Reba's combination of ligth weight and stiffness make it the most versatile option for aggressive XC and lightweight All Mountain bikes.
Key features
-New BlackBox Carbon-Steerer
-Stiff 32mm 7000 series aluminum upper tubes
-Aluminum control knobs
-Bossed lower leg option
-Integrated graphics
-Motion Contol with external Floodgate
-Compatible with all PopLocs
-Dual Air
Submitted by
muzza
a Weekend Warrior
from Yes, Yes, Yes
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2009
Strengths: Light. Durable. Set it & forget it. I ride a lot. Nothing has broken, leaked or failed in anyway. Kinda spooky.
Weaknesses: I heard some of these adjust to up to 130 mm travel, but mine didn't.
Bottom Line:
Reba is best upgrade on the bike, and I meddled with everything. Reba made me faster, more comfy and offered precise control. Can't imagine life without Pop Loc. I rode without Pop Loc for a month, and WITH is hella better. I played with settings, but went back to what the bike shop dialled in. So good you forget they're there. Good value if you want to venture into advanced technical xc. I don't race, but the weight looks highly competitive for the price point.
Bike Setup: 06 SC Superlight. XTR crank. Monkeylite. 8" front rotor. Short Thomson stem. For technical single track. Reba Race was 07.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ovaries11
a Cross Country Rider
from canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2008
Weaknesses: Motion Control Unit seals went, leaked within 6 months, shop said they arent normal shaped seals so you have to buy this pissy part for $100! Know two other people this has happened to, and the shop said it is a design fault and Rock Shox are taking a hammering on returns!
Bottom Line:
A good fork, light, responsive, though the seals are obviously rubbish and something they need to fix
I wish I would have upgraded forks sooner. I had a very reliable Marzocchi that had served me for many years and was skeptical of all the newer features. This fork was a dramatic upgrade. The front end is much more responsive and less harsh to small bump forces but still has excellent dampening for those larger hits. I also feel this fork has improved cornering because the tire seems to stay glued to the ground better. As with any air fork, I was concerned about loss of air or bleeding of air into either of the chambers. This has not been a problem to this point. The remote lockout works great which improved climbing and the floodgate works as it is supposed. Travel adjustment can be achieved by adjusting spacers internally which I find beneficial. I would recommend this fork for those who ride cross country without any reservations.
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Petersburg, Fl
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2007
Strengths: Stiffness, lockout, adjustability, ease of use, versatility, durability (all metal construction)
Weaknesses: weight, will scratch (and peel decals) on trail.
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my previous review. I have used this fork at least twice a week around town for about six months now. I love it so, so very much. I have used it on the trail a few times and it worked great. When it is locked out I can stand on the pedals and really pedal hard without any bob whatsoever (and I weigh about 185 lbs). Even when it is not locked out it is very stiff yet compliant. This is a great product.
Submitted by
Kirk Denetclaw
a Cross Country Rider
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2007
Strengths: Price!!! 32mm stanchions. Stiff fork. Marzocchi Marathon and Fox F series were both over $600.00
Weaknesses: Recommendations for air pressure are high. Need to drop 20-40 psi lower than recommended.
Bottom Line:
Great fork for the money. I view this fork on the lines of the Marzocchi and Fox series forks. Adjustability is great. Had to play with fork pressures and rebound adjustment to get a plush ride. Use the manual and adjust all features. Use the rebound adjustment to limit shoot back from fork.
I had serious reservations about switching to a suspension fork, as I have ridden rigid my whole life. I got the Reba because I am a big guy (190 lbs), and I wanted a fork that wasn't going to bob. I could not be happier with the Reba. Though it weighs more than my frame, it is worth it. This is a solid fork, no plastic anywhere (except the poplock remote). Even without locking the fork out it exhibits minimal bob. It is totally predictable and has no flex. The remote lockout is super intuitive and eliminates 99.99999% of all fork movement (though it was tough to fit it on my azonic cf-1 bars with an m750 dual shifter/brake unit). I have yet to bottom the fork out, and wonder if it is even possible to do so. Plus it looks awesome. For someone who is used to a rigid fork, this one is for you.
Submitted by
Paul Behrer
a Downhiller
from Beaver, UT
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006
Strengths: Adjustability, light weight, smooth function, great performance, Motion Control works great for extended or standing climbing that is common when riding SS
Weaknesses: A bit more fore/aft flex than expected, but this is reducible if you adjust the fork with less compression damping. Not too sure that any 29er fork is going to have less fore/aft flex, though. Doesn't track or steer quite as accurately as my 26er Fox Vanilla RLC at 130mm travel.
Bottom Line:
This is the 29er Reba Race set up at 100mm travel with PopLoc, but I'm not using the remote lever.
Fantastic value and excellent performance. The last RockShox fork I owned was a 1998 Judy which was a piece of cow dung. Every RS fork I rode after that was a big disappointment, especially the Psylo that was so touted by so many riders. Now that SRAM have taken over the RockShox game, the tides have changed completely. This is a great fork, very smooth operation, tracks well, steers well, very adjustable, high quality adjustment knobs (fit/finish), and best of all it's very competitively priced. I have to say that RockShox forks now are very worthy competitors to Marzocchi and Fox. Not quite as accurate in the steering and tracking as the Fox Vanilla RLC 130mm in 26" model, but that may well be because the 29er fork is taller. Either way it's a very impressive performer and a 5/5 chili value.
Similar Products Used: This is my first 29er suspension fork. For single crown 26er forks -- Fox Vanilla RLC, Fox VAN 36, Marzocchi Z1 FR QR20, Manitou Minute 1 and 2.
