I have a vintage RockShox Judy in yellow (needs new elastomer they can be had at Rock Shox Judy Elastomer Refresh Kit 95-96 All) that was on my 1995/6 Trek Y-Bike and then on my 1999 Litespeed Unicoi. I think is was a 19" frame not sure on your steer tube length...

Steve

 

If you can't find something old that works, then the Manitou Markhor would be fantastic for your bike. You'd likely have to install a disc brake on it.

Markhor

 

If you can't find something old that works, then the Manitou Markhor would be fantastic for your bike. You'd likely have to install a disc brake on it.

Markhor

I am trying to avoid disc brakes.

In the meantime, I am about to go drop the Manitou out of my bike to get a hard measurement of the steerer tube.

 

I have an ebay search set for vintage manitou forks, and every single day I get at least one or two new ones added. Tons of SX-Ti, red, white, and everything in between. I'd just see if you can't grab an authentic 97 era manitou. They were kind of cool back then.

 

Thanks, but I'd rather step up to a more modern fork. I am not worried about any period correctness. Also, since the bike is a light and fast hardtail, I am starting to lean towards a SID.

But, those.32mm stanchions on the Reba would make for a deadly accurate front end.

 

How does the Rockshox Duke compare to the Reba and SID?

Edit: Also, since I have been out of the loop for 24 years, what was the last year for V-Brakes on these forks? I can't find a solid answer on the web. That small factoid will make a big difference in what I am shooting for. I'd love to get the "newest" fork I can.

 

Manitou black! TPC damper some have v brake mounts, stiff fork for what it is, built to last!

 

The last decent fork with V brakes was the Manitou R7. They stopped being made with V mounts around 2015. I have no idea why you'd want to stick with V brakes if you don't care about period correctness.

What's wrong with the SX-Ti? They're a simple fork and I have rebuild kits.

 

Because I do not want to buy a disc setup. I already have two sets of 26" wheels for rim brakes. I'd rather wait for the right opportunity and buy a fork that will bolt on and go. As far as the SX-TI is concerned, sure, I can rebuild it. But, a fork with 32mm stanchions is my preference.

 

I have 3 or 4 v-brake Forks that would work. Manitou Black Comp 80/100 travel, Marzocchi Bomber Z2 BAM 80ish mm travel, Marzocchi MX Comp ETA 105mm, Marzocchi MX Pro ETA 105mm and there is also a Rock Shox Judy SL which looks to be 100mm travel. Let me know if you want to see pictures of any of these.

 

How long is the steerer tube on the Maniou Black?

 

I still remember the M Bomber I had on my 97 S-works. That set up was awesome for those early days of dropping the backside of UCSC.

 

If you're looking for a forever fork you can't do better than Marzocchi. A 97-98 100mm travel Z1. Although 80mm may be more appropriate in terms of travel in which case a Z2 that's slightly newer could work.

97-98 Z1 (100mm)
98-99 Z2 bam or atom (80mm)
2000-01 Atom 80
03-04Marathon S (105 and 120)
*Pretty sure I have the dates right

Skip the SL and Xfly versions, old Marzocchi air springs are no longer supported. Skip the mx versions as well. The forks above all have the top end Marzocchi damper rather than the lesser port style ssv damping.

 

Neither Fox nor RockShox have any parts support for any of their old vintage forks that originally came with this combination below, so any parts are old NOS or 3rd party or scavenging used parts:

1-1/8 straight steerer tube
V-Brakes
32mm stanchions
9X100 Quick Release axle slots

For the RockShox SID/REBA there is a very narrow window for this combination. They only built them from around 2009-2011.

The good news is that it is possible to still find NOS lower legs with the v-brake and 9X100 QR lower legs. So it is possible to get a 32mm SID or REBA disk brake fork that is 80mm or 100mm or 120mm and put on new legs and either add or remove spacers in the air spring side of the shock to set the travel at 100mm. Have to watch out for dual air vs. solo air parts and SIDA vs SIDB parts inside the stanchions though, so it is tricky. (The inside diameter of the stanchion is smaller in SIDA and larger in SIDB)

RockShox 26" SID Rim | Components | RockShox | PlanetCyclery.com (currently 37 bucks. I'm not sure if the picture matches the actual color)

RockShox 26" 2009-2011 Reba, 2008-2010 Tora XC | Components | RockShox | PlanetCyclery.com


For Fox, the closest equivalent to a SID/Reba would be the F100
Fox also stopped making these in around 2011 or so, but they go back more years.

For new forks, there is the Markhor mentioned before, and the RockShox Recon Silver TK.

None of any of these shocks are going to ride like a "modern" shock. All of them will make you choose between good bump compliance vs. getting full travel vs. fork dive vs. good pedaling platform based on what settings you choose.

 

Get a set of SX-TI manitous. Best fork I have ridden, I have a set of my 1996 specialized rockhopper A1 FS comp. It's awesome. INSANE lightweight. Last time I weighed my bike it was 21 lbs.