Can someone guide me on MTB suspension forks please?
Discussion
My son has one of these: 
But the suspension fork is a entry level. He wants a better one, so I though "ah, great Christmas present", little realising that I'd set myself a difficult task, because 27.5 QR forks are rare.
Our local bike repairer suggested these: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/rockshox-reba-rl-9mmqr-fo... But I am wary because they are for a 29" bike, whereas the bike is 27.5. He says it won't matter, but I want to be sure. I don't want to end up with a poorly handling bike.
Also those forks appear to be an older model that don't come with a pump - is that a problem?
Thoughts, guidance comments appreciated chaps please.
But the suspension fork is a entry level. He wants a better one, so I though "ah, great Christmas present", little realising that I'd set myself a difficult task, because 27.5 QR forks are rare.
Our local bike repairer suggested these: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/rockshox-reba-rl-9mmqr-fo... But I am wary because they are for a 29" bike, whereas the bike is 27.5. He says it won't matter, but I want to be sure. I don't want to end up with a poorly handling bike.
Also those forks appear to be an older model that don't come with a pump - is that a problem?
Thoughts, guidance comments appreciated chaps please.
Rockshox recon available from a couple of places and fits the requirements. Whether correct fitting Recons are better/worse than incorrect geometry Rebas or not is up to those better informed! Certainly something to consider though.
https://www.bikingbarn.co.uk/rockshox-recon-silver...
https://www.bike-components.de/en/RockShox/Recon-S...
https://www.bikingbarn.co.uk/rockshox-recon-silver...
https://www.bike-components.de/en/RockShox/Recon-S...
bristolbaron said:
Rockshox recon available from a couple of places and fits the requirements. Whether correct fitting Recons are better/worse than incorrect geometry Rebas or not is up to those better informed! Certainly something to consider though.
https://www.bikingbarn.co.uk/rockshox-recon-silver...
https://www.bike-components.de/en/RockShox/Recon-S...
They have maxles don't they? So we would need to change the wheel. The second one is also tapered steerer, whereas his is parallel.https://www.bikingbarn.co.uk/rockshox-recon-silver...
https://www.bike-components.de/en/RockShox/Recon-S...
The ‘joys’ of the mountain bike industry and it’s relentless obsolete ‘standards’. Genuinely a pet hate of mine. Here’s my slightly cynical take.
I wouldn’t fit a 29er fork on a 27.5 bike. By the look of it what you need is a 27.5 fork, with a 9mm QR axle and a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube. There will probably be some new, but it’s unlikely they’ll be a big upgrade over what he already has, as the industry has almost entirely moved away from non-tapered headtubes.
So then what about second hand? The problem then arises that most of the good 9mm QR forks with a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube are older, and therefore for 26inch wheels.
In short, he’s probably better just riding what he has on there. Stick the money that out have spent on the forks into savings, top it up every now and again and spend that money on a higher end used bike when he’s ready (or when he’s completely destroyed what he already has)...
I wouldn’t fit a 29er fork on a 27.5 bike. By the look of it what you need is a 27.5 fork, with a 9mm QR axle and a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube. There will probably be some new, but it’s unlikely they’ll be a big upgrade over what he already has, as the industry has almost entirely moved away from non-tapered headtubes.
So then what about second hand? The problem then arises that most of the good 9mm QR forks with a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube are older, and therefore for 26inch wheels.
In short, he’s probably better just riding what he has on there. Stick the money that out have spent on the forks into savings, top it up every now and again and spend that money on a higher end used bike when he’s ready (or when he’s completely destroyed what he already has)...
TT1138 said:
The ‘joys’ of the mountain bike industry and it’s relentless obsolete ‘standards’. Genuinely a pet hate of mine. Here’s my slightly cynical take.
I wouldn’t fit a 29er fork on a 27.5 bike. By the look of it what you need is a 27.5 fork, with a 9mm QR axle and a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube. There will probably be some new, but it’s unlikely they’ll be a big upgrade over what he already has, as the industry has almost entirely moved away from non-tapered headtubes.
So then what about second hand? The problem then arises that most of the good 9mm QR forks with a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube are older, and therefore for 26inch wheels.
In short, he’s probably better just riding what he has on there. Stick the money that out have spent on the forks into savings, top it up every now and again and spend that money on a higher end used bike when he’s ready (or when he’s completely destroyed what he already has)...
...which is exactly what our local Specialized store said! I wouldn’t fit a 29er fork on a 27.5 bike. By the look of it what you need is a 27.5 fork, with a 9mm QR axle and a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube. There will probably be some new, but it’s unlikely they’ll be a big upgrade over what he already has, as the industry has almost entirely moved away from non-tapered headtubes.
So then what about second hand? The problem then arises that most of the good 9mm QR forks with a straight 1 and 1/8 steerer tube are older, and therefore for 26inch wheels.
In short, he’s probably better just riding what he has on there. Stick the money that out have spent on the forks into savings, top it up every now and again and spend that money on a higher end used bike when he’s ready (or when he’s completely destroyed what he already has)...
How much longer would a 29" fork be than a 27.5?
I'm surprised Spesh were still using a straight steerer tube in 2018, but you lives and learns.
I think those Recon Silvers suggested above would make a great upgrade, OEM RST forks tend to be s
tter than st.
A shock pump is a must not only for set-up, but general tuning. They're cheap enough.
I think those Recon Silvers suggested above would make a great upgrade, OEM RST forks tend to be s
tter than st.A shock pump is a must not only for set-up, but general tuning. They're cheap enough.
P-Jay said:
I'm surprised Spesh were still using a straight steerer tube in 2018, but you lives and learns.
I think those Recon Silvers suggested above would make a great upgrade, OEM RST forks tend to be stter than st.
A shock pump is a must not only for set-up, but general tuning. They're cheap enough.
I've ordered them. I am not sure if they come with a pump or not.I think those Recon Silvers suggested above would make a great upgrade, OEM RST forks tend to be s
tter than st.A shock pump is a must not only for set-up, but general tuning. They're cheap enough.
TT1138 said:
The ‘joys’ of the mountain bike industry and it’s relentless obsolete ‘standards’. Genuinely a pet hate of mine. Here’s my slightly cynical take.
Imagine my surprise last year when I dug my 2004 model Specialised Rockhopper out, fitted a new cassette, chain and chainrings and then thought - I really should finally get a new fork for this...V-brakes, 26" wheels, 1 1/8 straight headset. Suffice to say, the fork has stayed, and i'm resigned to binning the entire bike (which is otherwise perfectly usable) at some point...
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