Good old forks vs. cheap new forks

girv73

I've just recently got my old MTB out of storage - a 1995 GT Zaskar LE - and now I'm fixing it up to get back on the trails.

The frame was originally designed for cantilever brakes but I've bodged V-brakes on to it. Brake performance isn't great as the cable routing is poor and partially supported by cable ties, thanks to not having cable bosses in the right places. So I'm considering fitting disc brakes.

I have Pace RC36 forks fitted which seem to be in working order but don't have disc brake mounts. I also have a set of disc-equipped Suntour XC 100 LO forks that I took off a Commencal MTB that I use for commuting.

So the question is: would the cheap but modern Suntours be comparable in performance to the expensive but old RC36's ? I've no budget for a new set of modern forks, so those are my choices. Assuming, amongst other things, that the Suntours are suitable (heaset, geometry) anyway.

Alternatively, are there "clamp on" caliper mounts for the front, like the A2Z adapters you can get for the rear? I haven't seen any myself.



(more photos)

Words: gt zaskar le 1995 - it’s coming home

nicklouse

are the brake levers the original Canti ones?

girv73

No, they're XT V-brake ones. It never had cantis fitted, I built it with V-brakes from scratch.

I was thinking of mechanical discs so I can re-use the levers, right?

girv73

I guess I need someone who has been riding XC for the past 10-15 years to comment on how they feel fork performance has improved over that time? Is today's low end now beyond where 1995's high end was?

nicklouse

nope.

I would just fit new pads and cables.
Koolstop pads and stainless inners and outers.

going discs will cost a lot.

wheels/brakes/ adaptors.... (yes with Mech discs you can use the levers).

girv73

Thanks, that settles the fork question then

nicklouse

re the fork. I would not fit the suntour. and i have no idea what the Pace was like.

girv73

Is the Suntour really that bad?

The Pace RC36's were pretty high end for their day I think. They cost in the region of £400 when new.

I've also been offered a set of old Rock Shox, not sure of the model.

supersonic

Forks have generally got heavier and stiffer (and longer travel!). In 1995 the Judy had only just been released with it's 28mm 'beefy' stanchions!

But given the 95 zaskar was meant for 2.5 inches of travel, a lighter fork should suffice. The Suntour ain't light.

twonks

Hia. I am currently doing exactly the same thing with a 99 Zaskar LE. (Have a thread on it)

Funnily enough I am in the same boat with forks, as currently have bright red RST XMOs' on and after some thought and comments on my post I am looking for some black SIDs or similar.

However the RSTs' are very light and I remember them performing well, so going for my first ride on it today to see how it compares directly with my main bike (SC Superlight)

As for the PACE forks, I have a set of RC36 evo ii, and tried to fit them last night. I couldn't get the disk caliper mounts to line up properly and I also have a scare over the vertical QR slots with no lawyer tabs.

Never bothered me before and I used to ride with Hope Ti skewers, but for some reason it is now enough to stop me using them. doh.

Irrespective of performance, I'd say a Zaskar deserves some good forks - old or new, and no matter how good a new budget fork is, to me it wouldn't sit right on the bike.