Once_Upon_A_Time, (Ha! It sounds like I'm making this up...)
Anyhoo, I may be drunk again but I beleive that Specialized will void your warrantee if you install any fork with over 125mm travel on an 02 - 04 Enduro. Who listens to warantees? I I voided my warrantee when I switched out the original Fox Talas for a Z1 FR SL (130mm travel). This move was almost a mistake because the Z1 axel to crown hieght, (518mm) is taller than the original spec Talas (505mm). The difference of 13mm provided a lot more front wheel lift on steep climbs as compared to the original fork. I was able to correct this by removing all but a single 1/4" spacer between my stem & head set. This seems to keep the front wheel planted as well as with the original fork. I am running my 04 Enduro in the steep 70.5 head angle.
I think that if you install a Jr. T (558mm) it will sacken your head angle way too much. The Z150, (538mm) wouldn't be slackened as much, but still, a bit too much. I'm not sure how much climbing you do but this would definatly make it a challenge to keep that front wheel planted on climbs. However, the ECC on a Z150 SL will help remedy this but it will have to be used on most steep climbs. Either one of these forks, especially the Jr. T will slow your steering and give a "chopper" feeling. You might regret this if you ride a lot of tight single track w/ switchbacks.
You may be able to compensate & get this to work as some Enduro owners on this forum have installed a longer rear shock. (see picture stolen from another thread. Thanks cbchess) Enduro's typically run a Fox Float with 7.625 i2i shock with a 2" stroke. (I'm not sure on the exact length. I'm definatly drunk now) These folks have flipped the linkage to the slack 69.5 mode and installed a 7.875 i2i shock with a 2.25 inch stroke thus giving them a bit more BB height, a bit more travel with close to the same geometry. One may be able to compensate for a longer fork, like a Z150 SL, by doing this and leaving it in the 70.5 head angle. However, I have no idea how this would ride or handle. Your bike would be a 6" travel 03 Enduro jacked up like a cat in heat. It could be really good or it could really suck. I'd be really interested in hearing from anyone who has done this. I think that if someone is going to throw down that much cash on a new fork & shock, they might be better off just getting a new bike.
If you want more travel because you go BIG all the time, a Big Hit or Demo would be a good solution. I think it would be dangerous to do this on a Enduro with a long fork. (A head tube separating from the rest of the bike would ruin your day really fast) If you want more travel for travels sake, the 05 Enduro's are sweet rides with 6" of travel both front and back.
Cheers!
Tequila!
Anyhoo, I may be drunk again but I beleive that Specialized will void your warrantee if you install any fork with over 125mm travel on an 02 - 04 Enduro. Who listens to warantees? I I voided my warrantee when I switched out the original Fox Talas for a Z1 FR SL (130mm travel). This move was almost a mistake because the Z1 axel to crown hieght, (518mm) is taller than the original spec Talas (505mm). The difference of 13mm provided a lot more front wheel lift on steep climbs as compared to the original fork. I was able to correct this by removing all but a single 1/4" spacer between my stem & head set. This seems to keep the front wheel planted as well as with the original fork. I am running my 04 Enduro in the steep 70.5 head angle.
I think that if you install a Jr. T (558mm) it will sacken your head angle way too much. The Z150, (538mm) wouldn't be slackened as much, but still, a bit too much. I'm not sure how much climbing you do but this would definatly make it a challenge to keep that front wheel planted on climbs. However, the ECC on a Z150 SL will help remedy this but it will have to be used on most steep climbs. Either one of these forks, especially the Jr. T will slow your steering and give a "chopper" feeling. You might regret this if you ride a lot of tight single track w/ switchbacks.
You may be able to compensate & get this to work as some Enduro owners on this forum have installed a longer rear shock. (see picture stolen from another thread. Thanks cbchess) Enduro's typically run a Fox Float with 7.625 i2i shock with a 2" stroke. (I'm not sure on the exact length. I'm definatly drunk now) These folks have flipped the linkage to the slack 69.5 mode and installed a 7.875 i2i shock with a 2.25 inch stroke thus giving them a bit more BB height, a bit more travel with close to the same geometry. One may be able to compensate for a longer fork, like a Z150 SL, by doing this and leaving it in the 70.5 head angle. However, I have no idea how this would ride or handle. Your bike would be a 6" travel 03 Enduro jacked up like a cat in heat. It could be really good or it could really suck. I'd be really interested in hearing from anyone who has done this. I think that if someone is going to throw down that much cash on a new fork & shock, they might be better off just getting a new bike.
If you want more travel because you go BIG all the time, a Big Hit or Demo would be a good solution. I think it would be dangerous to do this on a Enduro with a long fork. (A head tube separating from the rest of the bike would ruin your day really fast) If you want more travel for travels sake, the 05 Enduro's are sweet rides with 6" of travel both front and back.
Cheers!
Tequila!
