A couple of reasons Raleigh is not famous in the MTB community:

1- They don't sponsor any race or racer
2- They don't win any race

 

Since there seems to be a pretty good response on this thread..

I want to upgrade my Rockshock Judy TT 100mm fork... I got an ad from Jenson USA and saw this fork on sale!!

-Marzocchi All Mountain 3 (2007)

The All Mountain is built to conquer the entire mountain. It's a balanced fork that shines on both the climb and the descent. The All Mountain is chocked full of features such as ATA and TST, but is still one of the lightest long travel single crown forks on the mountain. This is the perfect utility fork for the bike that does it all.

- 140mm Travel
- TST 2 Adjustability
- Coil w/ Air Assist Spring
- Alloy FR Steer Tube & Crown
- 32mm Alloy Stanchions
- 6" Post Mount (Max Disc 8")

Does anyone have experience with/knowledge on this fork?
I know anything is better than what I currently have...

Is it deirable to have a hydraulic fork? I've been reading a lot of issues with these types of forks; leaks... The All Mountain 3 is a spring/air fork...seems to be a basic one. There is only one review on it...person seems to be happy with it...

Let me know what you guys think... I like the specs...well, the travel on this one...

 

More travel isn't always "better", especially if your frame was designed for a fork more in the 100mm range.

Going from 100mm to 140mm travel will affect the handling of the bike and you will notice it - you may like it, and you very well may not. Also, if the frame wasn't designed to handle that much travel, you risk breaking the frame. Yes, I'll admit that may be far-fetched depending on your riding style, but that's why most frames' warrantees become void if you use a fork with more travel than the frame was designed for.

Around 100mm of travel up front really should be just fine for most straight-up XC riding. I have a 130mm Talas on my Blur Classic that I usually keep dialed down in the 100-110mm travel range. On the whole, I don't like the feel of the bike at full travel. And, yes, I'm aware that the 130mm Talas is outside the recommendation of Santa Cruz for the Blur Classic. Oh well, I choose to live dangerously.

I'm not saying that upgrading your fork isn't a good idea (it is), just don't automatically get in that "bigger/more is better" mentality - be smart with your choice.

Cheers, Chris

 

I wasn't planning on the 140mm, more of 120mm range. I need to verify that the AM 3 is height adjustable...

Actually after a little research, I can't find anything anywhere that its adjustable...
I'm a little stuck now... The fork is priced to buy!! Do you think 140mm will be too much...???

 

Yeah dude the fork is going to be way too much, you could always have someone lower it for you. Call up your LBS and see if they can/will lower a fork or see if you have any friends who can do it. If they can lower forks then go for it, you should be really happy with that fork lowered to 110-120.

 

Yeah, thats what I was thinking...it will definitely be too much...
Darn, the other fork thats on sale is the Marathon XC with selectable 100mm or 120mm...which would be perfect!!! But its $182 more than the AM3... :sad:

 

Why not get a used fork? You can have a pretty good one for cheap.

 

Why not get a used fork? You can have a pretty good one for cheap.

Yep , just started looking on ebay...
Though, is it OK to buy a used fork? Don't you have to worry
about sanctions being scratched, etc...? I don't think I would feel
comfortable with that...

I did see a new 2006 MARZOCCHI AM1 FORK! 130MM TRAVEL/ETA!
Though, I don't see anywhere where it says its height adjustable...???

Another one I've found is a used 2005 Marzocchi AM SL that supposedly is adjustable from 110mm-130mm.
I just don't know about buying an old fork like a 2005, especially used... How do I know it hasn't been trashed/abused...?

The 2005 AM SL would be ideal though...

Why are the Marzocchi forks cheaper than all the other brands...? I look at the other brands, but there is nothing less than $400...??? What gives??

 

**A couple of reasons Raleigh is not famous in the MTB community:

1- They don't sponsor any race or racer
2- They don't win any race**

that may be true today, but do you remember a man named john tomac?

 

Nope... Who is John Tomac...?

 

Nope... Who is John Tomac...?

john tomac was one of the greatest american MTB racers who ever set knobs to dirt, my friend.

http://www.mtnbikehalloffame.com/inductees.cfm?page=99&mID=70

 

"First off, Raleigh has never been seriously into racing. They flirted with road racing through the 70's but that's about it. Raleigh's traditionally been the builder of utility and general purpose bikes. Raleigh's legend was built on the back of the traditional 3-speed utility bike and Raleigh 20 small-wheel bikes."

Raleigh was serious about racing and to that end, bought Carlton Bicycles in 1960 as they realized they could not compete with them and turned Carlton into their skunkworks where all their team bicycles were constructed.

I know a fellow here who use to race for team Raleigh in the UK and got to ogle and drool over his team bike when he had it in the shop.

Their bread and butter has always been the production of utilitarian bicycles and thankfully, they are moving back to being a producer of higher end bicycles like the xxix.

 

Raleigh was founded by Frank Bowden in 1887 in a small cycle manufacturing shop on Raleigh Street, in Nottingham, central England.

Raleigh Industries became TI/Raleigh after becoming part of the Tube Investments Group in 1960 . Raleigh produced millions of bicycles in its Nottingham factory and were, at one time, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world.

During the 1970s, Raleigh (inspired by Schwinn) produced an iconic series of bicycles:

Chopper https://www.mvvcc.org.uk/features/cycles/images/choppermk2.jpg
Tomahawk https://www.re-buy-cycle.co.uk/uploads/27/L/0.jpg
Grifter https://www.stuffwelove.co.uk/images/grifter.jpg

I had a Tomahawk as one of my first bikes, moving on the the Grifter after that. I have heard it said that the Grifter was one of the predecessors to the BMX.

