yep 30mm stanchions on the 2002 - but you know that might not be a bad idea.jbf said:Look into an '02 Z1 FR. Depending on your weight & riding style, it is lighter than your fork, but every bit as good. The main difference is 30mm vs. 32mm stantions. I think the axle to crown is lower as well.
CTRider said:Okay my quest for the right fork for my Balfa Belair continues and I'm seeking advice/input here.
Light, stiff, superb dampner, adjustable ride height, stable platform - maybe in 05' ? Geometry wise a Fox is 495mm a-c 4lb. range, current Z1 is 518mm 5+ lb., Manitou Firefly 512mm a-c 4.9lb. Manitou Minute 130 505mm a-c 4lb. range. Manitou Black a-c 490mm shorter than a Fox. 02' Z1 Freeride 502mm a-c 4lb. range. I'll be selling a 2002 Z1 Freeride pretty soon...
keen said:I'm not sold on stable platform for a fork - especially when I don't have an spv shock in the rear of my bike - maybe a new RP3 would fit well inside my funky top tube shock mount on the Belair.CTRider said:Okay my quest for the right fork for my Balfa Belair continues and I'm seeking advice/input here.
Light, stiff, superb dampner, adjustable ride height, stable platform - maybe in 05' ? Geometry wise a Fox is 495mm a-c 4lb. range, current Z1 is 518mm 5+ lb., Manitou Firefly 512mm a-c 4.9lb. Manitou Minute 130 505mm a-c 4lb. range. Manitou Black a-c 490mm shorter than a Fox. 02' Z1 Freeride 502mm a-c 4lb. range. I'll be selling a 2002 Z1 Freeride pretty soon...
Hmmm Maybe a Firefly, maybe a Minute - or hell maybe a 2002 Z1 FR is the way to go.
I just aquired a 2001 X-Vert Air for $50 in mint shape and put it on my Marin Single Speed and I really like it. That sorta helped me realize that the 2003 Z1 FR is a tad too heavy and - what's the right word here - non-plush? - than what i like to run.
Could it be the red springs are still too heavy for me? I weigh a little under 170 without gear on. I recently had the reds installed with new oil - but I didn't do the work - a lbs guy did it - could he have used too much oil, too heavy an oil - although I'm pretty sure he used 7.5wt oil. Would the white springs make the fork feel more plush and responsive?
Damnit if only the F'in Talas were taller I wouldn't be in this conundrum.
Mike!!!Mike E. said:Hey Mark,
I was trying to find an '03 Z1FR for the 2Step but couldn't track one down so I ended up with the '02 FR QR20. Kind of for the opposite reasons you mentioned - me 200lbs without gear and looking for a burly fork. Too bad you don't need a QR20 or I'd have to work ya' hard for a swap!?!
Cheers,
Mike E.
CTRider said:Okay my quest for the right fork for my Balfa Belair continues and I'm seeking advice/input here.
The bike came with a RS Psylo which was nice geometry-wise, but the fork was not very stiff laterally and just not overly impressive.
So I sold it to a friend and installed a 2004 Talas R on the Belair - very plush, nice and stiff, light, but the axle to crown height and the rake of the fork steepened my head tube angle from trail bike to Cross Country-like and I didn't like that feel.
So then I traded the Talas for a Z1 FR which I currently have on the bike, but that fork is a tad tall and pretty damned heavy for my type of riding. I think it would be a good mate for a Heckler or Bullit - but it's a little heavy and tall for my Belair.
I'm looking for that happy medium - stiff, strong, lightweight and a tad bit taller than a Talas.
What are my options without breaking the bank - or possibly working out some type of trade/swap for the Z1 FR??
Manitou Minute 2 set at 130 mm? Is the other setting for the 2 100mm or 110?
Manitou Black - what are the major differences between a Black and a Minute?
Sherman Firefly - would this be lighter than the Z1 - noticeably so?
Any other ideas??
I doubt I can afford one of the new 2005 models that are coming out. I'm actually hoping to work out some type of possible trade or sale of my fork to get me into something a little less freeride and a little more Trail bike like.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you feel like throwing my way.
Mark
Z1 SL is lighter. And '05 Fox Forx are now 130mm.CTRider said:Okay my quest for the right fork for my Balfa Belair continues and I'm seeking advice/input here.
The bike came with a RS Psylo which was nice geometry-wise, but the fork was not very stiff laterally and just not overly impressive.
So I sold it to a friend and installed a 2004 Talas R on the Belair - very plush, nice and stiff, light, but the axle to crown height and the rake of the fork steepened my head tube angle from trail bike to Cross Country-like and I didn't like that feel.
So then I traded the Talas for a Z1 FR which I currently have on the bike, but that fork is a tad tall and pretty damned heavy for my type of riding. I think it would be a good mate for a Heckler or Bullit - but it's a little heavy and tall for my Belair.
I'm looking for that happy medium - stiff, strong, lightweight and a tad bit taller than a Talas.
What are my options without breaking the bank - or possibly working out some type of trade/swap for the Z1 FR??
Manitou Minute 2 set at 130 mm? Is the other setting for the 2 100mm or 110?
Manitou Black - what are the major differences between a Black and a Minute?
Sherman Firefly - would this be lighter than the Z1 - noticeably so?
Any other ideas??
I doubt I can afford one of the new 2005 models that are coming out. I'm actually hoping to work out some type of possible trade or sale of my fork to get me into something a little less freeride and a little more Trail bike like.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you feel like throwing my way.
Mark
Yes a Push upgrade or a new RP3 is in order for this winter break. That is a definite thing I'll be doing.tscheezy said:If you do go Minute, have your float Pushed and you will find the fore-aft balance you want. On further consideration, Push your shock no matter what.
with my Zoke I have to run it at full Preload - is this normal?BanzaiRider said:This is probably the single most important part on the bike. In my mind, you don't want to cut corners there.
What exactly is the problem for the Z1 being too tall? If it's only on certain random steep climbs that you feel this way then I think you'd be better off using the ETA more and/or moving forward on your seat. By going back to a lower fork, you will compromise your ability for knarly stuff on the steep downhill.
If you absolutely want bargains, I think if I were you, I would try to find a 2003 Firefly, you would save a pound off your Z1 and be a bit lower axle to crown.
My 2 cents. Hope it helps a bit.
CTRider said:with my Zoke I have to run it at full Preload - is this normal?
I made an adjustment last night atn took out a couple of spacers between the crown and stem - that should help a bit.
ETA is cool, but it also makes my fork wicked stiff - practically rigid and some of the stuff I climb is rock infested - so the fork just sorta bangs off of stuff vs. soaking it up you know what I"m saying.
Mario - what fork did you end up selecting? I know your search and research were exensive and are you really happy with what you chose up front?
Really the Vanilla is 3/4ths of an inch taller? If so that could be a serious option.rockcrusher said:How's about a vanilla, lighter than the Marz' but taller than the talus by a bit. I had one and my wife has a talus and mines about 3/4" taller. Both are 125mm but the vanilla is just taller. Still was much lighter than the Marz, much lighter.
CTRider said:Really the Vanilla is 3/4ths of an inch taller? If so that could be a serious option.
Although I did some fork tweeking on the Z1 tonight - adjusted preload and rebound settings a bit and the fork felt much better - now I need to get it out on the trails a couple more times before making any harsh decisions - it sure does plow right over big bumps like they were nothing that's for sure.
I'll still have to double check the Vanilla axle to crown height measurements - thanks for the heads up.
Mark
