[DRTRIDR]

Has anyone run a 6" fork on the front of an MKiii? If so, was it worth it? What was the effect on cornering and handling? Downhill stability? Climbing? Could the switch void the warranty? To make a long story short, for aggresive all-mountain type riding would you stay with the Pike or go with the bigger fork?

If the bigger fork is the way to go- any recommendations?

 

[DirtDiggler]

I have ridden mine with a 66 RC2X 170mm and now with a Pike. I personally like the Pike better. Just get a short stem and high ride bars and it will feel more like a freeride bike.

 

[EvilBkr]

I Have run a 2006 Z1 Light ETA on my 2005 MKIII without an issue. It really doesn't (IMO) effect my handling all that much aside from slacking the HA by about a degree. Won't hurt the handling or the bike...if you get the right fork.

 

[DRTRIDR]

Thanks for your responses. The REASON I wrote the post was the fact- I do want to slacken the head angle one degree!!! I was hoping that extra degree would slow down steering and add a bit of stability while on the steeps- without adversly affecting the overall handling of the bike.

By switching to the 66/Z1, did the bike become more stable in the steeps? Did the steering slow down a noticible amount? Is the Pike still the better choice?

As for fork choices- a Z1 Light is definetly on the list. The Talas 36 (with 3 position knob) seems interesting.... Lyrik... Vanilla.. so many choices!

 

[Ryan G.]

I run a Talas 36 on mine, killer fork. Although it is lacking the QR through-axle.

Great about the fork is that on the crown it has a quick switch level, so I can climb at 100 or 130 and run it at 160 for descents.

 

[DirtDiggler]

The BEST way to slacken your head angle on the MKIII is to replace your bottom headtube cup with a BETD -Giant AC headset reducer. This way you can install a regular 1 1/8 headset or (like I did) a cane creek +5 headset. This will add quite a bit of stack height to your headset without having to throw a huge fork on the bike. Take in mind your MKIII headset cups are NOT 1 1/8 or 1.5 cups, so you need this special reducer cup to allow 1 1/8 cups to be pressed in. BETD is the only company I know that makes a reducer cup for this type of head tube: https://www.betd.co.uk/product_list.asp?CategoryID=169
Once you get that on just throw a 5" pike or FOX 36 and you will have a bike that can throw down on freeride terrain or trail. I was considering a 6 Point but so far this bike is the answer.

 

[tartosuc]

The BEST way to slacken your head angle on the MKIII is to replace your bottom headtube cup with a BETD -Giant AC headset reducer. This way you can install a regular 1 1/8 headset or (like I did) a cane creek +5 headset. This will add quite a bit of stack height to your headset without having to throw a huge fork on the bike. Take in mind your MKIII headset cups are NOT 1 1/8 or 1.5 cups, so you need this special reducer cup to allow 1 1/8 cups to be pressed in. BETD is the only company I know that makes a reducer cup for this type of head tube: https://www.betd.co.uk/product_list.asp?CategoryID=169
Once you get that on just throw a 5" pike or FOX 36 and you will have a bike that can throw down on freeride terrain or trail. I was considering a 6 Point but so far this bike is the answer.

I did that mod and it has greatly improved the general handling of the bike IMHO. I run a manitou nixon (115 to 145mm almost all the time at 145mm)

 

[DRTRIDR]

I don't know what else to say - Thanks! A relatively cheap, easy and quick fix that will allow me to still use the Pike. You think the modification will slacken the angles 1/2, 3/4, 1 degree???

DirtDiggler- Nice Air by the way. I must also congratulate you on using the shortest stem I have ever seen on an MKiii. From the looks of the pic (ie. shorty stem, your shoes, the bash guard and your helmet) that bike probably spends more time in the air than on the ground! Keep up the good work!!!

Tartosuc- What model of FSA headset are you running?

 

[tartosuc]

I don't know what else to say - Thanks! A relatively cheap, easy and quick fix that will allow me to still use the Pike. You think the modification will slacken the angles 1/2, 3/4, 1 degree???

DirtDiggler- Nice Air by the way. I must also congratulate you on using the shortest stem I have ever seen on an MKiii. From the looks of the pic (ie. shorty stem, your shoes, the bash guard and your helmet) that bike probably spends more time in the air than on the ground! Keep up the good work!!!

Tartosuc- What model of FSA headset are you running?

I went for a strong fsa pig dh headset because the cups were very big, it gave me somewhere between 3/4 to 1 degree slacker...

 

[bbsurfer]

Is this Tamer Headset Reducer the right size?

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11856-318_TAMHS1-3-Parts-63-Headsets/Tamer-Headset-Reducer.htm

It's a lot cheaper than the BEDT one.

 

[tartosuc]

Is this Tamer Headset Reducer the right size?

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/11856-318_TAMHS1-3-Parts-63-Headsets/Tamer-Headset-Reducer.htm

It's a lot cheaper than the BEDT one.

nope it won't work...I,ve search a lot before buying the betd cups and I can assure you that only BETD make the reducer that you need..it adapt an integrated headset to a regular cup...it's different than 1/4' to 1/8... the reducer cuop from betd is the one made for giant AC integrated headset

 

[Acadian]

The BEST way to slacken your head angle on the MKIII is to replace your bottom headtube cup with a BETD -Giant AC headset reducer. This way you can install a regular 1 1/8 headset or (like I did) a cane creek +5 headset. This will add quite a bit of stack height to your headset without having to throw a huge fork on the bike. Take in mind your MKIII headset cups are NOT 1 1/8 or 1.5 cups, so you need this special reducer cup to allow 1 1/8 cups to be pressed in. BETD is the only company I know that makes a reducer cup for this type of head tube: https://www.betd.co.uk/product_list.asp?CategoryID=169
Once you get that on just throw a 5" pike or FOX 36 and you will have a bike that can throw down on freeride terrain or trail. I was considering a 6 Point but so far this bike is the answer.

wow...great idea!!

 

[klunky]

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=269580

good pic in there of a longer travel fork on the MKIII

 

[artnshel]

This thread is outdated, there is an easier, less expensive option than that betd. In a day or two you'll be able to reduce your MKIII head angle for $35.
http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id183.html