These bicycle were the "must-have" bike for children at the time, and led to a significant revival in the company's fortunes. They are still colected and revered, a Google search will bring up more information than you ever want about them.

By 1984, all Raleighs for the American market, save for the high-end Team USA and Prestige road bikes, were being produced in the East for Raleigh.

Today, Raleighs are mass-produced in China and Taiwan for Derby.

Raleigh Canada has a factory in Waterloo, Quebec, Canada (since 1972) which still mass produces over 300,000 bikes per year. They employ 320 people and are the last North American bicycle manufacturer of this scale, and currently sell bikes to Canadian Tire, Walmart, and many dealers across Canada and the US.

 

I'd ride a Raleigh before I'd be caught dead on an Ibex.

 

Since there seems to be a pretty good response on this thread..

I want to upgrade my Rockshock Judy TT 100mm fork... I got an ad from Jenson USA and saw this fork on sale!!

-Marzocchi All Mountain 3 (2007)

The All Mountain is built to conquer the entire mountain. It's a balanced fork that shines on both the climb and the descent. The All Mountain is chocked full of features such as ATA and TST, but is still one of the lightest long travel single crown forks on the mountain. This is the perfect utility fork for the bike that does it all.

- 140mm Travel
- TST 2 Adjustability
- Coil w/ Air Assist Spring
- Alloy FR Steer Tube & Crown
- 32mm Alloy Stanchions
- 6" Post Mount (Max Disc 8")

Does anyone have experience with/knowledge on this fork?
I know anything is better than what I currently have...

Is it deirable to have a hydraulic fork? I've been reading a lot of issues with these types of forks; leaks... The All Mountain 3 is a spring/air fork...seems to be a basic one. There is only one review on it...person seems to be happy with it...

Let me know what you guys think... I like the specs...well, the travel on this one...

I posted a question about adding a new fork to my bike in the General forum. Originally I had my RockShox Pilot fork on there but I transferred that to my SS and purchased a 2004 Marchozzi Bomber SL for the Raleigh. I got it used off a friend and although I like the fork, going to 130mm of travel has definitely affected the handling of the Raleigh. Knowing this, I would not recommend going to a 140mm fork. I think it would be too much for the frame... mine is pushing it.

 

Thanks!! :thumbsup:

Yeah, I've re-thought this whole fork thing... I'm sticking to a 120mm fork...
I just need to find one in that travel that won't cost in the $300-$500 range...
I might start looking at used ones... There are awesome deals out there on the 130mm-140mm forks...

 

What about adjusting the SAG so that the travel is reduced with the rider on the bike?
Would that work?

 

What about adjusting the SAG so that the travel is reduced with the rider on the bike?
Would that work?

If you are talking about doing that to a 130/140mm fork to get it "down to" a 110/120mm, then that's not a good idea at all. It would really grossly mess up how the shock performs. While sag may be adjusted somewhat to accommodate certain variables (the shock manual will explain), it's not intended to be a travel adjustment tool.

Get a shock that fits what you need - the whole "right tool for the right job" thing. The 08s are starting to come out now, so there should be deals on older models. Getting one used is fine too, if you can be confident it has been well cared for. A fork is a pretty big investment, choose carefully.

Cheers, Chris

 

My old Raleigh M80

Back in 99 I purchased a Raleigh M80 from a LBS as my first bike to get back into XC riding. I bought it for $550 and then proceeded to beat the living hell out of it and ride as fast as I possibly could. I loved that bike! I'm very glad it was my first bike and it performed flawlessly, I'm sorry I sold it.

 

If you are talking about doing that to a 130/140mm fork to get it "down to" a 110/120mm, then that's not a good idea at all. It would really grossly mess up how the shock performs. While sag may be adjusted somewhat to accommodate certain variables (the shock manual will explain), it's not intended to be a travel adjustment tool.

Get a shock that fits what you need - the whole "right tool for the right job" thing. The 08s are starting to come out now, so there should be deals on older models. Getting one used is fine too, if you can be confident it has been well cared for. A fork is a pretty big investment, choose carefully.

Cheers, Chris

Well, thats why I wanted to check first... Thanks for the advise!!:thumbsup:

 

OK, I found a new deal...
What do you guys think about the 2006 Manitou Minute 1...? Supposedly it features externally adjustable
compression damping and rebound damping.
I've looked all over and I can't find any info on it nor reviews...???
Does Manitou have a website...?

Anyway, its listed as a 100mm...which is what came with my bike...
Remember, I'm currently running a Judy TT...so that is my baseline...anything better is good... LOL

 

OK, I found a new deal...
What do you guys think about the 2006 Manitou Minute 1...? Supposedly it features externally adjustable
compression damping and rebound damping.
I've looked all over and I can't find any info on it nor reviews...???
Does Manitou have a website...?

Anyway, its listed as a 100mm...which is what came with my bike...
Remember, I'm currently running a Judy TT...so that is my baseline...anything better is good... LOL

Minute is a decent fork. www.answerproducts.com is manitou's website. (Manitou is owned by Answer)

 

i used to have an m80 ... my pops still has it ... seems ok

but damn man 34 lbs .... my enduro weighs 33 and its got fox dhx 5.0 and a talas r.

 

i used to have an m80 ... my pops still has it ... seems ok

but damn man 34 lbs .... my enduro weighs 33 and its got fox dhx 5.0 and a talas r.

Tell me about it. I have an 05 M80 and when I first got it that thing was heavier than my Reign.....But now it has all the nice bells and whistles and makes a good race bike.

 

Tell me about it. I have an 05 M80 and when I first got it that thing was heavier than my Reign.....But now it has all the nice bells and whistles and makes a good race bike.

How much were you able to shave off of it...? I'm hoping with all my upgrades that I can shave some weight off of it...but I'm not expecting it to be much...