[bulletbob]

Hey all,

I'm giving my self an 05 Kikapu for Christmas (yea screw everyone else at Xmas...) and I'm already looking to rip that MZ/X Comp POS off the front and replace it with a good 100mm fork but I'm a mass of indecision!

I'm curious what you guys have done that's worked (or not) on that bike?

The top suspects so far are a Vanilla 130 switched to 100mm and maybe a REBA but I'd rather stick with a coil. FYI, my LBS called Kona about having to stick with a 100mm fork and the Kona rep said absolutely, positively using a longer travel fork will void the warranty.

Any other thoughts/good ideas?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[bulletbob]

Nice work on the website by the way...

Nothing like taking yourself down!

 

[hallin222]

Again, I'm only writing in because I have the exact same question and want to subscribe to this thread.

Ian

 

[bikerboy]

If you are dead set on a coil sprung fork, you should stick with Marzocchi. Rockshox and Manitou don't really build a decent coil fork, in my opinion. I know RS has a lot of new models out now, like the Tora and Recon, but I think some of those are longer travel. Marzocchi has some nice forks that are reasonably prices. The MX Comp and Pro lines are really good. I have an MX Comp ETA which locks out the fork at the bottom of its travel to assist in climbing. I think the difference between the Pro and the Comp is that the Pro has an external damping adjuster. These forks also have an air assist on top of the coil spring.

If you want an air fork, I would definately look at the Reba. I think they are just as good as the Fox forx, probably more durable. I am not sold on Fox's durability yet. I think they have their rear shocks down pretty good because they have been making those for at least 10 years now. Also, the Manitou Minute forks are good. I would stay away from the Black if possible.

Ian, we have a Manitou Minute 1:00 in stock if you are interested. I can't remember the price right now, but I know it was a great deal. You could give James a call if you like.

 

[CSPRINGS]

Marzocchi Marathon Coil For Me....

Hi Bullet,

General background:
I have an older Kicksumpoo in the rasta green and red colors. I think it was OEM 3.25 inch travel. Stock was the Fox Air rear shock. It has a Marzocchi Atom 80 coil on it. The bike is probably 2002 vintage, I just don't remember. The Marz coil is much plusher than OEM air shocks in my personal experiences. I replaced the rear air with a rear Coil over shock and it rides even better, more balanced coil front and coil rear.

Regarding your Q:
The Marzocchi MX Air up front really never rode like a Marzocchi for me. I knew why when I first opened her up for the first oil change after month one. First I really don't like the feel of air rides that I have owned before and the "valving" in the MX is not what I would call a valve at all but reminds me of a old school coffee pot percolator. I replaced the MX Comp Air (cheap no real internal valving ) with and 04 Marzocchi Marathon S Coil. Instantly felt better in the parking lot and INSTANT LOVE on the first trail ride.

Double ck with KONA, based on my knowledge of the improvements added strength of the newer designed Kicks I would be surprised that they would balk at adding a 120 to your ride if you were still going to use the bike for its intended purpose and design.

Search for my other posts on the air to coil conversion as I do not wish to waste MTBR server space with repostings. Good luck and post details after you do it and your detailed observations.

Peace is our mission

 

[hallin222]

Ian, we have a Manitou Minute 1:00 in stock if you are interested. I can't remember the price right now, but I know it was a great deal. You could give James a call if you like.

I'm actually going to bring my bike in tomorrow for my first service. James is trying to get the IronHorse folks to provide the 130mm Manitou Splice (that Amy's Warrior Pro should have come with) free of charge. If they do it, and don't ask for the 100mm version back, we might slap that on my scoot. Not a huge improvement, I know, but its got more adjustability than what I'm riding now. Plus, It'll basically be free, except for your labor or course.

Also, why not look at the Black? I've heard that while it's not the latest and greatest, it makes a decent trail fork. But what do I know.

*EDIT* a BIG 'if' about the possible swap named above is wheteher or not the steerer on the wife's bike will be anywhere near long enough to fit my larger frame.

Ian

 

[bulletbob]

Fellow Clyde...

If you are dead set on a coil sprung fork, you should stick with Marzocchi. Rockshox and Manitou don't really build a decent coil fork, in my opinion. I know RS has a lot of new models out now, like the Tora and Recon, but I think some of those are longer travel. Marzocchi has some nice forks that are reasonably prices. The MX Comp and Pro lines are really good. I have an MX Comp ETA which locks out the fork at the bottom of its travel to assist in climbing. I think the difference between the Pro and the Comp is that the Pro has an external damping adjuster. These forks also have an air assist on top of the coil spring.

If you want an air fork, I would definately look at the Reba. I think they are just as good as the Fox forx, probably more durable. I am not sold on Fox's durability yet. I think they have their rear shocks down pretty good because they have been making those for at least 10 years now. Also, the Manitou Minute forks are good. I would stay away from the Black if possible.

I've been sort of reluctant or more specifically confused about the 800 different models that Marzocchi sells, there can't be THAT many different ways to build a fork can there?!?!?!?

I'd buy one if I could narrow down the list. I'm not sure the ones roughly similar to what's on the bike OEM are significantly differently than the OEM model so it may not be worth it to spend $300-400 to swap in a new Marz. that's basically the same. I'll take a closer look at them though.

Heck maybe it'll work for me, I'm not sure just yet. I guess need to put my money down!

 

[bulletbob]

CSp...

Hi Bullet,

General background:
I have an older Kicksumpoo in the rasta green and red colors. I think it was OEM 3.25 inch travel. Stock was the Fox Air rear shock. It has a Marzocchi Atom 80 coil on it. The bike is probably 2002 vintage, I just don't remember. The Marz coil is much plusher than OEM air shocks in my personal experiences. I replaced the rear air with a rear Coil over shock and it rides even better, more balanced coil front and coil rear.

