Fox Fork

steelo
steelo Posts: 542
edited July 2007 in MTB buying advice
I have a Specialized Rockhopper with a Rock Shox Tora 302 w/lockout. I would like to know which Fox Fork would be best suited to the frame for XC trail riding, off-road bridleways and singletrack. No big jumps or downhill, but obviously being able to handle the occasional drop-off, bunny-hop and big british root would be good.

I'm 16.5 st. and 6'1" riding a 19" frame.

I've looked at the Fox website but nothing seems to stand out as an obvious choice.

Any suggestions?
Specialized Rockhopper '07
Trek Fuel EX8 '09

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    ok so why are you looking to change the Tora? what dont you like? what do you like?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    I like the fact that it moves up and down like a suspension fork should. I like the lockout facility.

    I don't like the fact that no matter how much preload I set it to, there does not seem to be any discernible difference in the way it operates. The same with the rebound, from full tortoise to full hare, I am not able to tell any difference in the speed of the rebound or overall performance of the fork.

    This may be because I have not had any real guidance on how to set the fork up, despite reading the manual and listening to advice, nothing beats having someone, who knows what they are doing, try the fork and set it up how they would recommend.

    It seems that an airsprung fork is easier to tune to your bodyweight using the pressure chart supplied when you make your purchase, also the higher performance forks are lighter, have greater logevitiy, and will probably be more robust under load.
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    ok. tbh the fork tora fork does work well considering the low price. If you are having probs with the Tora i would not recomend a fox.

    get down to a bike shop and get them to expalain how the fork works. But i would get the springs changed IF it is the coil version.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    It is the coil sprung version. There are also springs available at different stiffnesses. So a trip to the LBS may be a better decision than buying a new set of forks just yet!
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • jordlr
    jordlr Posts: 15
    I agree with nicklouse....

    The springs in your current shocks probably arn't stiff enough to cope with your weight hence the unresponsiveness when you try to tune them....See if your lbs will put some different springs in for you to 'try before you buy'. If the springs dont work try chaging the forks for reba's. Strong, air sprung and very reliable....
  • ROCHA
    ROCHA Posts: 266
    Are there any kits to conveting his spring Tora's to air? Springs aren't cheap and he may not be able to guess the correct ones the first time, so air kit would solve this.
  • ddoogie
    ddoogie Posts: 4,159
    The Fox F100 would be the correct fork to go for. However, the F range are expensive compared to the options from Rockshox and Marzocchi. I'd plump for the Rockshox Reba myself.
    S-works Stumpjumper FSR

    I'll see you at the end.

    You'll see me on the floor.
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    I have checked the rock shox website and they have an information sheet on different springrates. For my weight I need a firm spring. I checked with my LBS and they think the cost will be about £15 for the spring plus extra for fitting.

    I don't think i'll be able to get anything sorted before I go up to the 7stanes this friday though!
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09

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