How is an OEM fork different?

The OEM DJ3 and aftermarket are different...


Different dropouts, and I think only the aftermarket one can be taken to 130, 150mm travel.

Sorry that I couldn't help you much though...

Mr Magoo said:

Is there a difference to watch out for on an OEM fork vs an aftermarket in the box fork other than already cut steerer tube?

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Bike manufacturers have buying leverage and can special order different features in a fork that is not available aftermarket. They do this to bring the cost down on the fork.

So some have lesser damping systems in higher end forks, and some have better damping in lower end forks and some are the same as aftermarket. A broad spectrum.

Some have steel steering tubes instead of aluminum.

If you have a specific OEM fork in mind, find out what bike it came off of and visit the bike manf. website for more details.

Mr. P

Higher end Manitou OEM models for example usually lack titanium coil springs that the aftermarket versions get as stock.

After market Fox forks come with extra springs, the oem's don't.

All sorts of stuff can be different. Depends on the manufacturer. Usually it's dampers and steerer length/material..

How would Fox F 100 RL OEM differ from the after market ? Anyone ???please thank you

Chances are it would be something small...Like a diferent amount of adjustment; or a steel steerer as opposed to alloy.

Mr Magoo said:

Is there a difference to watch out for on an OEM fork vs an aftermarket in the box fork other than already cut steerer tube?

I am looking to replace my '00 Z-1 with something modern and lighter and need a primer before going to market.

Thanks a million for any info

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Yes, they can be very different. OEM forks may have the same basic appearance as the "production" model, but they do not have to conform to it, so it can be a totally different fork.

Examples; Sherman breakout + on my buddie's 2004 iron horse SGS. Instead of being the 7" SPV version, this OEM fork is the 6" TPC+ version, it's essentially the fork from the year before, but they just gave it the new name.

Other OEM forks may have totally different internals than the "production" fork, different amounts of travel, and so on. There isn't really a good rule.

si1ver said:

How would Fox F 100 RL OEM differ from the after market ? Anyone ???please thank you

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Don't know if this is true, but my LBS said the OEM Fox comes disk only and the aftermarket has the brake bosses (this is for an F100).

http://www.marzocchi.com/ has an overwiew of their OEM forks on the webpage, do they make other versions, or can you trust an OEM Z1 fr1 to be as the one listed there?

You can check the OEM fork specs on the Marzocchi site.... But also look for differences in the names.... Example, I have people mix MX Comp and MZ Comp all the time.

Now for a Z1 FR1, internally, it is most likely the same... However, depending on which bike it came off of, the steer tube may be different... Also, when buying somebody's OEM take off, double check the steer tube length.

Brian