Bike Setup: On-One Inbred 29er SS.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
GEORGE INGERSON
a Weekend Warrior
from STOCKTON, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2006
Strengths: ITS LIGHT WEIGHT,STIFF,ADJUSTABLE,
Weaknesses: MY POPLOC BROKE ON MY SECOND RIDE BUT THANKS TO ROCKSHOX THEY HAD ME A NEW ONE WITHIN 4 DAYS A**KICKING COMPANY
Bottom Line:
GREAT FORK FOR XC RIDING.QUAILTY JUST AS GOOD AS FOX BUT ALOT CHEAPER.SMOOTH RIDE ,GREAT ADJUSTABILTY,LOW MAINTANCE,NO FLEX,GREAT TRACKING
Bike Setup: 2006 IRONHORSE AZURE FACTORY 5TH ELEMENT REAR SHOCK,REBA FRONT,LX SHIFTERS,XTR DERAILERS,LX HOLLOWTECH CRANKS,MAVIC CROSS RIDE WHEELS,FSA BARS,XT HYD DISC BRAKES,EXIWOLF TIRES
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Max Fortree
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2006
Strengths: plush, relatively lightweight, dual air = great adjustability (floodgate, lockout, rebound etc), stiff 32mm legs
Weaknesses: factory air setting recommendations too high for small bump sensitivity
Bottom Line:
The reba represents a great upgrade for riders who like to build fun into rides and is very good for XC. The adjustability is great and bump sensitivity is awesome. I don't see the point of paying 130$ more for the 25g lighter reba team when you get the same adjustability and smooth performance from the race. The reba range is not for weight weenies but even so, is only 3.5lbs.
Submitted by
Donnie Nix
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodstock, GA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2006
Strengths: Everything.
Weaknesses: None that I can see or feel.
Bottom Line:
Great fork. Does everything I expect in a high-end fork. Large tubes make this the perfect fork for us beefy individuals who need more stability and strength from our parts on the trail. This fork is 3.5 lbs of love. It works well in every aspect of my riding, adjusts easily, has quality parts, and is just a darn good-looking piece of equipment.
Strengths: Plush after breaking in and putting in the correct amount of air (WITH PROPER PROCEDURES)
poploc ROCKS
Weaknesses: a little on the weighty side for XC =/
Bottom Line:
Alright, first of all i just wanna tell all those out there while making a decision that, do not belittle rockshox. I feel that their quality is not being compromised, and this fork, when set properly and carefully, can feel like a fox, at half the price. This is good! the only thing is it's a hassle to maintain haha... but if you do not mind that, who needs a fox? and you can just keep clicking that poploc... very convenient, very good to use... 4.5 for overall if there was one, 5 for value
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Paul, MN USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2006
Strengths: Great rebound adjustment, compression adjustment, and the poploc is incredible.
Weaknesses: Wish it may have been a bit lighter...however, nothing else competitive to the Reba Race comes close
Bottom Line:
I am very happy with this fork, the range of adjustment is awesome and most importantly very receptive to change. I am not sure where Rockshox gets there numbers for air pressure, but once you find what works for you, its great...I found that I am running the positive and negative pressures about 30psi lighter then what they recommend for my weight(165lbs). the poploc system is simply the best.
Similar Products Used: Other rockshox, Psylo, earlier Indy.
Bike Setup: V5 7005 aluminum hardtail, Rockshox Reba, Avid Juicy 5's, FSA Pig Pro Headset, FSA STEM, FSA bars, Hope XC Hubs with DT Swiss Rev Spokes 2.0-1.5, Mavic XM321 Rims, Shimano FC750 Crank, Shimano XT 750 Front and rear Derailers, SRAM powerglide 990 cassette, Sram 990 chain, and Sram Rocket Trigers.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
trekin fool
a Cross Country Rider
from southeast USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006
Strengths: Of course every good xc fork should have lockout and this one does. This shock stands out due to the remote lockout (pop lock) and the motion control when the fork is locked out which will give you some compression (sweet). This rock shock has impressed me very much due to value, options, looks, and functionality.
Weaknesses: I agree with the other guy. Pay no attention to the suggested pressure ratings. I almost got the crap beat out of me on down hills on my first ride.
The remote tension (compression) knob on the pop lock can be a bit touchy. I just quit fooling with it.
Bottom Line:
Great fork for the value and even if it were to be a bit more exspensive it would be worth it. I've also had a rough relationship with Rock Shock and so far this '06 Reba Race has done a lot of making up from where I stand. It's actually 4 inches you can brag about.
(By the way, don't let my overall rating of 4 chilis be discouraging. I've never given an overall of 5.)
Hi,
I need a little help deciding on a fork. I know very little about RockShox as I have been on a Lefty for a few years now and my last RockShox fork was purchased in 1995.
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Just bought a Rock Shox Reba Race from a friend and he included a brake adaptor with it. My stock BB5 brakes wont fit with this adaptor. Any ideas? Another other products? Read More »
So I bought a Reba cuz I thought I'd be building up something and found a good deal on it. But then I also found a good deal on a Salsa Mamasita equipped with the Tora Race fork. N Read More »
Need your help !
We are rebuilding for he first time my Reba Fork, oh man what a venue.
Bought all seals etc.
We just took fork apart and there was a broken plastic piece (black) Read More »
I just bought a 04 Santa Cruz Blur and it came with this fork. I am trying to stiff up the fork, but Im not having any luck with finding how to set the compression. When I turn the Read More »
