[1speed]

I am going to purchase a suspension fork for my 29in SS bike.I have been riding rigid on a 26er and 29er for 3 or 4 yrs now but would like to also add a suspension option for the long events and rides I have been doing.
I have heard good things about both the Reba and the Fox. I am leaning towards the Fox after a couple friends have described how well they perform. I will be using this for racing (xc to 100 milers) and everyday trail use. Obviously on an SS, lockout performance and ease of use is crucial.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge!

 

[racerg]

i like the motion control lockout on the reba, if you tune the flood gate you can create a "stable platform" and leave it closed most of the time expecially if you are already used no suspension.

reba=lighter
reba=cheaper

i have only ridden the fox rl not the rlc but i prefered the reba based on the lockout.

edit: the reba may be heavier

G2 reba > G2 fox >standard reba

all were pretty close though

 

[1speed]

I have noticed different weights listed on different websites. I have seen 3.38lbs up to 3.78lbs for the fox F29. According to the manufacturers sites, the Reba race is heavier but not by much, maybe 70 grams or so.

 

[frorider]

you didn't specify what travel you're considering. personally i find the 80 mm 29er forks not worth the trouble/weight, but 100 mm 29er forks definitely are. for my riding the manitou minute 100 mm w/ thru axle option is the best of the 3 major brand offerings. stiff and under 4 lbs, better damping than the fox IMHO. The QR version has also gotten good reviews.

unless you're getting a used, cheap reba, it would make more sense to wait for the 2009 reba if you're set on getting a RS.

 

[Miker J]

Both...

You're not going to go wrong either.

I've owned a few Fox forks in the past though no 29" Fox yet, but all their fork perform very well.

That said, I bought 2 Rebas from Speedgoat at $365 each. They've been great. Easier to maintain than a Fox (so far). The flood gate is nice though I think Fox has a blow-off threshold that's pretty much the same.

If they both cost the same, just maybe I'd go with the Fox. With the big price difference, I'd definitely go with the Reba.

 

[Enel]

I've had both and like the Fox a little better. Not enough that I would spend a lot more for it though. Stiffer chassis is the main difference. If it comes down to $100 difference, go Reba.

 

[sandmangts]

I've had both and like the Fox a little better. Not enough that I would spend a lot more for it though. Stiffer chassis is the main difference. If it comes down to $100 difference, go Reba.

I agree. I have had 2 fox forks. F80 and F100 rlc. They were both excellent. I also have a Reba team and a reba 29er. Performance wise I can not tell the difference. Setting up the reba is easier for me and for the money it's a no brainer. Foxes rear shocks are the best though.

 

[Johnny K]

I have had a couple Fox 26" forks which were great and the Reba 29" has been great also. The Reba is lighter and easier to work on, I will take it every time.

 

[GeoKrpan]

I wouldn't use the Fox unless my bike had a 71 or less head tube angle.

 

[mootinator]

My LBS says...

Spoke with the guys at my LBS just on this very subject for a new bike build. They were saying that the Fox is more plush, but the maintenance on them is not good. I guess you cannot buy a kit to fix them on your own or at the bike shop, you would have to send the fork back to Fox to get it serviced. Unlike the Reba, that can be fixed with a 10 dollar kit. Just waht i was told...have not experienced this yet myself.

 

[FoShizzle]

the Poploc on the Reba is great...other than that, the (current) Reba is WHEY GHEYER (not in a good whey) than the Fox

 

[Johnny Chicken Bones]

I've two 29er frames. Both are identical except for a hanger on one and paragon sliders on the other.
Have the Fox RLC on the SS set at 100mm.
Reba on the gears.
Weights via a gram scale at the cop shop, steerers uncut, no star nuts, no crown races (both at 80mm):
Reba 1765g
Fox 1785g
Hard to say which I like best. I'd say the Reba has better valving but the Fox is stiffer. It's not like the Reba rides worse, just differently. When I switch from Fox to Reba I miss the stiffness for about 1 minute. Then I'm just riding and smiling.
I'd have no problem going w/ another Reba just to save the $$$. The Fox's cost isn't justified by the slight differences.

One clear plus to the Fox- working on them is great. Reba's, not quite so easy.

 

[rickkane]

No experience on the fox and just one ride on the reba....on my monocog.

BUT!!!!

I hit everything i used to hit with the rigid set up on that one ride and was amazed how well it soaked up the small and big stuff. i weigh about 210 and run it at 80 mm., too.

thought i'd hate the poploc but LOVED that,too. you can switch SO easily with that thing. can't see why i'd change it.
as fer the lockout on climbs...can't see myself ever using floodgate...i'm either going up or coming down....but i felt it was plenty locked out on the standing and grinding climbs.

love the reba.

stan.

