[Phippy]

Looking into a Talas for my 01' Salty(4" rockers) abling me to lower the front height for some really steep climbs. I know I probably will not gain much going from 100-90mm but wondering if anyone notices the difference when climbing. That along there's a few trails that I can stiffen up my 5th element even more where a 90mm fork would be sweet. Not worried about the front end feeling quick as all my hardtails either had 71.5 or 72 headangles.

I already have zero spacers and tried running my Fox Float100 RLC with more sag and didn't care for it. Plus I like the clean look(no brake boss) on the Talas along with the black color.

Thinking the extra travel would make for some killer long downhills.

thanks

 

[uktrailmonster]

Rockshox Reba's 85-115 travel range might suit your bike better than the Talas. Winding down for steep climbs does make a huge difference. You can also provide a pedal platform with the Reba to make it more stable on out of saddle climbs. Just a thought really. I think the Talas is more suited to 5" travel rear.

 

[Phippy]

Thanks for your reply. I thought of the Reba as well but don't like buying 1st year new shock. Though prolly a cheaper and lighter choice.

Will look into it.

 

[icegeek]

Had a TALAS on my Truth, ran it at 95 mostly. Sometimes as long as 105. Liked it so much I kept it when I frame swapped to an X5 and started running all the way out. Maybe you'd do the same, run it @ 100+/- with your 4" Salty, then one day when you decide to pony up for the 5" rockers, you'll be ready on the front with just the turn of a knob.

 

[Phishin Paul]

I have a TALAS on my 03 Salty. I cannot complain at all. For the long climbs, I usually crank it down quite a bit. You can defiinitely feel a difference in the height. At times it will make you feel like you're on a different bike.I just got in the 5 inch rocker so I am excited to give it a go with the 5 inches of the TALAS. That will have to wait until Friday.

 

[uktrailmonster]

Thanks for your reply. I thought of the Reba as well but don't like buying 1st year new shock. Though prolly a cheaper and lighter choice.

Will look into it.

The UK mtb mags are reporting good reliability for the Reba over long-term tests. By the way my wife has a Talas on her Salty, but that does have a 5" rocker too. It works great with the 5" rear end, but the Reba seems better suited to 4" travel. You might want to consider the Marz Marathon too if you are staying with 4" rear travel?

 

[Earthpig]

Talas

I just decided to go with a coil fork on my X5 (Zoke Z1 FR), so I have a 2004 TALAS RLC for sale. Just had it fully serviced at Fox over the winter - it has a new crown, new steerer, new uppers, new bushings/seals, new oil and is plusher than ever. I'll let it go for cheap. PM me if you're interested. Great riding fork - probably complements the Salty better than the X5.

 

[icegeek]

... I think the Talas is more suited to 5" travel rear.

... It works great with the 5" rear end, but the Reba seems better suited to 4" travel. ...

... ummm, you know the talas has adjustable travel, right?

 

[dawgcatching]

I just ordered a Marathon XC for my Salty. I am currently running a 120mm Marz. Marathon SL w/5" rockers, but I bought some 4" rockers to use primarily (trails here are smooth) so the XC makes more sense-100mm with 4" rockers, 120mm for 5" ones. I had the 04' TALAS last year, but the Marathon SL was the better fork, so I decided to stick with Marzocchi when I decided to get an adjustable travel fork.

 

[JThomas]

I just ordered a Marathon XC for my Salty. I am currently running a 120mm Marz. Marathon SL w/5" rockers, but I bought some 4" rockers to use primarily (trails here are smooth) so the XC makes more sense-100mm with 4" rockers, 120mm for 5" ones. I had the 04' TALAS last year, but the Marathon SL was the better fork, so I decided to stick with Marzocchi when I decided to get an adjustable travel fork.

I run a 04 Talas on an 04 Salty set around 90+/- mm and find it a nice balance with the
rear with 4" rockers.All the way out felt too tall for xc.

 

[uktrailmonster]

... ummm, you know the talas has adjustable travel, right?

So has my RS Pike (down to 95mm) but it hardly makes it the ultimate XC fork does it?
I didn't say the Talas wouldn't work well, I merely suggested it might be a little too much fork for the job. The Reba and Marathon are both more suited to 4" travel bikes that's all.

 

[uktrailmonster]

... ummm, you know the talas has adjustable travel, right?

Also suggested the Reba, since it can go below 90mm, which the Talas cannot. This seemed to be the main reason Phippy was thinking of replacing the Float 100

 

[uktrailmonster]

Had a TALAS on my Truth, ran it at 95 mostly. Sometimes as long as 105. Liked it so much I kept it when I frame swapped to an X5 and started running all the way out. Maybe you'd do the same, run it @ 100+/- with your 4" Salty, then one day when you decide to pony up for the 5" rockers, you'll be ready on the front with just the turn of a knob.

Good point, but there was no mention of 5" rockers in Phippy's original post. It was mainly about shorter travel for climbing.

 

[Phippy]

Thanks for all the replys. I don't see myself getting 5" rockers in the future, believe it or not 4" is plenty.

Now I'm a bit lazy to look this up but Fox is known for having shorter axle to crown height over the competition, where does the Reba fall into place compared to the Talas, anyone?

 

[uktrailmonster]

Thanks for all the replys. I don't see myself getting 5" rockers in the future, believe it or not 4" is plenty.

Now I'm a bit lazy to look this up but Fox is known for having shorter axle to crown height over the competition, where does the Reba fall into place compared to the Talas, anyone?

Talas is 500 mm at 130 mm travel - so 460 mm at 90 mm travel

Reba is 485 mm at 115 mm travel - so 455 mm at 85 mm travel

Basically they are the same for equal travel, it's just that their travel ranges are different. Still think the Reba sounds best for your particular needs. It's a bit shorter and lighter, provides the option of platform damping and is more pure XC orientated. The Talas is more of a light all mountain fork and I doubt you'd ever use its full travel range. The Reba is also a lot cheaper!

 

[Phippy]

Thanks again all for your input. Thinking I'll stay with what I have at this time. I'm not very happy with my Formula B4 SL+ so might has well spend some money there instead.

Larry if your reading this I left ya a voice mail reguarding your thoughts of the new Hope mini's with 2 piece rotors. Also need to get so XO twisters off you as well.

My Salty looks pretty in the sunlight. :^)