I Need Fork Advice for ‘99 Trek 8000

What's your budget? Maybe squeeze in some cash for a hub (or whole wheel) that supports a disk, and get a front disk brake. You can get a Shimano front caliper, lever, and hose, assembled and ready to go for ~$65. Shimano front hub... ~30. $40 to lace the new hub.

If it where me, and cash were too tight, I'd upgrade to a front disk first, then upgrade the fork later. You'll have many more options then.

fredcook said:

What's your budget? Maybe squeeze in some cash for a hub (or whole wheel) that supports a disk, and get a front disk brake. You can get a Shimano front caliper, lever, and hose, assembled and ready to go for ~$65. Shimano front hub... ~30. $40 to lace the new hub.

If it where me, and cash were too tight, I'd upgrade to a front disk first, then upgrade the fork later. You'll have many more options then.

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How does one upgrade to a front disc brake without having to also replace the fork? How would you mount the caliper?

Thank you for your reply. My budget would be no more than $600 for the fork. I have considered going disc. Time for a new wheel as well!

Eric F said:

How does one upgrade to a front disc brake without having to also replace the fork? How would you mount the caliper?

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DOH!

You are correct! Obviously I was thinking this one through.

If you go with a Manitou Mahrkor for under $250, plenty of money for a wheel and disk brake setup. I put one of these on my 2007 Stumpy and it is amazing for the price. Travel is adjustable via spacers to get the geometry you need. I ended up getting a 27.5 inch version and maxing (no spacers) out the travel for my bike which was perfect to get the fork rake right. It might be worth adding extra rake on your old geometry bike to cut down on trips over the handlebars.

Eric F said:

How does one upgrade to a front disc brake without having to also replace the fork? How would you mount the caliper?

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The existing Rock Shox Judy fork is disc brake ready.

Go with the Manitou fork and a disc wheel upgrade. Also make sure you find a non-tapered straight steer fork.

Fork: Manitou Markhor 26" Fork | Jenson USA

Wheel: DT Swiss E540 26" Front Wheel OEM

And as far as brakes... its up to you, but I ride a cable disk front and v-brake rear on my gravel bike conversion.. it works great for me!

JPSeuropa said:

If you go with a Manitou Mahrkor for under $250, plenty of money for a wheel and disk brake setup. I put one of these on my 2007 Stumpy and it is amazing for the price. Travel is adjustable via spacers to get the geometry you need. I ended up getting a 27.5 inch version and maxing (no spacers) out the travel for my bike which was perfect to get the fork rake right. It might be worth adding extra rake on your old geometry bike to cut down on trips over the handlebars.

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This.

Buy a used 26" mid 2000s hardtail with disc brakes instead. Sell your old Trek for $200-$300. Or find a early 2000s marzocchi fork for your bike.

mtnbeer said:

Buy a used 26" mid 2000s hardtail with disc brakes instead. Sell your old Trek...

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Was about to say this. Throwing $600 at that bike is pretty crazy even these days unless it's somehow sentimental.

I am new getting back into bikes, so I can't say how much better modern bikes are, but I imagine it's substantially - and from what I've been seeing on marketplace, $600 buys a whole lot of 3-5 year old bicycle.

Unless, of course, you just love this bike, in which case, who cares.

You could always get a disc brake fork and just also get a wheel + brake caliper.

If you are not stuck on new, what about a pre-owned Rock Shox Tora 318 Solo Air?
Straight tube, can be had with post mounts, internal adjustable 100-130mm, air, adjustable rebound, lockout, and simple to service. From what I understand the Recon is an updated version of the Tora.
Using one on my Fisher Marlin resto/mod and with some tweaks it's been a great low dollar upgrade.
I think there is one on the Bay as we speak, (not mine).



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This post has "anything newer bike day" written all over it.

Technology and geometry 20 yrs ago vs. 10 yrs ago, 5 yrs ago or today...

Or Franken-Bike it I guess.

You can do the upgrade, but I bet you'll get the itch to update it again later. How much will that be? Seems like a losing scenario unless it was a high end rare bike.

Alternatively, you could refresh it a bit with a lower leg service. Easy to do at home.

seitenryu said:

You can do the upgrade, but I bet you'll get the itch to update it again later. How much will that be? Seems like a losing scenario unless it was a high end rare bike.

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That Judy fork may need new elastomers. I don't think those are cheap or easy to get. Maybe it can be converted to springs.

mtnbeer said:

That Judy fork may need new elastomers. I don't think those are cheap or easy to get. Maybe it can be converted to springs.

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They are very easy to get, about $50 or so as well.

Suspension Fork Parts Online Store for elastomers.
Servicing the damper is cake, service manual over on retrobike.uk.
Unless something is trashed, you could get all the wear parts for about a hundey or so.
It won't be a modern fork, but it will run pretty good for it's age.

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