Which XC fork?
Discussion
I've got a 2006 GT Avalanche which I'm in the process of upgrading and I am trying to choose a new fork. I'm willing to spend around £150 -£180 and have a few shortlisted items.
I'm looking at either a set of Rockshox tora 318 u-turn (coil), a set of Rockshox Tora 318 soloair or a set of Marzocchi XC 500 2007(air sprung).
As i'm about 14 stone i'd probably be more likely to get a coil sprung fork as i've heard some horror stories about air sprung forks blowing their seals and mangling the owner. Anyone got any experience of the above forks or any recommendations.
TIA
Geoff
I'm looking at either a set of Rockshox tora 318 u-turn (coil), a set of Rockshox Tora 318 soloair or a set of Marzocchi XC 500 2007(air sprung).
As i'm about 14 stone i'd probably be more likely to get a coil sprung fork as i've heard some horror stories about air sprung forks blowing their seals and mangling the owner. Anyone got any experience of the above forks or any recommendations.
TIA
Geoff
Spend a few more quid and get the Reba sl's, currently on offer at Merlin
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...
Reba's at that price.
At 14-stone you'd need to upgrade the springs in a coil fork anyway so that'll bump the price up - unless you buy from TFT or Mojo and they'd fit the right spring as part of the deal. The industry standard average weight of a male rider is 12-stone so coil forks come set up for this weight.
Air forks are very reliable and more tuneable than coil. At some point in History and around the world every single type of bike component has failed causing injury to the rider - chains snapping can be a particular ball-ache - so don't put too much stock in someone's 'horror' story.
Or...... If it has to be a fork coil then try an pick up a set of Fox Vanilla's off e-Bay or check out the classifieds on singletrackworld.com though that forum moves very quickly! A 2007 set should come in on / under budget. New they come with three springs (soft med and hard) so bid on the auctions that have these included. They are smooth, light and reliable. Plus a chimp with a tool kit can service them.
On a final note. What ever forks you get remember to look after them. Modern mtb suspension forks are not a fit and forget item, they need maintenance - regardless of what people may say or expect. Usually any failures can be traced back to poor maintenance / neglect.
ETA: Assuming you need a 100mm travel fork then if you get a set of Van's off e-Bay then you'll need to get them stepped down from 140mm (or 130mm if 2006) to 100mm. This only involves rearranging the internal spacers so can be done as part of a service. The forks are designed to be able to do this. It'll also give you the option to carry them over to a new bike that my nee a longer travel fork - ie. a bit of future proofing.
At 14-stone you'd need to upgrade the springs in a coil fork anyway so that'll bump the price up - unless you buy from TFT or Mojo and they'd fit the right spring as part of the deal. The industry standard average weight of a male rider is 12-stone so coil forks come set up for this weight.
Air forks are very reliable and more tuneable than coil. At some point in History and around the world every single type of bike component has failed causing injury to the rider - chains snapping can be a particular ball-ache - so don't put too much stock in someone's 'horror' story.
Or...... If it has to be a fork coil then try an pick up a set of Fox Vanilla's off e-Bay or check out the classifieds on singletrackworld.com though that forum moves very quickly! A 2007 set should come in on / under budget. New they come with three springs (soft med and hard) so bid on the auctions that have these included. They are smooth, light and reliable. Plus a chimp with a tool kit can service them.
On a final note. What ever forks you get remember to look after them. Modern mtb suspension forks are not a fit and forget item, they need maintenance - regardless of what people may say or expect. Usually any failures can be traced back to poor maintenance / neglect.
ETA: Assuming you need a 100mm travel fork then if you get a set of Van's off e-Bay then you'll need to get them stepped down from 140mm (or 130mm if 2006) to 100mm. This only involves rearranging the internal spacers so can be done as part of a service. The forks are designed to be able to do this. It'll also give you the option to carry them over to a new bike that my nee a longer travel fork - ie. a bit of future proofing.
Edited by mk1fan on Sunday 30th March 11:46
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