Repair or replace?

Mancunianfightingcat

After yesterday's ride I noticed the Fox Vanillas on my hardtail have more oil on the outside than on the inside! I think the seals have finally gone. The forks are 2002 vintage (I think) and to be honest, I've only serviced them myself and have never changed the bushes so I'm not surprised they're knackered. i'm sure it'll we be at least £100 for Mojo or TFTuned to service them so I'm wondering about spending a bit more and getting some new(er) forks.
I need 100mm minimum travel but would prefer 120mm, If I spend say £170 will I get a better fork than by just repairing the Vanillas???

dave_hill

Er no.

Personally I'd bung 'em off to Mojo. £170 for brand new forks to compete with Vanillas? Unless you get lucky and find some knock-down bargains, I'd say you're going to struggle.

Mancunianfightingcat

Cheers Dave,

but they are old, and compared with my 07 Vanillas and 08 Talas, they flex a hell of a lot more, I just wondered if technology had moved on significantly enough for some newer lower range forks to be just as good as higher end older ones?

andrewjoseph

Mojo will probably charge you for new stanchions as well. if they are available they will probably cost a bomb.

The minimum charge at mojo is about £80, plus new stanchions. the last time I sent my Fox fork in for a service it cost me £200 + . They told me the stanchions were scratched below the level of the oil seals.

I gave up with my fox talas, sold them and bought coil U-turn Recons for about £240. They've been on the bike for 3 years with no service and in that time I would have spent...

... £80 every 3 months (to keep them in service warranty) = £720.