REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Fork suggestions?

1421 Views 26 Replies 12 Participants Last post by highdelll, Jun 18, 2009

DLaw3000

Discussion Starter · Jun 14, 2009

Hey everyone, I'm building up my first serious bike. I'm definitely doing it on a budget, and I'm getting a whole bunch of cheap but decent parts, mostly Alivio and Deore components that I'm getting at a huge discount (Yes, unfortunately I'm limited to those two, can't get the discount on anything higher).

Anyway, the last thing I need is a fork. I'm going to use a front disc brake, and I want something that I can use for trails/XC and even a bit of AM. The frame is hardtail.

I've been looking around for forks. Initially I thought I would use a Dart2 or 3, but reviews of those seem generally unfavorable. The new Marzocchi 33 TST2 seems decent. I probably can't go too far out of that price range (around 200-225 $US), unfortunately. Please, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

Bloodember

· #2 · Jun 14, 2009

I've heard the Rock Shox Tora 318 is a pretty solid fork. It's a little above your budget at $249 on Jensonusa.com, so you might be able to find it cheaper someplace else.

JimC.

· #3 · Jun 15, 2009

I suggest you

tell us what frame you have and what travel it's designed for, otherwise it's a SWAG for us. (scientific wild-ass guess).

Jim

highdelll

· #4 · Jun 15, 2009

I'll go w/ my 'stock recommendation' of the Tora 318 U-Turn - Best bang for the buck... period
They can be found in your budget if ya look around

PS as to add to JimC's comment, with having the 'U-Turn'; you are very likely to find a range (80mm-130mm) that will almost suit any frame - but, yes, do tell what frame ya got :thumbsup:

Chopsuey

· #5 · Jun 15, 2009

Marzocchi 55r All Mountain Fork
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_164830_-1___14500

DLaw3000

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 15, 2009

The thing about the frame is that I don't know exactly what model it is since it's been painted over, and I've acquired it for free from a bike co-op I work at. I do know for sure that it's a chromoly Giant frame, hardtail, and very light. The geometry closely resembles this, the <a href="http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/giant%20xtc%202%202008.jpg"XTC 2"</a>, so I can tell it's not going to be a huge freeride or downhill suspension or something.

Pretty much the Tora and the Marzocchi 33 are what I've been looking at mostly.

Ktse

· #7 · Jun 15, 2009

If tora, why not recon?

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FK289A01-Rockshox+Recon+351+Coil+U+Turn+Frk+08+Oe.aspx\

My buddy got one of these. Good fork when it worked, unfortunately it needs to be warrantied as the motion control damper started to leak into the lowers.

laxman2001

· #8 · Jun 15, 2009

woah, thats a good deal on the recon, I might have to get that to replace my XCM

highdelll

· #9 · Jun 15, 2009

Ktse said:
If tora, why not recon?

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FK289A01-Rockshox+Recon+351+Coil+U+Turn+Frk+08+Oe.aspx\

My buddy got one of these. Good fork when it worked, unfortunately it needs to be warrantied as the motion control damper started to leak into the lowers.

Yeah, that Recon looks like a decent deal - It's basically the same as the Tora 318 with a few minor differences; Stanchions - Tora-Chromed steel vs. Recon Ano Alum., and Steerer tube - Tora 4130 steel vs. STKM steel, and the Recon is claimed 2.27oz lighter.
Personally, I like the 'toughness' of the chromed steel stanchions over the ano alum., but W/E.

Just know that it's an OE take-off, so the steerer has been cut (185mm) - So measure your headtube and your total stack height (Headset, stem - usually 40mm, and any spacers you plan to use)

laxman2001

· #10 · Jun 15, 2009

highdelll said:
Yeah, that Recon looks like a decent deal - It's basically the same as the Tora 318 with a few minor differences; Stanchions - Tora-Chromed steel vs. Recon Ano Alum., and Steerer tube - Tora 4130 steel vs. STKM steel, and the Recon is claimed 2.27oz lighter.
Personally, I like the 'toughness' of the chromed steel stanchions over the ano alum., but W/E.
Just know that it's an OE take-off, so the steerer has been cut (185mm) - So measure your headtube and your total stack height (Headset, stem - usually 40mm, and any spacers you plan to use)

so if the headtube on my rincon is 4.6 inches, I'm good right? What about the 5.7 on the other frame I'm considering building up?

highdelll

· #11 · Jun 15, 2009 (Edited)

laxman2001 said:
so if the headtube on my rincon is 4.6 inches, I'm good right? What about the 5.7 on the other frame I'm considering building up?

OK we know that the Jenson OE Recon has a 185mm steerer..
so let's do some math!!

your HT on the Rincon is 4.6" or 116.84mm
Total Stack Height:
HT- 117
Typical stem - 40mm
Typical Headset - ~25-30mm
Equals 187mm - you might just squeak by - steerer recessed in stem 2mm using 30mm headset
You may find a lower stack headset that will work - allowing for some spacers if necessary - but not by much.

your other frame's HT is 5.7" or 144.78mm
Total Stack Height:
HT - 145mm
Typical stem - 40mm
Typical Headset - ~25-30mm
Equals 215mm --30mm over - no way Jose - even 'Zero-Stack' headsets have a bit of a stack to them - and you have to have a frame that accommodates them

See less See more

laxman2001

· #12 · Jun 15, 2009

so I called Giant, and they said it would be just fine for my Rincon.

laxman2001

· #13 · Jun 15, 2009

So my question would be, would you go with the Recon @ $220, the XC 700 @ 260, the Tora 318 coil @ 250, or a 318 solo air at $250 (Pricepoint)?

highdelll

· #14 · Jun 15, 2009

I'd go Tora 318 U-turn @ Blue Sky for $230 if you want a full steerer for your other frame
http://www.blueskycycling.com/view_product.php?pid=5595

Like I said earlier - it's pretty much the same as the Recon and you'd be able to use it on both frames - just cut it a bit longer for the Rincon and put some spacers above your stem - then you'll have some leeway.

the U-turn adds a bunch of value in my book - YMMV

FYI, If you're looking at the Marz XC700 @ Jenson,it's an '07 and that has the troublesome TST2 damper IIRC

laxman2001

· #15 · Jun 15, 2009

Well, I'd get separate forks for each frame, but you like the coil over the soloair? All I know is that my XCM is a P.O.S. and that I love my f120r.

highdelll

· #16 · Jun 15, 2009

laxman2001 said:
Well, I'd get separate forks for each frame, but you like the coil over the soloair? All I know is that my XCM is a P.O.S. and that I love my f120r.

Well, I guess that's a whole different ball of wax

- I thought you were getting one, then transferring it to another frame.
I prefer the U-turn over the air simply for the versatility, but if you know what travel you want and you're never gonna change it, the solo air is more tuneable for weight and ride characteristics.

laxman2001

· #17 · Jun 16, 2009

i mean, the Rincon is being converted to singlespeed, I just need a fork that can handle the bumps and roots and stupid stuff that I'm gonna do on it.

mattyfury

· #18 · Jun 16, 2009

TORA TORA TORA!!! I got one of these used cause I was on a budget just like you. Boy what a wonderful shock it is. It made a huge diffrence and I absoltely love everything it comes with. The Uturn is a great feature, only downfall is that its a little heavy. None the less Id def recommend it.

Good luck and let us know what you ended up with.

laxman2001

· #19 · Jun 16, 2009

Will do, I'll probably decide by Friday (when I get my 1st paycheck)

laxman2001

· #20 · Jun 17, 2009

Ok I'd love some more opinions so I'm bumping his thread back up to the top...

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

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