XC/Trail forks

flashy0070

Hi, can anyone suggest a new set of forks for my specialized hardrock? It currently has some marzocchi mz race forks which have been on there since new, i think they have a travel of 105mm, i am looking to put some new ones on for xc/ trail riding and i was looking at spending up to £200.

supersonic

RS Tora 318 or RS Recon 327.

xtreem

Or the new Tora Race.

BlackSpur

supersonic wrote:

RS Tora 318 or RS Recon 327.

From Merlin cycles

tom_majski

i think you're wasting your time. Forks at 100mm travel mostly all feel very similar. For 200 quid i don't think you'll get a huge upgrade on the mz's. I've just bought some Fox F100s which were stupidly expensive at £520. Luckily i got my LBS to do a reciept for a full bike for the amount and got them on ride to work scheme, which meant i paid around £300. They are very very good, but i seriously think that for a fork with that little travel the only upgrade you'll get is a weight saving, nothing in terms of suspension performance, or at least nothing worth the money!

supersonic

Sorry, you are totally wrong. The mz race is an undamped pogo stick, the toras and recons have very controlled and adjustable dampers.

tom_majski

supersonic wrote:

Sorry, you are totally wrong. The mz race is an undamped pogo stick, the toras and recons have very controlled and adjustable dampers.

fair enough. I've never used an MZ before, and i don't ride my XC bike that much so i don't know a lot about short travel forks. From what i've experienced in the past a lot of 4 inch forks feel exactly the same. My toras felt very similar to the old RS Judy TTs i used to have, and they were supposed to be a LOT better.

flashy0070

Thanks for your advice, the mz race forks that i have are rubbish and are really wobbly, might be because they are worn out, i have had them for two years so could be time for some new ones.

Joe_Pineapples

Rockshox Revelations.
I have the coil versions and they are magic, true fit-and-forget.
Easily servicable and upgradable.
You can get a 2008 set like mine for £224 from Winstanleys.

supersonic

Good deal that for a Rev! Though the coil versions are nigh on identical to the Recon 351 coil, and the only major difference with the Tora 318 is the heavier steel legs. Basically they perform the same, but are different weights/strengths.

clarkson

tom - what?! forks at this travel range feel totally different depending on model, cost, make etc. my dad has a set of recons, and i have a set of rebas. the difference is huge!! my rebas feel a lot smoother and plusher. granted the rebas have dual air and the recons dont but even so!

a lot of forks have different compression and bottom-out settings as stock. some are really linear and some are really progressive.