I'm considering making some modifications to my bike but want some input about how fast technology progresses in relation to forks and suspension. If I pay $3-400 for a new fork, how long will it be until that is no longer considered "good"? Do new advances make forks of a few hundred dollars outdated quickly thus leaving them for people who are competitive or serious about their bikes? Or will components I upgrade now not be greatly surpassed for the next 5 years or so? Simply put, how much have things changed in suspension over the last 5 years? Thanks for any feedback.
How fast does a fork become obsolete?
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the technology evolves, so i guess it really depends on what you get. Air travel stuff is improving more quickly than coil, which still set the standard for plushness. Shim stack-based dampers still set the standard tor tuneable quality suspension, although tuning them is more labor intensive than a lot of people want. Chassises slowly evolve too, but a flexy chassis is always a flexy chassis, and i'm not one to get all bent out of shape over the 30grams the new chassis shaved off.
So- if you get something simple; like a coil sprung, shim damped fork, it's going to be limited only by how much effort you put into setting it up properly. If you get some whiz-bang gadgetry air sprung rapid travel adjust 3 simple knobs cover 1000 damping possibilities... next year that fork is going to be EVEN BETTER. My impression is that if that's how you roll, though, you'll be delighted to have an excuse to drop some more dough, so rock rock on.
scottzg bought a pike this season- a 5 year old (proven) fork.
So- if you get something simple; like a coil sprung, shim damped fork, it's going to be limited only by how much effort you put into setting it up properly. If you get some whiz-bang gadgetry air sprung rapid travel adjust 3 simple knobs cover 1000 damping possibilities... next year that fork is going to be EVEN BETTER. My impression is that if that's how you roll, though, you'll be delighted to have an excuse to drop some more dough, so rock rock on.
scottzg bought a pike this season- a 5 year old (proven) fork.
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^ exactly
I just bout an 02 cdale with an original lefty, I freaking love it and it is 8 years old. I was riding an 04 marz coil and the lefty is so much better. IMO it feels as good as my buddies 08 Fox...ride what u like and dont buy into the BS.
I just bout an 02 cdale with an original lefty, I freaking love it and it is 8 years old. I was riding an 04 marz coil and the lefty is so much better. IMO it feels as good as my buddies 08 Fox...ride what u like and dont buy into the BS.
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A good fork is a good fork. A 2003 Fox Float is still light and still well damped. Want to buy a fork today which will still be good 10 years from now?
Fox F-series
Fox Float
Manitou Minute
RS with BB damping, and no external travel adjust
Fox F-series
Fox Float
Manitou Minute
RS with BB damping, and no external travel adjust
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6,446 Posts
I would agree with the above list but with the Minute, make sure get a TPC or Absolute+ fork.bad mechanic said:
With Fox, I would also suggest skipping the Talas.
Forks got better when we would accept a 3.5-4lb fork for general ridding, instead of a 3lb fork.
Agreed there. I'd add that a fork selling now with proven spring and damper tech instead of something with a brand new to the world acronym attached to it somewhere will most likely last a while. The open bath, air sprung forks by Fox are what I have come to like the best, though I think the Rock Shox Reba or Recon are probably in the same book.Vespasianus said:
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LIke they say...............every year there are changes. Some years more so than others. But reality is, if you ride recreational and maintain your bike then a fork will be as good 5 years from now as 5 months.
It is like buying a Hyundai or BMW................do you want alot of glitter and frills or just something that will work and get you rolling and keep you rolling?
That is just how simple it is; unless you want it to be a difficult thing. Good luck.
It is like buying a Hyundai or BMW................do you want alot of glitter and frills or just something that will work and get you rolling and keep you rolling?
That is just how simple it is; unless you want it to be a difficult thing. Good luck.
As somebody who works in IT, I'm constantly facing the same question when it comes to upgrading computer systems. But there's one important thing I learned.
There are computers that I have been running that are Pentium 2's with 128mb ram + 8mb dedicated graphics memory and still run beautifully today. Think you can run the latest Ubuntu Linux with full blown Compiz 3d effects or Windows 7 Ultimate with aero effects? Ha. Think again - but, it runs - doesn't it?
Computers don't get outdated. People outgrow them.
So, where am I going with this... quite simply... if the fork works today, what's to say it'll not perform as good tomorrow/next year/decade/etc?
If any new forks come out that revolutionize the current performance of suspension forks, it still doesn't take away the current condition and working status of whatever fork you are running.
There are computers that I have been running that are Pentium 2's with 128mb ram + 8mb dedicated graphics memory and still run beautifully today. Think you can run the latest Ubuntu Linux with full blown Compiz 3d effects or Windows 7 Ultimate with aero effects? Ha. Think again - but, it runs - doesn't it?
Computers don't get outdated. People outgrow them.
So, where am I going with this... quite simply... if the fork works today, what's to say it'll not perform as good tomorrow/next year/decade/etc?
If any new forks come out that revolutionize the current performance of suspension forks, it still doesn't take away the current condition and working status of whatever fork you are running.
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Good forks never grow old... TPC Manitous, Zoke Marathons and Z1's, any almost any Fox for what matters, Pike/Revelations/Rebas.
Truth is, most forks have become a bit lighter and stiffer (and more expensive) with years, but good damping never grows old and performance overall has not really leaped in the last 5yrs or so.
May forks of today will be as durable as some old forks??. Who knows, I think the weight savings will come into play somehow.
Truth is, most forks have become a bit lighter and stiffer (and more expensive) with years, but good damping never grows old and performance overall has not really leaped in the last 5yrs or so.
May forks of today will be as durable as some old forks??. Who knows, I think the weight savings will come into play somehow.
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If the fork does exactly what you need it to, it'll never go obsolete. I'm running '06 Pikes for the last 2+ years and don't see any reason to switch it out until I get a whole new bike, which probably won't happen for a really long time since my next bike purchase will likely be an entire second bike for park/dh. Don't let the mfg's convince you that you need the latest "lighter and stiffer" whatever. Working on skills and fitness is probably more important than anything. Keep your tires "upgraded" as that will be a better performance enhancement than most hardware you can buy.Warp said:
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When the manufacture no longer support the fork with spare parts.......
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That was exactly my point.... riding a '07 Pike myself.joeyjoedotorg said:
Coming off older forks and yeah, the Pike is better but not like it blows the others out of the water. Certainly, going for a new similar fork makes absolutely no sense as my riding has not evolved or changed.
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Bingo.mtnbiker4life said:When the manufacture no longer support the fork with spare parts.......
I'm still running v-brakes (avid arch supreme's) that are over 10 years old....and a 6 year old Rock Shox SID. Many people consider them obsolete. But they work fine for me. I'll run them until I can no longer get spare parts.....
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with the pikes you can always get them Push'DWarp said:
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