Regarding your Q:
The Marzocchi MX Air up front really never rode like a Marzocchi for me. I knew why when I first opened her up for the first oil change after month one. First I really don't like the feel of air rides that I have owned before and the "valving" in the MX is not what I would call a valve at all but reminds me of a old school coffee pot percolator. I replaced the MX Comp Air (cheap no real internal valving ) with and 04 Marzocchi Marathon S Coil. Instantly felt better in the parking lot and INSTANT LOVE on the first trail ride.

Double ck with KONA, based on my knowledge of the improvements added strength of the newer designed Kicks I would be surprised that they would balk at adding a 120 to your ride if you were still going to use the bike for its intended purpose and design.

Search for my other posts on the air to coil conversion as I do not wish to waste MTBR server space with repostings. Good luck and post details after you do it and your detailed observations.

Peace is our mission

Hey, I'll even be in CoSprings this weekend! I'm assuming that's where you are?

I'll definitely check out the Marathon or whatever is similar with the recent model year.

Actually I was standing there when my LBS called the tech guy at Kona so I'm certain that's what the company line is. I'm sure I could get away with adding a bit more travel without goofing up the geometry too much but I'd rather not annoy the lions, so to speak, about the warranty issue. I just had my old Giant warrantied with no hassle at all so I guess I'm a little jumpy now.

Also, at my size I'd rather have a little backup in case I find a way to break this one to

Oh and if you need to revalve that old MX Air, I have a couple of old camp coffee pot percolators in my stash of camping gear.

 

[RockinTejas]

If you are dead set on a coil sprung fork, you should stick with Marzocchi. Rockshox and Manitou don't really build a decent coil fork, in my opinion. I know RS has a lot of new models out now, like the Tora and Recon, but I think some of those are longer travel. Marzocchi has some nice forks that are reasonably prices. The MX Comp and Pro lines are really good. I have an MX Comp ETA which locks out the fork at the bottom of its travel to assist in climbing. I think the difference between the Pro and the Comp is that the Pro has an external damping adjuster. These forks also have an air assist on top of the coil spring.

If you want an air fork, I would definately look at the Reba. I think they are just as good as the Fox forx, probably more durable. I am not sold on Fox's durability yet. I think they have their rear shocks down pretty good because they have been making those for at least 10 years now. Also, the Manitou Minute forks are good. I would stay away from the Black if possible.

Ian, we have a Manitou Minute 1:00 in stock if you are interested. I can't remember the price right now, but I know it was a great deal. You could give James a call if you like.

Why stay away from the Black?

 

[bulletbob]

Nothing against it...

Why stay away from the Black?

...from me! I'll add it to the list.

 

[bikerboy]

I think the Splice on the Iron Horse will be a bit short. You might want to measure from the top of the fork crown to the top of the stem on both bikes and see how much longer the steerer on the Kikapu is. The Iron Horse has an integrated headset, which makes the steerer on the fork a bit shorter than normal frames.

 

[hallin222]

I think the Splice on the Iron Horse will be a bit short. You might want to measure from the top of the fork crown to the top of the stem on both bikes and see how much longer the steerer on the Kikapu is. The Iron Horse has an integrated headset, which makes the steerer on the fork a bit shorter than normal frames.

Yup, I measured it last night and it's more than an inch shorter. Even if I removed all my spacers and used a taller angled stem and/or taller riser bars to get the grips back to where I want them, it doesn't matter. There's not enough steerer length. Bummer. Of course, who knows if we'll even get to keep them. IH might recall them. If not, maybe James can cut me a deal on something similar to your front end. I get the feeling that at my size and riding style/terrain, I'll want something better soon.

*EDIT* I feel like my bike could perform a lot better than it does on steep climbs and I'm beginning to understand why. I like the idea of having a fork that will lock out at the bottom of its travel to help keep my nose down. It seems I always either wheelie out, or start to spin the rear tire when leaning forward to keep the front end from lifting. Either way, I lose momentum and end up stalling out a lot. Granted, my form probably isn't the best and I'll improve with practice, but a tall guy has a high center of gravity and I could use a little help from my forks when I upgrade. *END EDIT*

You working tonight? I'll be stopping by around 5:30.

 

[bikerboy]

That Marzocchi ETA lockout is pretty neat. To be honest, I hardly have used mine. I either forget to flip the lever or figure that I'd prefer fully active travel than the stiff 30mm you get with the ETA on. I am by no means good with my form, but I seem to have pretty good luck on the climbs. I do find the front end getting a little light and wandering a bit, but not nearly as bad as my old bike which had too long of a fork on it. Another thing that might help are some different tires. Those Tioga Red Phoenix are not the best tire, but you seldom get the nicest tires on a bike in that price range. I have yet to try mine out, but I hear rave reviews on the Kenda Nevagals. I've had good luck with the IRC Mythos and WTB Velociraptor. There are so many things you can do to a bike to make it climb better, go faster, corner better, etc...So if you haven't already figured it out, this is an expensive hobby. If it makes you feel any better, I still spend too much money on this stuff even with my discount.

 

[pornstar]

About the tire lifting while climbing (Wheeling) and the rear tire loosing traction (skidding) while weighting the front tire.
I use to have the same problem. It got partially solved by turning the stem upside down, or running it under the spacers. ( I use to run it with no spacers and on the negative rise)
But it was really solved when i swapped the stem for a longer one. (110mm)