 

[kkjellquist]

Never ridden the Fox, but I have sold plenty of 29er's recently and I always recommend the Reba. The Fox is just too much $$...plain and simple. I suggest to my customers they should spend that saved $250-300 on wheels or brakes where they will actually feel the extra cash.

 

[dbo43867]

The Fox is much stiffer and it is also a better tracking fork than the Reba. Go with the Fox if you can. I also don't agree with racerg. G2 Fox>Fox>G2 Reba>Reba

Also check out the Manitou Minute for a very light and stiff fork(from what I've heard)
The RST M-29 also has remote lockout, and it is much cheaper than a Reba, Fox, or Manitou. It is also pretty stiff, although relatively heavy.

 

[smdubovsky]

I own two 26er foxes: F100X and F80RLT. Both GREAT forks. Yes, you can buy the rebuild kits and DIY. I hear you can even DIY revalve by just buying the shims (thats all PUSH is doing). Damping is more XC/race oriented than super plush. They have both been maintenance free. Never ridden the 29er version.

I own a Manitou Minute 120 w/ 20mm axle. Its what on the current ride. Reasonably stiff chassis. Plush damping out of the box. It will also come w/ too little oil installed out of the box. IMO, Whoever thinks that thing has better damping than a fox is out of their mind. No way to adjust the compression damping internally.

I own a WB fluid 130. Bought used but rebuilt by WB. Not been ridden yet (by me.) Was trying to get the damping on the manitou more dialed in before doing a back to back comparison.

I've only demo ridden a 29er reba. Very plush but the INSTANT second impression is the things a noodle. Under braking you can actually watch it bend back toward the frame about an inch (and that not even HARD braking). It will start front wheel braking hop oscillations because of this. I weight 185#, so maybe someone lighter would notice it less?

As much as I love the foxs, I sure wouldn't spend THAT much extra cash new on it over the reba. $100 yes, but not 2x. Though, if they make a >100mm 20mmTA version I'd be REALLY temped to sell everything else and try it. Would be even more bomber if I could put my "X" cartridge in it.

 

[Vulcan]

My rig came with an F29... I love it.

 

[1speed]

There seem to be two Reba versions available, the Reba SL $365 and The Reba Race $613. I am curious if it's worth the extra money for the Race version if I did decide on a Reba?

Speedgoat has the SL as being lighter by almost 1/2 a lb as well.

 

[poff]

I also found reba to be like a noodle (I am also 185 lbs). Fox tracks much better.

 

[mtroy]

I own two 26er foxes: F100X and F80RLT. Both GREAT forks. Yes, you can buy the rebuild kits and DIY. I hear you can even DIY revalve by just buying the shims (thats all PUSH is doing). Damping is more XC/race oriented than super plush. They have both been maintenance free. Never ridden the 29er version.

I own a Manitou Minute 120 w/ 20mm axle. Its what on the current ride. Reasonably stiff chassis. Plush damping out of the box. It will also come w/ too little oil installed out of the box. IMO, Whoever thinks that thing has better damping than a fox is out of their mind. No way to adjust the compression damping internally.

I own a WB fluid 130. Bought used but rebuilt by WB. Not been ridden yet (by me.) Was trying to get the damping on the manitou more dialed in before doing a back to back comparison.

I've only demo ridden a 29er reba. Very plush but the INSTANT second impression is the things a noodle. Under braking you can actually watch it bend back toward the frame about an inch (and that not even HARD braking). It will start front wheel braking hop oscillations because of this. I weight 185#, so maybe someone lighter would notice it less?

As much as I love the foxs, I sure wouldn't spend THAT much extra cash new on it over the reba. $100 yes, but not 2x. Though, if they make a >100mm 20mmTA version I'd be REALLY temped to sell everything else and try it. Would be even more bomber if I could put my "X" cartridge in it.

Interesting. After reading all the reports of flexy Rebas I picked up a used one for 200 dollars or so to put on the Leviathan, thinking it would do until the new Rebas have been out for a while. I am 190 lbs or so all dolled up and riding and I ride XC stuff. I have found the fork to be much more than OK, in fact it is very good, smooth, light and while it is not the stiffest thing around, I am in no hurry to get rid of it.

I suppose a lot of it is what and how you ride, but I almost passed on the Reba and spent more than I needed to to get a good fork. Glad I didn't.