REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

In need of a new fork, yet confused about my options

1158 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Cary, Jul 22, 2004

dahouse

Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2004

After seeing how flexy and creaky my fork is, I've decided I will invest in a new one.

So this is what I'm looking for in a fork. My current fork is a low travel (68mm) 2001 z5 air set up SUPER stiff. I mean like really stiff, so stiff that even if I put all my weight on it and jump on it, it doesn't go down, meaning I use max 1 inch of travel. I also like the fact that my fork is an air fork because I can pump it up super stiff.

So that's what I want, a fork that I can reduce the travel to 1.5" of super stiffness but a fork that's still very strong. The stuff I ride isn't the hardest, I never huck and I mostly do trials and street, so I need a fork that's light.

So here my 2 options. I either buy an air fork that I can reduce the travel to 1.5" permanately. I hear marz forks are easy to modify like that
Or
I buy an air fork with a lockout and just leave the lockout on permanately.

So do you guys have any suggestions? I hear manitou blacks are über stiff and light but I don't know how to reduce them or if I can make going through the travel harder. A Marzocchi DJ is just way too strong for what I need and is way too heavy.

Before you guys complain about how I should just run rigid, I need to tell you that I have and I find it too hard on the wrists. I like that 1.5" of suspension cause it saves the wrists.

So all your help would be super appreciated! Thanks a million.

Here's a recap on the prereqs for the fork:
Sub 4.5 pounds
Possibility of running it at 1.5"
Stiff as an old man's knees
Air if possible
Somewhat strong

Save

1 - 4 of 4 Posts

DH_WP

· #2 · Jul 22, 2004

Sounds like you want...

one of those obses forks they use to run on the Sun bikes ... about 1.5" of travel and then thing never moved ... still dont see the point in those ..but anyways .. I am sure you could find one.

dahouse said:
After seeing how flexy and creaky my fork is, I've decided I will invest in a new one.

So this is what I'm looking for in a fork. My current fork is a low travel (68mm) 2001 z5 air set up SUPER stiff. I mean like really stiff, so stiff that even if I put all my weight on it and jump on it, it doesn't go down, meaning I use max 1 inch of travel. I also like the fact that my fork is an air fork because I can pump it up super stiff.

So that's what I want, a fork that I can reduce the travel to 1.5" of super stiffness but a fork that's still very strong. The stuff I ride isn't the hardest, I never huck and I mostly do trials and street, so I need a fork that's light.

So here my 2 options. I either buy an air fork that I can reduce the travel to 1.5" permanately. I hear marz forks are easy to modify like that
Or
I buy an air fork with a lockout and just leave the lockout on permanately.

So do you guys have any suggestions? I hear manitou blacks are über stiff and light but I don't know how to reduce them or if I can make going through the travel harder. A Marzocchi DJ is just way too strong for what I need and is way too heavy.

Before you guys complain about how I should just run rigid, I need to tell you that I have and I find it too hard on the wrists. I like that 1.5" of suspension cause it saves the wrists.

So all your help would be super appreciated! Thanks a million.

Here's a recap on the prereqs for the fork:
Sub 4.5 pounds
Possibility of running it at 1.5"
Stiff as an old man's knees
Air if possible
Somewhat strong

Save

dahouse

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 22, 2004

DH_WP said:
one of those obses forks they use to run on the Sun bikes ... about 1.5" of travel and then thing never moved ... still dont see the point in those ..but anyways .. I am sure you could find one.

Can't see to find those....

Anyways, do you guys know if it's possible to reduce greatly the travel on a Manitou black fork? It's the fork that I'm leaning more towards because I hear they're really strong but I'd really like to know how to reduce the travel.

Save

Cary

· #4 · Jul 22, 2004

You are missing the point of suspension completely, but hey it's your choice. I would look for a 2003 Manitou Black with the 80/100 travel option. Get the Firm spring and then lock the fork down at 80mm. This will stiffen the fork up considerably by pre-compressing the spring in the first 20mm of travel.

You could also purchase a Marzochii MX Comp or Pro with ETA and do the same thing. The Eta allows the fork to be locked down in the first part of the travel to limit bobbing.

A Third option would be a Manitou Black 80 with SPV with the spv pumped up. This will keep the fork from moving except for larger bumps.

Finally, you could get a Fox float 80 and run it at its maximum pressure.

I would strongly suggest your rethink your current fork setup. Even cross country racers are using 80mm & 100mm forks, the reason you do not see shorter travel forks being sold anymore. Those guys who are obsessed with having no bob use Stable Platform forks.

Save

1 - 4 of 4 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month