these or similar:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/hope-head-doctor-expander/
By the way, did I mention to check the length of the steerer before you cut? Yeah, do that!
Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 8th August 14:48
I got a set of Rebas from Planet X last month for my boys bike. The come set up as 100mm but will got out to 120 or down to 80 if needed but its not an easy swap. At least he can change them if he buys a new frame. I've always been very impressed with RS. I've got SIDs on my XC bike and they are so much smoother than the Fox on my Trek FuelEX7.
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