Fox 32 Vanilla or Pike for my Santa Cruz Chameleon!?
bluedave
Posts: 152
I built up a SC Chameleon the end of last year with various old part from my race bike and picked up some 318 Tora`s (set at 130mm) cheap from ebay with the plan to pick up something better at a later date. These have done me well and I was actually quite surprised at the quality of them for what litttle they cost.
The Chameleon is a cracking frame and I feel its my duty as a MTBer to give it a worthy fork.
I prob need to go 2nd hand again but I am keeping an eye out on the sales.
I think it is between the Fox 32 Vanilla ( r or RLC) or the best Pike I can find for 200-250 notes.
It will mainly be used for the likes of Glentress and inner`s over the winter/spring.
Please comment of either of these forks or if you have any other suggestions of a worthy (120-140mm) fork.
Many thanks
Dave
The Chameleon is a cracking frame and I feel its my duty as a MTBer to give it a worthy fork.
I prob need to go 2nd hand again but I am keeping an eye out on the sales.I think it is between the Fox 32 Vanilla ( r or RLC) or the best Pike I can find for 200-250 notes.
It will mainly be used for the likes of Glentress and inner`s over the winter/spring.
Please comment of either of these forks or if you have any other suggestions of a worthy (120-140mm) fork.
Many thanks
Dave
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Comments
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I can vouch for the Pike - I have an Air U-turn and it is a cracking fork, I have no complaints at all, hell sometimes I don't even feel like theres a fork there, its super smooth and has dealt with everything I've thrown at it so far. Stainburn, Dalby, Wharncliffe, Llandegla.
But if I could have a Fox fork instead of the Pike, hmmmm that would be a tough one. I'd still say the Pike, only 'cos I have experience of one and mine is awesome.0 -
I'd go for the Pike as well. Had one ages ago, smooth and stiff. Fox 130mm that I have currently is a good fork also but not bolt thro' and I can feel the difference.
Also, when you dig a wee bit deeper you find quite a few issues with some of the Fox range, but as people perceiv them to be 'THE' premier brand then you never see much about it.
Stanchion wear in some of the forks being the biggest issue I can recall.0 -
Aside from reliability (open to debate), I'd get a Pike for the bolt through axle and the travel adjust.
You should get a good one for £250 - just keep your eyes open.0 -
I maybe parting company with my van 140 RLC. It's pretty good and I ran it on my Chameleon for a longtime before get a float 36
I put them on my gringo, but it's a bit too much travel and I've given it a lot of sag - which is a waste of travel!
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Pike without a doubt, they are superb.0
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There's a Pike in the classifieds at £220, btw.0
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Had the same conundrum a few months back, I bought a 2nd hand 2007 Chameleon with a set of all mountain 2's and they didn't feel right. Started looking about with the idea of Pike's or fox 32's. Managed to pick a set Pike Air 454's off ebay for not bad money and with a bit of fettling been blasting down GT and Inners with a big smile ever since.
Pike's 0 -
i've got a 2008 chameleon with a Fox Vanilla 32R and its superb , really smooth, I suppose its down to personal choice..how about finding a couple of demo bikes with the vanilla and pikes on and giving them a try? 0
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I've got some 05 Vanillas - they've stood up to everything so far. I've never really noticed how stiff/flexy a set of forks are, more how well damped they are.
But, most people in the know seem to recommend Pikes, but the coils over the air. I've just not tried them yet - I'd probably go for Pikes if I need a replacement any time.
For me, the only point of an air fork is if it gives a fast travel adjust, like the TALAS. Otherwise I'd always go for coils.0 -
Think I'd stick with the Tora lol, is a great fork!0
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the-nasher wrote:I maybe parting company with my van 140 RLC. It's pretty good and I ran it on my Chameleon for a longtime before get a float 36
I put them on my gringo, but it's a bit too much travel and I've given it a lot of sag - which is a waste of travel!
Hello there!
Quick question, did you notice any weight difference between the float and van?
Reason I ask is that I have a Gt Force 1.0 with 32 float rlc's 140mm and they bend and flex like nothing else (mostly down to the q/r dropouts no doubt) so I've been thinking of trading up to a 32 van or maybe 36 van.
Does anyone have any similar experiance of this?0 -
Thanks for all your comments.
Think I`ll go for the pikes which I was leaning towards anyway. Can`t wait to be blasting down inners!
Thanks again 0
