[redwinebluebird]

Hello,
i have been rather out of touch with the suspension thing in mountain biking. i'm buying a new frame and need a inexpensive fork to go with it. the fork needs to fit a 1 1/8 headset. i'm hoping the kind people on this board could give me some ideas of what to look for. i am a bit of a weight weenie. i really don't care how new or old the fork is..just mostly that it's light and hopefully neat. any suggestions greatly appreciated.
best regards,
^v^

 

[roadiegonebad]

Hello,
i have been rather out of touch with the suspension thing in mountain biking. i'm buying a new frame and need a inexpensive fork to go with it. the fork needs to fit a 1 1/8 headset. i'm hoping the kind people on this board could give me some ideas of what to look for. i am a bit of a weight weenie. i really don't care how new or old the fork is..just mostly that it's light and hopefully neat. any suggestions greatly appreciated.
best regards,
^v^

Light and inexpensive generally don't go together. First thing you might want to check is
what the frame is made for, i.e., 80mm, 100mm, or more. If you want cheap rigid, maybe check with LBS for rigid takeoffs that fit the required spec. Surly/Dimenson and Kona make relatively inexpensive rigids, a nice Kelly can be had for $180, and just about any custom builder can prob made you something special. You also gotta consider your brakes (V- or disc).

 

[redwinebluebird]

thanks for the reply

i'm a v-brake kind of person still. i'll use this biuke mostly for urban exploring and XC.
^v^

 

[logbiter]

how light is light?

For a suspension fork, I'd keep an eye out for a 98-02 marzocchi Z2 or Z3 (either spring or an atom (air) to save a bit o weight) on ebay... weight ~3.5-4 lbs, and usually go for under $100. Marathon is a newer air model, still weighs close to 3.5#.. most forks these days are over 4lbs.

Lots of options for a rigid forks, again depending on how much you want to spend.. lots of decent rigid forks on ebay as well.. also check with at bikeman.com, aebike, and the usual online suspects (jensen, pricept, nashbar, speedgoat, etc)... these are also good places to find closeout forks like manitou blacks, etc.

i'm a v-brake kind of person still. i'll use this biuke mostly for urban exploring and XC.
^v^

 

[redwinebluebird]

ok rigid decided

i'm pretty sure i'll go with a rigid. i hope to get something unusual..maybe an old brodie or something. thanks for the reply

 

[trail rider]

2 pound 14 oz SID on ebay

Hello,
i have been rather out of touch with the suspension thing in mountain biking. i'm buying a new frame and need a inexpensive fork to go with it. the fork needs to fit a 1 1/8 headset. i'm hoping the kind people on this board could give me some ideas of what to look for. i am a bit of a weight weenie. i really don't care how new or old the fork is..just mostly that it's light and hopefully neat. any suggestions greatly appreciated.
best regards,
^v^

There is a Rock Shox 100mm SID on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58086&item=3692360814&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

at $100 last I checked.

Rigid is more fun though.

TR

 

[jw25]

Well, for a rigid fork, your best bet is probably the LBS. They should have some take-offs, and at the least, you get to handle the fork before you buy. Might not be as cheap as Ebay, but you aren't paying shipping, and there's the instant gratification factor, too.

Otherwise, cheap light suspension forks on the 'bay means a 2000 SID XC to me. They tend to go for $100, more or less, and hit the scales right around 3 lbs. I tossed a set of Enduro seals on mine, which keeps them clean inside, and after that, all you need to worry about are the bushings.

Otherwise, the Marzocchi's mentioned will run a little heavier, but add some rigidity. As you're running V's, maybe a Manitou SX-Ti (the 80mm model) is around 3 lbs, and I had no problems with mine.

There's plenty of options out there, just pay attention to feedback and ask questions first.
Jon.