Do used & re-conditioned forks exist? Good/ idea?

litwardle
litwardle Posts: 259
edited March 2008 in MTB buying advice
After looking at the latest prices for a decent set of XC forks and sobbing quietly to myslef in the corner, I set the question: Do used and reconditioned forks exist and are they a good idea?

I'm using a set of budget RockShocks (old dart 1's). They don't have any rebound damping so really hard to ride in some scenarios. Toras are probably a good step up but at around £159.00 they are just to much money as unfortunatly, the mortgage takes precedence. I havn't seen many used forks on ebay so do people just throw them away? Use them until they break?

I service and repair espresso machines for a living, these things cost ££££££'s and I have brought many back from the dead to live for many years, so surley it must be the case with a good set of suspension forks?

Lee
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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    most fork service places do sell recond. forks. But you can pick up new Toras for about £80

    And yes no and maybe.
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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Sometimes a service, seal and bushing change and internals fixed cot more than a new fork!
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  • litwardle
    litwardle Posts: 259
    nicklouse wrote:
    . But you can pick up new Toras for about £80

    £80? Cheapest I have seen is £159......

    ANy other veiws on Recond?

    Lee
    Chubbs Cycle Challenge! 3 Chubbs, 3 bikes, 1000 miles for S.U.D.E.P. Action
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Tora 289 are 80 or 90 quid at CRC. Be aware there are many versions.
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  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    Even the most basic fork service is £60,normally more like £80.so getting them professionally serviced, only makes sense on more expensive forks.

    TF Tuned occasionally advertise,used forks on their site.
    If you are after a bargain,maybe you could pick up some really cheap forks on ebay,and learn how to do it yourself?

    There are some fork servicing guides,available from the fork manufacturers,take a look on Rockshox website,and a few other "How tos" published on the net.

    A fluid change is often doable to someone of a practical nature,but service parts such as seals,and bushings can be difficult to obtain for some.

    Coil forks,are generally going to be simpler to sewrvice.

    Sick to a a more common brand like Rockshox,and you should be OK.
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  • funkydung
    funkydung Posts: 116
    loads on ebay Spoting goods/cycling/bike parts/forks -
    http://sports.listings.ebay.co.uk/Bike- ... ngItemList
    mind you do take a risk, but you can get a bargain if you now what you are looking for?
  • litwardle
    litwardle Posts: 259
    The Spiderman wrote:
    .
    If you are after a bargain,maybe you could pick up some really cheap forks on ebay,and learn how to do it yourself?

    That thought did occour. Good idea. I'm a mantenence engineer so should be something I can turn my hand to. I'll have a look for some knackered forks on ebay.
    loads on ebay Spoting goods/cycling/bike parts/forks -
    http://sports.listings.ebay.co.uk/Bike- ... ngItemList
    mind you do take a risk, but you can get a bargain if you now what you are looking for?


    Thanks Funkydung. (great mane BTW) I did look on ebay but didn't see anything I thought would be serviceable. I'll follow your link and have a look. I guess if it takes me half a day to strip and service a set of forks they have to be half decent first. Then again, beggers can't be choosers!!

    Regards

    Lee
    Chubbs Cycle Challenge! 3 Chubbs, 3 bikes, 1000 miles for S.U.D.E.P. Action
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    What's your budget? You may well pick up something decent and perfectly functional secondhand - without having to resort to something that's already knacked.
  • artillerydave
    artillerydave Posts: 715
    or buy a really good set on inerest free credit and spread the cost All Terrain Cycles do a lot of this and it can mean good stuff now for a couple of quid a month. I got my revelations from them for £270 at £11 a month for 24 months. easy peezy one less chinese a month and they are paid for. and no worries about other peoples broken bits.
  • stu76
    stu76 Posts: 41
    Individual parts tend to go for quite a bit on ebay. You could have a look for used complete bikes which have decent forks, many people "upgrade" older bikes before deciding to take the plunge and buy a new one (me included) then sell on the old bike.

    You could then sell on the rest of the bike as parts or add your old Rock shox and sell as a complete bike.
    On one scandal
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  • litwardle
    litwardle Posts: 259
    What's your budget? You may well pick up something decent and perfectly functional secondhand - without having to resort to something that's already knacked.

    Budget is as low as possible really. I don't want to resort to buying on credit particularly.

    Probably should just deal with the dart1's for the time being!!! I will keep an eye out on ebay though.

    Ideally I need a kind forum user to donate an old set :wink:
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Rigid?
    Neeermad
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  • punkypossum
    punkypossum Posts: 660
    I got a tora 302 from CRC for £99 incl delivery...not sure if that's still over your budget tho, but I thought it was a pretty good deal...
    One day, I'm going to buy a cottage in a small village and become its idiot!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The Toras are blinding deals - not many people realise they use the same lowers, bushings ans seals as the Revelation! Seen them for 80 quid too!
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Yeah, but you really want the 318 ones to get the decent damping.
    Neeermad
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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yeah, tis better on the 318, but suprisingly controlled on the 302 considering the price. Tough as old boots too.
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  • punkypossum
    punkypossum Posts: 660
    They are one hell of an improvement from my old RST Gilas anyway!
    One day, I'm going to buy a cottage in a small village and become its idiot!
  • kenone
    kenone Posts: 113
    punkypossum wrote:
    They are one hell of an improvement from my old RST Gilas anyway!
    feckin right i had them forks on my old hardtail and its amazing what a difference upgrading to some decent forks make....
    Get your dog off my lawn!
  • litwardle
    litwardle Posts: 259
    Looks like it's prpbably a good idea to go with a set of Toras then?
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