fox 32 float vs talas

gbrnole
gbrnole Posts: 395
edited June 2008 in MTB buying advice
hi, I'm building a mojo up and the only suitable forks I can find are the 32 rlc float or rlc talas.

I'm going for the 08 range and there's only £40 price difference and I probably wouldn't use the travel adjust on the talas. Which fork feels better? I've heard the float is plusher and has a better feel to it as the talas travel adjust causes it to feel harsher?

Anyone provide advice? Or maybe suggest an alternative, its got to be light and 140mm
Ibis Mojo SL-r

Comments

  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    When the Talas gets reviewed the mags say that because the fork has a lever
    for quick adjustment in travel steps is that when they ride them they feel a notchy
    feel has the fork pasts through each travel stage.

    Where has fixed travel does not have travel stages therefore smoother.

    On the wind down type, adjustable fork you will not have this notchy feeling.

    But to be honest I have the Talas 36' rs and I bomb through hard roots etc and
    never notice this.
    Also when I need quick adjustment its there and dont have to stop and wind
    the fork up or down.
    If having a notchy fork is a compramise and again I never feel it, the
    Talas wins every time for me !
  • Amos
    Amos Posts: 438
    I think the TALAS makes more sense on the 36 like Grantway uses, but as you are looking for the 32 140mm fork its probably not quite as useful, especially if you think you wont use it much.

    I had the same dilemma when I specced up my bike and decided to go for the Float, as I never really felt like winding down the travel on bikes that have had adjustable travel before, and doubted that I would want to on my new bike.

    The Float 32 does have lockout, so if you are on a seriously climb and you want to get out of the saddle and go hammer and tongs up it you can always twist the dial and stiffen it right up. This suits me, but I rarely even use it.

    I can't compare the plushness as I haven't used the 32 TALAS, but according to reviews the Float is smoother, but as Grantway said, whether you would notice it is a different matter.
  • stumpyjon
    stumpyjon Posts: 4,069
    I've got a 32 Talas RL (which is the OE version of Talas) and I love it. I've never noticed any notchiness and it's always felt really plush to me. I also love the travel adjust, it's very easy to use even while moving. It might just be one of those adjustmets you never use until for some reason you have to and then never stop using (if that makes sense).

    I wind the travel down on steep climbs and it makes the handling on my Stumpy much better, top of the climb I let the front back up (without stopping) and I'm off again.

    I do think the Talas system is much more trail freindly than for example the U-turn system. I suppose a good comparision would be between a Joplin (Speedball) seatpost and a standard quick release. Both systems allow you raise and lower your seatpost but the remote on the fly adjust of the Joplin encourages you to do it where as the QR doesn't.
    It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

    I've bought a new bike....ouch - result
    Can I buy a new bike?...No - no result