[mtb4funn]

I've been biking regularly for about a year now, XC pretty much exclusively with some pretty good downhill sections and small jumps. Not racing yet, just with friends but I might look into some races this summer.

I have a Trek 4300 disc from the local bike shop and am in the market for a new fork--the original fork was the obvious weak link and at this point the suspension is completely shot.

I'm a relative novice when it comes to parts/brands...what's a quality fork for under $300, preferably more in the $150-$250 range. I'm not a weight weenie, I just want a solid fork that'll take me where I need to go.

Thanks

 

[mtnbiker72]

Rock Shox Tora
Manitou Match

 

[mimi1885]

Or you can get used.

 

[mitzikatzi]

From the "where to find deals section"

10 Manitou Drake 100 Suspension Fork

jensonusa has Rock+Shox+Tora+302+Solo+Air+Fork+Oe

there has been a couple of Fork threads in the past week with many good suggestions

rockshox-2008-recon-race-solo-air- if they have any left, they show on stock, but only 190mm steerers

 

[redmr2_man]

you can get a used rs reba for that, easy.

That fork will make that bike butter!

 

[bwheelin]

my tora coil has been great for two years and no problems. knock on wood.

 

[anmccoy]

any of these suggestions for linear or just disc brakes? Im stuck with linear for now.

 

[mtnbiker72]

any of these suggestions for linear or just disc brakes? Im stuck with linear for now.

The Match comes with brake posts as an option, it really has the superior damper to the Tora these days.

 

[Mutantclover]

If you're an intermediate MTBer and want a fork for around 200, get a used Rock Shox Reba on ebay. The Reba design has been 90% the same since 2005, so any model 2005 or later is a light, reliable, easy-to-tune fork that works well. I still have an 05 Reba, and compared to my new 2010 Fox Float, it works just as well in not better (its more broken in, the Fox is sticky). I also had an 06 Reba for a couple years. Neither of them ever gave me any trouble.

 

[John Kuhl]

Shop around, there are good deals out there. I went
in a bike shop a while back and got a new Reba Race
with a push button lock out for $300.

Best, John

 

[Mutantclover]

Anmccoy, the Reba had a linear brake option in 05 and 06, but most of them were disc only. It will be easier to find that option on a SID or a Manitou (but make sure it is a good model of Manitou... some of their forks are good but some are unreliable). You might find it easier to buy an inexpensive disc brake like a Deore or BB7 and get that going at the same time as the fork. Having a disc brake on the front and a rim brake on the rear actually works very well as your front wheel does most of the stopping.