[el_rider]

I'm upgrading the fork, and don't know much about this. I assume I need something with the right specs, such as:

- Steerer size (1 1/8?)
- Minimum length (7 inches or something?)

Frame is a large Motolite.

Anything else I should know?

Looking at a 2009 Talas RLC 140mm 15QR.

Thank you!

 

[yeahdog31]

You're correct on the steer tube sizes.

I've tried a few different travel lengths, and I have found the sweet spot for my large ML to be 120-130mm of fork travel. With the TALAS, you can dial it back to 120mm for most situations and amp it up to 140mm for descents. Probably a very good option.

Also, the extra rigidity obtained from the 15QR is nice! That's my next upgrade as well.

 

[ebeer]

I've got a '07 Talas with upgraded 2010 lowers so I could go 15QR. I like the added stiffness as well. The '07 Talas is 100/120/140. I find I never use 100 ever. The vast majority of time I'm in 120, and use 140 for extended downs or on trails that are very steep/technical down. I do feel the front wanders a bit at 140 on climbs, and sometimes I feel a bit loose in high speed corners at full extension. Not sure if I need to make more of an effort to weight the front end or not.

Anyway in general the Talas is a good fork option, and I believe the 2011's come in only 2 step. Might also consider the 2011 Revelation, I've heard Rockshox changed it to a two step design, and they're now using a lever like Fox (not the old dial method).

 

[Earthpig]

An ''09 Revelation 426 U-turn has proved to be a perfect fit for my large '09 Moto. Usually keep it around 125 for climbing and dial it out to 140 for almost everything else. I don't notice any compromised handling at 140.

 

[el_rider]

Thanks.

How about the steerer (?). Does it need to be a specific length?

The fork that came with it is about 9" from the crown of the fork to the cap of the headset, but there are 5 spacers in there.

If the new fork (it's used) is a little shorter can I use it but maybe have to get more angle on the stem to keep things equal? I assume it can only be shorter by... whatever 5 spacers is. The old fork has 130mm of travel.

 

[MootsRider]

The only "correct" steerer length is one that allows you to install your stem at YOUR height (distance from head tube). It's always better to have longer than you need, at first, so you can adjust stem height up or down as needed until you find your spot.
Are all five spacers below your stem? I'm still dialing in my ML, so I keep a couple spacers above my stem in case I still need to raise it.

edit: The large ML head tube length should be 5.5". So you need 5.5" + (stem stack height) + (stem height (distance from head tube))

 

[el_rider]

5.5" or more - good to know thanks.

The spacers are all below the stem. Not necessarily because I put them there but that's how they put it together at the shop the first time. Feels comfortable so far so I haven't made any changes.

 

[MootsRider]

5.5" or more - good to know thanks.

NO!
If the steerer is 5.5" (or even just a little more) it will be too short to attach anything to it after running it through the head tube.

You need AT LEAST:
5.5" + stem stack height + stem height (distance from head tube) + headset stack height (forgot this previously)

Also, see Park Tool's site on cutting & sizing forks.

 

[el_rider]

Got it - thanks. I'll stick with a length close to what I've got. Thanks for the link too, lots of good details there.