[G-VegasMTBiker]

I just bought an 02 Kona Bear frame. I've been reading the reviews about it and i've seen many people using 130mm Marz Z1 FR forks. I wanted to put a 130mm Vanilla on it. I was wondering if the frame is really designed to handle that kind of travel.

 

[adamantane]

all depends on the kind of riding, Z1 is a freakin great fork, stay away from fox

 

[Guest]

all depends on the kind of riding, Z1 is a freakin great fork, stay away from fox

......so is a vanilla, just because you had a bad expereince with fox, doesn't mean everyone has. If fox was such a bad company I don't think they would have support that they do.

For 07 the vanilla is 140mm, so you might want to look into a float or talas which can be adjustable, unless you can get an 06 or 05 somewhere.

 

[XSL_WiLL]

Kona frames are built nice and burly. Shoot them a email and see what they have to say. I would okay it.

 

[MK_]

You're better off with a Vanilla than a Z1 because the Fox is almost an inch shorter axle to crown at 130mm, so you rake out the front less and you put less stress on the head tube. As long as Kona says it is ok structurally, all you have to worry about is handling characteristics. The bike might just feel crappy with a fork an inch taller than designed around. You may very well enjoy it, too.

_MK

 

[G-VegasMTBiker]

I just e-mailed the people at Kona and they told me to keep it at 100mm. So i'll probably play it safe for now. most likely i'll get a Vanilla and set it at 100, then once i get a 5 in frame i'll set it at 130. Thanks for the replies everyone:thumbsup:

 

[Alain]

The travel is not what counts; it's the length of the fork. Measure it from the centre hub to the crown race (bottom of your headset) that's what counts and affects your bike's handling... My LBS contacted Gary Fisher and they told them that a 5" fork would void warranty on my frame, I contacted them with the travel and length of my fork and they said it was a short enough 5" travel fork (20" from hub to crown race) that I could get away with it.