[Drez]

I'm getting tired of my KHS Alite 300's stock forks, the only original parts left are my pedals and forks and I see myself swapping both by the end of the season. I pretty much limit myself to XC rides hitting up casual trails incl wooded trails, roots, fallen trees, some gullys etc. That sort of thing. I was thinking entry level air shocks, particularly those linked below. Any reason why these wouldn't work or should they suit my purposes nicely? Is there something better I'm failing to consider? I'd def like to cap my price limit at $300.

Thanks!

http://www.mtbr.com/cat/suspension/2010-forks/marzocchi/44-rlo/PRD_446515_6743crx.aspx

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FK279A11-Marzocchi+44+Rlo+Fork+10.aspx

 

[the-one1]

Something else to consider, $300 in a used fork will net you a better fork for the money vs new.

 

[Drez]

I had sort of considered that but will I not need to worry about how its been abused or how far the post has been cut?

 

[Tim-H]

If you're going used just be patient, you can get a lightly used fork for 50% original cost. Just measure the post on your current setup and wait till one pops up with the same length. You could also add or remove some spacers to accomodate the one you buy.

 

[s0ckeyeus]

I wouldn't buy that fork. Your stock fork looks to only have 70mm of travel. Going up to 120mm is not a good idea. I'd stick around 80mm.

 

[mnigro]

speedgoat has new RS Recons on sale for about $300. You can drop the travel via internal spacers.

 

[Drez]

Is increasing the travel too much a problem with the frames geometry or with simply relearning the feel?

 

[s0ckeyeus]

Is increasing the travel too much a problem with the frames geometry or with simply relearning the feel?

It's going to cause problems with both. The head angle is going to be whacked out, and your steering will likely feel floppy and slow. 10mm wouldn't be too bad, but 50mm is way too much. Basically, the handling will be screwed, and your frame would be under too much stress.

 

[Drez]

Well thanks are in order if thats the case, very good to know as I likely would have screwed myself.

I got this bike largely due to the frame one of the best in its price point as I purchased it when I was a student so I could upgrade, its same frame as on the some of the higher end Alites such as the 1000 and 3000 as I remember. So given the frame has the same geometry and the travel goes from 76mm to 100mm on those models I should be safe to move at least that far up correct?

 

[s0ckeyeus]

I got this bike largely due to the frame one of the best in its price point as I purchased it when I was a student so I could upgrade, its same frame as on the some of the higher end Alites such as the 1000 and 3000 as I remember. So given the frame has the same geometry and the travel goes from 76mm to 100mm on those models I should be safe to move at least that far up correct?

If this is the case, I'd assume you'd be OK with 100mm. What you might want to do is get a coil Rock Shox Tora 318 with U-turn. That way you could adjust the travel from 85 on up.

It looks like REI has the best deal on one of these right now: http://www.rei.com/product/751101?preferredSku=7511010014&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=BC8BBAA5-0A02-DF11-BAE3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA